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Norquinal

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[ { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Walking down the tracks, you would feel the former-abundant sense of necrotic energy slowly drift off, leaving only a faint sense of danger as you follow what was supposedly the oxen tracks. It took you three about 10 minutes, but you soon arrived at an open clearing where the Ox stood, grazing lazily on some flourishing grass. It was somewhat large, about 7 feet long and 4 feet tall, with horns that were about 1/4 of it's body's length, stretching outwards horizontally. It's deep blue skin would camoflage almost perfectly with the approaching night's darkness, but the stark white of it's horns would give it's location away clearly. However, as you approach the Ox, it would stop eating and would bellow a low, deep cry. You would be able to see it paw the ground, seemingly prepared to charge at you three. If you looked closely, there would be rips in it's coat, giving way to the tan of it's bare skin. It's eyes were bloodshot with red, and its head seemed to shake as cried out towards you three.*" }, { "author": "firewolfwolfwolf", "message": "*Syele would turn around and dash while she still had some distance between her and the beast. Once she was out of reach for the time being she loaded a rock into her sling and built up some momentum with one of the rocks she took on her previous quest and chunked it toward the Ox's head.*" }, { "author": "murio876", "message": "*Theron stared at Syele as she shot the rock at the Ox, wondering why the fmck she did that.*\n\n\"Why.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would chuckle at Syele's attempt at being helpful. Sure it wasn't going to be very effective considering she seemed to be one more skilled with trickery and possibly healing, but nevertheless it was an entertaining sight. And for Mizu being entertaining was a valuable quality. She would've wanted to see how the group would fare against this monster, but was worried they may flee out of fear considering they didn't want to go in the first place. She would also feel bad if any of them got her considering they followed an idea that she suggested. Thus, Mizu would pick up her spear and point it at the charging Ox's head. It was basically a Calvary unit, making her spear a natural counter for it, but just to be safe she let the blood in her veins expand, increasing her strength and reaction speed. She would then thrust it at the right moment fully expecting the spear to pierce through the Oxe's head before the horns could reach her due to the reach. If she had to move slightly to avoid them though, she was confident in her speed to do so.*\n\n```Mizu cast Turning Feral. 102.5/150 mana remaining. Strength is now 22 and gen speed is 1.9```" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"I see you've got spirit young girl, but leaving the fighting to the two of us\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*As the Ox began pawing the ground, it's face suddenly was met with a few rocks, which it certainly didn't like. It flinched for a moment, then turned towards Syele, preparing to charge at it. As it was about to charge, however, the Ox noticed Mizu charge her way and slightly turn its head, causing the spear Mizu sent to pierce it's head become jostled within its horns, the force of the strike sending the Ox back a few feet, but still on its four legs. Angered by the attack Mizu had unleashed upon it and further upset about the attack Syele had unleashed on it, the Ox rushed at the vampire Kitsune, horns and skull first. It left a trail of dust behind it as it charged, causing the ground below to be sent flying backwards.*" }, { "author": "murio876", "message": "`I think it just meant the tilting head made the hit indirect instead of dead on`" }, { "author": "firewolfwolfwolf", "message": "*Syele maintained her distance for the time being, she was considering that the ox might not had been really about to charge them, but at the same time they could always blame it on the cult.*" }, { "author": "murio876", "message": "*Theron didn't feel like doing much in this situation... They were supposed to retrieve the animals, not kill them. Since the Ox would be enraged now however, they were in danger of being crushed under it's hooves or impaled by a horn... So he had decided to assist, not wanting them to get worn out in case undead start sprouting out from the landscape covered in necrotic energy.*\n\n*Theron would draw the composite bow hitched to his back, underneath his hooded cowl. Drawing an arrow quickly and precisely, preparing for a shot... Mizu was somewhat in the way, but running a dozen feet to the right allowed him to fire off a shot that would hopefully pierce it's chest.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizue was impressed that the Ox was quick enough to to tilt its head at the last second, and she licked her lips in ecstasy. How long has it been since she was able to fight something that didn't immediately get killed from one piercing strike from her enhanced strength and enchanted spear Kyūketsuki. Perhaps this was the shiver she felt down her spine, the shiver of excitement of actually finding a worthy foe. How much blood will be spilled in exchange, how much of it will be hers? Will the two of them paint a delightful red portrait across the landscape. Mizu wasn't one of faith, especially due to being vampire, but she praised the gods of war for allowing her to be here today. She didn't care that they were suppose to bring these animals alive, there was no way she was going to let her source of entertainment escape*\n*With that Mizu decided to step it up a notch, hoping the Ox would still be able to keep up with her and deflect her strikes despite the new fighting conditions. Red mist would appear around her in a 10 ft radius as she side stepped the Ox's charge and stabbed forward with Kyūketsuki pointed forward aiming for the head once more for a beautiful exchange of raw force*\n\n```Sanguine Pool cast. 40 mana spent only due to 5 mana regained. 62.5/150 mana remaining. Enemies within 10 ft have gen speed reduced by .5, movement reduced by 15 mph, and are hit with feelings of nausea and dizziness```" }, { "author": "murio876", "message": "```kso I'm probably gonna be dead for most of the day, brother's birthday party at casino. I'll ping when I'm back.```" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The Ox, charging at Mizu, would suddenly be met with a crimson mist enveloping the area within 10 feet. It had charged a few feet too far from where the kitsune had side stepped, but it was still within the radius of the red fog. It could feel it's senses being slowed down by a great multitude, bringing its running speed down to 16 mph, and its general speed to 0.6. Turning its head rapdily to try and get visuals on Mizu, it would eventually be met with an arrow in it's side. It roared in pain and agony, but the torture was not yet finished. Out of the fog, the Ox would be met with a spear strike so fast and vicious, the insides of the animal would be completely ruptured from the inside. The spear ripped through its guts and organs, sinking deep into the Ox's side. When Mizu pulled the spear out, it was covered in small bits and matter of meat tissue, and small bit of the large intestine would begin to hang out of the wound. Red vision now filling the Ox's head, it would begin to buck around, kicking the air and sides around it while flailing its head in all directions. The bucking would be incredibly slow compared to you three's attacks, however.*" }, { "author": "firewolfwolfwolf", "message": "\"Go for the neck! It contains several vital blood vessels!\" *Syele yelled out as she suddenly lunged in with the katana aiming for a vertical slash across it's neck before diving back out.*" }, { "author": "murio876", "message": "`one last p0st from me`\n\n*Theron would hitch the bow back onto his back, as the pair would most likely finish it off now that the bull has gone into a slow and blind panic. He'd simply begin to move in on the soon-to-be-deceased bull... Keeping his hand on his short-sword, just in case they needed the extra help.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*While Mizu's face was covered by her mask, her eyes would be crimson red in utter joy of the bloodbath before her. She was so enamored by it that she almost didn't realize the young orinate entering the fray. Mizu would smile, who knew the girl who said she wanted to avoid combat would come charging in. Maybe she couldn't resist the temptation of blood either. To help make it easier for Syele to slash, Mizu would throw her spear at the Ox's head and use her free arms to grab the horns and attempt to immobilize it so Syele can get a clean cut on the neck and perhaps let the flying spear pierce the Ox's head once more. It would be a fun test of strength so to speak to see whose muscles were stronger*" }, { "author": "murio876", "message": "`but uh... If there's no more combat, you guys can just finish the quest. Wolfe will bring Theron his share or something.`" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"Ah, couldn't resist joining? Not that I mind. Come, let us enjoy this blood bath together young one\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Syele, due to the red mist enveloping the area, your senses would be dulled down and slowed as the fog covered your body. Entering your pores and your lungs, it could be almost invisible albeit the taste of blood filling your mouth. The mist also blocked your view, but you could hear Mizu's voice calling from above. Due to the mist obstructing your view, your slash with the katana would not hit the Ox's neck, but it would graze the Ox's leathery hide, dealing additional damage and pain towards it. However, it felt the direction the pain came from, and blindly kicked you in the chest with one of it's back hooves aimed at your midsection, sending you flying towards the ground. During this course of action, however, the spear Mizu aimed at the head of the Ox struck true; a fountain of blood and brain matter gushed through the gargantuan hole it made through the Ox's skull, the spear piercing it's entire head. It stuck to the ground, and the Ox went limp from the waste down, its tongue hanging out as the life fled from its body. Your spear would be stuck in it's head from halfway down, however. As it died, you three could feel a massive amount of negative energy escaping the Ox as well as the surrounding environment, causing the area to feel substantially more peaceful and tranquil, albeit the dead Ox's corpse laid out in front of you.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Three hits huh... Only three hits... Mizu would look down at the Ox with slight disappointment and look at her surroundings. It wasn't nearly as red as she wished it would be. She would let out a sigh. Was she expecting too much from it just because it survived one blow? She would look over to Syele and offer her a hand to get up. At least her toys were relatively uninjured. Mizu resolves herself to just accepting the small amount of entertainment she was able to enjoy today, even how short lived it was*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"Are you alright you one? I apologize, I generally hunt alone and forget my abilities aren't kind to fellow comrades. But it looks like we resolved the necrotic energy in the area. Shall we head back?'" }, { "author": "firewolfwolfwolf", "message": "*Syele would cast 'walk it off' as Mizu helped her to her feet with the wound glowing a bright yellow. It wasn't instantly healed, but at least it would recover faster than having to deal with it for the entirety.* \"At least we dealt with that thing and the area has seemingly calmed down... Hopefully we can just go to the estate and find that second horse now without much trouble.\" *She'd clearly still be in some pain after getting yeeted by the damn thing.*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Walking back towards the farming estate, you would see a couple of slaves working on the broken fence gate. You could still walk through it, however, and went back to Kren, who was busy nuzzling a golden brown horce face to face. It seemed that once of the horses had already returned, and he spoke to the steed as he gave it various kisses and hugs throughout.*\n\"Kazeee~! Oh Kaze, how I missed you so!\"\n\"**Neigh,\"** The horse says almost objectively.\n\"I knew you wouldn't leave me for long, I knew it! Don't scare me like that ever again!\"\n*As you walk towards the man, he would take note of your bloodied equipment, his face shriveling in disgust. He would let to of Kaze, the horse, and inch away from you three. Keeping a watchful eye on all of you, he would go over to a nearby table and grab 3 pouches of silver off of it, tossing it to each of you in turn.*\n\"Your reward. Ah ah ah, don't come too close to me; I don't want the blood of whatever youve stained on *My* Robes. I expect you have information on Mistress, yes?\"" }, { "author": "firewolfwolfwolf", "message": "\"Ah, yes, uh, well it seems an occult order has taken Mistress into the woods nearby to here going... I'd say east. If you hurry, you may be able to alert the local clergy guild and send some of them after it to deal with the situation and save your horse. We're sadly not equipped enough for it. As for your pig, the cult killed it and tainted a patch of land that will also need to be cleansed and your ox was turned into a living necrotic energy source that we had to put down.\" *She explained rather quickly, while surprised that the horse had somehow returned without injury... Or wasn't even missing to begin with.*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"What?! You didn't even bother to go in and check on the forest?!\" *Kren would sigh, putting his hand up to his forehead.* \"I thought I had hired capable adventures but... Oh well.\"" }, { "author": "firewolfwolfwolf", "message": "\"In our defense, the horse was likely turned into an abomination capable of killing your entire guard unit or in a better comparison, all three of us.\" *She lied, she lied like hell in one sentence, but it was still a reasonable defense.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would shrug, she got what she came for. The payment was just a little extra, but she mostly stuck around to see if Syele would do or say anything else that might entertain her. She smiled beneath her mask at how cunning she was. She wished she could play with the youngling longer, but suspected as a healer she wouldn't really want to hang around being that couldn't be healed and might possibly feed on her. So for now she just enjoyed the time she can spend, figuring after it was over she would head over to the cult location and deal with it herself for some last bits of entertainment*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"God's sake, I suppose it cannot be helped. Here, your reward.\"\n*He would then toss you each three bags of gold, 15 within each one.*\n\"Now don't bother me or my ranch ever again, you failures. Scram!\"\n\n**QUEST COMPLETE**\n-15 gold gained\n-1.2 PP gained" }, { "author": "firewolfwolfwolf", "message": "*Syele only nodded and then realized she had another letter in her pocket... She'd take her payment and theron's for later... Then disappeared in a fucking sprint toward .*" } ]

[ { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*A good mile or so away from the humble town of Lyndon, there is an old, beat down trail worn away with the passings of time and the winds of change. On the path, the four of you, Mizu, Yuu, Kohm, and Oshikuru, could barely make out a mass amount of horse and donkey hoofprints accompanied by the tracks that seemed to resemble human footsteps, some carved with the bottoms of shoes, other roughly engraved with the callouses on the bottoms of bare feet. On certain points on the ground, you can make out several streamlined trails that shifted often between wavy and straight, most likely due to a wagon being pulled. There was a great abundance of these tracks, most of them ensuing the horse hoof prints that came before.\n\n It is dark, a good hour or two past sundown, and the trail was only barely visible to the untrained eye. The wind rustles in and out it audibility, the soft spoken shaking of the trees becoming ever more prominent as the night wore on. At times, they stopped with seemingly bated breath, as if something had ruptured the peace within the tranquil forest. Accompanying this feeling of unease was the air of a lingering evil, the atmosphere of innocents slain, a twisted melody lamenting of unwilling weapons. It echoed when it was there, but was silent where it was not. The moon shining faintly above your head would signify that the gods would not accompany you on this quest, shunning the party in its celestial disapproval.*\n\n*The feeling of panic and distraught still remained, lingering even after the evacuees of the village were long gone, some fleeing from the settlement permanently, some hoping that one day they can come and reclaim their lost land. It was growing impossibly darker as you four walked on, almost as if the very night itself was affected by this plight.\n\nHowever, in the distance you spot two flaming torches, lighting up to reveal a small portion of wooden walls and a shoddy gate. There were two figures there, staring at you all from a distance. They radiated no malice nor hostility, however; just the feeling of apprehensiveness appropriate for the setting. There was a feeling of necrotic energy growing ever so stronger emanating from the village, oppressive and malevolent in its blight. It loomed over the village with a feeling of impending doom, like a commander preparing to burn down a village. There is time for introductions, story, and most importantly, morale boosting, before you four set off for the village.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru would have just left from meeting EinEin. He would be jogging towards the place to meet. Necromancy didn't really scare him, but he did notice the change in atmosphere. He would be dressed in samurai armor, with tiny dents, but he was missing his helmet. His face was white, as were his horns and hair. Both were long. His teeth are slightly fanged*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu wouldn't be in much of a rush to get to the meeting place. This was evident in his demeanor when he exited the woods and made it onto the road where they were supposed to meet. It was relaxed and confident, though his eyes didn't look particularly thrilled. One might think that it's because he was scared of the fight ahead, but those that knew him would know it's because he had just woken up and was bored. He was not in his transformed form, so he only had 3 grey tails and dark eyes. A few seconds after he got onto the road, a wolf exited behind him, walking up to him and rubbing it's side against his leg as he ruffled it's fur.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would be coming back after having some fun in the village. She had just finished a job for the man who had died, and figured she would have some fun before hitting the road again. It was good fortune on her part that this necromancy event occurred shortly after as she would've been very upset at missing such a rare event. It also would prove useful to cover her tracks on the few 'tricks' she did here. The people would likely connect them to vile magics going around here than to her, or at least she hoped. She wondered who else would come deal with this event. Hopefully they would be as entertained as that young female orinate that she met a few days ago. Her long bushy wolf tail would wave back and forth in excitement, eager to see what challenges the day had in store for her today*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Kohm made most of the journey on camelback, dismissing Jamal when approaching the rendezvous. The air truly was blighted, as rumours had whispered, and it tinged his heart with wariness. He moved at a steady pace, his simple cloak wrapped around him, which in this atmosphere made it seem as if he had blended into the night, using darkness as a shroud." }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would yawn and look around at the people present.* \"I was told it was a going to be four adventurers and three knights. So I guess we're waiting for the bloo- for them.\" *He would clear his throat, looking around once more. An Oni, an Okamimimi, and a Macen. The only one he was really interested in is the Okamimimi, not only because she was the same race as him and that wasn't the most common thing, but he also smelled the blood on her breath as she got closer. It was faint, but it was there.* \"Guess this is the part where we introduce ourselves? You can call me Yuu.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would eye the 3 other compatriots before her. She would muse over the pale oni, noticing the dents in his armor and lack of helmet despite wearing heavy armor everywhere else. This fellow must be a fighter and must have recently got into one as she would lick her lips, breathing in the scent of blood that her nose would pick up from the oni's head as well as the smell of burnt flesh. She hadn't tasted pale oni in a long while, and hoped that if the Oni didn't prove himself entertaining in battle that he would at least serve as a delightful delicacy.*\n*She would then look over to the macen. He seemed to be mage of sorts, being able to summon mounts and the lack of heavy armor. Macen's were a common meal to Mizu, albeit she was interested in what other magics this macen may know. Overall the man didn't seem worth her interest though, but maybe he would surprise her later on. She certainly enjoyed surprises*\n*Lastly she would look over to the Okamimi and thankfully her face was cover by a mask, otherwise she might have send chills down the poor male's spine as her eyes were filled with lust. How long has she been searching for a fellow Okamimi, and a male one at that. It would seem her kind were rare, which made finding a mate extremely difficult for her. Even worse the few Okamimi she did meet did not seem to meet her standards.*\n*However, looking at this male's well toned body made her mouth water, but in the back of her mind reason was telling her not to get her hopes up. The muscles could be just for show, though he did seem like a skilled magic user at the very least as she noticed his 3 tails and the wolves besides him were clearly not natural, meaning they were likely summons. It would be best to observe him in today's event before making any moves. She would then clear her throat*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru would look around. He saw two Oriates, both magic based on their gear, and a weathered macen. The female Oriate seems to be excited, for something. The Macen has a cloak, but is obviously still a Macen. Just looking at him you could tell.*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"Ah, the name's Kyuu. Funny how our names sound so similar, no? I'm pleased to see that my comrades for this quest seem strong.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*It would not escape Mizu how Yuu had stuttered as her keen ears would pick up on it. It was a mistake she often made as well, and she would smile underneath her mask as her tail would wave back and forth even faster, realizing he too was a vampire. Could this be fate? Have the gods of love finally united her with her mate?*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "\"Yuu... Kyuu.\" *He would scratch his chin, then grin, looking at her.* \"They -are- similar.~ Well, I guess since we're going to fight now I should prepare.\" \n\n*Saying that he would close his eyes and clear his thoughts. Crossing his arms as the air around them becomes colder and colder and after a few seconds it reaches the required temperature. Tails of ice begin to form, having the same shape and mobility as his own grey ones, totalling at 9. His eyes glow blue and horns made of ice start to form a few inches from his ears. His arms start to increase in size as they turn to ice and his icy claws form at his finger tips. As he opens them again, he breathes out some misty cold air. He would raise his arms and spread them to either side and one at a time, magical circles would form before each one, winterwolves emerging. To finish his 'ritual' he would toss two talismans before him, from which a steppe elf archer and a macen knight would appear.*\n\n\"Do we really need to wait for the knights? I think we are enough people now~\" *There was an obvious undertone of cockiness in his voice and despite there being three comrades, he looked at Mizu as he said that, sensing that she is probably the strongest one.*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "\"I'm Kohm. Hope we can get along fine.\"\n\nKohm almost frowned as he saw the strange company surrounding him. While he wasn't particularly bothered by most racial differences and lacked particularly sharp senses, something in his spine told him there was something he could see that something was just a tad off with the Oriate that called herself Kyuu. Of course, it was merely a guess done on his instinct, and for now, he did not delve into that thought pattern too deeply.\n\nAs the other coincidentally similarly named Oriate, Yuu summoned extra men to bolster their ranks, some approval would rise from his mind. An experienced summoner was appreciated everywhere, after all. However, what he stated was pretty foolhardy, and while he was aware that he was one of the stronger members and could back up his claims to some extent at least, there was no reason to refuse extra manpower. \n\nOrdinarily, he would have spoken up, but while he lacked in raw senses he was better at picking up social cues, and he was subtly aware that Yuu and Kyuu were having an unspoken interaction. He couldn't put his finger on the details, without sufficient information, but for now, he just watched how things would progress with some mild interest." }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru could tell that Kyuu wasn't the woman's real name. Seriously? Just the other guy's name with a K? Her tails were wagging faster as well, so she seemed to be interested in something. Probably in Yuu. After all, after Yuu's slip up he could tell he was a vampire. As for Kyuu, well, hiding was hard for vampires. Yuu has then summoned a bunch of stuff, wolves, an archer, a knight, and had gotten some cool ice armor. He doesn't really care about the slight tone of cockiness in Yuu's voice. Kohm seemed pretty simple, nothing to fancy, but he may be helpful. Remembering the warning of his employer, he speaks, choosing his words carefully*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"My name is Kagemusha. We are all here for the hunt, correct?\" *He would give no indication that he was lying*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu didn't seem to make much of an effort to try to remember the macen's name. They die too quickly in her perspective as just when she is about to get familiar with one they seem to be barely alive with their joints in agony and their hair gray. The oni however seemed interesting enough to remember as she recalled their kind lived somewhat long.*\n*However her primary interest was still on the Yuu. She would watch in delight as he summoned his small army of summons and as he transformed into a much more impressive looking orinate. Looks like her guess was right about him being a skilled magic users, and his skills certainly didn't disappoint. Wanting to show-off a bit as well in hopes of attracting Yuu's attention, she would press her spear Kyūketsuki on the ground and let loose a bellow of air*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"Indeed we are all here for the hunt. I certainly won't mind leaving with just the 4 of us as well. At the very least we have the numbers\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Wow. Show offs. Oshikuru could tell that they were more powerful than he or Kohm, by a large degree. Heck, he was just fast. That was his only advantage. And maybe his armor as well. Hopefully Kohm was the weakest one in the group, he hated to be the weak link in the chain*" }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "Well, if we're all ready, lets begin the hunt? I woke up for this! The knights can come later, we're dealing with a necromancer here, them dying would just be a nuisance." }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu did notice her spear maneuver, though wasn't really sure what to make of it. The spear certainly seemed strong, probably matching the owners own strength. The thought of that made him grin. He didn't say anything else though, just looked forth at the wooden walls of the village.*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "While Kohm didn't care much with the confident displays of the two Oriates, he did note the fact that somehow they seemed to have a shared interest in one another. Interesting, but for now it wasn't much important.\n\nAfter some thinking, while noting that generally it would be a bad idea to leave without the knights in tow, considering the more subtle nature of the quest a smaller group might be more effective in rooting out whatever happened, with less chance of mortalities. Too many cooks spoiled the soup, so to speak. \n\n\"Sure, let us proceed then.\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Walking towards Lyndon, the two orbs of light that you saw in the distance would soon grow, revealing torches that were set aflame by seemingly magical fire. The light would give way to some examples of the panic that had struck the town just a couple days earlier; run down houses near the gate, pieces of the wall torn onto the floor, even a dead man's corpse lying in the street, his face unrecognizable due to the amount of injuries it had sustained. The features of the two figures would enhance to where you could see their faces; one, a weary old man with a gray beard and a balding head of hair, his eyes exhausted by the trail of time. He wore a sort of tattered robe, using one of his hands to hold a walking cane to help him stand upright. He didnt look weak by any means; rather, tired. The other, a young, lean man with a brown tunic and orange hair, with a chiseled face bearing a grim expression. He had a steel sword by his belt, his arms crossed in the light of the torches. He would stare you all down with a look of melancholy in his eyes, his furrowed eyebrows squinting together as you lot approached. When you got close, he would put his hands by his waist and ask:*\n\n\"So. I suppose you lot are here to help, correct? As you can see-\" *He spread his right arm out, beholding the ghost town behind him. \"We're a bit... Lacking in population.\"\n\n*Stepping forward a bit, the old man would speak as well.*\n\n\"You feel that energy, yes? That evil, malicious energy that reeks of rot and piss. Fuck, it smells worse than the pigs dung I had to clean out back in the day. Thats the signal of a necromancer, and a damn strong one at that. I would say its not too late to back out, but I feel the dark energy growing. I fear if you act too late, it will be the last mistake I would ever make, letting you lot go.\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would listen to the man, seemingly bored with the speech. If they really had little time to act, was there really point to all these words? He would walk forth past the man, his Macen knight walking ahead of him, the Archer walking behind, while the wolves circled around his sides. He looked at his companions to see if they would keep listening to the man or would follow him into the town. Then his eyes met those of the elder and he spoke in a calm and collected manner.*" }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "We knew what we signed up for when we took the job. Why don't you just tell us where we have to go, and do our thing. Sound good?" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Seems about right. Just wondering, where are the three knights we were supposed to meet. Are they scared? Late? Dead?\"" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Seeing no need to speak up, Kohm remains silent, following the flow of the conversation." }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu also wasn't one for words. Simply put she wasn't going to let two measly guards ruin her fun and doubted they could stop her or any of them really. Perhaps she might not be paid, but when you live as long as she has wealth doesn't really concern you that much*" } ]

[ { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"Got a problem with me warning you, kid? Fine, you have your job here, anyway.\" The old man says gruffly, pointing his cane towards your direction. \"Ive had details given to me that the kitsune over there\" He pointed to Mizu. \"Took up a job in this area a week ago. She knows where the forest is. The knights are already there, prepared to assist you in your escapade. If that answers your question, go. We dont have all day. Er, night. Whatever you call it, damnit.\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Good. That was helpful. Having a teammate already know a little about the situation was always a good thing*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would tilt his head back to Mizu, eyeing her up and down.* \"You knew where we had to go all this time?...\" *He'd sigh and turn around, walking up to her, then stopping when he was a few feet away, just staring at her.* \"Well... Lead the way. I want to be done with this job before the sun makes Yuu Kebabs out of me. Plus I'm hungry, so if we don't hurry up I just might...~\" *His voice trailed off as he glanced at the Oni and Macen then back at her, licking his lips.*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"So, which way, Kyuu? And hey\" *He points to Yuu* \"Stop that. If you want to eat, ask the Macen\"" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Kohm merely gave a look before stating: \"If you want to suck my blood, sure. I must note that the last time I let a vampire lap up my blood, the consensus was that my blood tasted stale, and I'm pretty sure those from as hot a place as Siui have less picky palates.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would grin beneath her mask seeing how she was going to be leading the charge. She was thinking about taking a detour to deal with the macen, perhaps share t meal and get closer with Yuu, but hearing the Oni yell out in objection she would sigh. More likely than that he would ruin the moment. Perhaps another day.*\n\n\"I'll be more than happy to lead. Don't fall behind though\"\n\n*She would then motion for the group to follow her as she headed toward the location she recalled seeing the cultist group last at a rather brisk pace. It would seem Yuu was either not a Ebony vampire or not a strong enough one to survive the sunlight yet, meaning they had to finish the job quickly. She didn't want to see a potential mate turn to kebabs. This was likely the only chance she'll have this centuary*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*As the four of you heeded the elder's warning and follow Mizu down the hill to the forest, you would walk by the old ranchers home, looking ransacked as all hell. The lights were out, the windows were shattered, and what was once the animal pen torn down into several sections of worn down wood. There was no sign of life for hat the eye could see; only a mass parade of hoofprints scattered throughout the area, stretching across the plains down into various locations. No animals, no living beings, even, could be seen until you four walked down the hill to the entrance of the forest, which Mizu was acquainted with once before. The feeling of neceotic energy was even more powerful than it was last time she had come, most likely because of the actions whatever was in there had taken during the free timeframe. There would be three knights, as told, awaiting you three down by a clearing of shrubs and trees, all of which looked... Varied, to say the least.*\n\n*The first one, a short man wearing glasses, was the first to notice you all. He got up from the tree he was leaning on, walking over to the approaching party. The man had brown skin and white hair, with a pair of broken glasses that was poorly worn on his face. He had a full suit of plate armor on, wielding a single claymore, which he kept on his back.*\n\n\"Aye, Claude! Dimitri! We've got our bai- I mean, companions!\"\n\n*The two guards, one of them looking somewhat familiar to Mizu, would walk over to the group, both of them wearing a steel plate cuirass and steel plated armor for their legs (idk what these are called). One of them wielded an axe, while the other wielded a halberd. Both looked... Extremely sleep deprived, like they've been waiting all day. Not even bothering to greet the newcomers, they would go up to the first knight, standing behind his back, looking unmenacing as can be. They both seemed incredibly incompetent.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru would eye the 3 individuals. He had heard the short man almost mess up and say bait. They didn't seem too competent, they were falling asleep. Oh well. He planned to use them as bait later. He couldn't care less about mortals*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"So, you're the three brave knights. \" *He looks towards the others* \"They don't look like much to me\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would squint at the guard. He was allowed to 'stutter' and say the wrong word, the knight wasn't. He had already decied that if he needed to eat during the mission, this was his first target. Rolling his neck he would then look at each of the other guards, almost bursting out laughing at the 'help' they were provided. His own summoned Macen was probably about as strong as one of them. His wolves would circle around the group, fending off any danger, though occasionally having their fun and snarling at the knights to scare them. Their personality mimicking that of Yuu.*" }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "Introductions won't be necsessary, chances are you won't even make it out of this alive so there is no point remembering your names. So... Make yourselves usefull and take us to where we need to be, before I make you my dinner~" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would take note of the slip up of the first guard, but not really care. After all, the words of the weak hold no meaning. Infact she was slightly more upset at the previous guard that called her a kitsune, but of course only for a few minutes seeing how it wasn't worth her time. Being upset at those who will die by the time she turned around would be a waste of energy, and Mizu really doesn't like wasting energy.*\n*As for the other two knights, she paid them no mind either. She had said earlier she was willing to do this job with just the 4 of them, and honestly even if the other 3 hand't shown up she would've gone alone. So instead she was grateful for the 'help' provided as she was certain no one would complain if she had a feast after the job was over*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"Let's get a move on. I am getting rather bored standing here\"" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "\"Goodness gracious.\" Kohm sighed, looking at the 3 'knights' they were offered. Even with low expectations, he expected them to at least be fresh enough to hold up a fight, yet of course, they were given a bunch of poor bastards that looked like someone forced them into those suits of armour while they were sleeping. The leading 'knight' seemed... More alive, at the very least., but considering he was sure everyone heard him mess up his words, revealing that he had his own inane plans, that quite nearly culled what little pity he had left for these people. This clearly was not bravery, but indirect suicide.\n\n\"How much were you gentlemen paid, seriously? You folks do realise being half-dead really does no one any help, aside from the necromancer who only needs to make y'all *Full dead*?\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The short knight, the one who had spoken up first, would raise his hand in a stop motion. He was the only one out of the three that seemed somewhat animated, and he stepped up to Kohm, attempting to meet him face to face, albeit his own short height.*\n\n\"Formalities aside, Id prefer it if we dont discuss payment between employees, even in these circumstances. You keep your secrets to yourself, and we'll keep ours, ok? Don't pry too deep into things that you don't fully understand, and we won't delve into yours. That sound good? Cause it sounds good to me.\"\n\n*He would stop, backing away from Kohm. He crossed his arms stoutly across his chest, looking up at the other three members of the party. He didnt like the feeling he got from all of these four; one way or another, they gave him an awfully bad feeling, ranging from snobby arrogance to plain out bloodthirsty, though he couldnt tell which one was which. He heard the kitsune girl advise the, to get a move on, and decided himself that the prospect would be a good idea. The macen would turn towards the woods, then turn back at the party while keeping his arms crossed.*\n\n\"The names Ains. These lovely two here are Claude and Dimitri, our 'best' warriors. I say best, but they're the only ones that remain. All the others left on a squadron reconnassaince mission a couple days ago, but none returned. These two were shirking their duties, drinking at the bar, while their fellow knights had embarked on their mission. Who knows what couldve happened to them?\" Ains says, sighing in disappointment. \n\n*Ains would turn to the two other guards, Claude and Dimitri, and signal them to move forward with him.*\n\n\"Well, come along now. Let's hurry before it gets too late.\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would sigh. He had given up on telling the people he met tonight that despite saying 'before it's too late' it's them who were delaying the mission. He even raised his hand as the would seemed ready to pounce the knights, but then decided against it, shaking his head. His cold and calm demeanor returned to his eyes as he followed the knights to their destination. He would look up at the sky as he walks, humming some tune from his homeland.*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Well, what are we waiting for? We don't have all night. Especially with vampires\" *He would look to Mizu* \"Well, lead the way! Let us kill whatever this thing is!\"" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Gods above. These people clearly had steeled their minds one way or another, despite how shabby they appeared to be. Kohm sighed, knowing that at this juncture if there was truly no turning back for these three men- no amount of goodwill would help in this case. All he could do was to give them a mental prayer. Idly, he wondered if these folks had prayed beforehand being aware of their incompetence, or in their seeming arrogance neglected to do so?\n\n\"Let's proceed, then.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would follow, not caring for the tale the macen had to tell or even their names. She was here for entertainment, not for a sob story. She would follow the guards to their destination in hopes that whatever was in there would boost her mood*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The wind howls in your ears, the leaves of the trees rustling along as you walk into the forest. There would be silence between the four of you as you walked on, routinely being broken every time someone stepped on a leaf, a twig, a bone. The nocturnal animals of the night were unusually quiet, though with the immenent threat in the area, you could say that it was to be expected. The frontal guard of the group consisted of the three knights, namely Claude and Dimitri staying ahead of the party. Ains followed shortly after, with you four trailing behind. As you descend deeper and deeper into the forest, the creeping feelings of negative energy would begin to strengthen, meaning that the source, the cause of this outbreak had to be somewhere in the direction you were heading. In the dark moon, the trees seemed to outstretch their branches and snag at your shadows, only to be pulled back as you pass by. The whispering of the woods would be faint still, but they rang and rang of laments to the dead, lingering regrets, and sorrowful goodbyes.*\n\n*Stop. To your left, there would be a massive influx of necrotic energy swelling and unmasking its presence, hiding beneath the trees. Something was lurking in there, something dangerous. The three knights up ahead would not notice this change, but the four of you would.*\n\n*Another, to your right. A dark, malevolent pulse of magical energy would be released as another... Creature... Unmasked its existence to the cruel forest. It seemed even more dangerous than the last one; it definitely had a certain aura to it, an aura of cruel intelligence befitting of a monster. The knights up front would notice it as well, with Ains and Dimitri craning their necks to see what the cause of this pulse was. Shifting their torches to the right, they would yell out into the darkness, a stoic \"Who's there?!\" Before stopping in their tracks.*\n\n*Then, that energy from the left would suddenly move, charging at the sleepy Claude who was haphazardly holding his spear up. In the darkness, it looked like a horrid mixture of animal parts, namely a bunch of pen animals such as cattle, and literred with different appendages covering its body. Those with a skilled eye would recognize 5 different limbs all hanging out throughout the body, with long, wicked horns covering the majority of its 'head.' It galloped towards Claude, impaling his body through the chest, crushing it underhoof with power comparing to that of an Ox. Hanging from its horn in the moonlight, Claude's body would go limp and cold, his spear dropping to the floor.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu had already transformed and already had his small army summoned so he was prepared for the attack whenever it came. Both him and his steppe elf archer would draw their bows and draw back an arrow, releasing at as soon as they saw two of the wolves begin their charge at the abomination. Their fur would look beautiful as it reflected the moonlight that got through the leaves ont he trees. The last wolf would stay to the right of Yuu, making sure to cover his blind spot. The Macen would move towards the other knights that have not yet been attacked as per Yuu's order. There was no benefit sending any more of his units into the abomination he was already attacking.*" }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "Tsk... They better not kill that white haired glasses knight and spoil the meat. I was planning on having him for dinner after this job was done..." }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Right off the bat, there was one prayer unanswered, but at the moment there was little time to dwell on the meaningless death of Claude. Kohm had immediately launched a Firestorm at the abomination, fire churning out of the already drawn rune with a low roar. He hoped to strike the abomination with a heavy hit before it reacted and locked onto a new target.\n\n```Firestorm (15 mana) cast. 135/150```" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would whistle impressed how quickly the weaklings had already died. She thought they would last a bit longer, but goes to show that one should expect much from a weakling. She hoped after the battle the body would still be salvageable as blood can be drained from livings beings up to 24 hours after they've died. Unfortunate that the feast she was expecting at the end to be reduced though.*\n*She would then hear Yuu's response and smile in amusement. It seemed they had the same idea. In terms of combat, it also appeared that Yuu was controlling his summons with ease and making use of their strengths. She would then turn to look over to the macen and flinch slightly at the sight of fire flying from his hands. Her blood protected her from flames to a certain extent, but she made a mental note not to stay near the macen in combat and would actively move away him while attempting to maneuver to the side of the abomination.* \n*Not wanting to accidentally be hit by the the fire spell or get in the way of Yuu's summons, she would choose to go for a ranged attack. She would pull back Kyūketsuki and send it flying toward the abomination's center of mass. From the energy she felt this thing was stronger than the ox, and that satisfied her. She hoped it could survive at least 4 blows this time. She would prep to yell out her spears name the moment it made contact with the abomination or sailed past it to return to her hand so as not to be caught off-guard without a weapon*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"Be careful where you aim that spell macen. We are in the woods after all\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru would draw his blade. He honestly didn't know what to do at this point, but his other weapon will be better, so he transforms it into a Guandao*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The abomination turned its head towards the approaching wolves coming from Yuu's side, taking two arrows in it's tough hide. They didn't penetrate that deep, nor did they cause any significant points of damage; but they did cause the abomination to direct its attention towards the summoned beings, namely the two wolves that rushed the monster, teeth bared. Not being able to react in time to rid himself of both of the canines, it quickly turned its head as it had its saber like horns slash across the torso of one, but the other swiftly getting a fierce hold onto its shoulder area. However, the position it had would be short lived, seeing that two of the abominations appendages would extend from its torso area, stabbing the wolf from the left and the right as it stayed biting down on the abominations shoulder. However, the savage attack from the wolf would tear out a large chunk of flesh from the creatures body, causing a large, bloody wound to be shown where the wolf had bitten.*\n\n*Shortly after, it noticed a blazing figure within the dark forest, instantly transferring its gaze from where the fallen wolf laid to the bright figure of a firestorm rapidly approaching it. It was seemingly aimed towards the monster's sternum area, so it quickly attempted to sidestep away from the orb, but would barely make it in time; one of its four legs had caught on fire, and in reaction, it would flail this leg out and about, setting some of the surrounding forest on fire. It would also put out the fire on its leg this way, but not without a good amount of burns. For now, it was contained within this small region, but would soon grow out of hand if not dealt with. With one of its legs being rendered basically useless, the abomination could not move in time to dodge the spear flying straight towards its center of gravity, causing the abomination to be sent back quite a bit, a spear sticking deep into its torso. It would stare you three down apprehensively, as it would determine that it would benefit itself more to wait for additional potential attacks than launch one of its own.*\n\n*With this, however, another abomination would soon enter the conflict. This one was about three feet taller and longer than the previous, with four different horns expanding from its barebones skull of a head. It had seven appendages scattered throughout its head to its abdomen, all of which seemed a garbled mix of flesh, bone, and muscle. It would emit a small rumbling sound before it swiftly charged straight towards Oshikuru, its horns aimed straight for the Oni's head.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru would cast current to electrify his attack. As the abomination charged towards him, he would stay in a neutral stance*\n\n*As it charged him, he would quickly side step and swing his glaive into the beast's side, careful to avoid the appendages that originated from it*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*With one of his wolves dead, Yuu would get increasingly annoyed at the abomination. He would ignore the abomination charging Oshi to his right, trusting that Mizu is strong enough to handle it or atleast hold it off while he deals with the one that hesitated with it's attack. Him and the Steppe elf archer would draw back another arrow each. This distance was much closer than their usual practiced archery distance so the attacks were almost guaranteed to hit. He just had to make it count, holding his breath, waiting for the opportunity to shoot and...*\n\n*Release! The arrows were aimed at the Abominations eyes, regardless of how big you are, you aren't much use if you're blind. Or atleast that is what Yuu had believed. His other wolf had sustained a scratch on the side of its torso but it was hardly enough to bring it down. Having learned from his mistake with the previous attack he would not make the wolf bite down on the abomination, instead it's order was to run around it and on its way past jump into one of it's legs to bring it off balance. This type of attack didn't deal much damage but gave the wolf enough time to make some distance between itself and the abomination, preventing it from meeting the same fate as it's kin. If the attacks were successful the third would would charge at the Abomination, at an angle, attempting to repeat a similar attack to one of it's front legs but should the plan have gone wrong, it would instead stay by Yuu's side, guarding him.*\n\n*The Macen summon would now run towards the new enemy, though despite being a tank, it's orders were not to protect the Oni, they were to support the female Okamimi as that is who Yuu trusted more and felt that his energy was less wasted helping her. Standing close enough to jump infrong of a hit of needed but far enough to allow her to use her spear as she wished he would thrust his sword into the abominations side, holding his shield up to avoid getting stabbed.*" }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "Wolves are the natural predators of cattle so how about you just die again..." }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*As Mizu had prepared previously she would yell out her beloved spears name*\n\n\"Kyūketsuki!\"\n\n*The spear would would fly out of the abominations body and back into her arms. She would look at the abomination would with amusement, pleased that not had it not died but it was able to take out of one Yuu's summons and injure the other. Granted she was pleased to see wolves get hurt even if they were summons, but she admired its strength to keep fighting despite being outnumbered.*\n\n*That being said, she wasn't happy with the fire starting to spread and would sigh in disappointment. The macen has done exactly what she feared. She could only assume this was his first time fighting in the woods, granted she figured an idiot would know better than to use fire magic in the woods. Alas, what is done and done. She simply had to put it out, else Yuu or herself might get hurt*\n\n*As she would crouch down preparing to sprint toward the fire/injured abomination she would notice Yuu sending the shield summon toward her. She would smile, pleased to know that he had thought about her and wanted to protect her. It was something she would hope from a male mate. That being said, she was confident enough in her abilities that she wouldn't need protection but perhaps the summon can at least act as backup. She would leave the Oni to deal with the abomination as she was displeased at how he had done nothing previously, taking it as a sign of cowardice. Hopefully he would prove himself useful here as either a combatant or a meal.*\n\n*Thus, she would run toward the abomination with Kyūketsuki, aiming for the abominations neck. As she would come near the flames she would let the blood expand from her blood vessels and surround herself in red mist, extinguishing all flames within a 10 ft radius of her. Continuing forward, hoping the beast wouldn't be too weak from Yuu's wolves or her mist, she would lunge for its neck for a killing blow. Hopefully it will survive this blow as well.*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Having done his part to cook the smaller abomination's leg, Kohm temporarily left it to the rest to deal with it. The small fire could wait as well. Although he did realise that maybe the next time he fought in the forest, he should hold off on his battlemage instincts... With the woods in such a dreary state though, he felt less bad about burning the greenery.\nWith the charge of the other abomination toward the oni, Kohm waited, summoning a Snapping Vine seed. When the oni sidestepped the abomination, he would throw it just a little in front of the abomination's path, ensuring it would get ensnared headfirst by the vine.\n```Snapping Vine (20 Mana), regen 10, 125/150```" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The injured abomination, the one that Yuu and Mizu had simultaneously attacked together, would be met with a combination of arrow attacks and wolf bites alike. The arrows, piercing the skin of the abominations skull, would not meet the eyeballs as the abomination thrashed around in pain and fury as the wolves charged into its hind legs, the force pushing the abomination backwards a good bit away. It reared back onto its hind legs, an arrow stuck into its forehead, in which it grew to a sudden 12 feet whilst standing, and slammed down into the ground. It used a technique known as Devour whilst Mizu rushed in with her spear, which was formerly aimed for its neck. Its underbelly revealed an assortment of sharp, pointed ribs, which caught the spear in between the bones as it slammed back down onto the floor. However, this strike would not go rewarded; the flesh inside the ribcage was struck with a tremendous force, causing the abomination to bleed even more from the inside as the battle wore on.*\n\n*The flames, due to Mizu's sanguine pool, were also extinguished, also causing the abomination to have its reaction speed and running speed by a significant amount.*\n\n*While this happened, the two knights, Dimitri and Ains, would charge the beast while it reared up on its legs. However, they would soon be met face to face with their end as it came down, devouring the both of them whole.*\n\n*On the other side of the battle, the larger abomination had missed Oshikuru in its initial charge, a blade suddenly being jammed into its shoulder area by Oshikuru's swift katana slice. It cut deep, almost hitting the deep part of the muscle because of the vibrations that it utilized, but in doing this, it had gotten stuck inside the beasts body, the abomination using one of its appendages to make sure that it stuck in place, Oshikuru's hand still on the hilt. It turned toward's Oshikuru, who was now at its right side, using its remaining appendages to rush at the Oni's torso, who would still be caught trying to remove the sword from flesh, but as it turned, Kohm's snapping vine would ensnare one of the monster's back hooves, causing the appendages to shift their path slightly, while also causing the abomination to trip over and begin to fall upon Oshikuru.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu smiled as the spear went into the abomination but didn't kill it. Hunting was usually much easier so it lacked the thrill that the hunt used to have back when he was younger. His wolves would circle around the abomination waiting for the time to strike. The advantages of them being summoned rather than physical allies is that the teamwork was all in Yuu's head which reduced the reaction time needed to execute combined attacks. Both him and the Steppe Elf would draw another arrow, and aim it at the right front leg of the abomination, reducing the chances of hitting Mizu in the process.*\n\n\"Now!\"\n\n*He would announce it mostly for dramatic effect, but also incase Mizu took it as a queue to join the combined attack. As the string was released and the arrows fired towards the leg, the wolves both rammed themselves into the inner part of the hind leg of the abomination, avoiding a backwards kick by it as much as possible and then retreating yet again. Yuu had figured that hit and run tactics would be the best way to bring it down since the wolves were physically much weaker than it was.*\n\n*He also smiled because Mizu put out the flames in her charge at the abomination, meaning she had the brains to back up her strength, it was a rare combination nowdays. People were too focused on improving their personal strengths that they often forgot about their weaknesses. It had seemed she was not one of those. Once the arrows were shot, he would glance at the archer, signalling it to stay a few feet back for his personal protection, as now the wolf that was guarding him was on offense.*\n\n*In the meantime, the Macen who seemed to have gotten ignored by the abomination would this time try his lucky by slashing his sword at the hind leg of the creature, still holding his shield up for protection. The summon was nowhere as fast as Mizu so there was no point for him to follow, combined with the fact that the abomination was likely on it's last strings.*\n\n```Mana Pool: 5/180. Regened 5 this turn.\n```" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Seeing that his Snaping Vine had worked favourably through disrupting it's movements, Kohm pressed the opening.\n\nThe clinking of chains reverberated throughout the woods as his Clawed Chain spell was cast, an iron claw shooting forth to grapple the neck of the abomination. While the abomination's monstrous strength would not be cowed so easily, he hoped it would grip it in place for a brief moment at least, such that the Oni would have a window of time to maneuver.\n```Clawed Chain (20 Mana), 105/150```" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would grin under mask, delighted that it had survived 2 strikes now. Yes, this is what she traveled the land for, to fight those of comparable strength. Her tail would wag back and forth eager to see what else would come from this fight. Would it attempt to crush her with its hooves or perhaps stab her with its antlers? Oh, she imagined the delightful blows the two of them will have as she pulled her spear out.*\n\n*Using her superior movement speed would maneuver to the side of the abomination once more. It seemed like a bloody monster, and Mizu was dying to know how much blood would come out if she stabbed through its jugulars. A fountain? Or would it be more like waterfall. Mizu would then notice Yuu pulling his arrow while having his wolves weaken the abomination. She had hoped that through this battle she would find good compatibility with Yuu, and now was the time prove it. Not wanting to miss her thrust again like last time due to it flailing around from the pain of the arrows, she would thrust her spear in coordination to Yuu yelling \"Now!\"*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"Come, let's bring this beast down together Yuu!\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru would transform his polearm back into a katana, and would simultaneously swing upward, having it slice through the abomination's appendage, and run from the falling beast. He did not want that disgusting thing on top of him, with all of its sharp parts. It smelled gross too*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The abomination Oshikuru was fighting had tripped over own ensnared leg, but it had gotten back up quickly as the vine was merely... A vine. Watching as Oshikuru transformed the Guandao back into a katana, freeing the sword from the abominations own flesh, the Oni warrior simply sliced at the beasts underbelly, which was wrought with ribs and bones alike. However, with this strike, the sword had cut off a small amount of bones in the underbelly, revealing the beasts flesh and muscle through its maw. It would stand back up, back on its four legs, but be met with a flawed chain gripping a hard vice onto the monstrosity's nape. The abomination reacted by ferociously bucking its upper body so that the chain was sent flying towards itself, turning as it looked at Kohm with malicious eyes. It took a small pawing on the ground, then charged at the Macen with incredible speed, leaving Oshikuru behind.*\n\n*On the other side of the fight, however, the abomination could only attempt to withstand the coordinated assault led by both Mizu and Yuu. The wolves rammed into a single leg, forcing it inwards and causing the beast to collapse under lack of support for its weight. As it struggled to stand back up, it could only roar in useless defiance as Mizu rammed her spear through its neck, causing a fountain of black blood to spill from its jugular.*\n\n...\n\n*The necromancer knew something was wrong when he heard in the distance an outraged, monstrous roar emanating from the southern side of the forest. It sounded like one of his abominations had been killed on action while on its daily escapade through the forest. He had studied his creations movements for the past couple of days now, but nothing abnormal had occurred such as this for as long as he'd been here. Was it an army? A mercenary group? It was either one of the two, come to claim his head. Scowling underneath his breath, he took his staff, ceremonial knife, and midnight black robe out with him, summoning a small band of ten wights to stick with him in the event that things became dangerous, mainly for him. It was far off in the distance, but he had felt it; one of his creations, an abomination, had died. He sent two of them east, two of them west, two to the south, and two to the north to check on all of the entrances to the forest, leaving two behind with him.*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Watch out, small man!\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*He would run towards the beast hoping to catch up to it, and takes a downward swing at its neck*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Kohm cursed as the abomination charged him, immediately attempting to get out of dodge, through dashing towards his right. At the same time another snapping vine seed shot out and made it's way just in front of the abomination's rampage, attempting to delay it so that the oni would manage to catch up.\n```Snapping Vine (20 Mana) cast. Regen 10, 95/150```" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would smile at the fact that Mizu did infact join the combined attack on the abomination, taking care of it. However the smile didn't last too long as he heard the hooves of the abomination clicking against the ground as it began to move. This would cause him to sigh, disappointed to the Macen managed to attract it's attention despite being relatively far away from it. He would signal his own Macen summon to follow.*\n\n*With the abomination charging at Kohm, it put itself way closer to Yuu than what he was comfortable with so he would immedietely use this chance to disengage, while it's focus wasn't on him. He would sprint to the right, in essense swapping places with his Macen summon. The Steppe elf would follow wordlessly, as if the strategy had been practiced before, assuming the same position as it had previously, staying a few feet behind Yuu to make sure he doesn't get ambushed from behind.*\n\n*He would draw and arrow and swiftly fire it, not having time to coordinate a combined attack with his wolves he would just use the same strategy and as he did on the previous abomination and shoot the arrow towards its hind legs. The Steppe elf would do the same a few seconds after. And a few seconds after that the wolves would've had enough time to run to the abomination, however they would not charge at it yet. Yuu didn't want to put them at risk of getting hit with a loose leg as the abomination ran.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would admire the beautiful sight. It wasn't red, but it was blood nevertheless. It was a bittersweet moment to her, bitter mostly from how short the moment was. But it looked like there was another toy for her to play with. It would seem the macen and the oni hadn't gotten themselves killed yet, so that was something worth acknowledging. Maybe they would prove to be entertaining after all. Seeing Yuu head over she decided that if nay more would come over, the group would risk injuring one another, and her mist wasn't exactly kind to nearby comrades. Thus, she simply stab her spear through the the guard's heart hanging on the abominations antler and enjoy a pleasant meal*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The abomination, still charging at Kohm with its horns sticking straight at the man. The beast was smart enough to expect another attack like before, so as Kohm fired the another snapping vine, it used the largest appendage it had to blindly bat the small seed out of the way so that it flew off to the side of the clearing into pieces, flying off into the forest. Seeing that it outran Oshikuru, the attempted blade strike would meet nothing but the air, the tip shaving a few hairs off of the back of the beasts' hide. \n\nThe arrows Yuu and the elf would send towards its hind legs would sink into the skin, landing successively on one of its legs. The shots fired were more annoying to the abomination rather than a serious injury. Because of the shots, Instinctively, the abomination kicked its hind leg backwards with much force into unfortunate Oshikuru's chest, who was still chasing after the monster. The kick sent the oni flying back a good distance, causing Oshikuru to hit his back against a tree. While this was happening, the abomination used the very top of its head to ram into Kohm, the impact clearly being heard as the crunching of bones was loud and sickening. Sending the Macen flying out to the side, Kohm landed a few feet away from the abomination, landing directly in an awkward position between a fallen log and the ground, causing his right hand to break. With Kohm suffering multiple broken bones both from the headbutt and the fall, the abomination turned back towards the Yuu, preparing to charge at him and his summon.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu wouldn't be able to supress a chuckle as the Oni is sent flying after killing the air with his missed strike. What a naive move. However, then the abomination would turn towards him as it prepared to charge, digging the ground beneath it with it's hoof and his chuckling stopped, and instead turned to a sight. He would gesture his Macen soldier to stand between himself and the abomination as the wolves circled around it after which he would look at Mizu who was standing around, stabbing a corpse with her spear. And while he'd normally see nothing wrong with that, he was now at risk and didn't want to throw away his summons needlessly. He would smile at her as he speaks, not really showing much fear of the abomination.*\n\n\"Kyuu, if you're planning on helping... No time like the present~\"\n\n*After which he would turn back towards his enemy, pulling back and arrow with the Steppe Elf and as the Macen ducks down by his command they would release the arrows, aiming straight at the eyes of the monstrosity. Without even checking if it had hit, the Macen would stand back up and take a defensive stance, putting his body weight on his front leg and holding his shield up. His sword would also be at the ready in his right hand.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would feel revitalized as she fed on the dead macen guard. Her magic was dependent n her blood after all and the more she consumed the more she was able to recover it. However, hearing Yuu's voice would redirect her attention over to his direction. Analyzing the situation it would seem her potential mate was in danger. The Oni wasn't able to land his blow and the macen was injured.*\n*She would be a bit disappointment by the display, as just a moment ago she had hoped they would provide entertainment. It was also unfortunate that Yuu felt the need to ask her for assistance. Well, she didn't mind, at least she now had a chance to impress Yuu, but was hoping he would be strong enough to handle the situation on his own. Oh well, she figured she may as well have some fun with the toy and then enjoy the meal after.*\n*Her red mist would've faded out at this point, meaning she could now safely join the fray in melee, but given the distance she opted to throw her spear instead while running toward the group to close the distance. She would make sure not to hit Yuu, but if his summons or the Oni or macen got in the way, well, it would simply mean they to weak too live, but her aim was for the abomination;s head that was charging head first at Yuu.*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"I had assumed you 3 strong men could handle it. Didn't want to steal all the fun after all!" }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "Handling is one thing. Wasting energy is another.~" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"Heh! Seems we're of the same mind, but look what you all are making me do\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "```15 mana regened. 115.5/150```" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Thunk. Oshikuru hits the tree. Ouch. Fucking abominations. He groans slightly, turning his weapon back into a Guandao and using healing touch with his left hand.*\n```3.75 mana used from healing touch, 12.5 spent from weapon morph, 5 regained, 18.75/30 remaining```" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"God fuck stupid cow!\"" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Well, it's been a while since he got bodied like that. \n\nKohm let out a groan as he attempted to get up, using only his left hand to help lift himself since 'right' now his other wasn't doing so good.\n\nSurveying the situation, he took his sweet time in steading himself to avoid further straining his body.\n```95/150```" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Again, the abomination charged towards the vampiric summoner, but as soon as it had launched itself towards his direction, the same spear that had killed the other abomination would sink into its hide, though it would not go as deep as the other one had since it had struck the shoulder blade and the clavicle. Even though this had happen, its momentum would prevent itself from stopping the rush, the force of the spear throw causing its original path to become curved, blood trickling out of its shoulder. As it charged towards Yuu, with its horns pointed at his abdomen, it would take the arrows straight on, all of the, bouncing off of its bony head as it kept rapidly enclosing the distance between itself and the vampire. It rushed straight towards their direction, making total and complete contact with the macen soldier, mistaking it for Yuu. Once it had felt it made initial contact, it bucked its head furiously in an upwards motion, launching the soldier into the air away from Yuu and itself. Once it had done this, it looked down at Yuu in a sort of twisted sense of surprise; it thought that it had launched Yuu, not the macen soldier. It paused for a brief moment, unsure of what to do, then reared back on its hind legs, attempting to swallow Yuu with its underbelly.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru would start to run towards the abomination. This thing kicked him, and he wanted payback. He runs so that he is positioned in front of it. If he can make it this round, he throws his Glaive as hard as he can towards where the abomination's skull will be.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*As Yuu saw his knight get impaled and fling, he had already started moving not to waste any time and putting himself at risk. Being an Oriate he could jump further than a normal person, using that to his advantage he would start sprinting upwards, and jumping forth. Using a tree as cover. He would quickly shoot an arrow at the beast, though it wasn't a well fired one and had little power behind it. It was mostly an action he did to taunt the beast. At the same time his Archer, who was standing far enough behind Yuu not to get sucked into the belly of the monstrosity would fire an arrow into the opening. Once he shot an arrow he started attempting to run away and put some distance between them incase the wolf attack failed.*\n\n*As the abomination was standing on two legs, Yuu's wolves took advantage of this to do the chargin maneuver on it's hind legs, disengaging right after. Biting might have been the better move but he didn't know how many more enemies he would have to fight before taking a break, meaning he should conserve his summons as much as he could. He would put his trust in Mizu, thinking that if he could immobalise the beast, she wouldn't have much trouble finishing it off.*\n\n```Mana Pool: 10/180. Regenerated 5\n```" } ]

[ { "author": "way8306", "message": "As Kohm stood up, he quickly and regretfully realised that wound to the abdomen was more severe than initial estimates.\n\nFelt like someone had made soup out of his guts and steak out of his liver, yet the vampires weren't even the ones responsible. Fancy that.\n\nHissing in pain, Kohm continued to analyse the scenario to take his mind off the pain, but remained stationary. Not only was he hard-pressed to intervene since his spells were more likely to cause friendly fire (*Especially* The fire), it was certainly not worth drawing any attention to himself, definitely not with him in this state.\n```105/150```" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would smirk, amused at how strong these beings were. Perhaps she spend more time hunting undead as they sure can take more of a beating than the living. It was shame that their blood wasn't red though, but painting the landscape black would have a nice gloomy beauty to it as well. She would call out her spears name once more to return it back to her hand*\n\n\"Kyūketsuki!\"\n\n*The spear would fly out of the abominations side and back to her arm. Seeing the Oni attack from the front she decided it would be best to attack from behind, especially as it was on its hind legs, making it much easier to target the back of its head. She had faith in Yuu to survive whatever attacks this thing might to do him, but also to reduce the beasts movements with his summons just like they did with the last abomination. It was a gamble, but she had faith that Yuu was thinking the same thing. So far they've been of one mind after all.*\n*Was that perhaps an orinate thing? She found she had many similar traits with the young female orinate she met the other day as well. She decided to put that topic on a list of things to think about later when walking on the road. She would then return her attention back to the battle and send Kyūketsuki flying toward the raised abomination head aiming for the nape of the neck.*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*As the wolves charged into the abomination's hind legs, it would become unbalanced, throwing its underbelly off of Yuu's direction by a long shot. Speaking of long shots, as Yuu aimed an arrow into the fleshy opening that Oshikuru had made earlier, it would strike true, sinking deep into the flesh of the abomination. This shot, this arrow, went straight through the beast's lung area, causing mass internal bleeding and hemorhages inside the abominations midsection. However, the beatdown did not end here. Oshikiru's glaive, since it had so much mass and weight behind it, would crack the abominations skull, revealing an exposed purple brain out.*\n\n*The abomination, in a panic, would back away from Oshikuru and Yuu, straight into the shadow of what was barely recognizeable as Mizu in the dark. Where she had aimed for the nape of the neck, due to the abomination backing up, it had closed the distance so that the strike Mizu aimed towards the neck would pierce through the abominations exposed brain, all the way through its skull. Upon this, it would begin to shake and spasm violently as it thrashed mindlessly about, a spear implanted straight through its head. A few seconds would pass, and a couple of trees would be knocked down from their position, the abominations horns getting stuck in a number of them. Alas, the abomination ceased movement, and eventually lay down on the floor, limp and lifeless. It resembled a great deal the Ox that Mizu had put down the other day.*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Hahahah!! You stupid cow!!\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would let out a sigh. Looks like this one't wasn't as hardy as she had hoped. At least Yuu was alright. Oh and the Oni, he slightly redeemed himself in her eyes considering he exposed the back of its head to her. It seemed like he possessed a magical weapon as well. She recalled Kagemusha was his name. She would walk on over to the group and chuckle slightly*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"Those must be some impressive cows that you've seen Kagemusha if they are like this. How about Yuu? You feeling alright? Oh and you as well. Are you still capable of travelling with us with that injury?" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would walk up to the group yet again, except he would walk past them and go for the knight's corpse that Mizu had impaled previously, before he reaches it, he would spin on his heels however looking back at her, a grin in his eyes.*" }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "\"Not going to eat?~\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru would summon back his weapon, it flying towards his hand* \"Not really a cow. It's really an abomination of things, but I tend to insult.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*She would look at Yuu and shake her head and laugh*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"Now why would I do that?\"" }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "\"Why not? Or is a dead Macen not good enough? Maybe we should see how the Oni tastes~\"" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "\"Not so bad, considering I could have like ended up like that poor bastard, impaled on a horn and turned into a bloodbag. Still, my guts feel like stew. Unfortunate, being a squishy mortal.\" Kohm chuckled self-deprecatingly. \"That being said, I could really use some healing, since I don't want to posthumously be granted the honour of bloodbag No.2 just yet.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*She was letting out a sigh. While it was clear that he was likely a vampire due to his slip up and well, her lack of desire to consume him, as food at least, she had hoped he would've picked up on the fact that she had shown no outward indications that she was a vampire. After all, she had some fun in the village before she came here and it would be troublesome if any of the non-vampires here were to report that she was one to the village. Alas, it was what it was, there wasn't really much she could say to talk her way out of this*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"I've tried them before, but it has been a while. But I was thinking we could perhaps take them as a snack for us later. Our abilities are strengthened by blood after all and these bodies have no use staying here\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would grin. He knew that she didn't announce the fact that she was a vampire, and he knew that she probably had a reason, but he wanted to hear her admit it. Given he may never have gotten another chance again. He didn't know what her plans were after the mission. He wouldn't turn back around and would instead walk back to the group. Faking a pouting face at her, he would speak.*" }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "\"That's a shame, I was quite hungry~\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*He would then lean closer to her so the others wouldn't hear, whispering.* \"Sorry for exposing you for my own entertainment. I just wanted to hear you confirm that we are truly the same. I'll make up for it later.~\" *After which he'd walk by her, raising his hand to summon his dead wolf back through a magic circle, followed with him tossing a talisman on the ground to summon the Macen.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Seeing Yuu's grin and pouting face she couldn't help but smirk as well. It seemed she had been played, but it was a nice sensation, one she hadn't felt for over 2 centuries if she recalled. She didn't let many people stick around her and those that did usually died, so she was only ever teased when she was less than a decade old at the orphanage. How innocent she was back then.*\n*As he would approach her and whisper into her her heart would skip beat. Oh, he smelled so nice. It was taking a considerable about of will power to retain herself, she didn't want to scare him away after all. However as says the delectable words \"I'll make up for it later~\" Her whole body would heat up and she decided to let her instincts take control for a bit. She would remove her mask, lean in close, and press her hand against his chest while wrapping his leg with her tail. She would then huff a breath of hot air into Yuu's ear and seductively whisper*\n\n\"I know just the way for you to do that\"\n*And then look into Yuu's blue eyes longingly with her lust filled crimson eyes*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Kohm's mouth twitched at a steady pace as he saw what was happening- it was such that he swore his guts stopped roiling for a brief moment.\nHe knew vampires, especially those that lived long enough were queer existences, but talk about surreal. Who the fuck goes flirting in such a dreary environment?" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu -does not- walk past her to summon his summons. He is instead stopped by her. It wasn't what he expected but it clearly answered one question he had. And that was what was under the mask. And well, it wasn't any worse than he had expected. A smile would form on his face, as he looked back at her, not averting his gaze. Unlike her, he hadn't waited for 250 years so he had more self control. This didn't mean that he wasn't going to tease her back. He would lean back down to her ear and whisper back.*\n\n\"Now that you've taken the mask off, I can't say no... Can I?~\"\n\n*One of his tails would rest on the tail that she had wrapped around his leg. I actually have no idea if this is an Okamimi thing but it sounds like it might be.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*As Yuu's tail wraps around Mizu's, her body would only get hotter, so much so that despite being a vampire her face would become flush. How long has she been waiting for this moment? No amount of adventuring or treasure in the world could compare to what Mizu felt right now as her heart rate skyrocketed, feeling the most elated she been in, well, ever. Finally, after 250 years, she found a potential mate, someone to raise a child with.*\n*With her superior strength she was about to shove Yuu down to the ground to recieve her promised reward, but from the corner of her eyes she would notice 2 individuals that were intruding on her fantasy. An Oni and a Macen. Her mind would quickly snap back into reality realizing the situation they were in and would appear flustered realizing what she was just about to do infront of these weaklings. Thankfully, it might've been better that they were here as she realized this was not the right time and place for it. She had waited 250 years after all, it would only be appropriate to find a place she would remember for the rest of the life, not some desolate location in a corrupted forest.*\n*She would look to Yuu and whisper* \"I'll take that as a yes then. After this job stick around for a bit. I'll be waiting\"\n*She would then give Yuu a kiss on his cheek before putting back her mask, having regained a bit of her composure. She would then look over to group and stretch her arms as if nothing happened and attempt to walk away. However she would feel a slight tug from behind her and would look back slightly confused. It would seem her tail was tangled with Yuu's not wanting to let go. She would then loose a bit of the composure she regained and hastily pull her tail away, clearing her throat after doing so and would then turn around clearly embarrassed, muttering*\n\"To think my own tail would betray me...\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would grin as she kisses his cheek and starts walking away, though that grin soon turns to a bad attempt at supresing a chuckle as her tail stops her in her tracks without her realising. He wasn't expecting the female oriate to have this side to her, though he wouldn't be one to complain, especially not after finding out that mask wasn't there to hide an ugly face. He would wink at her as she turns around to see the cause of her being stopped.*\n\n\"I think it's safe to say that the necromancer no longer stands a chance. I have no intention of not sticking around~\"\n\n*When she walked away, he would do what he had initially planned doing and would complete his summons. Raising his left arm to form a magic circle to summon the wolf that had died, and throwing a talisman with his other hand to make the Macen whom he had used as a meatshield to reappear. He was already excited to fight the necromancer from before as they are also a type of summoner, though now that he knew that it wasn't the only thing to look forward to his was practically shaking with excitement.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru would purposefully cough. He would try to leave the vampires to their own things. He looked around, and realized that he didn't see the other two knights*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Wait a second. What happened to the two living knights? Or are they no longer living?\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would have finished with his summons, looking at the Oni. A sly grin would spread across his face as he licked his lips.*" }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "I ate them, did you not see?~" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"That quickly?\" *He would scratch his head* \"I though vampires couldn't eat actual food though. Oh well. Stupid knights. Charging in like a fool\"" }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "\"Can't say either of you was much better. Im not worried about me and Kyuu but you and the Macen should prepare for the next fight, our hunt is far from over.\"" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"I'll be fine. It's the small man you should be worried about\" *He would point to Khom, noting how he had gotten struck by the abomination*" }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "\"I'm not worried about either of you. It would just be a pain in the ass if you died and got raised making us waste more energy.\"" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"True. That would be annoying\"" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "\"First of all, I'm pretty sure those poor bastards got swallowed up by the abomination or something- they tend to do that if you get too close, and clearly they didn't get the memo. Secondly, I'm pretty sure dying and getting raised is just a tad more than 'just' an annoyance to one involved, but it's no matter. Afterall, you have healing touch, don't you?\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru looked at Khom, then let out a loud laugh*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Hahahahaha! Macens are so weak!\" *He would continue to laugh* \"No offense to you, of course. Now if you need healing, well ask. It may cost you though\"" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Kohm shrugged, not really minding since while Macens could be incredibly hardy at times, some other races could do it better. \"Aye. My right hand-\" His right hand was raised, at a not very comfortable angle.\"- is not doing well, as you see. My abdomen also seems to have suffered quite an hit, probably a severe one, and might actually take priority over my broken hand\"" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"That's quite a bit. Let me help\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*He holds his hand above Kohm's abdomen and uses healing touch.*\n```15 mana used, 5 regained, 20 mana remaining```" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Kohm let out a sigh of relief as he felt his innards knit themselves together, slowly but surely. \"Ah, now that feels better. Now, my right hand please?\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*He would hold his hand to Kohm's, as a yellow aura glowed around his hand*\n```3.75 mana spent, 16.25/30 remaining```" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "With his bones being placed into their rightful positions, Kohm would be back in action in no time. \"Much thanks.\" He nodded to the oni before using his left hand to reach into a belt pouch, passing a gold coin to him. \"Well, now that all is said and done-\" And if you two have stopped flirting, he mused mentally \"- I suppose we'll continue? With the abominations dead, the necromancer will be anticipating our arrival most certainly, so we'll want to hasten.\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru takes the gold coin and puts it in his pocket*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would not, eager to finish up this job. She wanted to let loose some steam after her conversion with Yuu, but thankfully her embarrassment was quickly cooling off as her skin would turn pale white once more.*\n*Now that there was now some distance between the two of them reason would slowly return to her head. Reflecting on her actions, she realized her lust may have made a her a bit too eager. She had lived 250 years after all and met other male Okamimi, but they were worthless as mates. She may have jumped to the conclusion that simply due to being a vampire Yuu was also strong. Well that wasn't entirely true, he was certainly capable of holding his own in that battle right now, but was he strong enough to be a good mate?*\n*She decided she would opt out of defending Yuu from any of the future toys to confirm how strong he really was as a sort of test. It would be unfortunate if he failed to meet her standards, but Mizu figured at the very least she could maybe take him under her wing to train him into a proper mate if he was willing. He did say he would repay her after all, and while she had clearly suggested something else earlier, she never did say what it was. She would then smile, thinking it would actually be amusing to tease him like that*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"I agree. Let me take this body with and we can head out\" Mizu would then remove the body hanging on the abominations antler and wrap him up to conserve as much of the blood as possible" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would stretch abit as he look around, closing his eyes and taking in a long breath of air. Sure wasn't the nicest smell, that's what death does to it. It was true that the necromancer would have sensed the deaths of the abominations, after all the same could be said for Yuu's summons so given the time they wasted healing the Oni and Macen, a new set of troops was likely approaching them. It would've been wiser to go to them than to let them come to the group, that way the group would have the jump on them and would not be hit by an ambush as they were last time. He did however only cosider the healing part of the break a waste, considering the interaction with Mizu entertaining. He would've also learned things about her that he didn't know prior.*\n\n\"You want me to carry the body? I know you're strong and all but it's hardly fitting for someone as cute as you to drag a corpse around.~\"\n\n*He took this opportunity to tease her one last time and he would likely not be able to do so during the approaching battle, and incase she said yes he would start walking towards her. His wolves would stay at his side as he walked while the other two summons were on guard from potential ambushes. His bow would loosely swing about as he held it by the string with one finger, showing how relaxxed he was in said situation.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would blush slightly from the complement, but it would not be seen thanks to her mask. However, she would quickly regain her composure, remembering that she still had the evaluate Yuu as a good mate. He certainly didn't seem stressed out in the situation which was a plus, as it meant he was at least more cool-headed than she was right now. As for the body, Mizu didn't mind carrying it. She had done so before when travelling the desert as there was very few things that would provide blood for her there, meaning she had to save whatever she can. However, this was not a desert, and carrying a body would slow her down a bit. She had observed how Yuu fought and came to the conclusion that the body would infact be best left to him as he rarely ran in the battle except to flee. Thus, she would toss over the body to Yuu*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"How kind of you. Just be careful that it doesn't turn into an undead in your arms, otherwise you might become the meal\" She would say teasingly" }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "\"Aww, you're worried about me?~\" *He would reply equaly as teasingly as he picked up the body and fling it over his shoulder. Then he'd think about it.* \"You know what, -you- take it.\" *However this wasn't aimed at Mizu and instead, at the Macen he summoned.*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"Of course I would be, wouldn't want my damsel in distress come calling for my name again when I'm busy\" She would tease back, refereeing to how Yuu had interrupted her meal. She would then tilt her head amused by Yuu's clever use of his minions. What an efficient system, it was like having a slave that would never die." }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "\"Can you really blame me for wanting to watch you fight when you look that good doing it?~\" *Seems like he had misjudged the arrival of the necromancer or his troops would not be as fast as he thought and it would allow them to have a short back and forth. He would normally not care much for small talk but found this particular interaction interesting or even... Fun.*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*...*\n\n*The necromancer has felt the energy emanating from the south side of the forest vanish; replaced with the pure silence of now-tranquil woods. It seemed by eliminating the abominations, life had flooded back into the forest, secluded in that small region. The moon, formerly gazing at you with a harsh depravity, would now change into a serene solitude. The dark, harsh greenery of the forest, stained with the black of the abomination's blood, became lit up with moonlight, turning into a soft lime in its glow. The black shimmered against the moons light, sparkling and shining softly with the light shining down upon it, but that space would only reach so far. The necromancer scoffed, slamming the butt of his staff onto the ground. The two wights that were guarding him ran to his side, drawing two swords as he slowly approached the southern area, following the trampled leaves left by the other wights that had come here previously. For insurance, he summoned one last wight, since he didn't know how many of the party were there.*\n\n*The group, their morale more or less boosted, would hang out in the area for a short bit. Most of their wounds were already healed, and they would poke jabs each other as they bantered for a short break. Though, there would be two encroaching signatures of necrotic energy approaching, but they stopped a good hundred or so feet away from the small band. A good mage would sense that their necrotic energy was on par, perhaps even greater, than the one set previously by the abominations. This would not be the end, though; miles away, the origin of all the negative energy would somehow... Shift towards your direction. It seemed to get closer, but judging by the pace it traveled, it would probably take a while before it enclosed the distance on you all.*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "\"Well, we didn't get to enjoy the clearer skies for long.\" Kohm spoke up, expressionless. \"It seems our target is taking the initiative, instead of bunkering down.\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Even before the necrotic energy had reached the group, Yuu's wolf's ears would perk up so he knew something was coming. He Macen that was holding the corpse had now set it down next to a tree as Yuu approached it and raised it's arms above it's head, using his parrying dagger to instead stab the hands into the wood. This way even if the corpse was turned, there would be nothing it could do without alerting them. He would then stand back up, spinning his bow around his finger a couple more times before begining to walk to the back where he was more useful.*\n\n\"Looks like tonights hosts are showing hospitality and won't make us walk to them~\"\n\n*He would draw an arrow and place it into his bow, pulling it back and releasing it in the general direction of the enemies. Who knows? Maybe he would get lucky, or atleast taunt them. His Archer would stand by his side, slightly ahead of him while his Macen summon stoon beside Mizu. His wolves would circle around the trees, they were predators that were not unfamiliar to hunting in the dark so they disappeared into the forest until the enemies had arrived. One of them however stayed behind, taking a position between the corpse and Yuu.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would grin in delight sensing the tremendous magical energy headed in their direction. It was clearly something stronger than the abominations, meaning it was likely something she would be able to play with for a bit a longer. She would twirl her spear in her hand before pointing it forward, a sort of declaration to the group to head toward the enemy than let them come to them. It wasn't her style to wait after all.*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"What kind hosts, but we shouldn't be rude guests. Let's meet them halfway and start this midnight ball of death\"" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "As his party prepared for all that was about to come, Kohm decided to do some preparations as well. He knew now that with the current party composition and the danger of the situation it was better for him to take his defence into his own hands. \n\nOtherwise, he really might not survive what was about to come, if him getting bulldozed by a massive and scarily intelligent abomination was any indication.\nHonestly, it still was a miracle that he survived that- but it wouldn't be the first time a miracle saved him, so he didn't dwell on that. \n\nClasping his hands together, he twisted them to his chest.\nIn front of him, sand rose from the soil, which would be a strange sight if one didn't know what was going on. Quickly, it turned from an amorphous pile of sand into a 6-foot tall, humanoid yet only vaguely macen-like construct. A variant of sand golem dubbed a Sandman.\n\nBased it off the summons of the powerful Djinni, unlike the immensely stronger sand soldiers, it really did not have much going for it, but it did have an inhumanly resilient body and a fast combat speed, allowing to move as if it were a goblin. The above-average strength it had was also useful for restraining weaker combatants if they were caught.\n\nThe strength probably wouldn't be too useful in this case, but it would still be an incredibly effective shield when it came to intercepting attacks. In fact, being able to only move 5 metres away from Kohm at all times, this was its only purpose.\n\nThe Sandman looked as it was blankly staring into space in the first millisecond of its temporary existence, something only accentuated by its lack of features, then it walked in front of Kohm, which would block him from any frontal assault, matching his pace step by step, perfectly." }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru would start to slowly clap*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Good job! Earlier would have been slightly more useful for you though\"" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "```100/100, Manacap -50```\n\nKohm sighed. \"I made a miscalculation when facing the abomination. Damn thing was more dexterous with those limbs than I thought, but it might just be it being much more endowed in the cognitive department.\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru would draw his blade again, seeing the others prepare their weapons*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Let us do battle!\"" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"Yes, onward!!\" With that Mizu would eagerly rush forward to greet their new guests, not caring if the other followed as she herself was more than happy to have the toys all to herself." }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru would follow, ready to cut some heads*" }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "\"Who am I to say no to a lady.~\" *He would follow suit, keeping the same distance from he since their running speeds were similar. His Macen would not be quite as fast and would lag slightly behind both of them. His wolves would sprint somewhere in the forest to follow suit.*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Kohm groaned, but was compelled to follow as spliting the party would be foolish in this scenario. Thus both him and the sand golem rushed forward, still with eerily synchronised steps." }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The wights would hear a rustling in the trees, first from a far distance away, then suddenly enclosing in with great speed. As it would turn out, the arrow that Yuu sent would in fact not hit either one, seeing it was a blind shot. However, due to this, the wights were both alarmed, both of them sensing that something was coming nearer and nearer. Being gifted with a somewhat stable amount of intelligence, the wights would hide stealthily in the trees with their natural affinity towards stealth and silence. Hiding on opposite sides of a small clearing, the wights would both, in turn, cast \"Summon Zombie!\" Where they once stood, uncannily formulating a twisted plan with their decaying minds. Moments later, two undead zombies would sprout from the ground, hands first as they pulled themselves up out of the earth. Ordering the undead to stay put while they hid within the trees, they would wait for something to happen, observation being their main priority.*\n\n*...*\n\n*The necromancer was a good couple of miles away, but he sensed two insignificant signatures of necrotic energy spontaneously burst out of the general location of the wights, most likely a zombie summoning done by them both. He silently nodded his approval, glad for once that he spent those many weeks and months implanting his wights with a certain degree of intelligence. Teaching a wight the basics of summoning magic was not easy, in any way or form. With three wights surrounding him, he would have all do the same, summoning three zombies to add to his small army. There would still be loads of time before he met up with the other two wights; who knows what would happen then?*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*As Yuu ran and the zombies came into the sight of the party he could immediately sense that something was wrong. These were not the sources of the necrotic energy that was released before, they were too weak. He would order his Macen to stand guard at his side, while his wolf would cover his back. Maybe he was too careful but it never hurt to be safe. He wanted to call out that it may have been a trap but he trusted that even in an ambush, Mizu wouldn't be harmed much and he didn't care much for the Oni or Macen, if whoever was hiding did come out it would actually help him and Mizu more than scaring them away.*\n\n*He would come to a sudden stop as both him and the Steppe elf pull arrows out of their quivers and loud them into the bow, aiming at the rightmost zombie together. If he was correct, then these were nothing more than decoys. Their necrotic energy was far too weak. Accordingly, the wolves that were hiding in the shadows of the forest, remained hidden. There was no point revealing his whole hand just yet.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru would start to walk towards the zombies, katana in hand. These were the most basic form of undead, nothing to worry about*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Similar to the others, Kohm didn't do anything overt just yet. He just stood there, waiting for the time to act, while his Sandman stood on alert to block any oncoming attacks." }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would pick on the weaker necrotic energies and scowl slightly. She wanted big strong enemies to clash with, not weak ones to waste her time. However, she figured if she got rid of them they wouldn't have any other choice but to come out. Thus, she would halt her charge and search for the location of the appetizers*" } ]

[ { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The zombie furthest to the right would immediately take two shots through the heart by Yuu's combined attack with his steppe elf, the sharp steel point of the arrow piercing straight through the zombies rotten, decaying flesh. As pieces of its matter fell to the floor, a vile, odious smell would fill the area, reaching as far back as the wolves. It smelled like rot, like garbage, like corpses, like the unattended dead. Turning immediately towards Yuu, the zombie would begin to lurch forwards at his assailant, the other one following shortly in suit. They would start closing the distance at quite fast pace, about the speed of a pedestrian walking the busy streets of a crowded city. It was somewhat surprising, honestly. However, it was still rather slow compared to normal humans. The right most zombie wouldn't reach Yuu in time, but seeing that Oshikuru stepped forward to meet the undead, the leftmost zombie would other attempt to charge at Oshikuru, leading with its head first to bite and gnaw on the Oni's armor. The wights would duly take note of these actions, as they both noted that they were outnumbered. Slowly but surely, they would position themselves on thick branches of the oak, slowly climbing down as the zombies began combat with the party, blending in with the darkness of the moon, hiding in the shadows of the trees, becoming one with the nights' silence. Once they scaled the tree down, they would begin a quiet tread back to the necromancer, blending their drab, gray skin with the dull backdrop of the surrounding forest.*\n\n*The necromancer, sensing two of his minions saunter silently back over towards his direction, would halt and pause for a moment, wondering why they would ensue such an action. He was certain that he made his wights strong enough to handle their own against an experienced warrior; what could have caused them to retreat like so? Did they encounter something large? Like... An adventurers Band? Was there something in that group that was so powerful, so mighty, that the wights had to fall back to regroup? Honestly, the necromancer doubted it. Stomping his staff against the floor once more, he had his three wights beside him summon three more zombies, and telepathically ordered the wights that had gone to patrol the eastern side of the forest back to regroup to his location. He would gaze ahead cautiously, then turn around and continue a head for a minute, stopping only when he could see the both of his wights gather by his side, joining the other three to form a makeshift guard. From there, he would stand still, waiting for something to happen in the shadows ahead.*\n\n-Current situation\n-One necromancer 2 miles away from the party, surrounded by 5 wights and 6 zombies with 2 more wights approaching \n-A zombie attempting to bite Oshikuru\n-A zombie closing in slowly on Yuu" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru simply takes a step back and slices at the zombie's neck, expecting it's head to fall off. Too easy. There was more to this. He looks to Yuu, who has his own zombie, but surely he can take care of it*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu wouldnt need to worry about the zombie, even if it had reached him, his Macen guard was ready to step in the way of it should it happen to get too close. He would simply draw another arrow, this time aiming higher and at the head and his Archer summon would do the same. Zombies were notoriously slow and the necrotic energy of this one did not do it any justice in making it scarier. He would keep his wolves at bay still, something about this situation wasn't right. There was no way the necrotic energy he had felt was a mistake, there was no mistaking such power difference.*" }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "\"What the fuck is going on? This is far from what we were supposed to fight, this doesn't even qualify as a starter course. I guess the hosts aren't as kind as I though they were...\"" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "After a moment of thought, Kohm spoke up, a slight frown on his face \"Do you folks feel that the necrotic signatures... Seem to have moved back? Damn, they must have decided to not confront us.\"" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Perhaps they fear for their lives. Who knows?\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu was clearly agitated at this point. Not only was she unable to catch any appetizers, but the main course didn't even show up. Like Yuu said, their hosts weren't kind at all and in her frustration she would push her senses to their limits. She was the alpha predator, she would not allow her meal escape her that easily. With her senses pushed to the upmost limits she would attempt to find the stronger necrotic signatures. The hunt has begun*\n```Mizu uses Apex Predator. 120/150 mana remaining. Has +800% boost to visual acuity, sensitivty to noises, and smell sensitivity, and can tell apart blood scent like a predator.```" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "\"Or they were sent to scout- the zombies merely being dummies for us to demonstrate to them what we could do. Even though it wouldn't give them much to work on, it's still intel.\" Kohm's eyes narrowed. \"This necromancer has a fresh head on their shoulders, at least.\"" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"This simple will not stand... I came here for a dance of death, and death I shall have. Either mine, or theirs...\"" }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "\"Now, now. It's obviously theirs. Can't have you dying when I still owe you.~\"" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "\"Well, we should go on then. Can't give the necromancer too much time to parse through any information.\" Kohm sighed. \"While their intel might be minimal, we have nothing on their forces.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*If Mizu was her more lax self she would've been more amused by Yuu's tease, but right now she was a huntress on the prowl and her hunter instincts deemed his words not worth responding to as she focused any other sounds that would lead her to prey. Bloodlust filled her bright crimson eyes and could be seen through the slits of her mask, looking more akin to a beast than a woman*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru would notice Mizu as she focused on something else. He for one couldn't see anything*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"What is she looking at?\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*As expected of the zombies, they were utterly useless when it came to single hand combat, and Oshikuru was able to slice it down with ease, severing it's head from its shoulders, causing it to roll down and collapse onto the floor, it's body rotting away back into the ground. With Yuu, the zombie would not have nearly any time to react as it got pelted with the vampire's arrows, following the same manner as the other zombie had of collapsing to the ground, dead. Both decaying corpses would emit a terrible, terrible smell, which would affect Mizu the most as her senses had been multiplied by a substantial amount. Her nose would pick up the rotting smell of dead flesh, not leaving room for anything else. However, due to her heightened visual sensitivity, she would notice in the trees two human sized footsteps trailing backwards, seeming to go on for a mile. These would belong, obviously, to the wights, but they had long since regrouped with the necromancer, the vanguard of undead preparing for an attack approaching, sooner or later. It would still take time before the patrolling wights would approach the necromancer's vicinity, so repeating the process once more, the wights would simultaneously summon more zombies to their aide, resulting in five deteriorating hands clawing their way up out of the ground. These undead would join the ranks of the necromancers miniature army, all thirteen taking up the frontal lines of the guard.*\n-Oshikuru's zombie has died\n-Yuu's zombie has died \n-5 more zombies have been summoned, increasing the total amount to thirteen" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would reel back from the stench, however, it was honestly not the worst she has smelled before. Being as battle crazed as her, she would've spent plenty of time on various battle fields in her long life and had become familiar with the stench of death. However, with her enhanced sight she would be pleased to have found a trail. In one quick motion she would merely point with her tail and then rush forward.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Despite the situation, Yuu would be quite facsinated by Mizu's animalistic nature when she gets serious. He would be quick to follow despite being a good 30 feet behind her. Like before, his wolves would follow, as would his summons. He was aware that they were likely being lured back into a trap but he was a monster hunter. Situations like these is what got him excited. He didn't like wasting energy, but this wasn't it. This was enetertainment. Fighting something stronger than himself and coming out on top. There was no bigger rush. And now he had someone as strong as him fighting on his side unlike his usual solo adventures. You couldn't blame him for getting goosebumps from how excited he was. His blue eyes grew brighter as they got further and further into the woods. Short maniacle chuckles could occasionally be heard escaping his mouth. Let the hunt truly begin.*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Eager vampires, they both. Truly a match in hell. Kohm shrugged as he picked up the pace as well, Sandman in tow." }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Haha! More heads to cut off!\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*He would start to run in the same direction as Kyuu, blade in hand and assuming there are enemies*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*As the four of you rushed ahead following Mizu's lead, you would all arrive at an open clearing of grass, free of any trees. 20 feet away, although it was difficult to see in the grass, you would be able to feel the strength of the origin point of the necrotic energy, the sheer amount becoming visible in the air as black wisps, dancing in the air until they disappeared, only to be replaced by more. A great deal of these ribbons would emanate not from the zombies, not from the wights, but from something all the way back from behind the two companies. You could feel the dread fill the air as the necrotic energy pushed outwards, seeming to corrupt the shining grass with the black tint of death. From where you were, you would be able to see a makeshift phalanx of zombies, all of them slowly kill milling about the area, albeit still close to the the origin of the necrotic energy.*\n\n*Though, soon after your arrival, the zombies would begin to split their formation, revealing a dark figure covered in a black robe. It wielded a staff, dark magic seemingly embedded and spiraling around it. The wood itself seemed to be made out of a sort of black wood, with carvings of dark figures etched within the material. You wouldn't be able to see it, but hidden inside it's cloak would be a ceremonial dagger, a crimson red ruby locked within the hilt. The figure strode a few feet ahead of his small legion of undead, elegantly and with grace with each step, unfitting for the situation at hand. Stopping a few feet ahead, it would have the wights and the zombies fan out beside it, keeping the wights close by.*\n\n\"State your name and business. Why are you here? You do realize this entire forest is my domain, yes?\"" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Your domain? Did you buy it? Or did you just come here and say that it's yours?\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*He prepared his blade and took an offensive stance, prepared to slice through the zombies*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would eye the enemies, some overly weak, some overly strong. He was excited, the odds were far from being in their favor, how many would allies would die? It's a thought he hadn't had in a long long time. Shaking not with fear but with adrenaline he would start to chuckle, though the chuckle would soon turn to a maniacle laugh as he stared straight at the necromancer speaking to him, drawing an arrow for whenever the fight started.*\n\n\"You already know the nature of our business... You felt it didn't you... So why are you engaging in small talk? You already wasted so much of our time, why can't we just let the bloodshed begin?~\"\n\n*He would lick his lips as he said that, loading his arrow onto the spring and aiming it at the necromancer. He wouldn't fire it yet but the gesture should've been clear. His Macen knight would stand before him, just barely giving him enough space to shoot if he wanted to. His Steppe Elf Archer would also have an arrow ready to be fired and his wolves would be ready to pounce from the dark on command.*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Kohm would remain silent, not seeing the need for the small talk. Instead, he eyed the horde of undead. It would be troublesome to deal with, but with the strength of his current allies and the fact that he had a conveniently perfect counter to this formation (wildfire damage and the annoyance of the vampires be damned) they should pull through." }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would chuckle at the exchange between Yuu and the necromancer. Like Yuu, her fur was standing on end from excitement of the battle to come, and was very much so pleased that Yuu felt the same. That burning desire to fight those stronger than you so that you may become even stronger is vital for any worthwhile creature. Yuu had said everything that needed to be said, and would thus take a stance aiming her spear for the necromancer as he appeared to be the largest source of the necrotic energy. She didn't want to waste her time with the small fry after all, she had waited long enough for the main dish*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"Please, do not mistake me for a delinquent. I would not dare tread upon land that isn't mine; it should be those who trespass that should be afraid of my, ah, retaliation. As such, I'm going to have to dispose of you from these grounds, before you cause any more trouble to my research. You, Oni, would make a fine specimen indeed; perhaps I shall make your corpse into one of my newest wights... The rest of you all, however, should be more or less disposable. I have enough macen already, and I don't feel like adding crazed ruffians like you two-\" *He would point his staff towards Yuu and Mizu in turn.* \"To add to my army. I've got enough battle-driven maniacs on this side already.\"\n\n*With this, he would stamp his staff on the ground, causing the surrounding wights to take up a defensive formation. All five looked like swordsmen, and all five radiated a sort of black glow visible to those with a trained eye. The necromancer ordered all of his units on the battlefield to surround him, advancing slowly towards the party in a defensive stance, making a sort of ragged, makeshift phalanx. For every two zombies that lined up in a row, a single wight took stance in between them. The remaining three zombies would attend to the necromancer as they advanced. The robed mage would be able to peer over the dead army at the party, making out four. Shortly after, he would attempt to sense the location of the remaining wights that he sent out earlier. The two that he had recalled earlier would only be a couple of minutes away, but just for insurance, he recalled all the other wights to regroup at his current location. Now, he stood tall against his opponents. Raising his right hand, he would cast Firestorm towards the silent macen in the back, the one that eyed his horde carefully. He had an inkling that he was the sort of 'tactician' of the group, and so he wanted to rid himself of him before things became complicated.*\n``` Firestorm Cast. Remaining mana: 230/250```" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would look confused for a moment, a necromancer who uses the same spells that all his summons are weak to. Did he overestimate the brain capasity of his opponent? He was expecting this to be a chess battle, though what he got was an opponent who wasn't at all elegant in his commanding skills. If Yuu was a King, the necromancer was a Tyrant. This could be used against him however, raising things the power of wights would be draining on any summoner, even one of high skill, all they had to do was position themselves correctly and the fight should be even better. It was probably time Yuu tried commanding more than just his summons.*\n\n\"Macen. Burn this whole forest to the ground.~\"\n\n*He's seen Mizu attack from far away by throwing her spear so it wasn't a bad idea to kite, the only person who might have trouble with it would be the Oni. Yuu and his Archer would simultaneously fire their bows at the head of one of the wights. The zombies were likely of the same power as the ones before meaning Kohms fire would likely easily take care of them if he manages to get his spell off. His wolves would still remain hidden though he would order them to start howling in an attempt to get into the necromancers head and make him aware of multiple enemies around him.*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Kohm remained calm as even as his most favoured spell was used against him. A battlemage was always a prime target, after all. If anything, he wanted to laugh in the irony involved with a necromancer lobbing fire and fielding an undead army at the same time. The fact that he used a phalanx of all things with these slow shamblers didn't help since he would have expected the necromancer to at least account for fire magic.\n\nThe Sandman reacted immediately, dashing toward the fireball with arms crossed to act as a shield. Fire wouldn't do much to a sand-based construct, and the sandman certainly was fast enough to intercept it at a safe distance.\n\nOn the meantime, before Yuu had even given his command, a counter-firestorm of his own had already flown out, aimed towards the middle of the phalanx. It was a no brainer regarding what to be done and coupled with the fact that he already had a well-practised trigger finger as his earlier showing with the abomination should have told, there really was no need for the command to even be given, but Kohm wasn't about to state that, focusing on the battle.\n\n```Firestorm (15 mana), 85/100```" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would flinch once more at the sight of fire, but was grateful that it was targeting the Macen whom she had thought was rather useless. However, as his summon would come to intercept the attack while launching a counter of his own, her eyes would now look at him with keen interest. Had she underestimated the macen? Looking at his skillset, his spells would prove pivotal in this fight with his fire spells given how clumped up the enemies were. She decided to make a mental note to ask the macen's name once more after the battle was over if he was still alive. He was someone she deemed at least worthy enough to remember the name of, even if he left a bad initial impression.* \n*As for Yuu, she could understand and respect his swift decision to burn down the forest. It would certainly prove more of a detriment to the necromancer than them, and thus would acknowledge the pay off of such a tactic, but she figured it would be best to contain the fire as much possible as it would be rather disappointing to have won the battle to only be killed by the environment afterwards. But perhaps he was exaggerating and meant more so for the macen to use his fire spells against the undead, or she hoped so at least.*\n\n*Anyhow, focusing back on the battle, she decided she would exert herself a little, see how many she could take out with one thrust. Her blood would pump quickly through her veins once more as her bodily capacities were pushed beyond their normal limits. She would then increase the weight of Kyūketsuki by 50% as her enhanced strength would allow her to support the weight while thrown, and then use her enhanced speed to position herself to the side of the phalanx where the defense would be weakest, and aim for thinnest patch of undead that would lead toward the necromancer. The undead won't dodge if their master was in danger, so either case she would get to spill some blood. With that she would grin in delight and let Kyūketsuki fly through the air aiming to pierce everything in its way*\n``` Going Feral Cast: 107.5 mana remaining. Strength is now 22, gen speed 1.9, and movement speed to 47 mph```" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru would now turn his katana to his Guandao, for the reach and power as opposed to his katana*\n```12.5 mana spent, 5 regained, 22.5 mana remaining```" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The necromancer had already taken notice of Yuu's already drawn arrow, and as soon as Yuu put his hand on the bow's handle to fire, along with his steppe elf, the wight had already ordered one of the zombies to take the hit for him. It sluggishly jumped in front of the wight, the arrow striking its chest and sticking to it. The zombie, however, would look to be relatively unaffected, seeing that the arrow had hit its chest, not its head. The howling of the wolves in the area would not deter the necromancer in any form. It almost made him laugh, actually. He continued to advance his army forwards, but soon came to a halt as Mizu launched her spear at the side of the phalanx. The sheer force of the attack would send two zombies to the floor, a gaping hole in their lower abdomens. However, since the zombies were already dead, they simply got back up to their feet, having a new target; Mizu. The entire horde of 13 would suddenly begin making moves towards the kitsune, with the five wights shortly in tow. Kohm would fire his spell towards the army, but the necromancer, observing the advance from a good distance back, was the first to notice a bright fiery glow form in the macen's hand, a firestorm aimed towards his small army of undead soldiers. Raising his arm nonchalantly, the necromancer produced a glowing white orb in his hand, tossing it quickly in the direction of the firestorm, forming a transluscent wall 7x7 feet long and wide, blocking it before it had hit the undead.*\n\n*Oshikuru would watch as his weapon slowly morphed into a guandao from a karana, staying shortly behind as Mizu went alone into the horde. Taking note of the oni's cowardice, the necromancer used this opportunity of vulnerability to have one of his wights break off of the main force and target the Oni individually, rushing towards Oshikuru as his weapon finished morphing. The wight would aim a horizontal slash at the oni, using an unusually sharp black blade to aim for the midsection.*\n``` Project Ward cast. 15 mana regenerated. Remaining mana: 235/250 ```" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru would quickly react by stabbing at the wight's face at an upward angle using the back end spear tip, blocking the dark blade as well. He then pushes the large blade outwards, pushing the wight's blade to the side as the blade came from the same direction in a horizontal slash at the wight's head*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "\"Macen, focus on assisting Kyuu, all the forces are on her.\"\n\n*He was hoping that the Macen would follow the command as him and his Steppe Elf drew arrows and fired at the necromancer. He may have had a shield but there was no way for him to block everything from all sides. A spell was a spell. It had direction, and requirements as all spells did. He knew his arrows were unlikely to do any damage to the necromancer but that wasn't his goal. It was to split his attention if he wanted to defend himself. In the meantime the wolf closest to him would charge at the wight attacking the Oni. It was mid-attack so there was likely no way it could split focus at a time like this. The wolf would sink it's fangs into the wights leg, attempting to rip it off by jerking at it with it's strong jaw.*\n\n*The other two wolves would have emerged from the shadows, coming to Mizu's help. They would prioritise the weaker zombies rather than the wights, knowing that they are likely too sluggish to react. Their primary focus would be their throats, bitting and ripping it at them. Even though he was going for the weaker targets, Yuu knew that Mizu wouldn't mind, if anything she would likely be happy for it for his goal wasn't to protect her, it was to give her the fight she wanted without making her waste energy.*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Kohm clicked his tongue in annoyance. So, this was his countermeasure. It was expected since it was just sensible and he didn't peg the necromancer as an actual idiot, but it was still a little disappointing that there was such a minimal effect in such a fortuitous scenario. Well, no matter.\nHe just needed a plan.\n\nAs Yuu's words reached him, he analysed the merits and demerits of an action.\n\nHaving witnessed Kyuu's actions, while he was well aware now that she had a mild concern about fire- he had noticed her flinch whenever fire was involved, and they were vampires, after all; he also knew that she was skilled enough that a slow-moving firestorm wouldn't be too much trouble to account for. Not to mention that she probably had anti-fire measures if the earlier battle with the abominations was any indication.\n\nTactically it was also sensible to target the congregating group, and with Kyuu being there she could take advantage if the firestorm struck- and even if the necromancer tried to counter, perhaps she, being in the general vicinity, could counteract that ward spell in some way? Certainly he felt so.\n\nWith that in mind, he wordlessly let another firestorm fly.\n```Firestorm (15 mana), 10 regen, 80/100```" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would smirk, amused to see that these toys were standing. The zombies were particularly sturdier than the ones they had found earlier, but that meant she could play with them longer. She would hold out her arm and call out her spears' name*\n\n\"Kyuketsuki!\"\n\n*It would fly back into her hands at incredible speed and she would pull it back once more. Instead of aiming for the necromancer, let's see how many of the swordsmen could she clear. Using her increased mobility she would once more reposition herself to line up a shot, aiming for as many wights heads as possible. She was confident with her speed the sluggish undead wouldn't be able to keep up. She would then let loose her spear once more*" } ]

[ { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*When Oshikuru stabbed at the wights head, he would hit the blade of the wight as well, forcing the wight back a few feet. However, this meant that the stab would not hit the wight, and as he slashed horizontally at the wights head, it would be able to react in time by taking on a rushed defensive stance, predicting an oncoming attack and intuitively blocking it. Deflecting the sword strike from Oshikuru, it would then attempt press in some more, keeping a safe distance as it began to jab at the Oni's chinks in his armor, only to stop as one of Yuu's wolves launched straight at it, sinking its fangs into the thigh of the wight, but it would find that it wouldnt be strong enough as to rip the leg of the wight off; rather, it would actually dislocate it quite heavily, resulting in the wight having to limp slightly, though it kept its balance. Unfazed due to the lack of a painful sensation, the wight brought his sword straight through the neck of the wolf, revealing the insides of the head as it was carved open. It would then brush off the wolf's dead body, taking up another defensive stance against Oshikuru a good 5 feet away. However, the other two wolves would begin to rip and tear through the horde of zombies, ripping holes in the neck of one and gnawing on the flesh of another, sending two zombies to the ground as they feasted on their corpses.*\n\n*Kohm's firestorm would send sparks throughout the landscape, though none big enough to set fire to an area. Aimed at the army as a whole, an unfortunate zombie had accidentally trudged into the path of the spell, a burning hole beijg sent through its body, lighting its flesh from the inside with burning fire. However, the firestorm would continue off into the distance, coming into close contact with the necromancer as it struck a tree, sending the northern trees of the battlefield on fire.*\n\n*As Mizu's spear soared through the air, she would find that wights werent as slow as their mindless zombie counterparts. Rather, they acted much more erratic in this case, abandoning the formation as a phalnax, erupting into the fray as the irregular form quickly turned into an organized chaos. After all, the undead were more suited for insane, chaotic battle than organized warfare. Two of the wights would begin to approach Mizu, as the other two would begin to approach the wolves that were tearing the zombies to shreds, both of them slashing downwards as they wolves tore the throats out of the zombies. The blades would dig in so deep that they would become stuck in the wolves hide, the black becoming stained with crimson as the wolves received heavy injuries to their backs. Mizu, on the other hand, would find that her spear had not hit any of the wights, instead hitting 3 mindless zombies through the head, tearing a huge cavity as it went through, effectively killing all three of them in one throw.*\n\n*The necromancer would observe the ongoing carnage, a mixture of giddy joy and excitement brushed over with a hint of disappointment because of his wights' lack of complete obedience to his orders. Nevertheless, he would watch as one of his zombies turned to ash VIA a firestorm, one of his wights having his leg torn into by a wolf, only to find that said wolf would have its brain split into two shortly afterward. He would see the female kitsune take down three of his zombies in one fell swoop, and would also watch as the two wolves would pounce on another pair of zombies, only to have their hides met with the wicked sharpness of black blades, blood being sent flying everywhere. Marvelous. What a wonderful show. The crimson red blood, the blackened blades of swords, the scarlet orange of the flames bursting a drab, gray zombie into ash. So many colors in one small field. He would take a step closer in an attempt to gain a closer look, only to have an arrow whiz by his view. Turning immediately, he would be met with another arrow, this time hitting his calf. Surprised, he groaned in slight pain, and then ripped the arrow out with his bare left hand, dropping it to the ground and casting Walk it Off! So that the wound would return to normal. Enraged, he would turn to the direction of the shot, his eyes landing upon Yuu and a Steppe elf archer. Furious, he would raise his right hand, the hand holding the staff, as his body crackled with red energy. He would then shoot out a red orb at Yuu, and another up to the sky.*\n``` Walk it Off and Crack the Sky cast. Remaining mana: 160/250 ```" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*As the orb was being formed his Macen took a defensive stance infront of him to block the incoming attack. Once he saw what the attack was he knew that the chances of his Macen recovering even after blocking with the shield would likely take him out atleast for some time if not kill him outright. The enemies were unlike he's every seen. Several times stronger of others of their type. The zombies that were known for their slow reaction time fought almost twice as fast as trained soldiers, and the necromancer was everything you would expect from a powerful mage capable of taking on the group even if he didnt have subordinates. He knew that this was a battle they were bound to lose unless extreme actions were taken. His powerful summons were swatted like flies in a matter of seconds.*\n\n*On command his Steppe Elf would charge forward, aiming a quick shot at the necromancer's head. Then Yuu would flank from the side doing the same. If he could do anything to distract the necromancer from commanding his units or making him vulnerable, he would do it. He knew he could take some hits as payment. Once his arrow was fired he would take no time to think and would swiftly load another one, firing it aswell. With him and his archer being at an angle, there was no way the necromancer was blocking attacks from both of them and with him focusing on them his back would be left open to attack.*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Kohm sighed as finally, his firestorm took effect, even though it was still quite minimal in all honesty. Then his eyes widened as he saw the necromancer cast the infamous 'Crack the Sky' spell, renowned for being incredibly powerful against even the most heavily armoured of individuals.\n\nEveryone already knew this was an accomplished necromancer- him allegedly taking on an entire troupe of knights beforehand and the massive necrotic energy signatures before the small army he fielded even came into vision attested to that, but now as he took a look at this mage's mana reserves, he was quite shocked to see just how high they were, even after casting various spells. Higher than him even with a full rest.\n\nEven were this mage not a necromancer, he would be quite accomplished as a battlemage, Kohm thought grimly. Certainly one that could backhand him proverbially in a fair battle, and a challenge for any one of them individually even without the undead army.\n\nHe would have to be more careful- he was singled out a moment ago and for all he knew the next time his Sandman might have to block a harder blow.\n\nSpeaking of the necromancer. Unconsciously, he started to grin- something he did in combat only when witnessing a *Particularly* Good opportunity, as he saw what Yuu was up to. A pincer attack. Now, that might just work if the ward was all the defences the necromancer had in-store, but there was still a chance of him getting off lucky or having something just even more slightly unexpected, which also had the unfortunate side-effect of enraging and alerting the necromancer more, closing off further attempts at trying such a thing.\n\nNow, if he were to give them a (glowing) hand...\n\nA three-fronted attack would be much harder to block, wouldn't it?\nHis hand gleaming with light, Kohm bore witness to the trail of the third firestorm he had doled out so far.\n\n```Firestorm (15 mana) 65/100```" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Seeing the wight block his attack and kill the wolf summon meant that these wight's weren't stupid, and were probably quite fast as well. He would throw his glaive at the wight's chest, trying to incapacitate it*\n\n*He would also notice the battle raging around him, the necromancer using Crack the Sky, one of the most powerful lightning spells known. Hopefully the male Kitsune would avoid it. He would prefer for the zombies to somewhat split up though, as he was much better against individuals rather than groups*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu was clicked her tongue, annoyed that the stronger prey had avoided her strike. She wanted to exchange blows with the strong, not wipe out mere appetizers. She was starting to feel jealous of all the attention Yuu and Kohm were getting from the necromancer while all she got were his minions. Was he looking down on her for being a female?*\n*Mizu's tail would bristle up and stand on end, agitated by the mere thought of being looked on by a puny caster. Who was he to think that he was the stronger one. He was hiding behind a wall of pathetic unoriginal summons to protect his frail body. She had been the one to destroy many of his summons, yet Yuu was the one receiving a dangerous magical spell. The mere macen was the one targeted by the fire spell. She was being considered as much of a threat as the Oni. It was a disgrace, and one that Mizu would not accept. Screw the pathetic toys, she wanted the main course right here, right now.* \n*Her skin pores would expand as blood mist would start to envelop her while a stream of blood would drip from her hand and form a barrier. She was going to get up close and personal with that necromancer, and with her superior speed and reflexes, combined with the slowed down effect of her mist, she would charge forward maneuvering around the wights and hordes of undead the blocked her path toward the necromancer. She knew she might get a few injuries here and there from the zombies given their raw numbers, but didn't care at this point. A few physical wounds meant nothing to her wounded pride. Nothing was going to stop her charge. If any of them would form a wall she would simply use her blood ward to knock them away with a burst of blood. She was going to reach the necromancer, coming from behind, and thrust her spear at the necromancer's back followed by a overhead bash to the head from the blunt end*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"You dare look down on me mere caster?! You thought your summons could keep me at bay! Let me show you the price of underestimating the Vampiress of the Bloody Lake!\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "``` Add 5 mana from last turn, Sanguine pool cast along with Blood ward. Gen speed and movement speed within 10 ft of her are reduced by 0.5 and 15 mph respectively. 53/150 mana```" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*First off was the macen Yuu had sent to intercept the red orb. It latched onto the metal armor the macen wore, the soft red glow illuminating the steel armor it had before lightning shortly met with the red orb, frying the knight up completely from the inside.\nAs Yuu recklessly charged at the necromancer, firing an arrow along the way, the necromancer would obviously not stand there and take an arrow shot to the head just like that. As Yuu came up and charged at the caster, he would put up another project ward to intercept both shots from Yuu's side. Both of the arrows would hit the barrier before shattering, but the arrow the steppe elf had sent would, for once, hit its mark. It would sink into the back of the necromancers head, hitting the upper part of the back of the neck. The necromancer would feel an intense piercing sensation as the arrow sunk into his nape, almost hitting his spinal cord.*\n\n*As the necromancer staggered to the ground, the firestorm Kohm had aimed towards the mage would be sent overhead, seeing as the necromancer kneeled on the ground. As it struggled, it would put up an Aura of Defense spell, trying to inhibit any more attacks that came its way. However, due to Mizu's incredible speed and strength, she would be able to damage the barrier on her first strike with the spear, causing a gaping hole to erupt from the center of his body. Writhing on the floor, Mizu's second hit would eventually smash into his back instead of his head, destroying pretty much all of his spine, and even causing it to cave in from the looks of it.*\n\n*The wight Oshikuru was fighting would take the glaive straight to the chest, but seeing how durable it had tanked the ferociois bite of a wolf, it would sink into the chest of the wight, almost piercing through it as a whole. However, the wight would only pull it out, throwing it to the ground, leaving a gaping hole in its chest. It would turn to Oshikuru, a cold steam coming out of its mouth, as it whispered.*\n\n\"You should have gone for the head.\"\n\n*His entire body screaming in agony, the necromancer felt his entire ribcage shatter to pieces under the sheer power of the kitsune's attacks. He underestimated her, dearly. He could feel his insides bleeding and bleeding as he could sense his blood running colder and colder. He knew he was going to die sooner or later, in fact, it could be any second now. An arrow was stuck in his neck, his back was basically destroyed completely, and there was a terrible piercing gash in his chest. However, there was still one thing left he could do, despite the consequences he faced. Reaching behind his back, he would struggle to take out the ceremonial dagger as he lay flat on the floor. Struggling with all of his life to get off, he would wedge the dagger between the floor and his face, uttering a quick prayer before he let gravity plunge the dagger straight through his head, blood spurting everywhere. His muscles would spasm as he died, and shortly after, his body would go limp.*\n\n*...*\n\n*Energy. Energy even greater from the necromancer stormed throughout the entire forest, enveloping the entire area with a dark sense of foreboding. As the necromancer's body went limp, a dark purple magic circle would show up from the ground, multiple symbols levitating above the circle as the necromancer's body quickly decayed in the circle. It went through all stages of decomposition; freshness, bloatedness, decay, until nothing remained of the figure but barebones. Along with his staff and bloodied dagger, of course. The feeling of necrotic energy would surge throughout the landscape, an energy... Even greater than the necromancer himself.*\n\n*Suddenly, a dark, gargantuan hand would appear from the magic circle, clutching the remains of the necromancer and dragging it down into the circle. Another hand would appear, along with a dark purple arm. The figure would pull itself out of the circle, revealing two monstrous horns, decaying, rotten flesh as an excuse for an abdomen, and two legs that were completely made out of bone. A... Minotaur.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*He would use his glaive's return to sender enchant, and his weapon would fly back towards his hand. As soon as he grabbed it, he immediately threw it back, this time at the wight's head*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Looks like the necromancer had more tricks up his sleeve and this one was of even greater necrotic energies. He would grin, knowing that Mizu probably shared his excitement in facing this monstrosity. Even though it did puzzle him as to why the wights did not die when the necromancer did, he didn't dwell on it. Maybe he was just wrong about them being summons and in reality the 'necromancer' was nothing more than a mage leading an army of undead. Seeing the Oni struggle to get rid of one of them he decided to offer him a single assisting shot with the help of his summoned archer. Firing a single arrow aimed at the wights head. He himself was more interested in the new enemy, kind of jealous of the fact that Mizu would likely have it's full attention.*\n\n\"I take it back, looks like the host was kind indeed.~\"\n\n*He would arm Eulogy with an arrow and release it, aiming at the head of the beast. Chances are it wouldnt do much more than scratching it but he took pride in his bow, having it magically enhanced for both power and speed it would atleast hopefully be enough for the monster to acknowledge his presence. He would then get ready to shoot another arrow at at the knee of the foe, though he wouldnt have time to fire it yet without getting a reaction from the first arrow.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu was both disappointed and impressed by the necromancer's tenacity. It was rather pathetic how quickly he fell from her thrust and bash across the head, but wasn't surprising consider he was but a mage. However, being able to have enough strength to summon this greater beast sent shivers of excitement down her spine. The necrotic energy in the air was absolutely delightful and seeing it's size Mizu could tell she finally met a beast that could possibly match her even be stronger than her. However, was strength all it had? Given it's massive size, she was dubious about its speed. It would be unfortunate if it couldn't land any attacks on her despite being strong. She didn't want another meat bag to beat around after all. Thus, she would try to test the beasts speed*\n\n*However, Mizu would realize she was starting to feel a bit exhausted as her blood vessels started to constrict. But now wasn't the time to be go weak or feel tired. She finally had worthy prey and it would be a waste to not go all out on it. Thus, she would expand her blood vessels and push herself beyond her limits once more. She was going to have fun wit this beast, no even if it used every last bit of energy from her. She was usually lazy, but she didn't consider this exerting herself, she considered this enjoyment. She would try to use her superior speed along with the Minotaur slowed down senses from her mist to maneuver around and strike for the nape of the neck with Kiyuketsuki.*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"Fellow beast, we, who have cheated death have but one purpose to still be roaming the land. For me it is to give birth to a strong child. For you it's to avenge your fallen master. Come, let us exchange blows to test whose purpose is stronger!\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "```Going Feral cast again. Regained 5 mana. 15.5/150 mana remaining```" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Much to Kohm's surprise, that had turned out quite well. In fact, his input had turned out to be quite unneeded in the end, and instead, it was Kyuu that landed the final blow- probably being annoyed that she was being left out or something along those lines. Turns out the necromancer had no more tricks up his sleeve when Kyuu crumpled him up like a towel. SIghing in relief as the zombies immediately had their strings cut, he was then shocked to see that the wrights were still active.\n\nAt first he had thought that their task would be to deal with the troublesome wright squadron left, but then the minotaur happened.\n\"...Fuck me, I should have known better.\" Kohm sighed, muttering to himself for the first time in this battle.\n\nWell, the vampires were on it. His efforts were better used in dealing with the wrights, and ensuring the wrights wouldn't interfere might be something they would even appreciate. With a little amusement at that thought, he launched a firestorm at the nearest wright.\n\n```Firestorm (15 mana, 10 regen, 60/100```" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The minotaur gazed over the situation, peering down at the surrounding members of the party. It looked down with unnervingly intelligent eyes, easily being able to get a key grasp of the situation. From the location of the blood onto the floor in relation to the kitsune, it intuitively guessed that the woman below him was the main cause of the killing of its summoner. Most likely, she was a berserker type character, usually the first one to go into the fray, and usually the first one to respond to new opponents in situations like this. In the back was a mage, most likely a macen judging by the lack of features that would distinguish it apart from other races, that launched a firestorm again at one of the wights. It would feel a thunk against its head, due to an arrow causing a scratch to its exposed skull. Turning its head to see the cause of the attack, he would see another kitsune with a bow promptly aimed at the minotaur's head. The minotaur looked down as the archer took aim at another spot on his body, presumably the knee, but didn't fire. 'So he wouldn't attack yet, it seems. Perhaps it was waiting for an opener by the other one?' it wondered silently. Again it looked down, this time at the former kitsune begin to maneuver around its legs, yelling some gibberish about being 'fellow beasts' and 'purpose.' He would watch as she jumped around to his back, probably aiming a strike towards his neck. With this, he would turn as well, albeit slower than he expected; he wasn't feeling as fast as he should have, which puzzled him slightly. Anyhow, he managed to put up his right hand to his neck's nape to block the attack, feeling a bludgeoning thud against his fingernail. Ow. It wouldn't hurt that much, but would be enough to leave a small bruise within the skin.*\n\n*The wight Oshikuru was fighting would notice a moderate debuff as the glaive was launching itself back to the oni, seeing that its master had died. Expecting another attack, this time towards the head as the wight himself was the one who had given the advice, it raised its right arm again to intercept the blow, having the glaive dig deep into his rotting flesh as it hit the bone. It turned back towards Oshikuru, pulling the glaive off of his arm and again, throwing it back to the ground. Due to Yuu's steppe elf firing a shot at the wight, it would take a single arrow into the skull, the point sinking deep into the head, but didn't go past the bone. Because of this, however, the wight would stop momentarily to glance at Yuu, leaving an opening.*\n\n*Kohm would launch another firestorm at the nearest wight, and it would actually meet its target before disappearing, again, into the woods. The wight would catch on fire, and due to its weakness to the flames, would burn to a crisp, settling into ashes. However, seeing that the wights had no other targets left, the two remaining would take notice of their comrade suddenly dying, taking note of the direction the fire had seemingly come from. They began to advance towards the macen, brandishing their weapon. It would take them a bit of time before they reached Kohm, seeing that they were weakened by lack of mana supply, however, giving the macen some time before they arrived at his location.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru would recall his glaive yet again, but this time not to throw it. He angled himself so that the flying back spear tip would impale the wight in the head while backing up.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*He got his opportunity, though it make not been the one the minotaur was expecting. The reason Yuu didn't shoot was because he -wanted- the minotaur to see where he was aiming and kept it in the back of his head and the moment Mizu attacked to and got the beast's attention he would change the aim of his target, releasing the arrow from Eulogy and at the Minotaurs neck. Then swiftly he would load another one and fire it at the initial target being the back minotaurs knee. His archer would also have changed target and aimed it's shot at the minotaur, aiming for the same knee since Mizu stood infront of the other one.*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Whistling as he turned the wright to ash, without stopping a beat he turned to the next two wrights, shooting out another firestorm.\nThis time Kohm aimed it towards the ground at their feet, ensuring even if they stepped out of the way the radius of the ensuing expansion of heat may still catch them.\n\nIf anything it was easier to control than the expanding forest fires in the background.\n\n```Firestorm (15 mana), 45/100```" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would let out a whistle. All her strength was blocked by a fingertip. She would grin, excited to know that this beast not only had strength but the defense to handle her onslaught. As a sign of respect, she would take off her mask, revealing her battle crazed crimson eyes. She felt at the very least if she were going to kill this thing, it was worthy enough to know the face of its killer. Now, to make sure it didn't get any 2nd thoughts about facing her and try to flee from her hunt, just like those pathetic wights did earlier, she would shift her spear with the blunt end forward and with her superior movement and quickness, she swings Kiyuketsuki at one of Minotaur's boney ankles, and quickly shift over to take out the other leg's knee, knowing blunt force is more effective at breaking bone than piercing. This time was going to be stuck with her, and only her. No one else was allowed to steal this from her nor would she allow it to escape to someone else. Her body shivered in anticipation for the blows the two of them would exchange in this battle that neither of them was allowed to escape from*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"Wonderful. I haven't had someone be capable of surviving multiple blows from in a long while! Hehehehe! Let's see who will fall first!\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The minotaur would look down at Mizu's crazed state, feeling the most minimal amount apprehensive as the kitsune swung a sort of hammer at one of his bony legs. He would take his left hand, the hand with the bone axe, and slam it down in front of the leg, to block her attack. The blade of the axe would receive a fracture in it, but it was just another to add to the aesthetic of the axe. However, the other strike that Mizu had launched at the other knee would go through, causing two mild fractures within the bone. Any more, and the minotaur would have to limp. As he stared into Mizu's battle-crazed and crimson eyes, he would feel challenged, but stowed this feeling away as he grasped his axe tightly. A true challenge? So soon? How... Exciting. Though it wondered, slightly, why the kitsune was trying so hard to incite battle with the monster. Was it for joy? Excitement? Or mere entertainment? The minotaur would stop himself before he tried to slam his fist into Mizu, choosing to analyze the current situation from around the battlefield, but would be met with an arrow to its neck. Surprised that it had pierced its flesh, the minotaur let the arrow sink in slightly into his flesh, determining that it wouldn't cause any significant damage to himself. However, the arrows that Yuu and his archer fired would bounce off of the minotaur's bony knees, seeing that a single small arrow would definitely not pierce bone. Because of this, the minotaur would gaze contemptuously at Yuu, but wouldn't attack until it got a full grasp of the situation.*\n\n*Kohm's fireball would set a good amount of the ground in front of the wights on fire, which would spread too fast for the wights to react. All three would simultaneously catch on fire, but two out of the three would chuck their swords with somewhat mediocre accuracy at Kohm from 7 feet off.*\n\n*The wight that Oshikuru was fighting would watch as the Oni recalled his spear, expecting another throw by Oshikuru. However, the wight predicted wrongly; Oshikuru's surprise closeup would catch the wight off guard, and it made an awkward sidestep to the left as Oshikuru pierced the right half of its chest, the spear going in deep. The wight, taken aback by the strike, would awkwardly aim a slash at the demon's right shoulder.*\n\n*Looking upon the battlefield, the minotaur would gauge that the biggest threat to his own safety would be Mizu, but the biggest threat to the entire battle would be the fire mage in the back, seeing that he had single handedly taken care of three wights on his own. Seeing that he himself was an undead, that fire mage would be substantial in deciding the outcome of this battle. If given the chance, that fire mage could screw the minotaur over, given that he had time. Pulling his axe out of the ground, the would attempt a charge at Kohm, ignoring the kitsune for his better judgement.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would notice the minotaur tryint to charge away from Mizu. Did the arrow scramble it's brains or something? In his opinion it was the dumbest thing it could have done. Turning it's back on the strongest enemy. It was about as stupid as Yuu going into mellee distance to shoot. Unfathomable. As a preventing meassure his summoned archar would shoot it's arrow abit infont the minotaur so if it managed to get away with the charge it would recieve an arrow to either the head or the neck. His own bow and arrow would aim at the minotaurs current position, again aiming for the neck like last time. With his summons dead all he could do was provide cover fire, but that was more than enough with Mizu being on offense. After all that was his forte and even if each individual arrow doesnt do that much, damage would start building up once a few arrows connect. Especially going for the same spot. Blocking was also not something the minotaur would likely be able to do as it once again would leave it exposed to an attack from Mizu which could prove to be fatal.*\n\n``` Was forgetting to update this but I believe it's been 4 turns so 10/90 Mana\n```" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu seeing the Minotaur turn away from her would have her eyes flash in anger once more. Did the beast honestly just turn away from her? After she had shown her face as a sign of respect? For the mere macen? It had considered the macen a worthier opponent than her?! Mizu's teeth would grind in agitation. Did she simply not give off a strong enough aura for her prey to recognize her? Was it because she was a female? This would not stand, she would not allow it. If it was going to turn its back on her, then it better be fast enough to do so.*\n*Mizu would use her speed and quickness once more to close the distance from behind and swing the back end of her spear once more for it's fractured knee once more. It might no longer be slowed, but she was still fast and strong and it had foolishly turned its back on her. She was going to immobilize this monster, it wasn't going to be allowed to insult her a second time*\n\n```5 mana regained 20.5/150 mana```" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru knows it has the wight in his hands now. As the wight awkwardly tries to strike, he casts current on his right hand, and catches the wight's sword arm. He pushes it to the side, grabs his weapon, and brings it up, trying to slice upward through the undead*\n\n```10 mana cast, 5 regained, 25/30 mana remaining```" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Now, that was a good haul. Watching three wrights burn to the ground, Kohm didn't treat the flying swords with too much regard, the sandman blocking one of them so he would focus on dodging the other, which wouldn't be hard considering these were after all cheap swords thrown in one's (re)death throes.\n\nWith the wrights mostly down, Kohm took a look and bore witness to a giant cow charging straight at him.\n\nMemories of being charged nearly to death by an abomination not so long ago resurfacing, Kohm's hand moved entirely without any conscious mental input, flinging a stream of red straight towards the ground between him and the beast.\n\n```Fire Storm (15 Mana), regen 10, 40/100```" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The minotaur could feel its own strength and speed rushing back to its body, feeling his senses and reaction time go back up to normal as Mizu's debuff had finished its lifetime. However, as Mizu charged up towards the minotaur with her 47 mph rush, she would slam her hammer down into the minotaur's same leg, a loud cracking sound being released as it impacted. The sheer power of the blow was enough to cause a single, major crack along with the two others. The minotaur would stumble, glancing back at the kitsune, but wouldn't stop in its tracks, as it had singled out a target and would aim to go through with his actions. However, seeing Kohm start up another fiery glow with his hand would cause the minotaur to slightly panic, but seeing that it was aimed towards the ground, the minotaur ignored the threat, seeing that bones were obviously not flammable. It would continue its charge towards the macen, swinging its axe once it got in range. Because of all of this movement, the arrows that Yuu and his elf fired would not hit his neck once more, but instead would hit the lower part of the minotaur's shoulder. Again, it wouldnt do too much damage, seeing that they were only a few arrows.*\n\n*Oshikuru's strike against the wight would strike true against the wights midsection, carving another slice into the wight's body. However, even still the wight would not be felled. It would continue its assault, awkwardly swinging as its chest and abdomen would become stiff and paralyzed.*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Just die already, you stupid zombie! Let me get to the real fight!\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*He would raise his glaive above his head, and bring it down on the wight's head. Frankly, he was quite mad at the wight's durability, and he watched the others fight the true enemy. This was small fry*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Seeing as apparently immobalizing the minotaur was nearly impossible, as it had kept up the charge even through Mizu's strike which had previously killed it's master, it was safe to say that the only way to put an end to this monster was through killing it. He would keep up with the same strategy of aiming one arrow at the neck while the other one would be aimed at the back of the cracked knee. Maybe hitting a healthy bone did nothing, but this one looked shattered, it sounded shattered, in fact there was no way it wasn't shattered so his powerfull bow shot might finally do some damage to it.*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "The world seemed to slow down for Kohm as the Minotaur rushed into range, his life flashing before his eyes. The Sandman would attempt to block, rushing with all it's strength as Kohm threw another fireball as he attempted to dodge to the side, this time right at the axe arm of the massive chunk of cow.\n\nIf it didn't work, he would be doomed, he knew. No miracle would save him from being bisected- he doubted even steel skin would do much aside from slow him down when faced with that massive axeblade the size of a dwarf.\n\n```Fire Storm (15), 25/100```" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu was actually impressed that the Minotaur was still able to move so swiftly despite having its leg shattered. Perhaps it had turned its back on her for exactly that reason. Compared to it, she was weak. As if responding to her thoughts, her blood vessels would constrict and she would feel her strength return back to normal.* \n\n*However, she wasn't upset or mad. Rather she was elated at this sensation that she hadn't felt in a long time.How long has it been since she was the challenger? She had gotten used to being the challenged, to demonstrate her strength and reign at the top. Looking back she realized she had only ever gotten stronger when she was younger and didn't possess the strength that she now did. It was hard to become stronger when there were so few things that could challenge you. But now, once more, she now had the opportunity to become stronger. If this beast could afford to turn it's back on her, then that just meant she had to become stronger to be considered a threat.*\n\n*Mizu would then acknowledge that she wasn't worthy of having this prey all to herself, as she was not strong enough. She would then look at Yuu, the macen, and Kagemusha. She considered the macen and Kagemusha weak, and throughout the fight it seemed Yuu was mediocre at best, but in comparison to the beast she was on the same level as them. She would smile at her fellow weaklings, and then pull back her spear, reduce its weight by 50% and throw it once more at the Minotaur's nape. She may not be able to do any serious damage to it, and the others would likely do even less, but as she just saw with the battle with the necromancer, a group of weaklings can at least prove to be a nuisance to the strong. Let them together enjoy this glorious battle of the weak against the strong*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The arrow that Yuu shot would sail through the air, landing precisely on the leg with bones that were near shattered and broken. Because it was still an arrow, it would not pierce the bone again like it had before. However, It had just barely the right amount of force behind it as to push one of the bones into the other, causing the structure of the leg to become jostled, resulting again in the minotaur stumbling, causing the axe blade to veer off away from Kohm, but resulted in the handle and hilt of the axe hitting the macen instead as he dodged towards the side. Because this was in the lingering action of the strike, and not at the beginning where the power was the strongest, the power would not be enough to kill, but the sheer force of the blow would be enough to send Kohm flying across the field, a majority of his abdomen bones broken, also causing the sandman to disperse into the air with the strike. Along with the landing, Kohm would find that his left leg was broken as well, complete with his left arm. However, his sacrifice would prove justifiable; the firestorm he had aimed towards the minotaur would collide with its skull, causing the hard bone to become brittle, while also causing a slight dent on the point of impact. The fire, however, seeing that it only met bone, would not expand outwards into the fur, only enveloping the exposed skull of the monster. \n\n*As Mizu aimed another shot towards the minotaur's nape, it would fly through the air, meeting its target. It would plunge into the minotaur's neck flesh, almost hitting the beast's vertebra and spinal cord, though it would stop mere inches above. The minotaur would acknowledge this fact, attempting to take the spear out of its neck, but would fail due to the weapons slipguard.*\n\n*As oshikuru brought the glaive down upon the wights head, it would find that it couldnt move its body very well, and would be forced to take the blow directly as Oshikuru brought his weapoin down, plunging into the wights skull. It would raise its arms momentarily as it died, then would go limp.*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Fucking Finally! Now, where is the.. Oh yeah. Giant bone cow\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru prepares his Guandao, and casts Current on his blade. Why he does it, who knows. It looks cool too. He throws it as hard as he can at the skull of the Minotaur*" } ]

[ { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would watch as the Macen flies away due to the strike, but atleast he wasn't cut in half by the axe, right? Even Mizu's attacks didn't seem to have much effect though it definetelly seemed to be weakening. With the fight nearing to an end Yuu would have decided to go for a somewhat recless strategy, dashing forward and stopping some 30 feet infront the minotaur to try draw his attention away for Mizu. With an arrow loaded into Eulogy he would draw it back and fire, aiming at where the minotaurs eyes would be. All the while his Archer would have dropped his bow, and drawn his sword, using the distraction to charge at the beast in a suicidal rush. The target was the swinging hand of the minotaur. He knew that the damage would be minimal but the sword managed to get stuck in the hand it would likely affect it's ability to hold the weapon. If the minotaur was somehow able to charge at full speed with the state of his knee, his faith would be in Mizu and even the Oni. It's not like he wanted them to protect him. In his mind is that there was no point trying to haul the spotlight, if this beast was going down, it was going to be through teamwork and apart from the though of this beasts head on the ground, there was nothing else in Yuu's battle-crazed head. Raising his arm forth a magic circle would form as a wolf had emerge, not having time to attack just yet.*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Kohm's mind went blank as history repeated itself- this time with more vigour, almost as if death tried harder this time to make up for their previous failure to take Kohm. \n\nLosing function in the limbs on his left side of his body (an almost humourous thought flickered across his mind for a brief moment regarding how this time it was his left's turn to suffer), Kohm remained on the ground, heavily panting as he realised he wouldn't be able to get up so easily this time. Craning his neck to the side, he saw how the battle proceeded as he let his abdomen, now roiling harder than ever before. He was practically certain he was well and truly fucked, and he was most certain experiencing internal bleeding from his cracked ribs.\n\n*Well.* He thought, for once not entirely in rational fashion. *It looks like there's a good chance I'm going to motherfucking bleed out here. If I'm going to die before I have seen all the lands and oceans, all the mountains and fields... Well then, I might as well spite that fucker, wounds be damned!*\n \nRaising his right hand weakly as he attempted to aim straight, one last firestorm erupted from his hand before he truly let his hand fall, trying not to aggravate his wounds further.\n```Firestorm (15) cast, 10 regen, 20/100```" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Seeing that the spear was still in its body, Mizu decided to use that to her advantage she would charge forward with a ward of blood in front of her to deflect the likely retaliation from the Minotaur as she attempts to get on its back and shove the spear deeper with her raw strength, hoping the distractions of everyone else would help her in pulling through this maneuver*\n\n```5 mana regained, Blood ward cast 15.5/150 mana remaining```" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*As if by instinct, the minotaur would guess that there would be a follow up strike coming up from the back by the kitsune, so it swung its tail wildly, catching the kitsune but not doing any knockback to her. Instead, it would be surprised that itself was the recipient of the knockback, lurching forward a few feet bit as the steppe elf charged at the minotaur. Mizu would miss her jump, instead landing on the ground to the back of the beast, close to the legs. The elf charging at the monumental beast begged the question: why would it suddenly charge now, when it stood behind at the backlines this entire time? Was it suicidal? A distraction? Or both? It guessed that the elf was a distraction, but nevertheless, it swung its axe horizontally at the elf's abdomen, severing its body into two. However, because of this distraction, the minotaur's head would be vulnerable to the arrow shot, taking its brunt force as the brittle skull shattered under the force. The minotaur's brain would be exposed, a rotting, decaying muscle of gray and purple. It reeked of corpses and the undead. The shattering pieces of bone would dig into the brain, causing it to bleed profoundly. To add t the torture, Oshikuru's glaive would pierce through the back of its head to the skull, stabbing through the brain as well. With this, the minotaur would blindly wail in agony, blindly throwing its axe with all of its strength towards Yuu's direction, before it fell to the floor, dead. Its body would decay into the soil, and the necrotic energy in the forest would vanish.*\n\n**QUEST COMPLETE**\n-5 PP Awarded to all participants\n-go back to the village for the 25 gold reward" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "\"Headshot...\" *He would say in a calm and collected voice as the arrow left his bow.*\n\n*Yuu would watch as the beast fell, though soon enough his eyes widened in shock as he saw the axe flying in his direction. In a wild attempt to avoid damage he would jump to the side as the axe cleanly cut through his icy tails formed by his transformation. A close call and if he was not in his transformed state, likely a deadly one. He would take a mental note that undead enemies are dickheads as he got back up to his feet and shook any dirt off himself, slowly walking towards the fallen corpse of the beast. More so for dramatic effect, than fatigue or anything else.*\n\n\"I wonder if the rumors are true. I've heard tales of these facsinating creatures, their horns are said to sell for a decent amount. I'd say fighting the monster already paid it's price in the entertainment provided though.\"" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"An excellent shot indeed! Shame I couldn't do anything...\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*He would recall his glaive, then go to hacking at the horns of the beast. He wanted at least something for compensation for not being able to fight this thing*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would be slightly surprised to have the minotaur be pushed out the way of her leap, but she mere grinned pleased that she was able to at least throw the beast off balance. She would look over to the group and grin. It was a short dance of death, but they all had made it through. She would reflect on each of her companions for this job, trying to figure out where she was lacking in this fight*\n*Mizu was honestly surprised that the Macen was still alive, but she still respected him for putting up as much of a fight as he did. At the very least he had helped clear out a good portion of the warrior undead with his flames and his summon served its purpose as well. She could see him becoming stronger in the future and would be sure to get his name before they all left. As for herself, she realized she would likely need to learn some widespread attack with her blood so she wouldn't be overwhelm by weaklings in the future*\n*As for Yuu, his summons capabilities left something to be desired, but as she just saw with this final blow, he himself seemed to be more than worthy of being called strong. Her body would heat up a bit once more from lust and nod in understanding. It seems he was worthy to mate with, and she was excited to get started on it the moment they finished up this task. From his fighting, she saw the value of staying afar and letting minions serve as distractions. Being able to command a small force would certainly prove useful in overwhelming most enemies. She would note that she needed to either improve her range capacity or learn to make summons with her blood. Perhaps she could ask Yuu to teach her?*\n\n*Then she would look over to the Oni recklessly swinging away at the body of the Minotaur and her eyebrows would raise in surprise before a flash of irritation washes over her eyes. The oni had slightly impressed earlier from his fight against the abomination, but through this whole fight he had been occupied taking out a single warrior undead. He had done very little to contribute in the battle against the mighty beast, yet here he was not only disrespecting the body of this stronger warrior, but also seemingly collecting the horns that Yuu had just mentioned might valuable. Yes, the greater reward was from the fight itself, but as a hunter, Mizu found it extremely disrespectful to start mangling the body of a prey hunted down by another hunter. In her mind, Yuu should be the one to first claim any piece of the prey for himself. Whether it be the horn or the skull, even if he had no intention on selling it, Mizu would think one would want a symbol so to speak to mark the day they fought such a strong beast. Thus Mizu would put on her mask, walk up behind Oshi and with her strength apply tremendous pressure on his shoulder, holdling back his arm as he was about to swing again at the Minotaur's horn. She would radiate an aura of irritation and let her some of her bloodlust soak through*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"Kagemusha, I would suggest you not disrespect the body of such a strong beast, or are you so blind as to think it is still alive? Anyhow, why not prove yourself useful and heal the macen who, unlike you, had actually helped out in this battle. Move along now, preferably before I develop a taste for Oni.\"" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"I do not mean disrespect. If something is worth collecting from you, then it means you are worthy. That's how I see it. As for the horns, I do plan on collecting them unless you two want them, as of course you did most of the work\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would chuckle as Mizu stopped the Oni from collecting the horns. Being a monster hunter, he disagreed with his statement. Worthy if you can collect from it? What kind of nonsense was that? Does that make vultures scavanging carcasses of dead animals, worthy? Either way he would get up and move closer, next to Mizu, squating down and looking at the Oni.*\n\n\"You know what you remind me of? An Omega Wolf. They are the weaklings of the pack. They still get food, they still have a home but that doesn't make them worthy.\"" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"I'm going to ignore that. Do you want the horn? Does she want the horn? I'm going to get something, doesn't have to be the best part\"" }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "\"Yeah, we'll both take the horns. Good keep sake, this monster -should- be remembered... For atleast abit.\" *He didn't even ask Mizu if she wanted a horn, which was a factor of two things. First, he thought she deserved one, so wether she keeps it or sells it, it should hers. And Secondly, he did not want to give the horn to the Oni, whose ego was too high for it's capabilities.*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Kay then. I'll go find something. Oh wait. Where's the small macen? \"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*He looks around, finds him and runs over there to heal him*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would pull out his shortsword, starting to carefully cut around the horn. All the while he would think about what he would do with it, make a sword? Sell it? Keep it as an ornament? He got so lost in his own thoughts that he didnt even notice that -minutes- had passed and he was already almost done with the second horn. One done he would get up and hold it up to Mizu. Holding his own one in his right hand, rather loosely.*\n\n\"Your share Kyuu.\"" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Kohm sighed a breath of relief and craned his neck to nod in appreciation as he felt his extensive wounding being healed, but for the part remaining silent as it was greatly painful to move his chest right now as his ribs mended themselves together. Well, it seems he would live, in the end. Thank goodness." }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Well, guess I was useful as a healer. Not what I want to be known for, but oh well\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would've chuckled at the jab Yuu made at the Oni, finding it to be amusingly accurate. She would watch Yuu take his share of the beast, not minding that he started to chop away at the 2nd one. After all, it was customary in a wolf pack to let the alpha take his share and then trust he will leave enough for the rest the pack. Thus she would be surprised to see him offer her the 2nd horn to her. She would find it rather generous of him to go through the effort to cut her share, thus she would take it graciously and store it away in her pouch.*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"Kind of you to cut my share. Will you be leaving the rest for the others?\"" }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "\"Yeah, I have no use for the rest of the beast. Though it probably deserves to be left alone now, I won't stop the others from scavanging. Atleast the Macen deserves something. Not so much the Oni.\" *He would then sheathe his sword and stretch his arms upwards, letting out a grunt as he felt his muscles relaxing. His wolf would stand by his side as he ruffled it's hair.* \"It was a good hunt, guess we need to go collect the reward from the geezer at the village?\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru would arrive at the Minotaur's skeleton. He would look around looking for anything useful. He would settle for 3 lower leg bones and the unbroken femur*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"I'm going to take these, if you don't mind. Unless the macen wants them.\" *He would turn to Kohm* \"You want anything?\"" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "\"Nothing in particular.\" Kohm shook his head, having since stood up, though he was still a bit unsteady as he was getting himself adjusted." }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru picks up the three bones*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"We should get going, then. Don't want to wait for sunrise.\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would look up at the sky. Has it really been that long? Is the sun about to rise? Except he would be met with a perfectly dark sky. Guess the Oni was talking a few hours into the future. He'd stretch one more time and attach the horn to his belt in an awkward way that makes him not need to carry it. He would turn to Mizu.*\n\n\"You gonna leave after recieving pay, or do I still need to make it up to you?~\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would nod after seeing everyone claim their share. It was shame for the rest of the mighty beasts body to lay here, but accepted that it was the natural outcome for the defeated. The strong live their life in a blaze of glory, but all it takes is one slip up for you to becoming nothing more than a pile of rubbish.*\n\n*Mizu felt a sense of loss for the mighty beast, knowing full well if she had been alone she would likely be the pile of bones there. Death treats everyone equally, and if anything to undead like her who cheated it once, life was much harsher to them, trying it upmost to push them back from whence they came. In that sense, she was saddened at how she had never been able to experience life as her memories only included days of being a vampire ever since she was a child. The world had rejected her since the beginning and was left alone to suffer because of it. But even so, she felt it was because of that overwhelming pressure that she became as strong as she was, to prove to the world that she would live a fulfilling life even as an undead. And that included experiencing everything she possibly could, including being a mother.*\n\n*Thus, she would look over to Yuu and nod her head. He was strong and had thankfully had taken an interest her. She had her mask on, but she there were few tears in her eyes which caught her by surprise, but would then smile. It would seem she had been longing for this day a lot longer than she had thought*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"Hmmm, weren't you the one who made the promise? It should be me asking if you will hold your end of it?\" She would tease back" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would think about it for a moment. She wasn't wrong, it was in fact him who made the promise yet for some reason it felt like she was the one who made it in hindsight. Well either way, by her reply the promise is being kept regardless of who it was who promised. He would take one last look at the beast, then spin around on his heels, moving towards the village while still looking at Mizu.*\n\n\"I thought I told you before that I couldn't say no after I saw what's under the mask~\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*She would chuckle. It was fun to be teased and teased back. She would walk up and walk side by side with Yuu and would brush her tail against his*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"Ara Ara~It seems we've both wasted effort in having this conversation then\" And would lean in and reach for Yuu's hand" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*As he saw Mizu walking up to him he would turn around to face the direction he was walking and as she reached out to take his hand, he would willing take it. He would now take note that there seemed to be around the same height, maybe even exactly so, hmmm... So many coincidences indeed. With a smile he would look back in front of him.*" }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "\"Is there a symbolic reason you wear that mask? Or is just to hide your identity?\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would secure her grip on Yuu's hand. It was a bit cold, but that much was expected considering they were both undead. However her heart would flutter in joy at the pleasant feeling. Who knew physical contact outside of combat would feel this nice, so... Comforting? At the mention of her mask her free hand would gently stroke it, recalling where and how she had gotten a hold of it.*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"Not satisfied with just seeing my face, mhmm? Well, I won't mind telling the tale if you are so curious, but in return I ask you tell me the tale of your summons. Seeing how distinct they are, I could only assume there was some reason for making them as they are. Sounds fair? \"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Assuming she meant his wolves he would look beside him at the wolf following them then back and her and nod.*\n\n\"Deal.~\"" } ]

[ { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*She would nod and start her tale*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"This mask is that of a kitsune face while I am an Okimimi. The public had often referred to me as an kitsune however when I was younger. As such, to fit my own amusement I had acquired myself a kitsune mask, as a sort of way to mock them. It was after all no different than what the public was doing, forcing the image of a pathetic fox onto me despite being a bloodthirsty wolf., and would enjoy the look on their faces as they realized that.\nWhile this is a bit embarrassing to say, the mask also allowed me more control over my identify, so I didn't feel as irritated by being misidentified. I was, to say the least, trying to find my place in the world, so the mask helped serve as a protective barrier against it. Now that I am older though it's purpose has shifted to hiding my identity and keeping weak prey away. However, it's purpose of making my life easier remains, hence I refer it to as my Mask of Sloth. It wasn't that interesting of a tale now was it, but I hope your curiosity is satisfied now~\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu ears would perk up as he listened to her tale, even if it wasn't the most action-packed tale, it still gave him some insight into what goes on in girls head. Protecting her from not knowing her identity. That's an interesting use for a mask that he hadn't heard before. He would look at her before he talked, having a soft smile on his face.*" }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "\"It's better than saying 'it looks cool' which is the response you usually get when you ask someone what their mask means. Now you wanted to know about my summons, yeah? I'll be honest the Macen and Steppe Elves don't have much meaning behind them, they are just based on people I've seen throughout my life. The wolves are the ones with atleast some story behind them. See... I didn't grow up... Normally. My family lived a secluded life in the forest, just us. Then one day while hunting my brother and father had found wolf pups next to their dead mother's corpse. I'm sure you know what that meant for the pups if they had left them there. So instead they took them in. Each of my siblings and me got a wolf each to grow up alongside us. I was close with mine. He was there when I was happy, he was there when my brother betrayed me, he was there when I found my way in life again. And while he's not here anymore, the wolves are based on him. Another funny coinsidence is that his name is similar to yours. Kiyuu. And that was my part of the deal, hope you didn't fall asleep listnening.~\" *He'd chuckle as he finished talking.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would be surprised to hear that the elf and macen summon had no meaning. Given their specialties and specific race, she had assumed they were important figures related to his life. Amusing that he would make summons on mere people he had seen in his life. As for his pups, her undead heart would warm slightly hearing how he took care of them. Of course it might not translate to an actual Okimimi child, but Mizu decided to take it as Yuu being a mate that would potentially help her raise their pup. Though if he didn't she wouldn't mind, or so she thought. It was often in the wild for the male to leave the female after mating, leaving her alone to care for the pups. She would obviously do the same, but she couldn't help but feel a bit a pang of loneliness thinking about Yuu leaving her side. She would be surprised at herself for feeling that way. Was she that desperate for companionship... She had thought she only wanted a mate to bear a child, but holding Yuu's hand like this, she couldn't help but feeling she wanted it to last longer...*\n*Her attention would return back to Yuu's tale. He was betrayed by his brother? Was it a dispute over being the alpha? That would mean there was a potential stronger mate out there wouldn't it? But seeing how Yuu had used the worlds betrayed, she figured it was likely not a fair contest of actual skill, and even if it was, Mizu decided mating with Yuu was the better option. There would be no guarantee his brother would be interested or even alive, and well, she felt she would regret leaving him for some reason?*\n*As Yuu finished his tale, she would also chuckle at how similar the names were, but also made the mental note to tell Yuu her real name once they were alone. It seemed only appropriate for two mates to be honest with one another.*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"I'm still walking by your side, no? Honestly, you sure like wasting energy asking meaningless questions~\" *She would tease back once more" }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "\"It's something my old man used to say. I dont remember what the exact quote was due to how long ago it was but he always used to tell me to cherish conversations. I guess it stuck with me. Or well at the very least with people I find interesting enough to have a conversation with.\" *His reply was serious at the start but he dropped a hint of finding her interesting at the end.*\n\n*This was definitely not what he expected to happen when he took a job to rid a village of a necromancer. He expect another boring battle that he would have to fight with disposable adventurers that would most likely die but tonight, tonight was different. The fight itself proved to be rather entertaining, he had learned alot about the areas he would need to improve in and while the other members of the group weren't too memorable he had met Mizu, or as he knew her, Kyuu. He didn't really know what he felt towards her but at the very least he was interested. Unlike others that he had met, she actually had a backbone, but even among the strong ones he met, few had a playful personality that could entertain him. He looked at the sky and with a smile confirmed to himself that coming here tonight was worth it.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru really didn't care about the romance between the two. He decided to run ahead and get his coin. He needs to kill more things now, he wasn't able to do much in this quest*" } ]

[ { "author": "way8306", "message": "Returning to the downtrodden town felt surprisingly longer than it should have. His best guess as to why was a mixture of factors, namely the lack of tension now that the evil presence was erased from the woods, the two vampire kemonomimi telling their stories,and such. \n\nThus, he wasn't surprised when the oni rushed in front, being impatient and all- not everyone liked the slow going of things. Kohm however, lavished such moments after such high intensity battles- even without his old friends, he still quite enjoyed this peace and quite. \n\nThe voices of the two remaining members of the temporary party helped bring back a semblance of that atmosphere- though of course, they were no friends. Didn't help they had the attitude belonging to what could only be ancient vampires- though he preferred to call those kind of vampires bored and almost stir-crazy from his personal experiences.\n\nNamely, the kind of attitude you couldn't like, but also one backed with strength to use at their whim. The only way one could deal with those kind of characters without being strong enough in their own right to gain respect from them was to simply roll with the punches, and thus Kohm would do such." }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu's ears would perk up at hearing Yuu indirectly saying that he found her interesting enough to have a conversation with. Personally, Mizu valued actions more than words, but could acknowledge putting the effort to talk to someone was an action in itself. Honestly this had been the most fun she had a while, besides fighting strong monsters such as that bull. Teasing and being teased back, learning about someone things that one would normally never know even searching through the most ancient of libraries. Thus her tail would wag back and forth in display of her pleasure, pleased that she had met Yuu's expectation of being enjoyable company.*\n\n*She would realize they would be nearing the village and that the Oni had already left. Not that she really cared, and to be honest wasn't a surprise either. She would assume he likely ran off to collect his pay from the job, being one of those pathetic beta males trying to claim whatever they can as quickly as they can with the least amount of effort. In that regard, she was pleased that the macen hadn't run off. After all, she did make a mental note to ask his name before he left seeing how his magic had proved useful in that battle. Macen's were amusing like that weren't they? They start off so weak and look so pathetic. Their lives are so pitifully short also, yet they are able to reach heights comparable to those of other races. Granted that didn't go for all macens, but she got the feeling this one was one of those out-reaching types, the kind that will only continue to grow stronger at an alarming rate. While he may not be strong now, at the very least she can try to get his name so that in the future she might look for him to entertain her possibly.*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"Hmm, macen, I must say you piqued my interest today. Mind telling me your name once more?\"" } ]

[ { "author": "elskele", "message": "*They were infact nearing the village, which to be quite honest, did not really look any different from what it looked like when they left it. I guess the only thing different was the angle they were approaching it at. As Mizu calls out to the Macen, Yuu would lazily tilt his head back abit so that he could see him whenever he had given a response. Unlike Mizu, he didn't care much for the Macen's name. There are plenty of strong beings in the world and by the time this macen -might- become one of them, Yuu would have likely forgotten his name by then. What did picque his interest slightly, and is also what caused him to look back for the response is that the Macen was also some sort of summoner.*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "To say Kohm was surprised was an understatement, but he quickly realised that it was just a passing interest, and probably wouldn't amount to much.\n\nWho knows though, maybe they would cross paths sometime in the future? Unlikely, but the world was a smaller place than people would think. He was just glad that it wasn't the sort of attention that amounted to a lot of annoyance, as seemed to happen to a surprising amount of people these days with just the slightest amount of promise. Seems that the older one got the more long-term investments they liked to make, one way or another.\n\nSimply, he answered \"Kohm.\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Walking back towards Lyndon, it would appear that the town was as abandoned and run down as ever. The situation had seemingly not improved in it for a moment; there was no one in sight, there were still littered corpses laying throughout the floor, and the smell of dead bodies and decaying flesh would still fill the air as you walked in. The buildings in the area looked... Relatively fine, surpsrisingly. Only a few buildings looked as if they were in the midst of being torn down and destroyed, namely the general store, the bank, and, far off in the distance on top of the hill, the abandoned lord's house.*\n\n*The immense sensation of necrotic energy from earlier would still linger throughout the village, but it was merely there, clinging on to the last remaining clutches of its power while it could. It was like a backdrop of rain staying passive in the background, unlike the harsh, violent, oppressive nature of a wild thunderstorm. This necrotic energy was more or less docile, though you three would find that as time went on, it would begin to disperse and disappear into the cold, winter air.*\n\n*The old man from earlier and the tall, lean man would be nowhere in sight. Most likely, they were in the village somewhere, but seeing that it was already so late, they had probably went to sleep in one of the abandoned houses. But which one...? All of the houses looked more or less in the same condition; a bit torn down here and there, but still relatively habitable. The Lord's house, on the other hand, would look beat down to the ground, the Sandun estate devolving into a shadow of it's former glory. However, you three would be able to see some light from one of the windows, so perhaps that was a valid option to investigate.*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Shrugging, Kohm would head there, it being the obvious place to go. No words were needed in this case." }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Kohm would follow the desolate cobblestone roads, taking notice of the lack of liveliness within the town. Although, it wouldn't really differ that much from the state it was in previously, as even before the necromancer incidents, the town itself had been affected by a lack of life due to the amount of expenses Kren Sandun had been spending not on the improvement of the town's well being, but moreso on the state of his 'prized Sandun horses.' The single, large path in the road would stretch on and on until it reached a familiar gate; a tall, towering steel gate that found itself with a lack of guards. Funnily enough, as you approached it, the gate itself would be locked and without a clear entrance or passageway through it. Surrounding the gate, there were various walls which stood nearly as tall as the former structure, various signs of conflict painfully obvious in sight splattered on the walls.*\n\n*The walls would host a plethora of body parts and dried blood, large blots of which could be seen spread throughout the front gate. You wouldn't be able to see it, but the eastern and western sides of the walls would actually be relatively untouched, but the southern gate would be the one with the most damage. On that side, a great number of body parts, human and animal alike, would litter the area. There would be a large, broken hole within the wall on one of its weakpoints on that side, and trailing from it, there would be visible signs of animal tracks escaping down the hill the lord's mansion had sat upon, as well as a multitude of human tracks laying upon the area as well. The human tracks would lead towards the mansion, stopping once it had reached the animal pen. Most likely, a riot had erupted throughout the people in the town, triggered by the necromancer's arrival, inciting the murder of Kren Sandun.*\n\n*The floor of the cobblestone trail would also be littered with various tools; pickaxes, axes, pitchforks, and even the charred remains of torches would be laid throughout the road. Several helmets of guards also sat scattered throughout the Northern side of the wall, where the gate was located. They looked damaged, destroyed, and overall out of shape. Some soldier-style weapons would also be in sight throughout the area; swords, spears, and even a couple of bows. They would all look damaged and dented, chipped and broken if you took the time to make out the details of the fallen arms. Nearby would be a couple of bodies as well, wearing remnants of what looks like standard issues of plate armor on their bodies. Various cracks would also be visible on the gate's brick walls, large hammers being visible nearby as well. The landscape, combined with the morbid scenery of the town, would beg the question: What had happened here?*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "\"Well...\" Kohm wrinkled his nose. \"Talk about a mess.\"\nQuickly it became apparent that the death of the local lord was a lot more complicated affair than thought previously. The necromancer was only the ignitor of an unfortunate series of events that led to the desolation of Lydon if the signs of riot and strife, as well as the neglect in various parts of town that couldn't have happened in a few days told anything.\n\nAfter this brief moment of thought, Kohm moved on, though he now had a lot more questions he wanted answers to." }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would look at the carnage with dull interest. It wasn't anything surprising. Macens made things as quickly as they destroyed them, and the destruction of this village wasn't shocking considering the conditions she saw it in a week prior when she first came here. She would've been interested to see the whole show reach this climax, but now that it was over, there was no reason for her to keep watching. She would then follow Kohm, hoping to find someone she could take for dinner with Yuu*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would look around. He wasn't one to admire destruction. Not one that wasn't caused by him anyway. This meant the mess all around them was of no value to him, thought it did beg the question of why didn't the villagers just move away instead of spending their whole life savings in hiring adventurers to kill the necromancer? He would shrug and follow Mizu and the Macen.*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Off in the distance from the lord's mansion, two cloaked figures would watch you three approach the gate. They would begin to turn to eachother, conversing shortly before the taller of the two decided to step off down the hill towards your direction. The shorter one would reach out his hand, almost as if stopping the former from leaving the estate, before putting it back to his side and following soon enough. The two, as a pair, would walk down the hill to the gates, taking off their cloaks once they had gotten within view of the three of you.*\n\n*Once they had their cloaks off, it would be revealed that they were the old man and his tall subordinate from earlier. The younger, leaner man looked pretty beat up, with a bruise covering his eye and multiple scratches amongst the right side of his body. However, the old man looked relatively good for what he seemed to be; no significant injuries had come to show concerning his own body, though he looked quite a bit downtrodden when you looked at his eye. It would almost seem that wrinkles in his face grew deeper in the short period you were gone, digging into his famished and exhausted skin. Simply put, he looked like shit. However, he would be the one to open his mouth, bringing out a pouch of coins from the inside of his cloak, presenting it to the three of you from the other side of the gate.*\n\n\"I felt the necrotic energy being lifted a few hours ago. I assume that the three of you did your jobs, but the fourth one came here earlier, demanding his pay. Simply put, he was being unnecessarily raucous, so I just gave him his share of the money. Though, I extremely doubt he was helpful; he looked like he sustained a good amount of injuries, after all. Anyway, I got this money from breaking into the Lord's personal room. Believe it or not, he kept way too much in there for his own good. 100 gold, surprisingly. Take it, and go split it as you will.\"" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Classic decadent dead nobles, the number one explanation to how villagers managed to dish out their impressive quest rewards everywhere, anywhere. Shaking that thought aside, he looked to the rest of his party and spoke. \"Even split?\" \n\nHe figured that if they asked for his name, he must at least have received enough respect to get his full share. That only applied to the woman and not the man, but considering the aforementioned man seemed to be on... More than agreeable terms with her so far, it should be good enough." }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu didn't care to much for the material wealth for man. Living 250 years she had accumulated and spent more wealth than the average noble and had long learned about 200 years ago how ephemeral material goods were. She had came only for the prospect of a fun challenge and to collect unique sights/trinkets that no amount of money could buy. Thus she was more than willing to split the wealth 3 way with the macen. Though she was a bit impressed by his boldness in suggesting it as he surely must have seen how they treated the oni when he tried to get more than his share of the minotaur. Her asking for his name might have gotten to his head a little, thus she decided to tease him a little*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"Hmm? Even split you say? I could've sworn Yuu and I did most of the work, or did were you to beat up to notice what we told the oni? To think you would stoop to his level\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Similarly to Mizu, Yuu had little use for gold past the basic needs of someone. Given he was a vampire he didn't even need to eat anymore, atleast not food he paid for. So his only expense was fixing clothes after battle and buying arrows. He would chuckle at Mizu's remark but would remain silent otherwise to see how the Macen reacts.*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Kohm felt a facial muscle twitch imperceptibly, as he quickly recognised he was being teased with. Yet another reason why he didn't like to deal with these types of people. \n\nAh well, he didn't have so little a backbone and confidence that he would back down from this, and he didn't have such a low opinion of the temper of ancient ones to be overly wary. \"I like to think that I'm standing on better ground since I'm not taking a prize from an enemy I didn't fight.\" Came the dry, yet still humorous response.\n\nIn some part of his brain, Kohm had to wonder if by chance, the Oni was sneezing, wherever he was." }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "*Mizu would tilt her head and chuckle at his reasoning, not willing to let him off the hook just yet* \"I suppose that is true. But if I recall, wasn't there a certain someone that ordered a useless doll to heal someone that would otherwise not be standing here today? I wonder who that someone was and if they got anything in return for it\"" }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "\"Hmm, I do recall something similar... Memory is rather fuzzy though... Maybe -you- can remind us.~\" *He would gesture towards Kohm with a smug look plastered on his face, he'd then briefly look at Mizu, smile and look back at the Macen.*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Kohm irritation grew an inch, but of course, he wasn't going to let that show. Instead, he continued to stand his ground. \"Ah, you shouldn't have, ma'am. I had already paid him off for his services beforehand, although I really am grateful that you would bother to help save my life. I owe you a real favour.\" \n\nThere was no sarcasm in his voice- for he wasn't so willing to gamble, merely a factual statement... With just enough real respect injected into it, knowing what had transpired (now that he thought of how the oni went for the horns, he was quite annoyed that he so quickly forgot the honour of the coin. No dignity, he groused mentally.), to make it seem decently genuine... To a normal person. \n\nOf course, he knew it wouldn't work on either of these too, but he hoped that they would let him off. Even if they actually remembered and cashed that favour in... If it wasn't too shady work, it would make a decent adventure. Hopefully." }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"A favor you say?\" She would look over to two men and then to Yuu and tilt her head before looking back to Kohm\n\"Well, Yuu and I did lose our feast rather early if you recall, and it would seem like there are some 'bandits' here that need to be brought to justice for breaking into a noble's home. It would kind of you to report to the town that there were some remaining undead lurking around that got a hold of said 'bandits'. Think you could do that for us?\"" }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "*Looking at Mizu, his smug expression would turn into an excited grin. He was hungry enough before the fight started so the plan was to hunt some food after, thought this was a much more interesting alternative as it also tested the moral limits of the Macen.*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Kohm's smile thinned. Now, he was an old mercenary, but he -and his old band had standards. There was a line to be drawn here, and he wouldn't back down from it, even if he had to deal with the whims vampires stronger and wiser than him.\n\nWith the firestorm runes etched under his cloak still thrumming with power, he decided that if worse come to worse and they weren't joking around (Though he doubted that gobbling some disparate villagers would be actually appetising by any means, much less fitting for the occasion they seem to have planned and he was banking on that), he would have to use the measures he was saving for a truly last-ditch situation, even if they had a minimal chance of working. Long ago he had agreed that there truly were a few things worth dying for, even if it seemed pointless.\n\n\"Surely you jest. I know little about vampire palates, but I quite doubt an old man's blood is worth any effort, and the young man seems to be lacking a bit in vitality. Certainly, the vampires I knew wouldn't really have settled for them if it were to come to a real dinner. Besides... Comparing the blood of a few desperate, petty thieves to that of truly bloody sinners would be comparing vinegar to aged wine, wouldn't it?\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Ara ara, it would seem Mizu had found a sensitive point on the macen named Kohm. She had lived long enough to be aware of the social trick of 'praising' someone to make something they did not want to happen appear undesirable in that it was beneath them. She found it cute that the macen thought he could pull one over on her who had likely lived at least 5x longer than him. Though he did make a point about the different qualities of macen blood, but he seemed to forget something that Mizu was going to use to push his buttons a little further*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"Jest? Surely you must be jesting, or has the macen memory span decreased over the years? I recall Yuu and I saying those 'helpers' that were sent with us were going to be our feast. I am sure you recall their condition. If we were satisfied with that, wouldn't this be the aged wined for our dinner? Ara, what's wrong? Your smile seems to have thinned out? Did the Oni do a poor job in healing you?\" *She would say while licking her lips*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Given Mizu was doing most of the talking, Yuu saw no need to interfere verbally, he would remain where he was, with the same smug expression, however his wolf would suddenly start circling around the whole group. Depending on the perception of people present, it could either be simply wandering around, or it could be taken as a threat. In a similar fashion his free hand rested on the handle of the sword that was on his belt. As a side note, Yuu was even more pleased now that he had chosen to go with Mizu, she was even more entertaining that what he had thought of her.*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Kohm breathed, calming himself down as he realised what she was up to, as well as realising there would be nothing they could really do to prevent them from feeding on someone tonight.\n\nAt best, they would be able to somewhat humour them and get them to target someone no one would miss in this village... Which still was distasteful, but compromises have to be made. At worse... Well.\n\nWith those thoughts in mind, he turned to the poor bastards that were being mentioned.\n\"How about we hear them out? Maybe they could arrange some adequate dinner plans.\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The two men from beyond the gate would obviously take note that one of the two kitsunes were talking about them being the 'bandits' they were talking about bringing to justice. The old one would take a step back, but the young one would stand his ground and speak.*\n\n\"No, we're not the ones who broke into the mansion; those were some other group that decided to riot against the big man. And seeing that he had no heirs, isn't it a given that a few would try and capitalize on his remaining fortune? Even though no one had made their claims to it? Is it really that wrong to try and live off someone's leftover fortune?\"\n\n*The young, bruised man would ask the three. His palms began to sweat, although he made a motion of wiping them against his neck as a means to brush it off. Something about the male and female oriates made him feel uneasy, almost as if they were gazing down on him like he was about to be the subject of some unimaginable torture. He would begin to slowly back away from the door, looking upon the two warily. He began to distrust them as time went on, though he didn't choose to show it.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would see that her teasing had broke the poor macen and would pull back on it. She had already fed today, so it wasn't necessary for her to feed once more, but she did want to have a nice dinner with Yuu. It would also seem he didn't get a chance to eat yet, and she wouldn't want her future mate to go feral.*\n*She would ignore the macen's explanation of 'justice' as she only used that term mockingly, knowing full well 'justice' is whatever the strong deems as such. After all, only victors can spread their tales. She would instead turn to Yuu to hear what he wanted. She feared she was boring him given his lack of speech, as just moments earlier he said he only held conversations with those he found interesting*" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "\"What do you think Yuu? I for one don't think Kohm is doing me a 'real favor' if he has to ask 'bandits' for an alternative. Seems like he was pup with all bark and no bite. Such a shame\"" } ]

[ { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would smile as she turned to him and asked him what he wanted, to which quite frankly he didn't have an immediate answer. He would move forward, pacing around the Macen that spoke up, pretty much completely ignoring the old man behind him. He would drag his finger along the Macen's neck as he walked, humming a tune as he did so. To be honest, he just wanted to get a scare the poor guy. While he did want to eat, it was mostly because he wanted to share the meal with Mizu, and less that he -needed- to do so. He would then stand beside the Macen, casually swinging his arm around his shoulder as you would to a friend, his eyes would then go to Mizu with a smile.*" }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "\"Hmm... I don't know. The way this Macen is talking makes him sound like that Oni from before, coming in and trying to claim the loot while not doing anything himself.\" *He would take a second to think.* \"Well, the plan was to share the meal with you, and what kind of gentleman denies the lady of her choice? Tell me who -you- want, and they are yours.~\"" }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "*Mizu would grin, pleased that Yuu was as entertained by the whole game she's got going. She would gently lay her hand against her chest in an over-fashionable manner, mocking the ways a female macen noble would gesture and speak* \"A gentleman you are. I being a fine lady had requested my knight here to prepare our meal.\" *She would then turn to Kohm and grin* \"He did say he owed me a 'real favor' after all, or have you lied to a fine lady that helped save your life?\"" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Ignoring the attempts to rile him up as they toyed with the poor lad, Kohm realised that it was likely attempting to change their mind would only result in the prolonging of the sickening charade, and even lead to greater consequences.\n\nLooking at the situation with a stoic face, Kohm knew what he had to do.\nTaking out a small pouch- coincidentally, there were exactly 25 pieces of gold inside- he threw it in front of the lad, the shiny insides revealing itself as the pouch opened slightly from the impact.\n\n\"You are right, I did promise a favour, though I can't keep the entire bargain and don't deserve the reward. You can have him for your dinner, but *I want to see him alive next morning.*.\"\nThe emphasis at the end was not intended to cow anyone and had not a shred of hostility, merely lack of emotion even as he raised his voice- even though he could and *Would* Zinge their hair off if forced to, there would be no chance of victory- not even a tie. In short, starting a fight truly wouldn't be worth it compared to the price paid. \n\nThe best he could hope for was that they would fuck off." }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "*Mizu would grin but her tail would droop a bit. It would seem the macen had finally submitted to her, and while it was her end goal, she had hoped he would play with her a bit more. But perhaps she could get one last rise out of him*\n\n\"I'm pleased that my 'brave knight' have some dignity to keep his word, but remind me, you're doing me a favor are you not? Don't think you are supposed to tell your fine lady on how to handle her meals. But I suppose depending on how we're feeling I can leave you some 'leftovers' from this fine aged wine while Yuu can enjoy the prime lamb, ~buuut~ can't make any promises. I am rather famished after all. In either case, I think we've waited enough\" *And she would place her arm on the old man's shoulder to keep him in place as she leaned her head in toward the old man's neck with her mouth slowly widening as she got closer*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*This time Yuu wasn't actually sure if she was still teasing, or if she was actually going to dig in from now. Regardless though, he would do the same, swiftly spinning around the Macen so that he now behind him, he would open his mouth, flashing his fangs. He would then come closer to the Macen's neck until the fangs barely touched the skin.*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Since he was still through the gate, the old man would instinctively back off, stepping even further away from the vampire kitsune as she leaned her head in towards his neck. The old man didn't know what was about to happen, but the young man would instinctively react by drawing a small, silver dagger out of the inside of his cloak. He would take his left arm, using it to guard in front of the old man, as he himself took a defensive stance towards the party, backing away from the gates. He looked wary, but was ready for a fight if one ever came about. Though, he wanted to avoid conflict as well, seeing that these were the people that had singlehandedly vanquished the necromancer's dark threat from the town, but still was ready to defend himself and the old man.*\n\n\"Don't try it. I'd recognize that course of action anywhere; that slow leaning into the neck of another, those teeth and mouth spreading wide as if famished for something, and those long-ass fangs. You're a vampire, aren't you? And if my guess is correct, that guy right next to you is one as well? Look, I don't want to fight either of you. Though I can guarantee you that becoming a vampire isn't a part of my old man or I's interests. This knife? Pocketed from the lord's personal quarters. It was hung up on the wall. Looks deadly enough, and valuable too. I was planning we could sell it for funds to help rebuild the town, but if need be, I'll also use it to defend myself as well. Don't try anything, if you know what's good for you.\"\n\n*The old man would follow the young one's steps back, though he wouldn't look scared in the slightest. In fact, he would stand straight and tall, staring down each of you with a piercing gaze. Crossing his arms, he would begin to speak to the three of you, namely Yuu and Mizu.*\n\n\"You're hungry, aren't you? Look, I don't have anything against vampires personally, but I don't want to have to spend the rest of my life not being able to see the sun's light anymore. In other words, please, fuck off, because I don't really *Want* To become a vampire. I was living my old age in peace before this necromancer shit came about, and I'd like to continue living that way as well. So please, don't try anything. I really wouldn't want to expend any more energy running away than I already have.\"" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Kohm continued to look on with an impassive stare that looked more like a glare. A vein nearly popped from his forehead, but thankfully the cloak concealed any signs of anger.\n\n\"Well, go on then, *Milady. Enjoy your meal.*\" He spoke with as much control he could muster. It was most thankful then, that he had enough of that in spades to conceal the fury in his heart. His emphasis again managed to somehow sound neutral despite his real feelings on the matter." }, { "author": "Mizu", "message": "*Mizu would look in surprise as the old man broke from her grip. She would look at her arm then back at the man, then back to her arm again. Her eyes would then flash red as a massive grin appears on her face. Today was the luckiest day in her life. Not only did she get to meet her mate, she would have the chance of fighting 2 strong prey as well. She would let her battle lust ooze from her body as she holds her hand out and mutters* \"Kyuketsuki\" *Causing the spear from her back to fly out and into her arms. She would then lean forward with Kyuketsuki held out, focusing solely on the old man. However, she would not forget about Yuu, not out of concern however, but to make sure he stayed out of her fun*\n\n\"~Yuu~ can play with the boy if you wish. The man is mine to hunt. We can enjoy the body after. As for you my dear knight, thank you for the meal\" *And she would lick her lips in anticipation for the fight to come*" }, { "author": "Yuu Toshi Masaru", "message": "*Yuu would look equally as surprised when the Macen got out from under Yuu despite the position he was in. Which kind of made him wonder, why didnt these two come to fight instead of the three... Idiots... That they got. He had no interest in the old man anyway, so when Mizu told him not to touch him, he simply oblidged, then turned to the Macen, who would now start to hear the growling behind him as Yuu's wolf would get close to the ground, preparing to leap. Yuu would draw his blade given the distance would not be long enough to use a bow and with his other hand he would toss a talisman forward, the Macen Summon appearing from it.*\n\n\"Have fun~\" *He would be adressing Mizu before turning back to the Macen with a grin.* \"Why don't we follow their example and have fun aswell, whatcha think?\" *He would lick his lips and take a defensive stance.*" } ]

[ { "author": "way8306", "message": "Kohm blinked in surprise as he took in what had transpired, the two men proving to be more than competent at defending themselves- having seen at first hand Kyuu's monstrous strength, he knew fully well what being able to get out of dodge in such a scenario meant. That old man was no simple character, and so was the lad.\n\nThen the wave of bloodlust hit him, and Kohm knew more blood would be spilled this night- thus he had to plan out a course of action immediately. \n\nFirstly though, the pragmatic part of Kohm's mind warned him that them possessing such strength smelt of something fishy- quickly though he rationalised- It was cheaper to pay for adventurers to whittle an enemy down than go in themselves and potentially lose their lives.\n\nIf he were to guess, these quest givers must be town's last, yet greatest bastion of strength- them staying up so late at night made a lot more sense in hindsight. The town wasn't so run down that there was no one else, someone just had to keep guard. With that in mind though, he only had more questions; the signs of riot in the town surfacing in his mind, he wondered just what else was going on here, behind the vein.\n\nRegardless of that though, from a moral standpoint there wasn't much to think about- his (former) party were the unjust aggressors, and he had long promised to himself that he would stand his ground, if conflict were inevitable. Of course, they would not look kindly upon him and likely deliver unto him the appropriate retribution for 'betrayal'; though everyone knew he was never really on their side from the start. That was a fact Kohm could care less regarding, even if he knew that there would be zero chance of him coming out of the battle unscathed.\n\nThe firestorm runes under his cloak thrummed with a glow that tried its hardest to penetrate his woolen cloak as they primed themselves in anticipation for what would soon occur, and quickly his sandman took shape, right in front of him. \n\nHe already had his firing sequence in mind, and while the ancient vampires would quickly take note of his actions and react appropriately, they would have imperfect knowledge of what he could do with his runes and likely would never see the massive barrage of flame incoming, considering how he didn't have the chance to show it during the life and death battle with the minotaur when such a situation would indeed have warranted one pulling out all their stops. What would have been a mistake in most scenarios turned out to be a great boon in the end, as he held an alpha strike that could indeed tip the scales of the conflict if he leveraged it carefully.\n\nTo further ensure the success of his strike, the position where the sandman was summoned such that would entirely conceal the already diminished glow of his runes from their angle. His hope was that when they realised what was happening, it would be far too late to block everything.\n\nLooking at the young macen, he blinked both his eyes twice. It would not be much, but he hoped he would understand the message." }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The younger of the two Macen would hold his silver knife out even further towards Yuu, taking due notice of the wolf and the Macen summon appearing simultaneously from in front and behind him. Gulping, he would also watch as Yuu also drew his sword, but stood steadfast as he continued to back off with the old man towards the light of the mansion, making a point to stay out of the path of the wolf, holding his dagger pointed towards it as he backtracked back. Never would he have imagined that the night would end up like this; a simple reward collection turning into a bid for his own life. These vampires were something else, weren't they? He would eye Yuu with apprehension, turning it quickly into a steeled, ruthless gaze. He would breath, calming his nerves, and then stop as he morphed his stance into an intense, poised defensive position. He could probably take on the summoner himself, but the wolf? The knife wouldn't dig deep enough, but his sword most likely could do some serious damage to it. Harnessing the power of electricity, he would cast current on the dagger, in the case that one of the vampires went in for an early strike.*\n\n*However, he would also take notice of the older adventurer's gaze, seeing a sort of sandy-demon erupt out into the front of his chest, and saw the man blink twice in quick succession. A message of sorts? What could it mean? Not a lot could be gathered from simple blinking, but... Judging by the man's cold, unforgiving face, he could tell that this Macen detested his company with a burning fury. Perhaps this was the notion of a preemptive strike? If so, then perhaps they wouldn't die tonight if they could fend off these vampiric menaces. The young man gazed back, blinking his twice eyes as well in rapid succession, waiting for some sort of signal by the lone Macen.*\n\n*The old man, however, would sit there looking as intimidating as ever. He watched Mizu's gaze, noticing the severe blood thirst that it emitted, even at this current distance. He saw a spear fly back into her arms, chuckling silently as he drew his own from his back. Ymir, his ancestral might, gift from generations down. Thinking to himself as he put down the young macen's outstretched arm, he would put his own spear by his side, he would continue to stare down at the three of you all, standing tall against the mountain hilltops.*\n\n\n\"Well then, I suppose I *Am* Growing old. To be fair, It would be much more enjoyable to die at the hands of a worthy opponent than on some cheaply made wooden bed, dying of some stupid illness. Now, let me test your mettle.\"\n\n\"Come!\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would grin at the old man's response. Indeed, she would rather go out doing what she loved best than to lazily lay down and end her unlife as a weakling. However, she would be a bit disappointed in the man's acceptance of death. It is only a privilege that the living had, to fear death, a privilege that she never got to experience. She had heard tales of the living showing tremendous shows of strength as part of their survival instinct, a trait that her body would never get to experience. But at the very least, she wished to see others display it, to show a grand feat of strength worthy of the mightiest of warriors. As such, she didn't want this man to fight her while accepting death, she wanted him to struggle with all he got.*\n\n \n*She would notice Kohm summoning a sandman and she would raise an eyebrow in surprise. Was he going to join in on the fight? No, seeing how he was upset at their teasing, he was likely going to stop them. She wasn't pleased about having someone interrupting her fun, and she was certainly not going to let Kohm stop her. It could be taken as a sign of aggression, but he was also the one dumb enough to cast a fire spell in a forest, so perhaps he wasn't thinking everything through. Thus she would opt give him a warning*\n\n\"Ara Ara Kohm, I hope you aren't planning on joining? It is rude to interrupt a lady while she's eating no?\"\n\n*Hoping he would get the message, she would then charge forward with Kiyuketsuki, aiming to clash her spear against the man's. As a fellow spear bearer, she could tell it was of higher quality and meant a lot to the old man. No better way than to test a fellow warriors resolve than to put their weapons to the test! But she wasn't going to dishonor this man by not giving it her all. He was was strong enough to break free from her grips after all, meaning she could go beyond her limits to play with him. He should be able to handle it, no? Thus, her blood vessels would expand, causing the blood in her body to strengthen her reflexes and muscles.*\n\n```Cast 'Turning Feral', 107.5/150 mana remaining. Str is now 22, speed is 48 mph, gen speed is 1.9```" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would look at the Macen, all serious in a defensive stance. It was quite a scene to behold, as there were few things as beautiful as people looking in the face of death. However his sightseeing was ruined as he saw the Sandman getting summoned nearby. Given Kohm's previous attitude, it was safe to say that he was not on the same side as them. However there -was- something that Kohm had that could be exploited. It was his morals.*\n\n*Judging by the fire spells he cast in the forest, they affected an area, and given the fact that he is going up against two stronger vampires just to save the Macen meant that he wasn't going to willingly kill them. Accordingly Yuu would start running towards the Macen with his Soldier Summon, casting a Project Ward behind himself as he arrives.*\n\n*The fighter would attack first, coming down with a simple sword swing, though Yuu knew that it wouldn't be hard for the Macen to dodge given his movements before. The swing was meant to throw him off. The next attack would be by the wolf, attempting to ram the side of its body into the macens leg as it runs. Yuu would finish off the attack sequence by attacking from the opposite side that the Macen had the dagger in, effectively surrounding him, to prevent further escapes. He would make a stabbing motion at the Macens neck, or the small gap between the helmet and chest piece if he was wearing one.*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "As they moved, he was already peeling off his cloak, haphazardly letting it drop to the wayside with as much prepared haste he could muster, 4 firestorm runes unveiling themselves on his chest with a bright sheen. Gritting as he realised what Yuu was attempting, he, however, could not back down now, with this perfect opportunity. \n\nBesides, with him having warned the young macen beforehand, judging with his movements even if the fire got out of control there was a *Good* Chance that he would be fine. Now was no time to care about property damage- it was time for action.\n\nPositioning his chest, he let the runes lock into position. As a massive barrage of flame emerged, he took a step back, following it up with a strew of actions. \n\nFirstly his left hand unslung his spear from his back, letting it droop to the ground awkwardly as there wasn't enough time for him to properly hold and level it yet, knowing that he might have to take to arms personally if they turned towards him- it wouldn't be ideal, but he would manage. \n\nSecondly, he decided that he might as well add one last gout of fire to the mix, and moments after the initial barrage, another firestorm erupted from his free right hand. Attempting to time it such that he could catch Yuu attempting to get out of dodge, while he knew plans would never go swimming, the least he could do was give his all.\n\n```Just to note, current mana reserves are:\n170-60-15-50=45\n45/120(-50 off cap)```" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The brightness of the firestorm runes attached to Kohm's chest would illuminate the entire area, filling the night sky with the orange sparks of scarlet fire as the spell itself would launch an entire volley towards Yuu, just as the Macen soldier swung downwards at the first young man, who easily dodged the first attempted strike by the macen soldier with a slight jump back. However, this would leave him susceptible to the attacks by Yuu's wolf, who rammed into the young man's right side after the step back. The force of the impact would send the macen back a few feet, causing the man to stumble onto the ground. He would get to one knee, but shortly after, Yuu himself would come forth to the young man, stabbing his dagger down at the space between his chest armor and neck. With little time to react, the macen awkwardly jerked his upper body back and up, in such a way that the dagger that Yuu had stabbed down at his neck would clang against the man's breastplate, causing him to be knocked down from his knee once more. \n\nHowever, this would leave Yuu vulnerable to the firestorms; thankfully, the kitsune had put forth a project ward behind him, so not all of the firestorms that had been sent his way had made contact; rather, the ward had shattered after the first two firestorms had hit, allowing 2 of the firestorms to make contact with Yuu's back. The third one that Kohm had cast would miss its target, however, instead landing a foot away from Yuu, setting the surrounding area on fire. The waves, upon impact, would begin to grow to their maximum height, but only one would have a designated target of sorts; the macen soldier. However, given the slow pace the waves spread, it would be more or less easy to dodge.*\n\n*With this, the macen man saw that he had an opening. Casting Psionic Speed on himself, he rushed not towards Yuu, but instead towards the macen soldier that attacked him earlier. Attempting to get behind the summon, he would use his strength to ram into the macen soldier, trying to push him into the fire. He opted not to use his dagger strike yet, choosing to save that for Yuu or the Wolf themselves, so he kept his silver dagger in his right hand as he shoved the soldier with his right shoulder.*\n``` Psionic Speed cast. 5 mana regained. Remaining mana: 30/50```\n*The old man from earlier would watch as Mizu conversed with Kohm from near the bottom of the hill, watching for any sudden moves that the vampire would do. Suddenly, he would leave his spearplay and reaction to his instincts and muscle memory as the female kitsune vampire seemingly flashed towards him, swinging her spear like lightning towards his own direction. He knew he himself was fast, but this? This was on a completely different level than what he was used to. Still, he managed to bring his spear up in time to guard her strike, his muscle memory taking control as he became surprised at the ferocity of the strike entirely. Sure, he was strong, but this? He found himself struggling to keep up a guard as the kitsune pushed further and further. Gritting his teeth and grunting, he would attempt to break free from this locked state by focusing all of his strength in a single push, hoping to throw the kitsune off balance since she was, literally, fighting an uphill battle.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would grin seeing the man was able to hold his ground. 'Good', she would think, it would seem they both had weapons of decent quality and had appropriate amount of strength on both sides to call it a fight rather than a slaughter. She could tell the man was trying to throw her off balance, but she was already planning on pulling back her spear after testing the waters so to speak. Now the fun truly began. Blood mist would start to surround her, causing the man's reflexes and movement to be slowed and give him a sense of nausea and dizziness. Hopefully he would be able to keep his balance, she though, epically after this.*\n\n*She would summon a blood barrier in her hand and purposely crush it toward the man's face to exert force on his upperbody to throw him off balance while she used her superior movement and quickness to then maneuver behind the man and swing Kiyuketsuki to cut across the ankles of the man, hoping to get Achilles tendon. Well, hoping would be the wrong word. She wanted the man to put up a fight and resist her onslaught, to fight back. She didn't want to purposely hinder herself, as otherwise it wouldn't be much of a fight, it would be a show, and would deprive her of any enjoyment.*\n\n*She would be lost in thought for a moment, calculating what her next move would be if the man would manage to counter-attack or avoid her strike, but would then notice a blast of flames coming in the direction of Yuu. She would quickly glance and her eyes would widen in rage as she watched Kohm envelop Yuu in a flurry of fire. This macen, where was this strength when they were fighting the Minotaur?! Was he purposely holding back a trump card this whole time, even against such a strong enemy? Or was he just an idiot that wasn't able to set it off before being sent flying across the landscape with his internal organs turning into soup? Seeing how he had once more set fire to the forest prior, and now to the surrounding area, and harmed Yuu despite her warnings, she was leaning toward idiot.*\n\n*That being said, she had already shown him mercy by providing the warning. It could only meant he knew what he was doing and was purposely causing harm to Yuu. At that moment all the battlelust that had been directed toward the macen would seize, causing the air to feel a bit stagnant and chilly. But it would only last that long, a moment. A surge of wrath and bloodlust, not battlelust, would now be solely directed toward the macen that had disrespected her by ignoring her warnings. Had he not seen the fight before? Did he think he stood a chance thanks to his trump card? She would no longer be interested in the silly guards, strong opponents come and go, but she had been waiting for a mate for 250 years, and this macen had decided to cause harm to it. It was clear what had the higher priority here. If/after finishing her attack on the man's ankles Mizu would charge toward the idiot macen that had decided to incur her wrath*\n\n\"So you like playing with fire, don't you macen? Let's see how you handle the flames of my rage!\" *She would growl with her eyes now black instead of her usual grin and red eyes*\n\n```Cast Sanguine pool and blood ward. 5 regen, 52.5/150 mana```" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would let out an audible sigh as the Macen barely avoided death by his choke combination with two other summons, though it wasn't completely unexpected. He was analysing the situation as he heard his Project Ward shatter behind him, his eyes widenned as he felt the heat of the flames burn off his coat and etch deep burn marks into his back. (I think it's fair to say 4 severe wounds? Given its 2 burn attacks that burn at double temp.) He would scream in pain as he drops onto one knee, trying to avoid losing consiousness due to the pain and while he manages to do that, he would remain dizzy. The best option for him is make as much distance away from the Macen with a silver dagger right now so he would leap forward making the distance between them around 10 ft, with a wolf and fighter Macen between them. Raising an arm he would focus on getting another wolf out, forming a summoning circle before him.*\n\n\"Did I underestimate him? Did he not care about the Macen's safety? Or was he so confident in himself that he would not miss the attack? A few inches to the wrong side and he would've fried the person he was trying to protect.\" *Those were the throughts in his head as he analyzed the actions which led up to his injuries, though given he was no longer in any immediate danger, he would look at the whole battlefield, noticing Mizu charging towards Kohm and leaving the opponent she was fighting to go for the one that attacked Yuu from behind.* \"Did she care that much about the spells? Or did she just assume Kohm was the stronger enemy? I guess it would be something he would only be able to guess for now.\"\n\n*Due to the actions the lad would have to take in order to get into position behind the Macen and push him into the flame, the Macen would have enough time to get into a defensive stance with his shield up. If the attack was made by the dagger, the outcome may have been different, but with it being a ramming attack, chances are he would be able to stand his ground, or at the very least avoid the flames for now.*\n\n*Yuu's first wolf would take this opportunity to follow the young guard and attempt to knock him down once again when the Macen shifted his weight forward to shove the summon. If there was one thing Yuu was good at it was controlling his small army and making up for each others weaknesses using them. The second wolf would have just left the summoning circle so it stood guard near Yuu while the dizziness subsided, though Yuu would make an effort not to show it, hoping people didn't know enough about vampires to know the side effects. There was a good enough chance they didn't given they though one bite would turn them.*\n\n``` 30+45+10+45 = 130 100/110 Mana + 5 Mana regen, 105/110 Mana remaining. ```" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Kohm wasn't stupid- he knew that enraging Kyuu would be a terrible decision- she *Had* Warned him multiple times after all, but while dealing a severe hit to Yuu caught her ire, it was also a very severe hit. It was disappointing to see how high a constitution Yuu had since no normal person would have survived from the shock alone, much less a normal vampire, it was also within expectations- never should one claim that ancient vampires were pushovers.\n\nTactical merits of his suicidal action aside, he had to make sure that it would only be an *Attempted* Assisted-suicide. He had to prepare full-scale for the oncoming retaliatory barrage.\n\nHe quickly moves through a set of actions in response to the simple bloodlusted charge of Kyuu.\nFirst of all, he pulled out the small bongo with his now free right hand. Dropping it on the ground he stepped on it three times, as hard as he could to activate the latent magic within.\n\nAn assassin vine rose up to his left, 4 feet away. It wouldn't be too much against the monstrous power of Kyuu but it would help, being fast and decently dangerous with proper support, with it's long, deadly tendrils.\n\nAs he did that, his left hand uprighted his spear shaft, and his right hand moved to quickly hold the shaft of his speer, and lower it for use as the sandman moved into place to guard against the oncoming attack, reaching 6 feet in front of him.\n\nMagic flowing through his vein, steel skin was activated on himself, giving his skin a metallic hue. It might not be enough, but it was better than exposed flesh even with the buffer, and taking the monstrous strength of Mizu into consideration\n\n```45/120 -20 +10 = 35/120 + Bongo of Summoning Vine Used```" } ]

[ { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Although Mizu nad successfully summoned the blood barrier on the man's face, as well as his reactionary speed being lowered significantly, he would still be able to regain his balance due to the natural position he was at by being higher up on the hill than Mizu, gaining back control of his center of gravity with relative ease. Feeling his senses dull down to a miserable low, he would only barely notice Mizu charge behind him as he felt a moderate wave of nausea overcome him. His body would react before his mind could, but slowed down significantly. He would be able to pivot as she swung her spear at his ankles, but instead, due to her being higher than him now on the hill, it hit the lower calf of the man, causing him to exclaim out in pain. The slash caused a gash deep into the skin, and he noticed the abundance of bleeding it had caused in just that single strike. What kind of power allowed for that sort of capability, allowed for that kind of strength?* He would only catch his breath momentarily before another strike came, though this time he was prepared, stumbling back awkwardly as Mizu slashed down.*\n\n*He groaned, gripping his spear tightly, breathing deep breaths in and out as to steady his heartrate. The wound still hurt like damn hell, but he found himself tearing off a piece of his cloak and tying it around the slash wound, a means to stop bleeding. Once the bleeding had died down, he would find that he was, more or less, able to move once more, albeit slightly limping. Taking note of the battlefield, he would see the young man that was with him fight against a large Macen soldier in a field wrought with flames. He would also notice the macen from earlier being charged at by that terrifying kitsune, summoning a fairly large vine from out of the ground with what seemed to be... A drum? As much as he'd like to support the man for helping them with the initial strike, the old man found that his people mattered much more to him than the whims of strangers, so spear in hand, he sprinted, albeit with much pain in his foot, towards the young man, but found that he couldn't really run too fast; it'd take him a while, what with this nausea and the speed itself he found he was running at.*\n\n*The young man, however, was doing fairly well on his own part, having succesfully pushed the macen soldier with a ramming attack. The fire would reach out for another couple of feet before stopping at the Macen soldier's heels, not doing anything besides setting the surrounding area on fire. However, he would instantly take notice of a giant white wolf charging his way as soon as he finished the tackle, and so the young man would pivot along his right foot to dodge the wolf's pounce. He would also take notice that the old man was coming down the hill as a support, and grinned grimly as the wolf missed its strike. The young man, letting the old man take responsibility of dealing with the canine, would turn back to the macen soldier. \n\nElectricity crackling in his left hand, he would cast current once more, charging the soldier once again. Due to the soldier's stationary defensive position, the lad would pause for a moment, thrn proceed in rushing at the soldier with an electrified hand and shocking dagger. He would go fake to the right, towards the sword arm, but at the last second sidestep so that he would be able to grasp the soldier's left shoulder with his hand. The electricity would course through the macen's arm, paralyzing the shield arm completely, as it dropped with a clang to the floor. Capitalizing off of this, the young man would continue around the soldier with a pivot, swiftly using his enhanced speed and prowess to make a stab at soldier's neck. Even if it were covered in armor, the electricity would most likely cause the soldier's body to stiffen, restricting movements around and with the chest.*\n\n*Kohm's dillema with Mizu would prove to be quite problematic indeed, seeing that the vampire would be able to close the distance between the two quite well. The assassin's vine, however long and fast it may be, was only able to whip itself towards Mizu's direction as she came close, stinging her shoulder with the wound of a serrated vine. The sandman would still stand in place between Mizu and Kohm as well, ready to intercept a strike from the vampire.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu didn't care for a summoner's summons, and now that she they were in her sangunie pool, she was more than confident she could move past them toward Kohm, the actual target of her hatred. However as a precaution she would summon blood ward once more and if any of the summons tried to get in her away she would push them away with blood ward. She didn't care if they injured her on the way. But nothing and she meant absolutely nothing was going to get in her way with delivering her unbridled fury to Kohm, not even that silly armor spell that she has seem kingdom guards use multiple times. Once she would be in melee distance of Kohm, if she still had her shield active, she would use it to to attempt to push the spear out of Kohm's hand while swinging the blunt end of her spear for the right side of Kohm's temple and with a quick follow up, spinning it around her shoulders, deliver another heavy blunt strike to the left side of his temple. Her rage was much intense than merely wanting to pierce his chest with her spear. No, she was going to make him pay dearly and slowly for his insolence to stand against her. It would also serve the purpose of putting his summons out of commission if he fell unconscious from the trauma and as she had reasoned earlier with her fight with the minotaur, blunt force was more effective in handling sturdier opponents.*\n\n*If she finished wrapping up her battle with Kohm, she would turn her attention to the guards. She didn't harbor them any ill-will, but her mood was too spoiled to continue playing games. For that she would even grow more upset at Kohm, but would smile sinisterly, thinking of all the things she was going to do him to make him pay. At the very least, Yuu and her were going to have a taste, and that was only the least*\n\n```Blood ward cast, 42.5/150 mana remaining ```" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Luckily for the Macen summon, he was summoned with a helmet on. Well, it wouldnt really matter to the actual summon since he would never truly die but as the electricity rapidly spreads through the metal on his body he would fall forward, unable to move for abit. In the meantime the wolf bared it's fangs at the young assailant. It growled loudly, attempting to keep his attention on it while keeping itself just far enough away from him that it still threatened to leap onto him. In the meanwhile the second wolf that had been summoned would be approaching from the side and in one simultaneous attack they would leap at him from different sides, making it almost impossible to block/avoid both of them. This was more of a suicidal attack as they did not take precausions against him, their soul purpose was to either push him into the fire, or to knock him back down.*\n\n*In the meantime Yuu completed another summon. This time pulling out the second talisman and throwing it on the floor beside him. His trusty Steppe Elf Archer would appear. Yuu was still slightly dizzy however and the Archer did not have his weapon drawn so they both took the time to draw their bows and place arrows in them. Preparing to shoot as soon as Yuu's dizziness subsided.*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "\"Fuck.\"\n\nNo time to think, only react.\n\nJumping back 5 feet he attempted to thrust spear his at Kyuu, as the sandman and vine went all out attempting to block her path.\nKnowing that there was little he could do at this point he would have to release both hands his spear and attempt to fire off a clawed chain to try and block or redirect, and use one arm to try and block any attacks that still struck home, regardless of how much damage that may do to it." }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The Macen Summon, taking the full force of the electricity, would crumple down on the floor, seemingly completely paralyzed. As the fire spread behind the young man, he would have little time to react as two wolves simultaneously pounced upon his position, he figured that they were trying to pounce him down so that the flames the other Macen man had sent from earlier would burn him alive, cooking him within his own armor. He was able to twist his body in time so that one of the wolves had missed, but in doing so, he would take a direct hit from the other wolf, the one that came at him towards his right. He got knocked back down onto his ass, though about a couple of feet away from the fire, which eliminated the issue of being roasted to a crisp. However, there was still that slight problem of a snarling, colossal canine biting and snapping at his being. Taking the dagger, he would use it to stab into the wolf's chest, trying to aim for upper part of the neck, as the other wolf that had missed him would leap into the flames.*\n\n*The older Macen man, still a good ways from the fight, would attempt to keep trudging on to the younger man's position, taking due notice of the steppe elf and the blue haired Kitsune that stood alone in the background. Surveying the field, he would find that the closest entity to him was the still body of the Macen soldier, planted face first into the ground, about four feet away. He would be able to reach the soldier at his current speed, and would use his spear to drive it through the soldier's neck, taking advantage of the fact that it didn't even bother to move in retaliation.*\n\n*The sandman and the Vines that Kohm had summoned would do their jobs to their best extent, though they would be pushed back because of Mizu's active blood ward. However, the vine would be able to land another hit to Mizu, hitting the blood ward as she recklessly charged towards Kohm's position. The ward, being shattered, would not be able to push the macen's spear out of his hand, and as a consequence, Kohm would be able to jump back a couple of feet as Mizu swung her weapon at his temples. However, it would prove that jumping may not have been the best evasion tactic, since Mizu would be able to smash her hammer into Kohm's spear hand, completely breaking the entirety of all the bones within. With her second strike, she would be able strike directly to Kohm's chest, causing the macen's ribs to be completely shattered under the pure force of the blow. Because of this, the clawed chain would veer off Mizu's direction, instead flying past her right side as the claw only barely grazed her right shoulder. The sandman, however, would be able to strike Mizu's back with a fist, and the vine would be able to get another hit in to her back as she attacked Kohm.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would shrug of the summons blows, after all, once she got the summoner down, it would be over. Her blood veil would also help negate some of the damage from the summons attacks, meaning she could continue to focus her unbridled fury on Kohm without fear of serious injury.*\n\n*At this point however, she would start to feel her vessels start to constrict and her reflexes starting to slow down, but frankly she was too filled with fury to let the momentum stop now. Thus, her rage would push her forward, forcing her vessels to stay open as they pumped her muscles with more blood. It was time to end this, as she doubted that Kohm would have the reflexes to endure the pain of having shattered ribs and arms as well as dizziness/nausea and slowness from her sanguine pool coupled with her enhanced speed to even come close to blocking her next couple of strikes. She would bring blunt end of Kiyuketsuki on his skull, and just incase he did try to dodge or block she would just step in closer with her superior speed swing for his neck. She was sure his steel like armor will be strong enough to ensure he won't die, though she couldn't guarantee that the bones would be intact. But you reap what you sow. He had ignored her warning and had once more carelessly used his magic to not only hurt Yuu but to set fire to the surrounding area once more. He was but a child with no control over his power, not know when or how to use it. His emotions controlled him more than wisdom/experience. He needed to be put in his place, and Mizu would then grin, having thought of the perfect punishment for someone like him who didn't have any right to wield dangerous power.*\n\n```5 mana regen, Going Feral Cast, 5/150 mana remaining```" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Finally, the dizziness from the fire magic would have worn off on Yuu and a wide grin would appear on his face as he lifted his bow up to aim at the old Macen. His summoner archer would do the same. In his condition and given the range the arrows would be coming from, dodging would quite frankly be impossible and the only thing that could save him would be dumb luck. With a swift motion Yuu would let go of the string, sending the arrow flying towards the Macens head, while his summon would send his arrow at the young Macen's head mostly to keep him at bay, though a hit would also be a viable alternative. Given both Macen had their weapons inside someone, that just gave Yuu and even greater advantage than what he already had.*\n\n*Instead of loading another arrow onto the bow, Yuu would instead raise his free hand as a magic circle would form before him, another wolf emerging from it.*" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "Pain. It was a long night for Kohm, and among the three near-fatal blows he had received tonight, this must have been the worst.\nBones shattering, Kohm nearly let out a cry, but he already was prepared for such a brutal assault, having clenched his teeth beforehand, though certainly despite so his face was not in a great colour. Attempting to channel his pain into a last-ditch attack, he had naught to do but drop a snapping vine beside him as he attempted to throw his body backwards, towards the left.\n\n*Internally he knew he was already screwed, but by the gods, he had to try*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*As the dizziness effect from the fire wore off on Yuu, the old macen man would have already taken out the spear from the macen soldier's corpse, and began to slightly feel the effects of Mizu's sanguine pool wear off. Though, this was only very subtle, and his general speed and movement speed hadn't reverted back to its prime state yet, but it was completely ready to. As Yuu fired his arrow shot, the macen would find that he couldn't even react to Yuu pulling the drawstring back as the arrow sunk into his shoulder. Clenching his spear in pain once more, he searched the battlefield to find the source of the shot, his eyes resting upon Yuu.*\n\n'Damn, an archer? That's cowardly enough, I suppose, but I'm not going to die to some *Child's* Set of bow and arrows.' *The old man thought to himself, glaring at the steppe elf Yuu had summoned, as well as Yuu himself.*\n\n*The younger macen, still kept down by the wolf, had been able to shove his dagger right into the neck of the wolf that was on top of him. Apparently, he had hit something incredibly vital, seeing that the wolf's neck started bleeding profusely. Using his strength, he pushed the wolf's bleeding body off of himself, taking his silver dagger out of it's body as well. As he was standing up, he would feel the air cut behind his head as the arrow the steppe elf had fired whizzed past him with incredible speed. Had he been idle for a second longer, that arrow would have pierced his skull. He looked across as well; the old man, while seemingly sustaining two injuries, would look relatively fine, even as an arrow stuck in his shoulder. 'Tch, how could an old man like him live to be that powerful?' He wondered. Deciding not to rush yet, he would stay back and watch the archer pair as another wolf emerged from another magical circle, and he would sigh to himself exasperatedly. How many wolves would he have to kill before the night finished?*\n\n*The seed that Kohm had dropped would erupt from the ground, bursting into a 12 foot long spiked vine that writhed around as it was summoned. Both of the vines, assassin and snapping, would begin to enclose on Mizu, hitting her in turn on the shoulder, and her back, indirectly causing her to lose balance for a moment. Because of this, Kohm had barely a second's time to avoid the blunt end of Kiyuketsuki from hitting directly into his skull, the weapon would miss it's initial strike. However, the second strike, aimed for Kohm's neck, would crash into his chest yet again, as if making sure that the bones broken from earlier would be completely shattered.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu seeing that the idiot macen was finally down would then turn to face the guards who remained. It seemed the old man was being pelted by Yuu's arrows and the young one had finished fighting the wolf. It would seem both of their attention was on Yuu and his archer as well, and given the fact they didn't have dark vision, she suspected they would have a hard time dodging a ranged attack from her. Seeing that the old man's leg was already injured, she didn't have to worry about him getting away, so instead she would raise Keyketsuki, increase its weight by 50% and throw it at the young mancen's thighs. She would also start to run forward to close the distance between herself and the elderly man. She had started the fight with him after all, and while it was ruined by some unnecessary interference, she wished to wrap it up as per her honor as a warrior.*\n\n*The blood mist that had surrounded her will have dispersed at this point and Mizu would be surprised that she didn't have enough blood/energy to use it again. She would grin slightly at that, pleased that this fight had at least managed to expend her energy to such a point. Perhaps it wasn't as bad as she had thought, though more likely her mood was feeling better since the subject of her wrath was now down for the count*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu was going to fire another arrow at the old man and it could be seen by the fact that he even aimed and pulled back the string, though as soon as he saw Mizu running towards him, his target had changed. He had promised her before that he would let her have the old man and the only reason she had not yet killed him was because of Yuu. It was only fair he kept his word to her. As such he would aim at the younger Macen. Throughout the night, he had gotten rather tired of people dodging impossible arrows so he would go for an attack sequence. First the Steppe Elf would fire an arrow at the Macen's head, then as soon as the Macen reacted the wolf would take the opportunity to pounce and as soon as the wolf had pounce, Yuu would release his arrow, also aimed at the head.*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*As the younger macen of the two had stood watching the steppe elf archer and Yuu's movements, as soon as the elf drew its bow again, the younger macen would attempt to run sideways to divert the arrow from hitting him. As he ran, he did not pay attention to the wolf, since his mind's current focus was to evade the arrow. Thus, although the arrow had missed the head, the wolf would be able to pounce upon the macen, sending the young man down onto the ground as the wolf ripped and teared through his flesh. Now an easy target, Yuu's arrow would zip through the air at an insane speed, reaching it's target as it landed with a soft 'thunk' into the young macen's skull. It went deep inside, piercing through to the brain, effectively taking out the poor man with a single shot. To add more insult to injury, Mizu's weapon would be able to sink deep into the abdomen of the poor man's corpse, desecrating the insides of it as the force of the impact alone caused the corpse to shake as the tip of the spear entered the body.*\n\n*The old man, from a distance, would be watching this carnage happen before his eyes. He would watch as the wolf pounced down on his subordinate, watch as the arrow sunk into his head, watch as one of the few remaining protectors of Lyndon faded away into lifelessness. He would even inhale sharply as the spear flew at an extreme speed into his body, shaking his head with contempt. Observing with a saddened grin, he would grip his spear even harder as his sadness turned to a sort of resigned acceptance. He would turn towards Mizu, noticing her lack of a weapon. Out of a bid of honor, he would set aside Ymir, and raise his hands up in a defensive stance once more.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would chuckle at the sight of the young man being wrecked. It seemed her interference was unnecessary and was about to call back Keyuketsuki to fight the old man, but then saw him throw his spear away, causing her to raise her eyebrows in surprise but then grin. He must have thought she was charging him with no weapon, not realizing she could call back her spear.*\n\n*Though the rage in heart was still aflame, it would be quenched a bit and replaced with respect and amusement. She would hold her tongue and not call out for Kiyuketsuki, and instead continue charging him with her bare arms and legs as well. She wasn't a fan of fists fights, they were rather brutish, but having lived 250 years she has had her fair share of them, especially when she was very young and didn't have the spear. She should still be physically stronger and quicker than him, and he still had that injured leg and shoulder injury. While it may be considered dirty to target such weak spots, this is a brutal fight, not a tournament or a show. As such, she would have no reservations at attempting to sweep him from his weak foot with her front leg and use the other to try and break the other leg's knee cap. She hoped he would entertain her and cleanse her heart of the negative feelings she was harboring. She wished to enjoy the fight once more*\n\n``` 5 mana regen. 10/150 mana```" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*With the fight pretty much coming to an end, Yuu would simply watch Mizu fight, subconsciously coming abit closer, but stopping himself before he got close enough to interfere. He considered drinking Kohms blood to heal up in the meantime, but any meal he had would be better shared with Mizu once she finished the old man off. His back would hurt whenever he moved his back muscles. It wasn't as noticeable in the fight where adrenaline was high, but now that he was calming down it was much more obvious, though to him the pain was trivial. He had felt his fair share of it in his 250 years alive, especially pain from being attacked in the back... Memories of his brother resurfaced and left a bitter taste in his mouth, though he would try not to visibly show it.*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The old man would grin grimly as the vampire approached. He had already felt his strength return earlier, so he figured that perhaps before he died, he could give off quite a show to his assailant before returning to the earth. As Mizu ran towards the man, he expected that she would obviously try and go for his weakened foot; that's what bandits and the like did if they spotted a weakness. They would always fully charge that single weak point with no regard for the other spots in the body, so the old man would grow used to being able to defend with no difficulty.*\n\n*However, this time was different. As Mizu went in for the obvious sweep, which the old man dodged by dashing back, she would be able to catch the man off guard as she used her other foot to try and break his strong leg's knee cap. Due to the natural strength of having stronger bones, the kick wouldn't break the patella. It would end up, however, sending the old man back a bit as he readjusted his fighting stance. That kick still had a massive amount of force behind it, so much so that his leg immediately started aching as the knee cap grinded painfully back and forth, but he ignored the pain, regaining his constitution as he waited for her next move. Whatever came around, whatever happened next, he swore to himself that he would be ready.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*She grinned, pleased that he was still standing. Alas, her she could feel her veins constricting once more as her speed and decreased. It would seem she no longer held the power advantage, but from what she saw earlier, she was still faster than him even if she wasn't as strong. Her heart would race faster, eager to be the challenger twice in one day. She had seen that he was familiar with dirty tactics, but even if one was familiar with them, one could not negate the drawbacks of them fully. Thus she would go in for a jab to the face from the side that his shoulder was injured, expecting it to be too slow to block her fast strike. She would also twist her other arm slightly, only enough to what she suspects a trained and experienced man would notice, in hopes of throwing him off his game and confuse him into thinking the jab was feint when it was the actual attack. Whether she hit or was blocked, she would use her superior foot work to move back afterwards. She would like to see how he would counter a quick hit and run fighting style, especially with his current injures. This was the fight she was looking for, a good old exchange of blows between warriors enjoying the heat of the battle. Her tail would once more start wagging slightly as her mood continues to revert to before Kohm's grievous betrayal*" } ]

[ { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The old man would notice considerably how Mizu's speed slowed down, quickly noting that her attacks had dulled down to about his level. Judging from this fact, the man quickly reacted to a swift jab thrown at his injured side towards his face, and used his other arm to block the strike. It was only after he reacted when he realized a twist of her arm, immediately regretting the fact that he had instinctively acted so soon; the jab was only a feint for another attack!*\n\n*...Or so he thought. Surprisingly, there wasn't any follow up soon after the strike, which the old man welcomed with open arms. Grinning to himself, he retaliated by throwing a swift right cross with the arm that he didn't use to block, aiming for Mizu's chest area as a means to push her back, and maybe cause a good bruise. With the distance they were at, as well as their similar speed, he should be able to land this single, fast punch against his opponent, since he had thrown out his attack shortly after she had finished hers. Oh, how thrilling this was! A fitting end indeed, for the great mercenary Jeralt. Hmph, better than dying alone, ridden with illnesses. True warriors need to go out with pride! With impact! With... Honor! Soon after he threw the punch, he would revert back to a defensive position, opening his mouth to speak.*\n\n\"You know, the benefit of being mortal is that you know things will come to an end. That's what so great about humanity. Though, I've spent all my time stressing over *How* I'll meet my end, that I never bothered wondering where and when it was going to happen. I wanted to go out like a warrior, and it seems like, although this fight may be even, I have achieved that wish.\"\n\n*He would spit towards the ground, then go back to maintaining his stance.*\n\n\"This... This is thrilling. It's a pleasure to fight someone of your stature, though I doubt it to be honorable if we don't provide our names. Mine? It's Jeralt. What's yours, you vampire?\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would be surprised that the macen didn't go for her feint, perhaps she had overestimated his abilities, or was it underestimated? She couldn't tell if he saw through the feint, or wasn't skilled enough to react, but alas it would seem her maneuver had failed. Seeing the man launch a counter-attack, would merely use her other arm was alright slightly in motion to block it away from her chest given their similar speeds and she was already back away after her jab. She would look the man over and ponder what should would do next. However, she would then notice Yuu just standing to the side waiting, as well as the Kohm's body, and be brought back out of her fantasy. This back and forth could go on for a long while she suspected, and honestly she would very much enjoy that, however the matter involving Kohm would still be aflame in heart and she knew he wouldn't be unconscious forever, and well, she didn't want to keep Yuu waiting either. It would not be fair if she was the only one enjoying herself, especially more so than necessary. Thus, she would resolve herself to what must be done and sigh, calling out \"Kiyuketsuki!\" Having it fly back to her hand. She would then face the macen and hear out his speech before responding*\n\n\"I don't know why you have seemingly accepted your end, I had no intention in actually killing you. I merely wanted a good fight, but if it is death you want, I shall grant it but through my own means. That being said, I agree, this fight has been thrilling. However, exchanging names is meaningless. I will remember your name for 10 years at most before your feat of strength is forgotten and replaced by stronger fights. As such, it would be disrespectful for me to expect you to remember mine. But that is fine in my opinion. Us warriors speak better through action than words. So pick up your spears and let's finish this. As much as I want to continue this fight, I wish to deal with that fire macen as soon as possible.\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The old man would sigh, understanding that he would only be a tiny smudge in the long list of fights that Mizu would record within her own mind. Frankly, he was only getting started with the exchange, but decided to go with Mizu's bid of duking it out spear to spear. Thus, picking up Ymir, he would admire the spear's ornate carvings along the handle, the steel blade's edges, and the memories that it had held within. A gift from the generations, passed down by his father, his father's father, and his grandfather's father. It was his family's spear, having gone through a multitude of fierce battles; perhaps this one would be it's last.*\n\n*If he were to be honest, he kind of understood what the vampire was feeling at this moment. For a great number of years, he himself had been challenged by many who wanted to claim his title as the Blade Breaker, all of the challengers falling quick to the wrath of his skill and spear. Many of them had given him their names, though he had forgotten them already, lost to the passings of time. How ironic was it that he would be in their position now, huh? Shaking his head slightly, he entered a form of mindset he called 'Flow.' In this state, he wouldn't think about anything else but the battle, and nothing but what was happening in the moment.*\n\n*Holding his spear with his right hand, he would beat the end of the shaft against the ground, slammig it once into the hillside. A fight to the death, is it? Well, he shouldn't have expected anything less coming from this crowd. If he was to go out now, he would definitely go out fiercely as to make it damn sure that this vampire would remember his name for more than a measly ten years. He would take a step forward, holding his spear in both hands, slowly advancing with a defensive stance as he waited for Mizu to act.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*She would sigh, seeing the man had not realized what she meant by finishing this. She was giving him one last chance to attack so that they may exchange blows one more time. But seeing how he had chosen to go on the defensive, it would only follow suit that she would go into her all out offensive attack form. She would raise her spear over her shoulder and with her fast feet move back about 10 ft with her legs spread wide. Even at this distance she would find it nearly impossibly to dodge an attack with this sort of speed, but would welcome anymore surprises on the man's part if he had any. Kiyuketsuki would seemly seem to glow a bright red under the moonlight, though on closer inspection it would just the blood of the young macen dripping off it. She would offer a smile to the warrior that had entertained her today before sending Kiyuketsuki flying for his center of mass, already preparing to yell out \"Kiyuketsuki!\" Right after making it almost seem like a battle cry*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*How surprising. In all his years of fighting, he hadn't expected anything like this.*\n\n*The old man would feel the spear pierce straight through his body before he saw it, instantly feeling the pain and agony of multiple ruptured limbs, organs, and bones. He would stare down at his own wounds as he coughed up a massive amount of blood, spitting it all out on the ground below. The spear had sailed straight through the man's lungs, completely destroying the inside of the abdomen as blood continued to flow and gush out of the wound. Kneeling down to a single leg, he would only be held up by his right arm continuing to clutch his spear, Ymir, as he himself stared down at the ground. After all these years, had he really reached his end? Well, the man supposed that it indeed was a good ending for someone of his stature, and smiled grimly as he struggled to look up at Mizu.*\n\n\"Good. I-... I found satisfaction in this fight, vampire. Good... I'll await your re-emergence in the next life, so we can clash once more. However, for now? My ancestors... They call.\"\n\n*And with that, the old man's grip on his spear would slacken, his upper body falling lifeless towards the ground. In life, he was a fierce, outrageous force on the battlefield and duelists alike, earning him the title 'Blade Breaker.' He was unparalleled in strength and might, and his combat prowess had peaked above all others in his class. He always had maintained a hardend and battle-worn look on his face throughout his life, even after he retired from the face of war, from the field of battle. In death, however, he grinned a painful smile, his eyes closed as his body crumpled to the floor. It was time, time for him to leave this world and continue on to the next. Hmm... How nice it was, feeling the coolness of the grass touch your skin. When was the last time he had done this? As a child? Those days... They were long past now, weren't they?*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would left with a bitter taste in her mouth. A warrior like him didn't deserve to go out like this. It wasn't that she felt about killing him, it seemed like he wished to die fighting and found some comfort that she was able to give him that much. But to be brought down by a single strike... She saw the enthusiasm and determination in his eyes to fight, to exchange blows with their beloved spears, but alas, he didn't even get to properly see how he was killed, only able to see the aftermath of the damage. She had considered turning him into a vampire, not wanting to have such an experienced warrior waste away his talents, but seeing his dying smile, she would accept that she had done the right thing in letting him die in peace.*\n\n*Kiyuketsuki would return to her hands and she would turn to face Yuu while dragging the man's body behind her. Even if she was glad about not turning him into a vampire, she wouldn't waste valuable blood.*\n\n\"Guess the fun is over now\" *She would say as a matter of fact*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would have watched the fight end, though with neither a look of boredom nor interest on his face. He could appreciate strong fighters but watching the fight just wasn't the same as participating in it. Even still, he would offer Mizu a soft smile when she turned him.*\n\n*He would let her drag the body far enough down the hill before approaching her. He didn't really know why, but he felt like doing what he was about to do. He would raise his arms, wincing for a brief moment as it made his back burn, and then wrap them around the female kitsune.*\n\n*He would remain silent for the most part though would eventually reply to her statement.* \"I guess it is. Though I was expecting it to have been over after the necromancer fight.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Her rage would start to burn up once more seeing Yuu wince in pain, having her tail hairs bristle up slightly, but would calm down finding comfort in Yuu's embrace. It was true, the two of them certainly had a ton of fun today, and from the looks of it they got a feast as well. She would smirk realizing she had taken the macen's death a bit too seriously. After all, he wasn't the first nor will he be the last to find an untimely end to Kiyuketsuki. All she could do as the apex predator was become stronger from the experience and use their bodies to feed. That being said, there was a certain someone who was still alive, and for good reason, and she would then turn to face Kohm*\n\n\"You're right. We both certainly had more fun that we had expected, and I think we still have some more in store~. But before that the Kohm body is still lying there. I had brought him down not to eat, but to teach him a lesson and have him compensate for the fun he depraved us. Seeing how he ruined your session first, what do you want to do with the Kohm?\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "\"He really pulled one on me, huh? To think I even thought enough of him to turn my back in his direction, thinking there would be atleast some mutual respect of not firing an all out attack onto someone who is fighting another battle.\"\n\n*He would release one of his arms from around her, so that they could both face Kohm's body, while his other arm would remain around her. He was bad at saying 'thank you' and 'sorry' so this was his way of atleast somewhat expressing his gratitude. After all Mizu did get enraged for his sake aswell. Though usually calm and collected, Mizu would likely be able to feel the malice that Yuu radiated towards the body on the floor. He would stare at it for a good while before speaking up again.*\n\n\"Death would be giving him the easy way out, so let's make him wish he was dead.~\" *The sadistic side of Yuu was starting to leak out, where it originated from was unknown though. Was he always like this? Had something happened in the past that developed this side?* \"Pop quiz. What does a mage need to cast his spells?\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would return the sadistic grin. It would seem like usual, the two of them were like minded, or as she likes to think, compatible. He was right, this mace had pulled a dirty trick, holding back his strength only to use it on Yuu, the one who had practically saved his life in the minotaur battle, and ignored her warning despite being the one to order the Oni to heal him. He was not to be trusted with this magic, and as such would list the ideas she had in mind, wondering which if not all would appeal to Yuu*\n\n\"Hmmm, I don't like free response, how about I propose a multiple choice? A) a tongue to chant incantation, B) a hand for the somatic components, C) eyes to aim and read spells, or D) All of the above~\" *She would say with a giggle*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*His grin would widen.* \"You're offering me four options, but we both know only D is enough~\"\n\n*His arm would slide down off her waist and to his side as he started walking towards Kohm, though ironically his back would be facing him once again as he would walk backwards so that he could flash a toothy smile at Mizu, though as got close to him he would spin back around. Kneeling before the body he would examine the damages, which were way more severe than what was needed to knock a Macen out. But that just made him happier, since it showed just how enraged Mizu really was.*\n\n\"Sooo... Where to start?~\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*She would find herself missing the physical contact, but resolved that later she was going to be getting plenty of that anyway, thus she would return the grin at Yuu. He certainly was a charmer, wasn't he? She would walk on over and examine the body. She would see one of his arms were already broken, so she figured they may as well finish the job. Given it was also the biggest piece, she hoped the macen would get up in the middle of it from the pain*\n\n\"I think your wolves are pretty hungry from the fight aren't they? How about letting them get a good meal and start with the biggest piece of the slab~ Maybe we can even get the lamb to get up in the middle of it? Would certainly make it more satisfying\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Only a single wolf had survived the fight, and was swiftly recalled by Yuu to join the two oriates, for the fun part of it all. Yuu would show great affection towards the wolf, scratching it behind its ear as it's stood over the arm.*\n\n\"Enjoy the meal boy, you've earned it.~\"\n\n*The wolf would then proceed to lower its maw down to the Macen's arm, its saliva dripping down from above as it opened its mouth and bore its fangs, digging them into the flesh if the upper arm, trying to rip it off. In the meantime, Yuu would look up at Mizu and smile.*\n\n\"Given I likely can't stay to watch his reaction when he comes to during the day, waking him now -does- sound quite appealing.~\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "\"Indeed, a bit unfortunate that you cannot stay under the sun, otherwise we could carry this out for weeks. For now though, I can try to burn his flesh. Not only will it provide more stimuli, but also make sure he doesn't bleed out from the process. Also think it would be fitting considering it is what he did to you.\" \n\n*Mizu would then grab some of the burning planks from the mansion to set up a small nearby fire and use the macen's spear and set the tip in the flame. Once it starts to glow slightly she would take it off and press it against the biggest sources of bleeding on the macen. Thankfully macen's didn't bleed that badly, so they didn't have to be too concerned about blood loss, so this was more or less inflicting more pain just to wake him up*\n\n\"Guess, all we can do is keep trying till he does. Even if he doesn't, at least we'll have a meal and some souvenirs~\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "\"Yeah unfortunately got the short end of the stick with the sun.\" *He would momentarily take the blue hue from his eyes, revealing them to be dark in color, basically showing his strain of vampirism to her.* \"And hey, even if he doesn't wake up. Nothing like torturing and disassembling a Macen body as the first date, right?\" *Yuu would purposely call this a date to tease Mizu, curious as to what her reaction would be.*\n\n*Yuu was about to go for the eyes, but would then decide that they should come last. After all if he woke up, Yuu would want the last thing he sees to be their faces. As such, he would whistle at his wolf, who was enjoying the meal that it had ripped off.* \"Hey boy, what do you say you have the other arm for desert?\" *He would then pat the Macen's left arm. As the wolf would oblidge, he would repeat the same process as last time, ripping the arm off clean and scurrying a few feet away to munch on it.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu's ears and tail would perk up at the mention of date, but wouldn't really blush. She had already resolved to mating with Yuu, or rather, he had made a promise to her to do so. But she would smile at Yuu's teasing, though he wasn't wrong that as the first date she's ever been on it was certainly a memorable one. In that sense, perhaps the man had done well in telling her his name, Jeralt. Though he would not be remembered in the way he would hope, but still remembered as their first meal. With that she would hold Jeralt's body up and expose the other end of his neck toward Yuu*\n\n\"Can't call it much of a date without a meal, no? Come, your wolf isn't the only one who deserves a reward. Let's enjoy this fine blood bag together\" *And she would bring her mouth to the Jeralt's neck, preparing to sink in once Yuu's does the same*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "\"You're right. Though I think I already got my reward.~\" *He'd wink at the girl, knowing that words probably wouldn't have much of an effect on her anyway, though it was worth a try anyway.*\n\n*Yuu would then move closer to her and the Macen she was holding, slowly moving his mouth towards his neck, baring his fangs and sinking them into his neck. All the while he would be looking into Mizu's eyes. This was probably, the weirdest 'date' he's ever been on, though that wasn't a bad thing. In an odd way, Yuu really enjoyed this. In the meantime, his wolf would be having fun mauling at the Macen's arm. By the time it was done with it, simply reattaching it using healing spells would not be an option.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*While she wasn't heavily effected by Yuu's smooth words, her tail would wag from the compliment. She was still a female orinate after all, and being complimented by a male you are interested in would expectantly cause your heart to skip a beat. However, she wasn't that much of romantic, but she would certainly enjoy seeing Yuu's deep blue eyes as they enjoyed their meal. It tasted like fine wine to her, aged and experienced with just a bit of tang . She didn't expect any less from the skilled fighter. She didn't know if all vampires tasted blood the same way, but she hoped Yuu was enjoying his meal as well. Hopefully he would also be able to use the energy from it to heal the burns.*\n\n*After sucking Jeralt dry, she would turn to see the progress on Kohm. It would seem he was still unconscious but at least both of his arms were gone. Guess it was to be expected considering she caved in his chest twice. She would walk over and touch his left eye and turn to face Yuu*\n\n\"Want to see who gets the longer nerve ending? I choose the left.\" *She would say with a sadistic grin*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu also wasn't much of a romantic, though he enjoyed teasing her. Which is why he still did the things he did. For the most part, all blood tasted similar to him, with few differences depending on who the blood came from, though this blood definately had a nice and unique taste that you wouldn't usually get from Yuu's meals, given they are always of a younger generation than Jeralt.*\n\n*As he watched her walk to the eye, he got curious as to what she wanted to say and when the words came out, he almost burst out laughing, but kept it hidden in a poorly formed grin. He would approach the Macen from the right side.*\n\n\"It's always the right one. Do you want to wager anything on it?~\"\n\n*This reminded him of an undead he knew. Calling him a friend would be an overstatement. An acquaintance perhaps. That undead, Khan, loved the taste of eyes, even though the single time Yuu tried them. They quite literally tasted like shit. Ignoring the taste, it was still a fond memory, he wondered where Khan was right now.*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "``` Surprise Encounter complete ``` \n-2 PP rewarded to Mizu and Yuu, 1.5 awarded to Kohm" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would notice Yuu's grin twist a bit, figuring he must have found something she said funny and let out a laugh herself. It seemed this isn't the first time he has pulled out an eye or even eyes. She wondered if it was a hobby of his or if there were just that many people that had wronged in him in his past. She didn't know much about Yuu, but she certainly wanted to learn more. Perhaps she could use this wager to do so, assuming she won. If she lost, well, she was sure Yuu would come up with something to entertain the both of them*\n\n\"Always the right one huh? Won't be much of a wager if you already know the answer, but I enjoy playing against the odds. How about another promise, already have one from you but can certainly use more\" *She would reply while playfully pulling and tugging the left eye*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Intrigued by her proposition of him placing a promise on the line, he would get curious as to what kind of promise she wanted.* \"Hmmm... Another promise? What'd you need them for anyway?~\" *As he said that, he would sink his fingers into the eyesocket, grabbing the eye but not yet pulling it out. He wanted to make sure the wager was set before pulling it out, as that would spoil the outcome. In reality, both sides had equal length cords and what decided who would win was mostly luck. The cord could snap at any point in the process of pulling it out.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "\"Well I've found material wealth holds little value for beings such as ourselves, so favors seem a more appropriate wager. Besides, seeing what I am about to receive with one, I figure I can get more with two~\" *She would say with wink. She would then wrap her long fingernails around the eye and pull it slightly out of its socket*\n\n\"So how about it? Unless you got something else in mind~\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "\"Nope, a promise sounds good.~\" *He'd grin as she winks at him. Now that she's calmed down abit he guessed the teasing Mizu was back. Now that the wager has been set, it was all left up to luck. He gently starting pulling the eye out, not stopping until the chord snapped.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would grin and unison with Yuu, she would pull the eye out. It felt nice and soft in her hand. She would look over at her nerve ending then to Yuu's and grin.*\n\n\"Well then, looks like you were right. Though I guess it was expected since it's always the right, no? Or was it that you are always right~ So what sort of a promise does a fine gentleman want with a fine lady\" *She would say teasingly while crushing the soft eye with her nails, spilling its contents over Kohm's mouth before tossing the remains into the fire*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu, would compare the chords as soon as they were out and it was quite obvious that he was the winner, though looking at Mizu, it didn't look like she minded at all. He would follow suit and do the same thing Mizu did with the eye because... Well, quite frankly it seemed amusing, Kohm would probably be wondering what the taste in his mouth is later on. Though when it's done, it would be time to answer her question but would Yuu really be Yuu if he didn't just tease her back instead?*\n\n\"A fine lady you are, but it isn't any fun unless I keep you on your toes, not knowing when I'm going to use it~\" *He'd grin at her, waiting to see how she would react.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Ah, so that is how it was. She would grin, as he was absolutely right. Given how bored she was of the world, some suspense would certainly spice it up. But she didn't want to be the only one to experience it, so she figured being a 'fine lady', she would need return the 'favor'.*\n\n\"Ah, what a gentleman you are. A fine lady couldn't as for a finer gift in this dull world of hers. But she isn't so selfish to keep it all to herself, so why don't we share in the suspense together. After all, you haven't been told your promise either~\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*That sneaky fo- wolf. Macens and their idioms... Even though what he was made to promise was heavily hinted at, he decided to play along. After all that would be much more entertaining than not doing so. Letting out a chuckle, hee would grin and move next to her, admiring their work of art. He would then turn to Mizu, probably sitting abit to close, and speak.*\n\n\"What do you think his reaction is going to be when he comes to? I bet it would be fun to watch.~\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Her tail would wag in agreement. She certainly wanted to hear his screams and curses when he awoke. She would also like to hear him apologize. But if they were going to go through with their plan, it would be impossible. She would look at the empty sockets, missing arms, and crushed chest. It would seem they fulfilled their purpose and then some. It might be worth just letting him keep his tongue so that someday if they ever see him in the future they would be able to hear his cries and curses. It would be a promise of sorts, to one day be collected by them in the future. While she had sought to see Kohm in the future prior to this incident as a strong caster, he would at least now still serve the purpose of entertainment. She would turn to Yuu and share her thoughts*\n\n\"It certainly would be entertaining, but it doesn't have to be 'would'~ We dealt our punishment, and with our long lives we can afford to play the waiting game. Let him keep his tongue as a sort of promise that it will be taken by someday, but only after we get to hear his delightful screams~A long term investment so to speak\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "\"Well, not -too- longterm. The Macen are short-lived after all.\" *He would smile at her as he thought about her master plan, and that definitely sounded more fun than just cutting the tongue out right here. Meeting him in the future, be it by accident or otherwise would definitely be a highlight, and given how long Macen live, chances are Yuu would be somewhere near Mizu since for them a few years is no time at all.*\n\n\"We're all done, here, yeah?\" *He would look between Mizu and the corpse a few times, commenting. \"Truly beautiful.\" *The action was on purpose, because the way he said it, there was no way for her to know wether he was talking about what they did to Kohm or if he was talking about Mizu.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would catch onto Yuu's playful use of words, but decided to play along with an equally vague response of \"Indeed\", that handled the two possibly implied meanings of his words.*\n\n\"But think we should leave one last mark. Just so he knows who did this to him. To ensure that he doesn't doesn't try to divert any of the credit for this on wild animals or bandits. A mark that he would know that only we could make. Perhaps scare him a bit as well, assuming he doesn't know how vampirism spread.\" *She would say with a grin as she leaned in with her fangs bared and press it softly against Kohm's neck, waiting for Yuu to join in.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would grin, 'where has she been for the past 250 years?' he'd think to himself. It's not like he hadn't been with anyone before, but him and Mizu were similar, they... Connected. He would happily lean into Kohm aswell, sinking his fangs slowly into his neck, waiting for Mizu to do the same after which he'd have a taste of his blood. Maybe it was automatic bias because Yuu disliked Kohm, or maybe it was because the old man's blood tasted good, but Yuu didn't enjoy the blood from Kohm. It was... Ordinary. The only reason he kep sucking until he was satisfied was because this was needed to send a message.*\n\n*He would pull away from the neck, some of Kohm's blood still on his lower lip. Standing up he would call his wolf to him, who would now have a much less fleshy arm in it's mouth.* \"So, what now Kyuu?~\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*She would enjoy her meal, as Mizu was a bit more of glutton in tasting various bloods. It tasted hot and spicy with tinges of sour and bitterness. It was also thick and viscous like honey. It was not the best blood she had tasted as the flavors and texture clashed, but it was certainly the most interesting which for a bored vampire like herself was equally pleasing.*\n\n*She would then pull away from his neck and grin at Yuu seeing that the both of them had blood on their lips. Granted she knew if one tried to look for correlations they would find them due to bias, but she enjoyed seeing the similarities between herself and Yuu. It wasn't a mirror though, as that would be boring, but more like they complemented each other, a perfect pair. She wanted to spend more time with him, learn more about him, relishing every moment they spent together and would convey as such with her wagging tail*\n\n\"Well, anything I suppose, unless you got a plan?~ Though we should grab the blood bags soon, the sun seems to be raising. Will leave you to decide where we should hide as that is your field of expertise~\" *She would say with a wink*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Yuu would let out an audible 'Tsk'. His strain of vampirism wasn't immune to sunlight, though he had heard about tales that say becoming stronger could eventually make you immune. For now though, he would have to stick to the shadows. Since there wasn't really anywhere to stay here unless they went into one of the houses, their other option would be going into the forest and using trees as cover. He'd relay the analysis of the situation to her.*\n\n\"Well, we would have two options. The first, is staying in one of the houses here, probably the more comfortable option given there is probably atleast a bed to rest. Or... There is the more adventurous but also more risky forest option, though given the fact that my coat just got burned off, it's even riskier. However, at the end of the day, the choice is yours m'lady.~\"\n\n*He would speak the last part in a sarcastically posh tone.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mizu would look over to Kohm's body and see the sleeveless cloak he was wearing. She would walk over and take if off him, not caring to be delicate in the process, but just enough to get it off him intact. She would then toss it over to Yuu and grin* \n\"Well your lady request you change your wardrobe to prepare for the oncoming dangers.~ No need to ask needless questions when you should know the answer for us vampires who have lived long dull lives~ Perhaps we might even encounter another one of those minotaurs or the caster's base. Compare that to mere macen's house is a desolate village, the answer should be clear\" *And she would pick up both of the dead macen bodies and toss them over to Yuu while grinning*\n\"I seem to recall someone saying cute people shouldn't be dragging a corpse around~ Unlucky for you that you're handsome instead\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "\"And unlucky for you that I'm handsome -and- smart.~\" \n\n*He would put on the cloak, even though it was really not his style, and then pull out a talisman, throwing it on the ground as the Macen appears. With a few words, the Macen picks up the body and slings it over his shoulder following behind Yuu as he walks to Mizu. Facing the forest he would hold out a hand for her to take if she so desired.*\n\n\"Shall we?~\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*She would take Yuu's with delight and flash another smile. For the first time in a long time, she would have fun company while traveling.*\n\n\"Yuu and your silly questions.~\" *And she would wrap her tail around his happily walking by his side into the forest*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "```\n\nA Drase Entertainment production:\n\"The Midnight Snacks\"\n\n*Quiss starring as Yuu Toshi Masaru.*\n*Way starring as Kohm Fidres.*\n*Discorxd starring as Guard 1.*\n*Discorxd starring as Guard 2.*\n*FrankenStein starring as Mizu Ketsuki.*\n\nDisclaimer: No real animals were harmed in the production of this film.\n\nFin.\n```" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"Can i go home now?\"" } ]

[ { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann rode up to the town on his rouncey. He'd been here a few times before, taking note of the fair and good food (and women) of the local taverns and inns. It was always a pleasure stopping by to make some errands and catch up with the locals. Although Almann himself looked like a foreigner, his consistent use of the local dialects here make him seem as a commonman of the empire._\n\n_Perhaps the most interesting part of this trip is the little macen girl who was heading this way as well. How could a macen be so short? It truly puzzled him. He heard of the Hill and Deep Lora being that small, but never a macen. Perhaps Lora blood runs through her veins? But he thought they couldn't interbreed. Truly strange. Nonetheless, the girl seemed an able craftsman. Her face was dirty, which was common among the street artisans of the city, and her hands callused. He got to see some of her wears while they were making their way to the small town. They were good, exceptionally good._\n\n_They approached the town, and the first startling thing was the lack of noise. Where are the guards? The market is eerily quiet... So is the surrounding farmland. He should've been able to hear something..._\n\n_Almann comes to an abrupt stop on his horse, unsheathing Anat. The foul aura of the blade startles the rouncey a bit. Seems like the horse would need to be accustomed to the blades presence..._\n\n_Almann turns to the girl he'd been travelling with._" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"It's silent. Way too silent for this time of day. We should be careful.\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Is it? I knew you've been here a couple times before, so I guess you'd be right. But maybe the people are too in awe of me to even make noises?\" *Clearly, Ralki was one with an egotistical outlook on things. She continues* \"Nah, I think you're totally right, there's no sound whatsoever, and what's with that horrid smell\" *In all likelyhood Almann would not of noticed it, as Ralki's smell can likely track something at a larger distance than most hunting dogs,* \"Smells like raw meat is spoiling.\" *She gags, she's not used to this smell, well actually she is, she had fought an abomination before so this smell is rather tame compared to that.*\n\n**(She should've had her birthday by now!)**" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann shrugs and winks_" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"That may be true, who knows?\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_His horse trots through the village. There is absolutely zero movement. No signs of struggle, it doesn't seem to be a raid on the village. That only leaves a handful of other things that could've happened._\n\n_Almann moves forward slowly, looking around. Some of these houses were downtrodden, as expected. Many of these downs have ups and downs in thoroughfare when it comes to trade. He had been here a couple times before, perhaps at it's height. There must've been at least 200-300 souls in this town. But he can't hear anything. He spots a couple of shapes on the hill to his right. He can't make out exactly what they are. He'll have to check that out later. For now they'll continue towards the Lord's mansion..._\n\n_When he got to the walls he immediately saw the bloodstains and scattered weaponry. Looks like they're closer to figured out what happened eh?_" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Looks like none of the conflict reached the houses. Perhaps there was an evacuation and a subsequent duel for the towns ownership or belongings? Perhaps someone had beef with the lord here? He was always a shrewd fellow...\"\n\n\"Those who stick their noses where they don't belong often end up dead...\"\n\n\"There also seems to be something on the hill over there...\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_He jerks his thumb to the right of the fountain_" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"We should scout the lord's mansion first and then go see what's on it.\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Alrighty then!\" *She said with a gleeful face, she had frowned earlier when she saw the blood. She must've tried to ignore that, whatever the case, she's eager to figure out what happened.* \"So what do you think must've happened here, I haven't a clue\" *That last part is somewhat of a lie, she likely knows something occured that forced everyone to evacuated, but nothing deadly enough that most of them couldn't get away.*" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"You seem quite enthusiastic about this. I have a few ideas, but we'll have to see a bit more before I make some bold predictions to what happened to the town. Maybe, if the lord is dead, I'll be able to claim this land by default. One can dream...\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_He walks past the gate and spots a few bodies. They seem cleanly killed. He'd unhorse himself and knock on the mansion door. It was worth a try._" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Yeah, it's not often I get to meet with an actual merchant, I usually just have a stall somewhere... I'm not really someone who knows a lot about business... Wonder what killed them\" *She seems remarkably unphased by this.* \"Did this place used to get lot's of economical attention, since you've been here often.\"" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"It had enough attention to keep it alive. There were around two hundred people here at all times during a good year. To see no one though? Very strange...\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann kicks open the doorway, looking around and listening in to any sounds the house might emit._" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Ralki looks around eagerly, seeing anything fancy would be amazing for her! She looks a random object and acts Almann* \"What's this! What's this!? It looks cool!\" *How sweet, just like a child...* \"Ahen, I mean, we should look for evidence of what has happened here, right?\"" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"You're not used to seeing this sort of wealth eh? Perhaps I should set you up with some of the higher end clients I have in the upper district of New Salvainia. This is sort of decrepit compared to some of their abodes...\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann looks around some of the rooms, looking for dead bodies or anything, but there's simply nothing. He'll make his way upstairs to do a double take. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Perhaps they should check outside?_" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"We should go back, seems like there's nothing here. We can take a trip around the mansion to see some of the bodies. Perhaps they'll give us a clue as to who fought here...\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Ralki squeezes her nose so that she cannot smell* \"Alright, let's go and find out what happened! I'm just doing this so I don't smell all of the rot.\" *She says while looking rediculous.* \"Onwards!\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann mounts his horse and starts to make his rounds around the property. There's plenty of bodies here... Looks like the men sallied outside of the mansion and village to defend it. It also seems like they weren't successful. The bodies themselves are a mix and match of maiming and clean kills. There are only two possibilities now he'd imagine. It also looks like some of the bodies are completely pale... As if drained of blood..._\n\n_Almann laughs nervously_" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"I think I figured out who our culprits are...\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Who?\" *This time her obliviousnous is truthful, she hadn't encountered a vampire in her life not heard of them. Ralki thinks for a moment, what could drain blood like this, of course it had to be this!* **\"They were the mosquitos, I knew it!\"**" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann grins. She has a good sense of humour._" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Vampires. Strong ones.\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_He turns towards the hill_" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Perhaps their bodies are over there? I doubt that these men had silver weapons though...\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Vampires?\" *Ralki questioned, of course she hadn't heard of them. She had always lived in such a small area that she would've never heard of all these things* \"Sorry I'm not sure what you're talking about, why would silver make a difference anyways?\"" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Vampires. Unholy and twisted beings who feast on the blood of sentient beings. Like all unholy things, they're also weak to silver weaponry and holy magic. The bastards come in different subspecies, but they're more or less similar to eachother. The ones here don't seem to have such a bad time of dispatching the guards. Most vampires are also weak to sunlight, so they must've done this at night, when they'd be at the height of their power. Unlike the demon races that can completely make themselves look into different races, they can simply mask some of the signs of their infection. Eyes and fangs can be hidden away, but their aversion to sunlight cannot, save for a group of them.\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann heads toward the hill while explaining_" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"What makes them so dangerous is their strength, speed, and tendency to gravity towards powerful magic. They are predators, with base species as their prey. Everything about them is manipulated to make them apex predators at night...\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Huh? Are you talking about Oni when you're speaking about changing appearences, I think the correct term is a 'nether' race.\" *Ralki tilts her head in confusion? Where is he getting his information* \"So vampires are a form of undead? Neat.\"" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Aye, Oni. I just get my info from what I hear from merchants. Take it with a grain of salt mind you. Though vampires are known widely in the city. Where there are plenty of prey there are predators...\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann unhorses himself and inspects the bodies. A young and older man. A tragedy, really. Looks like they were tortured before they were killed..._\n\n_Interesting. The old man was killed quickly. No use in staring at dead bodies though..._\n\n_There seems to be another body, facing the gate. Did he try to get away? Strangely enough, he's not pale or stiff. Usually bodies would be stiff after a few hours. He puts his fingers on the neck of the old man to see if he's alive..._" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"I think demon's are a different thing from nether races. But anyways happened to them? Wait no, nevermind, I know\" *Yep, who couldn't know, some vampire attacked some innocents. Even ralki isn't **That** Dumb, she walks towards the body facing the gate and waves her hand in front of his face.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_He feels a heartbeat. Really? He's alive? Shocking._" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"This one is still alive. He's missing some... Body parts, but somehow the poor bastard is still living...\"\n\n\"If he survives the trip back to the city, we can get him healed up. I don't have experience with healing, do you?\"" }, { "author": "way8306", "message": "It burns. \n\nI'm reminded of the one time where someone left a jar of honey open, and then the next time anyone noticed it there were ants, a bright vicious red swarming all over it. No one ever admitted to the crime, but I was the one who witnessed that disgusting scene, this slow death that the honey experienced as bit by bit was removed by the ants.\n\nIs this what it feels like?\n\nMy head is locked in a sultry hot chamber where there is no escape. I feel the heat on my face. It's not quite the scorching sunlight of Siui, but the cooler glow of Sepduania has its own charm. But while the sun shines on my face, attempting to rose me up to face a new day as it has done for the past 35 years of my life, and that of many others, I cannot open my eyes to take in this familiar light. \n\nI try to raise my arms and grasp at this darkness, but they refuse to move. Ships with anchors lowered, or thirsty camels in need of a drink after constant travelling.\n\n...Heh, who am I fooling? It's not that they can't move. It's because they aren't there. My brain attempts to rationalise their existence, but a captain can't give a command to a sunken ship. They might yell and yell and attract the attention of others, but the ships won't ever rise unless the gods themselves took pity.\n\nI feel my chest sinking. While the flagship hasn't sunk yet, the keel has been thoroughly busted, irreparable without outside help, and soon it will meet the same fate as the rest of the fleet.\n\nIt burns.\n\nIs this how I meet my end? What a pity. \n\nI can't even feel hatred for those vampires that drove me to this state. That is how much my will has been eaten away. The numbness on my neck and the intense stench of carrion tells me where this burning comes from, but even with their blatant message and show of triumph, I can't feel any emotion. \n\nThey've won in the end at it seems, it seems. Not only have they made me a cripple, but they've also robbed me of any will to live. I'm not scared, just apathetic. The life and death of the people I attempted to aid mean nothing to me- not because I'm more concerned about my life, but because I simply don't care anymore.\n\nI-\n\nA warmth grazes my chest\n\n...This is not sunlight.\n\nMemories of one my brothers in blood demonstrating how to feel a pulse reaches to the forefront of what remaining conscious I have.\n\nMy heartbeats increase.\n\nTrepidation?\n\nSomeone is rapping on this hot, sultry chamber that surrounds me and suddenly the fugue is lifted from me.\n\nApprehension?\n\nThe numbing heat is replaced by flowing lava burning through my veins.\n\n...Dread?\n\nIts takes me a moment to realise what it is.\n\nAnticipation. Excitement. Expectation.\n\nThe strength to scream for help. Beg to receive salvation. To save oneself.\n\n...It might be foolish of me to assume such, in case I let myself down but this is *Hope.*\n\nWhat a hypocrite I am. But I suppose without this inbuilt gift, life could never arise.\n\nI don't want to die. *I want to live.* \n\nAll and any doubts are cleared from my mind and for a moment, just a brief second, I feel the clarity of a sage well up within me.\n\nWith all the strength I can muster from this sinking flagship, the captain sends one last hurrah with all the smoke signals they can muster.\n\n\"Help... Me...\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*She looks at Almann for a moment, staring, like saying 'do you really think I'd have any healing', but she doesn't say anything. She looks at the man and just grows larger to be really tall, picks up the man and walks towards the wagon.*\n```\nEnlarge used\n```\n*Ralki is now 3 meters tall, what is this mad world.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann's mouth almost hits the floor_\n\n_So THAT's why she's so short. It all made sense. Why would she have healing though? It wouldn't make sense now would it? Her face said it all._\n\n_He simply follows her back to the horses and wagon_" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Ralki puts the man into the wagon and shrinks back to normal* \"I can't ride a wagon while 3 meters tall and weighing just under 500lbs, now can I?\" *She does not realize the absurdity of that sentence, she must lack common sense.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann shrugs and smiles._\n\n_Almann gets on the wagon, hooks the horses into their respective positions, and begins to move the cart towards the nearest city. They'll find a healer in the city there to take care of the old man._" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"The bastards missing his arms and eyes. Missing an eye myself, dunno how the fella is gonna live after this. Heard some new magical fake limbs are in the making at the capital, though they're exceptionally expensive...\"\n\n\"Looks like he'll have to enhance his sense of hearing and smell for now eh? People usually don't last long in this state.\"\n\n\"Don't think I caught your name though, talking the entire time without mentioning names is odd. I'm Almann, Almann Jek.\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_He offers his hand_" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Ralki, the master potter and adventurer, *I'm not actually concidered a master adventurer I just like to think I am*\" *She shakes his hand,* \"Nice to meet, you Almann. Huh, those vampires certainly did a number on this settlement...\"" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Hopefully they didn't get the other people. They'll congregate back to the village now that the danger is gone. The local lord will repopulate the area. This is a prosperous area after all...\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_They'll be reaching one of the local cities any hour now. Almann supposes he'll keep making conversation..._" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Where'd you learn your trade? Learned mine from the steppe elves, wandering blacksmiths an' all...\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Natural talent... I was born with a talent for this magic, mold earth, which allows me to change and well mold earth. It becomes rather easy to become a master potter if you have magic like that\" *Huh, that's strangely honest-* \"But of course I use it better than anyone else could\" *There it is.*" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Really? I got into metalwork when my mentor figured out I had a knack for bronze magic. An affinity for the element you're molding really does help with learning doesn't it? The steppe elves had to learn how to blacksmith and fight well to counteract their lacking in magic. Naturally many of them got exceptionally good at that. That's why the high elves need some of them. The cavalry and the crafts among the steppe elves are some of the best.\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Yeah, streppe elves sure are great...\" *Ralki grumbled, she then says with enthuasim* \"So, you're a merchant, right? Where have you been? You must've been many places, right? On trades?\"" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Plenty of places. Been across the Salvainian Empire and back, through Lymia and Horuoir, on the borders of Ombu, and through the beastkin lands to the northeast. Lots of interesting work around those parts. It's especially interesting now that the elves are raiding beastkin lands. That's how I lost this...\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_He points to the eyepatch over his right eye socket_" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Ah yes, that... I dislike that quite a bit, the slave war. It must be weird only having one eye, like, you've had something your whole life then you lose it... Wait, that's what this person is going to go through...\" *She looks back to the injured man, damn, that's gotta hurt.*" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"He's missing both eyes, and arms. He'll live though, if he's lived so far he'll live for a little while I'd think. Macen and other beings adapts. We learn. When I lost my eye I focused on listening, I made up for it in another way. The old man, if he's flexible enough, can do so as well.\"\n\n\"My missing eye is simply a reminder for me, the high elves view macen and my people as inferior. We'll teach them some discipline one day...\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"I don't think it's a good idea to hold a grudge like that... I hate the slave war but I wouldn't blame every individual.\" *Ralki shrugs, she actually tends to try to ignore this topic. She never liked slavery but hated discussing it. She lived a small village where no one would've even heard of slavery, let alone have an opinion on it.*" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"The slave war? I don't care much for the beastkin in all honesty. I know it sounds harsh, but they are quite suited to defending themselves. I My pity does not go out to them, but the current peoples enslaved en-masse under the Silnari empire. The steppe elves are a lower class, forced into poverty and drafted into fighting. Missing a tributary payment, essentially taxes, is a death sentence. That's what happened to those who raised me. It took me two weeks to find their remains in the Moluinwur Steppes. By then their faces were unrecognizable...\"\n\n\"I will side with the beastkin so long as they have the same goals as I. I've worked with many agreeable folk, but they don't seem to understand how this world works...\"\n\n\"Slavery is normal for the empires of the world, the few, like Lymia, who outlaw it rely on other means to make income. I'm more concerned with those whom I was raised by. Either way, if the empire falls, the rest go free regardless. The high elves themselves have always been a stuck up race, it's in their blood to think themselves of a higher class.\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Are they? I guess they may seem to feel like they're above everyone else, but they seem like decent folk when I see them.\" *Ralki is telling the honest truth here, she doesn't observe that or they aren't as stuck up as he says they are.*" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Where do you see them? Just curious.\"\n\n\"The one's in the big cities, on most trade routes, and ones employed under their respective governments and lords think quite... Highly of themselves...\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Most of my life I was an assistant to my mother, selling pottery. In a small village, where newcomers were rare. It was a homely place, mostly earth macen such as my father and mother, but some high elves and hill lora existed too. Actually one of them was called Mary, made a good pie, loved that pie.\"" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Humbled perhaps. The ones I fight are the cosmopolitan slavers, aristocrats, and laity among the empire. A few high elves here and there who sit humbled in a small village wouldn't fit that mold.\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Ralki kind of gets where he's coming from, he lost his eye from a conflict that the high elves started. She doesn't agree with those beliefs, but yeah.* \"I see.\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann could see the city coming up ahead. They'd roll up tot he gates, state their business, show the crippled old man in the back, and go on with their way. Eventually they'd reach a wagon compatible section of the city to tie their horses and cargo up for the remainder of their stay._\n\n_Almann would lock up and hide most of the loose goods and other valuables in chests and locked floorboard cupboards of the wagon._" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"I think I saw the infirmary back towards the entrance, didn't look too busy so we shouldn't have a terrible time of taking this geezer to the doc's. We should take the horses regardless though, don't think you wan't to walk on these streets too much without proper boots...\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_It only just occured to Almann now that the muck was thick in this district. They must've been in a better district going in, because now the mud (filled with god knows what) is almost ankle high in the streets..._" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Yeah, I'm tall enough\" *She infact is tall enough, just not now.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann fireman carries the old man and mounts his rouncey, he'd make his way back the way they entered towards the infirmary..._" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Ralki follow, the man would certainly be alive still. Hopefully, healers work wonderes, don't they... She's visited them too many times!*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_They would arrive to the infirmary. The place was clearly marked on a cleaner cobble road than the rest. The sign held up in front of the door would present a red snake coiled around a winged staff. This was a decent hospital it seems..._\n\n_Almann would unmount, shift the old man on his left shoulder and tie up his horse to a free post. He would open the door with his right hand and come face to face a balding gentleman and a series of healers and acolytes scurrying around attending to those among the beds both in the back and in the front of the hospital._" } ]

[ { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"I'm sure the healers can get him in... Good condition... Well as good as he can be at least with missing arms and eyes\" *She enters the building as well, knowing very well that healers are very good at their job, a fact she has experienced many times.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_The old man looks over the shoulder of Almann, looks at the girl, and frowns. Then he bursts into anger the moment he notices the missing limbs of the man. The old coot seemed to be livid, spouting how they're careless with the patient, blah, blah, blah. Almann didn't care too much. All he did was put him on an available bed and asked about the costs of treating the fellow._\n\n_To stabilizing him it would cost some silver, for this mans wounds, which were grievous indeed, it would probably cost them 150-250 silver in payments he guessed._\n\n_Almann watches as they look and diagnose the old man. A handful of micro-fractures, broken ribs, missing limbs, missing eyes, small amounts of brain damage, punctured organs, ripped muscles in his chest and legs..._\n\n_Why did they just kill the poor fucker? He's more than half dead, basically a useless nugget now. Why didn't they just end his life? The more issues they called out the more irritated Almann became. Not because of the costs, but because of the inhumane ways they ruined this man and somehow made sure that he was alive._\n\n_Almann would turn to the door and put a two gold coins down on the desk. The insurance payment if he didn't come back. Almann needed a drink and some good food for his belly. He venture had been a failure, now he'd have to find some other place to sell his stuff. In the meantime he'd rest for a bit. The scar in the palm of his right hand ached especially. Funny how that tends to happen these days..._" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Where are you going?\" *Ralki asks, she's not sure if she should stay here or just leave as well. She wasn't very good with matters such as these, because usually she was the one injured when she came here.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann jerks his thumb out in the street_" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"They'll get him fixed up in an hour or so. You can see how busy they are. No need to take up needed space. Gonna find a good place to drink and eat in the meantime. We'll come back then.\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_At this point Almann was guessing the time. He didn't really care how long, if they didn't fix him up by the time he was done eating and drinking... Well then no harm done. He'd sell some of the stuff he wasn't able to in the streets in the mean time._" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Ralki follows the merchant, who definitely knew more than her. She wonders where they would go... Wait a second, she knows* \"There's a good inn right over there, they serve great soup.\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann gestures with his hand_" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*It wasn't very far, maybe 1 or turn turns on the street before they made their way to the inn. When they got inside Ralki ordered a carrot and beef soup, which she claims is the best one they serve.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann orders the same_" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"How do you know this place? Do you come to this town often?\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Yeah, I do... Sometimes I go to different towns\" *Ralki mumbles, with her mouth full of food.*" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Oh really, how far have you gone around the empire? See anything interesting?\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Kind of! Some abominations, a necromancer, and stopped a smuggling thingy! I know, I'm great\" *Ralki proudly announced all these things to Almann.*" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Are you that great? You don't seem that great to me...\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann folds his arms and grins, looking off to the ceiling as he does so. Let's tease her for a bit shall we?_" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Yes indeed! About that smuggling thing, it was me that was an integral part of the mission! Though it was all Barbins idea... Wait was that his name? Quadin? Firden?\" *Ralki hadn't noticed that was a tease at all.*" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Oh really? _How_ integral? You sure you didn't just sit by and let this... Barbin person do all the work? Hmn...\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann had to keep himself from laughing, she reminded him of some of the more gullible children he knew in the horde..._" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"I don't think so!\" *Ralki doesn't think so*" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"You don't think so or you know so? HMMNNNNN... I'm not sure I'm convinced...\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_He raises his eyebrow playfully_" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Ralki thinks hard, what could Almann mean by what he is saying? Of course she was integral, she remembers this. And during that abomination thing she was also important.*" }, { "author": "Ralki", "message": "\"Not really sure you mean by that.\"" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"I mean, do you think you helped? Or were they begging on their knees thanking you for your amazing abilities?\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann finishes the soup and sets it aside_" }, { "author": "Ralki", "message": "\"Nah I don't care about that sort of stuff, I know... I'm super humble.\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*It was true she did help, but most of the genius was Sirdan.*" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"The most humble, obviously.\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann puts down the appropriate payment for the meals and gets up to leave_" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"We should go check on the poor bastard shouldn't we?\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Mhmm\" *Ralki wonders if he's ok.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann makes his way towards the hospital, walking in and coming face to face with the old doctor once again._\n\n_The doctor gives a rundown of his injuries, and the medical costs for his treatment..._\n\n_Almann almost has a heart attack 6 gold? SIX GOLD? He'd get that back in a heartbeat sure, but he'd have to eat the cost first. This old man is already costing him an arm and a leg..._\n\n_Almann hands the man an additional 3 gold and 100 silver as payment, asking the man how long it'd take him recover. Almann was eager to get his money back..._\n\n_It's was going to be a while, but the man would be able to talk in a few days, at best. He apparently had the blood plague. Looks like Almann's hunches were right about the culprits..._\n\n_He turns to Ralki_" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"He'll be good in a few days to talk. To move it'll take him longer. For now we leave him here, I've already payed for the bastard's stay. In the meantime we can peruse town and sell some stuff to make up the time lost and the money spent...\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Of course! Wait... Time lost\" *Ralki does not have a good idea of what economics is, or that time is money.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Aye, the time we spent looking around the town and saving this old coot could've been spent selling the good we initially set out to sell. I'm gonna have to teach you some of this...\"\n\n\"Let's go back to the wagon and see what we got...\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Ralki follows him. While her ego regarding adventuring is a little too much, her ego about her pottery was fitting. Like, they were quite amazing.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann offers his hand as he gets on his horse. Common courtesy, one he doesn't give often._" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"No need for you to waste magic just walking around right?\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Of course!\" *Ralki would love to laze around whilst traveling.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann grabs her hand and helps her up the horse. An uncommon occurrence for him, riding with a passenger. In his experience riding with the horde it was always one person on one horse. Only pack horses were reserved for two. They saw their beasts as too proud to take more than one rider. _\n\n_Almann didn't follow that custom. What were elvish customs to an earth macen? What were the elven gods to him? His gods were older, that much he knew. The blade he wielded gave off the ancient hate and regret of forgotten and discarded gods and goddesses. He would court their favor, for they were his and his alone. They would be his guardians, and he would be their instrument of wrath._\n\n_He'd take down the empire to avenge his loved ones, but after that, what would he do? Settle down? Have children? He doesn't know how well of a father he'd turn out, he'd only been around the annoying gremlins that were steppe elf children. But while they were annoying, there was never a time he felt unhappy around them. They presented him with new games, trinkets, and things to do. They were the center of attention to many adults of the horde, for they were the future generations of warriors, artisans, and leaders. Perhaps Almann should prepare for a future after the fall of the empire? Perhaps experiencing life alone isn't what it's cracked up to be?_\n\n_They would make their way through the streets, seeing and hearing various things. Almann could pick out different conversations for goods, seeing which types of people where looking for what good, or any mentions of pottery. It wasn't hard figuring out where what goods were needed amid many different conversations. He'd help out this woman sell her pottery and teach her a few things about dealings in the city. Help others wasn't necessarily Almann's forte, but he'd try, just this once._" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Ralki hums a tune as she rides, she hadn't gone on a business trip like this since she was 14 or so. That was when her parents had gone to Vuni, that had seemed to have a booming economy, that trip was for a couple weeks.* \"So, how long have you been doing this, working as a merchant, I mean.\"" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Myself? 8 years. With my father? Longer. Sold carvings as a child in the moving market the horde had. People didn't buy them at first, but over time they became better and better. How about you? How'd you go about being a potter?\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Natural progression. Talented in mold earth, parents were potters in the village. Kind of got forced into the job due to many things\" *Ralki sighed, then continues* \"I wonder what I would've became if I didn't have the talent for this magic? Maybe I would've become an adventurer much earlier or perhaps a completely job.\"" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"I'm sure you could adapt regardless. Macen tend to be flexible y'know. Do you enjoy being a potter though? Or do you just do it because you're exceptional at it? No point in doing what you don't like.\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"I like it. But there's a point when doing the same thing over and over again starts to become boring. So instead of thinking about everything, I just go along.\" *Ralki doesn't really reminisce that often, due to her tendancy to living in the moment. But once in a while it's nice to talk about it.*" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"We'll have to fix that now wont we? There's plenty of ways to make your passion more interesting without abandoning it altogether. Some of the best ideas come when you're bored. I have connections and ideas I can give you to make your craft more interesting.\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "***Ideas! Connections! MORE INTERESTING! How coolio!***\n\"Well, what do you think\" *Ralki says this whilst overloading her brain off all the coolness that is happening.*" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Mixed works. We can mix my experience with metallurgy in with your mastery of pottery. It'd would be difficult if we didn't have magic, or experience. Something like making different patterns and shapes of pottery using both metal and earthen materials. We could probably figure out some new enchanted armor using ceramics. It'll be good for fast moving projectiles, and light/cheap for basic infantry.\"\n\n\"In terms of connections, well I know a few rich people who'd like to have a new dish and silverware set, or some pottery for their new properties. I'm sure I could get some buyers in the capital to start ya off.\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Oh, pottery and metallurgy! Clever.* \"So, since we have magic this would be much easier of a feat to perform, right? Therefore enchanted armor is a possibility that's within our reach! Since selling pottery for nobles would make me a bit and since you know smithing, you could sell silverware. You're so smart!\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann looks back and grins at her_" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Smart? Maybe. I think I just know my way around the city is all.\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"That's still a form of smarts, though.\" *Ralki is rather confused about his statement.*" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Really? I always took the 'smart' people to be the ones who lock themselves in the richer districts with their elder tutors to teach them things. I guess wisdom is a form of smarts after all.\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_They finally reach the wagon again, Almann unhorses and offers he hand again to help her down._" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*She takes his offer and gets down, I mean, she's so short that she's practically forced to have help.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann winks and turns to walk towards the cart. He had an idea to sell the pottery. He'll be damned if they didn't make a profit today. Besides, he'll need to make up for the funds he spent on the old man..._" } ]

[ { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Ralki looks at her pottery, some of her better works today. They should sell for a bit!* \"I think these are some of my better works.\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann picks them up an observes them. He uses 'Magical Appraisal' to get a rough estimate of the worth of the pottery._\n\n_Aye, they were her better works. Each of these are worth a bit of silver each..._\n\n_Almann begins to laugh. This is going to be easier than he thought. Works are easier to sell if they're of higher quality..._" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"I have a great idea, I'll be right back.\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann goes over to one of the cart salesmen, and manages to heckle it down to a 3 silver per day cost._\n\n_Almann brings over a smaller cart (one that would fit well in an avenue) and begins to gently load the pottery and other works inside of the cart._\n\n_Next, he'll have to find a place where he doesn't need a permit to sell these..._" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Continue to load these while I figure out where we can sell.\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann goes off to find an appropriate space for free vending_" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Aight, she hums whilst putting the pottery on the cart... Wait a second, isn't this a menial task? Ralki wants to do something more interesting ):<*" } ]

[ { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann comes across a fair stretch of street. He talks to some of the vendors about the fees for selling there, and they simply say that they'd be vending for about a month there with little interference and no fees to pay. Almann makes sure to keep the look of the street in his mind and makes his way back to the cart._\n\n_He assesses the goods they have gets in front of the cart and squats down_\n\n_He points to his shoulders_" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Of course, I couldn't stand to stand on the ground\" *Ralki jokes and then giggles. She doesn't feel entitled at all, only egotistical. Ralki gets on Almann's back... Wait a second... Is Ralki being treated like a child?*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann stands up, balancing her on his shoulders. He grabs the handles of the cart and hums as he makes his way towards the chosen street to start vending._" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Got a good spot if it isn't taken. The sun will be able to shine directly on the pottery. Some of the brighter colors should stand out more to people passing by...\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_The cart was a bit heavy to say the least. Almann was surprised how light the girl was. She weighs a bit less than a newborn ewe, and doesn't squirm around nearly as much._\n\n_Almann walks up to the spot. It's well lit, with the light shining just right on the pottery. It should catch the attention of people walking by during this sunny day._\n\n_Almann grabs one of the more colorful pieces of pottery and hands it to Ralki._" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Hold this up towards the light, people should be able to see it better. The colors should reflect off and get their attention. That, and I'm going to be loud.\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Is Ralki tall enough to reach the light? She tries anyways, she won't allow her miniscule stature prevent her from showing off her creations!* \"Aight, wait... Loud? Why?\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann doesn't respond, instead he takes a deep breath and begins._" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"COME ONE COME ALL! SEE THE GREATEST EARTHWORKS IN THE ENTIRE EMPIRE!\"\n\n\"THE MASTER OF THESE WORKS HAS ALLOW YOU, THE PEOPLE OF THIS CITY TO BUY THESE PIECES FOR A PRICE ANYONE CAN AFFORD!\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann doesn't usually do this, but the girl is quite confident in her creations. Perhaps she can keep it up as he attracts a crowd? He'll find out. He almost has to keep himself from laughing. Nonetheless, with the quality of the pottery no doubt they'll have buyers, especially with how well they shine..._" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Does he really think that her creations are that good! Pffttt of course he does, he's a proper business man, right? Surely no one could be pitying the smol potter? Right?*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_First came the beggars. Always the beggars. Almann had to threaten to call the constable or geld them if they didn't scram. They're always looking to take, steal and sell. He's not a stupid man. These people would stab him in the back and take the entire cartload to make money for themselves..._\n\n_Next came the poor. Those who were not beggars but obviously couldn't pay full price for one of the more decent works. Almann decided to sell them a few of his iron and bronze silverware instead. They sold quite well. A few pots were were sold for some silvers, but they weren't the best and bright works of the cart..._" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Oh come now, I know all of you have far more interest THAN THIS?\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_A smug middle aged artisan walks up to Almann and Ralki. His profession was quite obvious. The man was covered in molding clay and stains. His hands seems calloused after what Almann presumes are thousands of hours of hard work. He seems quite confident in himself..._\n\n\"Let me see these...'great works' boy. _I'll_ be the judge.\" The man scoffs.\n\n_Almann takes one of the better works from the cart (not the one that Ralki is holding, that one is probably 2nd best in terms of presentation) and hands it to the old man._" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Surely a skilled and experienced artisan like yourself can see the amazing work put in this pottery no?\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann is taking a risk here. In reality he doesn't know jack about pottery. He'll have to bullshit his way to selling and hope Ralki actually made decent pieces..._\n\n_The artisan, looks at the pottery in and out, knocks on it with his knuckle, feels the inside of the pottery, and looks underneath the piece. The inscription of 'R.G.' is big and bold._\n\n\"Ho... What's this? I've never heard of this R.G. Before boy. They seem confident in their work, considering the size of their initials on the bottom. Tell me, who made this?\"\n\n_Almann pipes up before Ralki can say anything._" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"A wise woman from a far off village. Personally ordered and anonymously held as one of the best potters in the empire. She's allowed us to sell her works here. The lass on my shoulders is her prodigé, she's made many of the works in this here cart, and personally assisted with the making of that piece.\n\nIf you're interested, I can show you some of the works done by the lass here...\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann had to be careful. Ralki looked too young to be an artisan of master class. He trusted her word sure enough, but there needed to be some believable buffer if he were to pull this off..._\n\n_The man nods and holds the piece up._\n\n\"Aye, I'll give you 15 silver for it. A fine job here she's done. You say the one on your shoulders is her student no? Why are you with here with her? Why isn't her master with her?\"\n\n_Almann immediately responds_" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"I was hired to guard her. Knowledge of such a great craft is priceless, and the client pays well. I figured it wouldn't hurt to help sell some of her better pieces here.\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_The old man nods, seemingly content with the answer. Guards and personnel weren't uncommon hires around these parts, especially now that a local town had been assaulted by unknown forces. Talent pays, and those who protect it are payed also._\n\n_He hands Almann the silvers. Almann jingles the silvers in his hands and offers them to Ralki._" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Nice idea! Ralk thinks to herself 'oh no, I'm being treated like a child ):<'. Anyways, Ralki 12 of the silver pieces, letting Almann keep the rest, because* \"Because your merchant talk is pretty good\" *She says.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Several middle-class artisans and merchants come by, saying the potter earlier had recommended the stand based on that one piece alone. Eventually the cart begins to empty, leaving the more destitute products and expensive products for the taking. Eventually, a man in finer clothes wanders up to the cart._\n\n\"You two seem to be doing well here. Welcome to Henrosa, the humblest city in Sepduania. What are your names?\"" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Almann. The lass here is remaining anonymous for the sake of her teacher, names are often priceless in a world of master artisans. Anonymous makers are more mysterious and bring about more business than those who are out and about...\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_The man strokes his beard and raises an eyebrow._\n\n\"I see...\"\n\n_The older gentleman from a little while ago comes up behind the rich man and begins to speak._\n\n\"Sir Enraven, these are the ones I told you about earlier. This pottery is really some of the best, besides mine of course, that I've seen in a while...\"\n\n_The richer man is seemingly annoyed by the presence of the artisan. Why do all these dirty workers have to get so close to him when he's in the streets? Have they not seen a man of higher class before?_\n\n\"Well, let's see. Show me your best work here, and I'll _consider_ buying one of them...\"\n\n_Almann immediately gestures with an open palm to the piece in Ralki's hands, taking the piece and handing it to the rich man._\n\n_The man examines the piece for about 5 seconds and drops it on the ground, shattering the piece against the cobbles..._\n\n\"I said, your _best_ piece.\"\n\n_Almann braces himself to hold back Ralki should she go ballistic on the man_" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Hmm, seems as if he's too picky. Whatever, that means that he's not getting it.* \"Fraid that is the best piece, that my teacher has given me to bring.\"\n\n\"Still, would you mind compensating us for the damaged merchandise?\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Good. Almann thinks. The girl is learning... Maybe. We'll see. Seems like she's been paying attention to the deals so far and is taking an assertive stance._\n\n_The rich man raises an eyebrow._\n\n\"Perhaps. Bring me your best work.\"\n\n_Almann proceeds to let Ralki down to go to the cart and pick what she knows is the best work left._" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*She looks for a while, most of these are high quality but she doesn't think this person would be impressed, she needed something to bedazzle him! Not just ok for his standards, something he cannot deny is good. Mhmm, 'Agrigol' should do the trick. It'd been one of her first ones, that she kept refining for years upon years, something most potters would be unable to perform. That's one of the many advantages that this specific pot has over any other, the other being that she had implemented designs that no one else could, such as a nice spike design, it's color scheme that she had painted onto it, and the jars lid. It'd be a shame to sell this thing off, since it was one of the ones she made with her mother, but it was going to impress this obstinate noble than so be it! She takes it out and shows the noble her most priced work,* \"Here is the best work we have here.\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_The noble looks at the jar up and down, on the bottom and inside of it as well._\n\n\"What price?\"" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"3 gold, I'll throw in a jeweled dagger with it.\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "**(what a steal!)**" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann takes out a dagger he got from a woman down in the far south. The dagger was in an ornate leather sheath, quite sharp and clean as a blade, and jeweled from bottom to top._\n\n_It was clear this work as well was excellently made. Almann takes the dagger and shows off it's flexibility and durability by bending the blade back and forth. He balances it on his finger and shines the jewels in the sunlight._\n\n_The man grunts, and drops the gold into the hand of Almann. He walks away with dagger and the pottery, grinning wildly as he assesses his new possessions. Almann can hear him mumble under his breath how beautiful both pieces are._" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Well I think that's enough for now, don't you think?\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_He hands her the 2 of the gold coins, he needed the 1 to break even for the dagger..._" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Aw jeez, I didn't think that pot was actually worth that much!\" *Ralki scratches her hair confusedly* \"Wait, of course it was! *I made it.*\"" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"The rich will buy anything if you sell it to them well enough.\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann offers the piggyback ride again_" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*She didn't deny it last time and she won't this time! Still, being treated like a child like that was rather annoying... But she's kind of choosing to do it, so whatever.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_The trip took less time than before, there was less things to sell after all. They'd get back to the wagon, it was almost sun down._" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Say, did that place we ate at earlier have rooms?\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Sonders Soup Shack? Yeah... Pretty high-end to be perfectly honest, we could probably do it, but a little expensive for my tastes\" *That place always had been expensive, owners were penny pinchers. But the price was well worth it for the food, maybe that's only because Ralki had an immensely good smell.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann proceeds to lock up the remaining merchandise in the wagon, returning the cart to the old man he met before. He comes back and shrugs._" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Let's get going then.\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Mhmm! Let's get going to...?\" *She still hadn't gotten an answer to whether or not we're going to that place or not.*" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"The Soup Shack. You lead the way.\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_He raises an eyebrow_" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Since Ralki is still on Almann, she just points to the direction of the Soup Shack. Ralki wonders how Almann had forgotten where the store was after only a couple hours, that's a terrible memory, not that she could complain, since she cannot remember her fathers face.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann walks according to her directions until he gets to the door of the inn. He lets her down and proceeds to walk into the establishment and up to the counter._" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"How much for the best rooms in the house?\"" }, { "author": "Sonder", "message": "\"About 20 copper for adults and 10 copper for children\" *As the cook says that last bit he looks at Ralki.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann had to keep himself from laughing his ass off. Good that she looks like a kid though, save them money._\n\n_He places 3 silver on the table._" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"I had never rented a room here before, so I'm not sure what to expect with these rooms\"" } ]

[ { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann shrugs and takes the keys. Usually inns don't have locked doors, interesting. This one was clearly an inn of good quality. He hands Ralki one of the keys and proceeds to walk up the stairs. The room number is on the key. Seems like the man made a courtesy to put the rooms close to each-other._" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Ralki opens her rooms door and launches herself onto the bed. She's out of energy, especially concidering she sold her most prized artwork so that she could have the last laugh. Anyways, today was a nice business trip.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann walks into his room and sets down his equipment. He keeps a few daggers in his robe just in case. He walks out again, locking the room, and heads down to the bar. He needed a few drinks after a good days work._\n\n_It didn't take long for Almann to buy some of the finer spirits available in the bar. It also didn't take him long to get completely plastered and loud as a result. It ended with him getting into a fight with a high elven patron after the bastard bragged drunkenly about skinning steppe horses alive as per custom of taking steppe elven slaves._\n\n_Almann was drunk, but being drunk as a skunk was every other tuesday. Almann got away with a couple of broken fingers (which came as a result of the bar tender attempting to pry him off the elf who he had in a rear naked choke) and a bloody lip. The elf wasn't so lucky. Almann ended up spending plenty of silver in drinks and in courtesy fees._\n\n_He stumbles up the stairs and fumbles with the key in his hand, opening the door and proceeding to flop on to the bed. It didn't take him long to fall asleep._\n\n_Almann wakes up. Fuck. His head hurt, more than usually. He drank quite a bit last night. Counting the coins, he reckons he must've spent at least another 2 gold in fees and drinks. He really needs to stop doing this. Either way he gets up and takes a swig of the water skin. He equips his things and goes to knock on Ralki's door._" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Almann hears a loud thump on the ground, followed by **Ow!** She must've fell off the bed* \"Yeah, what is it?\"" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"I'm going head down and turn in the key and get some food. I'll wait for you down there.\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Alrighty!\" *Ralki then exits her room and sits down at a table, tapping it impatiently, as she's hongry.*" } ]

[ { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann orders a simple breakfast. Handing them a few coppers for the meal. He wasn't that hungry, but he knows he needed to eat. He'll have to smoke later to get rid of this headache..._" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Ralki orders a ham snadwich. Ralki thinks back to her sleeping experience... Uh... She doesn't remember, because she practically fell asleep as soon as she stepped on the inns floor...*" }, { "author": "Ralki", "message": "\"Would 'I don't know' be a reasonable response?\"" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Means you passed out right away. Good to hear. You had a good days work to earn that. We need to go visit the old man after we're done here too.\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Om nom om, om nom om* \"Huh, what was that? I wasn't paying atttention.\" *Dammit Ralki, why do you gotta be like this, but then she has thought of something!* \"Oh wait! We need to to check on that person! I cannot believe I remembered that!\"" } ]

[ { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Yeah, we're taking him out of the hospital today. If the bastard is tough enough to survive his wounds then he'll be awake today. We'll get out payment for helping him, and I have the perfect place to drop him off at where he wont be messed with.\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann thanks the server for the meal and pays for his portion. He gathers his things and begins to go towards the door._" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Ralki was stilll eating food before she realized they needed to go now,* \"Sorry, one second!\" *Ralki pays the server and runs out the door.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann makes his way back to the hospital and opens the door. He walks over to the cot of the old man, with the doctor in tow._\n\n_The doctor says he hasn't woken up yet, and that he still needs a few days of rest._\n\n_Almann simply shrugs the doctor off, and slings the old man over his left shoulder. The old doctor attempts to stop him by tugging on his left sleeve._\n\n\"What, are you mad? He's still not fully healed yet you brute! Put my patient down you imbecile!\"\n\nAlmann responds by putting a dagger at his throat.\n\n_Almann simply walks out of the infirmary. The old doctor flings a coin purse at the back of his head. It's the 6 gold in payment. The doctor yells curses as Almann walks away with the coin purse in his pocket._\n\n_He whistles as he makes his way back to the wagon._" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Damn, what a rude doctor. The doctors Ralki meets with are so much more nicer, they even let her leave with a mutilated leg! Anyways, Ralki doesn't really care if Almann takes the money or not* \"So, how's he doing? He doesn't look much better, except he's no longer bleeding than anyone should realistically bleed.\"" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"He'll wake up soon enough. In the meantime he'll have to learn how to hear instead of feel and see. I know the perfect place for this.\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann gently puts down the old man in wagon and gets the rest of the wagon ready for departure._" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Some doctors are more serious than others. If word gets out he let a patient go free without him recovering people will think he is a bad doctor. Good thing we'll be going a bit ways away from here.\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_In truth Almann didn't blame the old man. He simply needed him to stay in his place and not cause a commotion. The road to recovery is going to be long and hard for this man. He needs to make him understand that, and give him instructions on what to do next._" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"I suppose I'll let you know now what I plan to do. We're going to drop him off in a field, secluded, with the nearest person being this old couple I know. I'll ask them to check out on him every so often to make sure he's fed as has water.\n\nHe will stay out in the field, until he is able to pick out the sound of a singular length of grass waving in the wind he will not be permitted to leave. He wont be able to leave. It's the same sort of technique I used when I was blinded in one eye.\"\n\n\"The goal is to make his hearing substantially better than it was. It takes some time and complete silence in meditation but seeing as he isn't dead from those wounds, he'll do fine.\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Personally I'd teach him how to smell better\" *Ralki does not realize how rediculous that sounds. Smell better? How is that supposed to help? It's not like everyone had the capability to have the ability to smell for miles.*" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"That may come naturally too., seeing as he's also lost his arms. All I know for now is to train one's hearing for certain sounds at certain distances.\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"By the way, since we're talking about learning and training, that thing you said about mixing metal-whatever you call it with ceramics gave me an idea. What if I could improve my already great magic to include metals! I think it's rather possible, though I'd probably have to start with softer metals.\" *Ralki wasn't the best at coming up with her own ideas, but Almann gave her a goal she thinks she could get to rather easily.*" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"If you think you can do it, I think you can do it. Like most things it'll take a bit of time, but you should get the hang of it considering how good you are as an artisan. Soft metals like tin, copper, then to bronze of course, and then you can go up to irons and steels. From there you can then go into precious metals. Since they cost a bit more you'd need to refine the craft before attempting large amounts of precious metal artisan crafts.\"\n\n\"I think personally I'll suspend my travelling for a bit and spend some time on the front lines between the beastkin tribes and the elven domains.\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_He tosses her a bronze ring. It seems to give off a warm glow._" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"This will glow warmer and brighter near someone who can use bronze magic. I don't know of anyone else who can besides myself. If it glows around the beastkin tribes or in New Salvainia, don't be afraid to follow it and catch up with me. We'll sit down and catch up yeah?\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Of course! I hope you will have a good time in the frontlines, see you sometime in the future! So, why does this ring glow, anyways?\" *Ralki is genuinely confused, was it just a very minor magic?*" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Basic sensor magic. I insert a type of magic into the forging with those rune inscriptions there, and it glows whenever that type of magic is near. It's all I can't for regular enchantments though, and it took time with a manual.\"\n\n\"It's nothing special, but if you learn how to do it some people find it very useful.\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Do they? Eh, I'll probably have my hands full with this improving my greatest magic... I suppose I will see you again, sometime. I shouldn't delay you, if you're busy.\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_The wagon stops some time later. Almann says he'll go into the farmhouse alone. He spends about half an hour in there and exits with an elderly man. He wears a hood, seemingly to hide his ears..._\n\n_Almann takes the old man in the wagon, and hands the other old man a letter with detailed instructions on what to tell the other man if he wakes up. The older man nods and follows Almann as he makes his way to the field. He gently plops down the old man (Kohm) in the field._\n\n_He comes back to the wagon._\n\n**The Letter Reads:**\n\n_Instructions for improved reading of an anonymous old macen:_\n\n_He is to stay in the field until he can hear a blade of grass from 100 m away swaying in the wind. Give him food and water daily, check his wounds and make sure he is, of course, alive._\n\n_The instructions for enhanced hearing are as follows:_\n\n_1. Do not move under any circumstance. Do not breath through your nose, and attempt to disconnect the rest of your senses from the world._\n_2. Focus on what you hear. What is it? Can you pinpoint it? For how long can you concentrate on sounds?_\n_3. All of this should be done while you are sitting with slow and deep breaths. Part of advanced hearing is being able to slow or drown your heartbeat to a minimum so it doesn't interfere with your ears. Standing while listening comes later._\n_4. Learn to listen while you sleep. Don't want to get eaten yeah?_\n\n_Test:_\n\n_Stand 100m away and wisper a word. If he guesses the correct word, then do a sentence. If he guesses the correct sentence. Speak a paragraph._\n\n_If he completes these things he should be fine on his own. His ears will be his arms and eyes._\n\n_Almann kicks the wagon into gear, and they make their way back towards New Salvainia. He turns to Ralki._" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Ever been to the capital?\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"I couldn't say I have or have not, mostly because I don't remember. I mean, probably, I have. But it's not an experience I'd remember, y'know?\" *Ralki had not visited the capital in a while, maybe to shop. That's right! She shopped in the capital, but honestly was that even important enough to care about.*" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"Well, I'll show you around once we get there, hopefully we'll make this memorable yeah? After that I plan to make my way to the areas where there is mercenary work around the empire.\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Ralki does a thumbs up in a more dramatic way than usual, but other than that she's pretty normal. She wonders what it looks like around there, though she had been there before.* \"Alright! Wait, why are we going to the capital?\"" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"My shop is there, I plan to pack my things for the long haul.\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_It takes a few hours overnight, but they finally reach the capital. They hail the guards, Almann shows his merchant talisman, and enters the capital. It doesn't take long for him to find a spot to park the wagon. The city is absolutely enormous._\n\n_Spires of great towards, inner walls defending garrisons and richer districts, people covered in rags and fine silks roam the streets and make conversation with the stalls and shops. As they pass through the respective districts there are distinct smells and sounds._\n\n_The poorer districts of the capital smell quite awful. Foul odors of all kinds mostly come from the streets, hedon districts and streets, as Almann calls them, are full of brothels and taverns. There are plenty of shady figures who lurk into the alleyways and sly snake oil salesmen begging for them to stop for a second to take a look at their counterfeit goods._\n\n_As they pass through the middle and artisan districts there is a distinct difference. It is not only lively, but prosperous. The smell of exotic oils, sweat, smoke, burning wood and coal, perfumes, and numerous other things fill the air around the middle districts. The sounds of pounding metal, shouting merchants, and wagons traversing the busy streets occupy the ears of Almann and Ralki. Almann lives in this district, it is lively and great most days, with all sorts of people speaking tongues from around the world selling their wares here. He lives in the adjacent middle district from this one though._\n\n_Normally a merchant wouldn't be able to pass through the high/imperial districts oft he capital. Almann had \"Special\" Privileges given some of his connections among the richer people of the capital. He'd been out an about in this area for about 8 years after all. The streets were completely different. The cobbles were shockingly clean, with pairs of nobles and richer merchants out and about in the streets. It was also shockingly quiet. There wasn't a lot of traffic here because, simply put, these districts caters to only a few thousand people. The smell of fine cheeses, baked goods, and rich perfumes fill the streets at the many higher artisan shops here. Many of the richer folk whisper and raise their eyebrows at the two, but immediately quiet themselves seeing the granite merchant talisman flashed around Almann's neck. It didn't take them too long to pass through here._\n\n_Eventually Almann finds the local wagon renter and shores up the the wagon. He unhooks the horses and loads the rest of the goods onto the back of the rounceys._" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"We should make our way to my shop, we can clean up there, tie up the horses and take inventory. Feel free to stay for as long as you'd like.\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"So, you live here? Well, I mean, probably not *Live* But rather have this as a base of operations. I assume you travel quite a bit as a part of your job. Honestly, it's pretty great here, thanks for letting me stay at your shop\" *Ralki wasn't lying, she was impressed. She hadn't seen such a large cluster of good artisians in one area ever before.*" }, { "author": "Almann", "message": "\"No problem, I'll be away for a bit anyways. You should find some people in the middle districts who are willing to help you figure out how to make your mixed metal goods.\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann was restless. He wanted to get into some action. He's starting to understand more and more than what he's looking for isn't a quiet life. That will come later. He wants to do something._" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Seeya!\" *Now Ralki is now party crashing in Almann's home. But of course she won't do nothing with this, she had already made an image in her mind to as how her metal magic could work! She just needed a little time.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann gets the things he needs and sets off to find work. He waves as he makes his way towards the front gate of the capital._" } ]

[ { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*In the smouldering ruins of the burned forest, a armoured figure wanders in. His face is obscured with a sallet helm, and his equipment is at the ready. The strange figure stops at the area that the group is supposed to meet, and his head turns as he surveys the situation.*\n\n\"Terrifying.\" *The figure says this with a voice that indicates the complete opposite: emotionless and stoic, unfeeling like stone. But... Shank means it. It is indeed terrifying. The sea of fire had drowned out all of the nature, leaving behind a disgusting wreck that could charitably be called a ruin of a once beautiful wood. The pyrotestudines are a terrifying beast, for sure.\n\nThe figure's race isn't immediately obvious: if you don't notice the eyes from behind the helmet, you might think he's an Oriate. He doesn't carry himself like his true race at all. No, he is nothing like the barbarians most Felinids are: his stature is proud, if diminutive, and he's almost elven in his quiet confidence, bordering on arrogance.*" }, { "author": "Shank Karushi", "message": "\"Alec Azzam. Must be a nickname.\"" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*The figure reads the name on his sheet again. \"Alec Azzam\". What kind of fucking name is that? Sounds like a nutjob. Idrid... Something. He had to leave last minute, apparently. Shame. He actually sounds useful. And he's another Itchsu.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*As Oshi wandered the alleyways, he wondered what his employer meant. This seemed good. More gold. His armor had changed, from red, lacquered leather to hardened steel plate. A yeti's skull adorned his head, covered in steel so that the only openings were in the teeth, the eyes and two holes for his white horns. A stolen cloak covered his set to disguise the glint of metal, as he patiently waited for his employer.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Oshi while wandering the alleyways would come across shady looking folk, the city beggars and petty criminals and what not. They would look at Oshi with the glint of greed and envy in their eyes, but also fear. As such they would for the most part stay out of your way as you walked, but it was clear if given the chance they wouldn't mind looting some of your belongings. The question was if any of them were truly brave enough to do it.*\n\n*Just as that thought would cross your mind, Oshi's battle-hardened sense would suddenly notice movement quickly heading toward him. Just as he turned around he would see a young blonde female macen running toward him waving with a smile on her face*\n\n\"Yoo hoo! Sweetheart! I was wondering where you were! Came as quickly as I can! Hope you weren't waiting too long!\" *And she would seemingly attempt to leap at you with her arms outstretched*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*'Dirty beggars. Criminals. All of them looked like they were willing to stab him in the back, which would be a very, very bad idea. Stabbing plate armor doesn't work. Seems unlikely, especially since he cracks his knuckles at one of them.*\n\n*Huh? What was this? Normally, the employer was some robed figure that transformed from an animal. Though, this was a private job. Perhaps that's why. Still not sure about the girl's personality. He didn't do anything in reaction, deciding to just stand there as the girl jump on him.*\n\n\"So, you're the boss's employee? What's up with the change?\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*The female wraps her arms around Oshi's broad shoulders in a hug and looks up with her pretty blue eyes*\n\n\"Oh silly you, talking about work right away. Don't you know that will bore the girls away. But if you are so eager, then let's go to a more private work environment\" \n\n*She would say with a giggle pulling you into another alleyway. However the one she pulls you in has two homeless children sitting in a box. They look up to you with their begging eyes and hold out a metal tin can. The female claps her hands and then looks at you then at the two children*\n\n\"Well this is unfortunate, but I guess we're going to have to make the environment 'private' manually. At least you will get some some extra coin of it. Then we can talk\" *And then she takes a step back while motioning her hands toward the children*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*Feeling the woman's arm wrap around him was odd. He's never felt this before, so it's different. Not nice, not bad, just, different. As she pulls him into the alleyway, Oshi wonders why she is that way. Hm. Boss is probably hiring some new people.*\n\n*Well. This was unexpected. Normally, he would try to frighten the children away, but he was working right now. Had to at least behave properly. Taking out 2 gold coins, he tosses them to the two children. He remembers about getting the same amount of money by healing that one fire macen. Wonder how he's doing.*\n\n\"Here ya go. Stay safe. Don't get caught out.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*The children would look at the gold coin and their eyes would widen in surprise. They would look at the coin, then back at you, then at the coin. They would then quickly pocket the coin and quickly leave the alleyway but you can see them smiling and giggling to one another*\n\n\"He gave a gold coin, can you believe it!\"\n\n\"Must be the Jester! He must have sent his blessings to us! We can get some good food now!\"\n\n*They would converse back and forth about the so called 'Jester' and the wonderful things they were going to get with the gold coin till they get far enough and their voices are out of earshot. The female would be looking at you with a look of a surprise but also a grin*\n\n\"Why, I had assumed you were the type to scare of kill them. Personally wouldn't have minded, a given due to the work I do, but can't say I dislike softies. Who knew there was a soft side under that hard armor of yours.\" *She would say with a giggle.*\n\n\"Well onto business I suppose. Simply put, we want you to capture a competitor of the boss. Seems simple enough, but you must understand the boss actually doesn't mind competition. The reason why we are trying to catch him is because said merchant had hired a merc, much like what we are doing now, to kill some of our beloved workers. They failed of course, but one doesn't simply get to attack our group without repercussions. So what's what we are doing to day, delivering the repercussions.\"\n\n*The female would then reach into her chest area and pull out two pieces of parchment and hand it to you. On one is the portrait of a elderly man with a monocle and fine clothing and the other looks like the map of the provenance with a building circled*\n\n\"That's the target, and he's currently at that marked tavern in room 12. If you're wondering how I know, well, it's the reason why I was chosen for this job instead of the animal freak. Not many animals in this part of the city after all. So my talents were needed\" *She would say with a wink*\n\n\"He has some guards by his door and well, it's a tavern and we typically like to carry out our jobs discretely, though the only one who will really suffer is you if you make yourself known. So up to you decide how you want to carry the job out. Any questions?\"" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Have to act proper in front of an employer. Normally I would have had I been alone. I got that gold from healing someone. Hm.\"\n\n*Hm. Hadn't heard of someone attacking the boss before. Seems like an idiot. Seeing the target, he doesn't seem like a big deal. Probably isn't. Perhaps the guards will be a little more troublesome, and maybe surrounding people. That would get him caught. So, his face starts to change, gaining color in it. His white hair turns pitch black, and his eyes turn a normal brown. He takes off his helmet, revealing his new human form. Can't afford to have someone making a bounty of him.*\n\n*This woman seemed a bit too comfortable around strangers, her dialogue confirming. Wonder how others reacted to this. Sort of reminds him of that very, very powerful vampire, flirting with the other vampire. Hm. He needs to become stronger.*\n\n\"Seems like it's simple enough. What about the number of guards, or any magic users? Or are they simply ordinary mercenaries?\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "\"Oh, what a handsome face! I wouldn't mind spending the night with you!\" *She would say with glee, but then let out a sigh* \n\n\"Shame I am working right now... Anyway, there are 4 guards from what I counted, and they all seemingly can use magic and are skilled at martial combat. Not surprising since the merchant is a competitor of the boss, so he has the money to afford these kind of services. Not as much as the boss though. But shouldn't be a problem for someone of your caliber, right?\"" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"I see. Shouldn't be a problem. I'll get going.\"\n\n*Hm. Magic -and- martial combat. Seems like quite the fight. He'll have to use some new tricks he learned. He had originally planned to just beat the guards using his fists, he was fast and strong enough to do so against normal mercenaries, but judging from the woman's remarks, these were well trained.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*The female would give a wink and wave goodbye as you walk away* \n\n\"Just come back here with the merchants and or heads when you're finished! Good luck!\" \n\n*Assuming Oshi goes straight toward the tavern, he would find himself infront of the \"Braze'n'Bold Tavern\", or at least that's the name on the sign. From the outside it was clear that the tavern was bustling with life, but given the heads up provided by the messenger Oshi would notice a couple of armored individuals standing to the side of the tavern eyeing everyone, including you, in a manner that you are familiar within the mercenary world. They would particularly have their attention drawn to you and your heavy armor/weaponry, but don't seem to be taking any action*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*Interesting person. Wonder what she meant by spend the night. Whether it's simply friendly or something not PG-13 he's not sure.*\n\n*Attempting to enter the tavern, Oshi gives the armored individuals a nod. It would be best if he could get to the target first so he can use him as a hostage. Unless they're like that other mercenary, only for the money. His human eyes dart around, wary of any action.*" } ]

[ { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*As Oshi enters the tavern, he is greeted with a loud jolly voice*\n\n\"Welcome to the Brazen'n'Bold Tavern! Whatchya getting!\" \n\n*Looking down to the side Oshi would see a jolly looking red haired male Lora standing by the door looking up at you with a large smile*\n\n\"We got beer and ale, and whateve' meats you want! Or if ya lookin' to rest yer head, we got rooms also!\" \n\n*Looking around the rest of tavern, as expected from all the commotion, it was pretty crowded. But despite the large crowd, all the individuals inside seemed to be in some decent clothing or armor, and unlike those shitty taverns that the common plebian can drink watered down ale till their drunk, the drinks and food of the tavern seem to be of upstanding quality and not a single drunk can be seen. To say the least, the tavern looked like a one of those finer establishments that cost a pretty penny to eat and sleep in*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Actually, I have business with someone. Could you tell me where the rooms are? I'm planned to meet with them there.\"\n\n*Oshi's appearance was vastly different now. He looks human now, nowhere near as fearsome as an Oni. His helmet is hidden away in his stolen cloak. The only parts visible are his armor and his weapon. Looking around the room, it seems like this is quite the high life. Maybe he'll find something else to loot, though the reward and the good fight should be sufficient.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "\"Ah, a business appointment? We got plenty o' them happening right now. Mind telling me yer name as well as the one yer meeting? Will check up to make sure their ready for you and lead you right away!\" *Says the dwarf with a grin as he pulls out a book from his side and starts to flip through the pages*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Sure. My name is Tedrick, but the person I'm meeting didn't tell me their name. Apparently for security reasons. Don't see why, though, seems like there's plenty of security here. I don't believe we made an appointment though...\"\n\n*Oshi's eyes quickly dart around the room, searching for any opening leading to possibly a hallway, or perhaps a set of stairs. He hadn't expected this. Oh well. He was never the best at diplomacy.*" } ]

[ { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*The dwarf scratches his head as he looks through his notes then looks up to you and smiles*\n\n\"Seems like your business partner is a newbie or somethin', don't see your name in the expected guest list, and doesn't help you don't know his name eithe'. But that's fine, wait here and I'll go check in on them if any of them are expecting a Tedric...?\"\n\n*The dwarf lets his sentence hang, seemingly expecting Oshi to say something. As for Oshi's scanning the room, there are stairs to the left that seemingly lead up and to the far right there was a long hallway. That being said both of them seemingly had buff looking individuals watching over them, and just trying to get through the crowd would attract some attention.*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Sure. While you're here, may I know where the rooms are? I planned to book one out myself.\"\n\n*Well, shit. Best he can do right now. Thankfully, he's appearing human to everyone, so bounty's will become useless, unless they recognize him from his helmet, which is pretty unique. Now, the problem was how to get past the guards. Violence was a solution, but would be messy. Perhaps he could make commotion elsewhere, but he doesn't know how without drawing attention to himself." }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*The dwarf chuckles and motions to the stairs and hallway*\n\n\"We have 2 set of rooms, the highe' class ones are up them stairs whe'e I assume ye business partner is waiting for ye as they are large enough to accommodate large groups. But if ye are looking fo' a room simply to slumbe' in and don't really mind the less quality beds and smalle' space, the ones in the hallway would be your best bet. Which one would ye be interested in?\" *The dwarf asks as he pulls out his book and a quill*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*Perfect. This was going better than he thought. He could probably get a room right next to his target, and bypass the guards with ease. Though, getting the target out would be a problem, unless there was a window.*\n\n\"Ah, I'll take the higher class one. Training has really tired me out. I've been awake for almost 24 hours. Preferably, could I have room 11? It's a lucky number for me.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*The dwarf let's out a laugh\" \"I can understand wantin' a good sleep from a day of train'. Smart choice, ye won't regret it.\" *He would look through his notes and his smile would dampen slightly. He would look up and bow his head*\n\n\"I apologize, room 11 is already reserved. Is there perhaps a 2nd lucky number ye have? We have rooms, 3, 5, 7-10, 19, and 20 free.\"" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Ah, number 10 is fine. How much?\"\n\n*Good, good. He quickly though of a plan in his head. Get in the room, head out into room 12, possibly defeat the guards, and get in. Simple. Only problem was that there were so many people.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "\"Ah, 5 gold for the night. Can lead ye to yer room and then find yer friend so you can do yer business\" *The dwarf would say with a grin holding out his palm*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*Fuck. This mission's costing him 5 gold. He lost 2 already. If he captures the guards alive though, that'll more than make up for it. He takes 5 gold out of his pocket and places it in the hand of the dwarf.*\n\n\"Can't wait to see the room. Must be great.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*The dwarf pockets the coin and let's out a jolly laugh*\n\n\"If they weren't, I would be out of business. Follow me\"\n\n*With that the dwarf motions for you to follow him up the stairs. The two guards simply glance over and let the two of you through without any trouble. Climbing up the stairs Oshi would notice a change in the quality of wood and the increased amount of decorations by the walls. The lower portion of the tavern looked to be of good quality, but this floor was of another class altogether. The two of you would enter a hallway with 10 mahogany doors on each side, odds on the left, evens on the right. The dwarf would lead you to door with the number 10 on it and pull out a key an unlock and then hand it to you*\n\n\"Enjoy your stay. I will be back shortly once I find yer friend. Any features to help me recognize him? Perhaps the name of his business or if he perhaps has a lucky number\" *The dwarf would ask with a laugh*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*Oshi would let out a laugh as well.*\n\n\"Ah, no. All he told me was his room number, but he kept his face hidden. Don't know why. I think I will be able to find him though, thanks for the room.\"\n\n*Taking the key, Oshi would open the door to the room, enter, and close it. He wouldn't go to sleep, however, he would wait for the dwarf to return to his post.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Before you close the door, the dwarf stops you*\n\"Wait, if you know his room number, why didn't you say so you silly man? I can go check in on them to see if they are ready.\"" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Oh, he's paranoid. Said he would only meet with me, alone. Can't imagine someone being so fearful.\"\n\n*With that, hopefully he can close the door.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*The dwarf would have a very confused expression as you close the door, but he doesn't stop you. Through the door Oshi would be able to hear the dwarf muttering as he walked away from the door and down the stairs. Oshi would seemingly be alone once more. Looking over the room it would have a expansive greeting room with a fine wooden table capable of having 8 people eat at it along with fine silverware and fruit in the center. There would be a small marble fountain in the corner with a statue of a young female Triton carrying a jug of water. But all these finer accessories probably didn't mean much to Oshi as the most important thing in the room would be the fact there are windows.*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*Alright. Time to put the plan in place. Wrapping the majority of the cloak around him, hiding his weapon and helmet, he opens the door yet again once the dwarf is gone. Walking down the hall to room 12, he quickly looks to see if there's anyone at the door.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*The hall would seemingly be empty as Oshi entered it once more with his cloak. Walking over to room 12 there was no one infront of it to say the least, but he could hear the feint sound of someone talking inside, but it's hard to really make it out given how thick the mahogany door is.*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*First. Check to see if the door's actually open. Looking at the handle, he softly places his gauntlets hand on it, metal to metal. Then, he knocks on the door. It's probably locked.*\n\n\"Room service for room 12!\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*The door was infact locked, and as Oshi knocks the door, the murmuring within the door would suddenly stop. A few seconds would pass by, and Oshi would hear footsteps approaching the door and hear the door unlock before opening slightly*\n\n\"The Master does not wish for any interruptions at this time. Please come back later\" *A deep gruff voice would respond. Oshi would catch glimpse of armor and steel from the little bit of the door that has opened*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"I understand, but this is a serious situation here.\"\n\n*Quickly, he sticks his right, armored foot in the small bit of the door, kicking it if the gap isn't big enough. His right hand clenches, ready to fight when the door opens, a punch cocked and ready. His left hand swiftly brings his helmet over his head, and his human disguise disappears, exposing long, white horns protruding from a metal skull. Red eyes now glare from its sockets, and Oshi grins under the mask.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "\"What the-?!\"\n\n*Despite the figures large frame, Oshi's far superior strength would overwhelm the man and kick the door open, knocking him to the ground. Oshi has successfully breached the room and inside he would see a blonde Mogash in half-plate on the ground, a Goluth in robes and a staff sitting on a chair but was quickly getting up, a Steppe Elf in leather armor with two scimitars on his belt that he was has grabbed the handles of, and a Brayer in the very back laying on the ground in fullplate and a massive sledgehammer over his shoulder, but he simply looked surprised but not really alarmed by your entry and would leisurely get up. Currently your target is not seen, but you are only at the door way so there is still portions of the room you can't see yet, but you do hear a shout from deeper inside*\n\n\"What's the commotion?! Guards?! What's going on?!\" \n\n*The brayer lets out a snort and yells back* \"Nothing much Master, just some unwanted room service turns out to be trash! But don't worry, we're cleaning it out\"" } ]

[ { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Ah, how wrong you are.\"\n\n*With a swift motion, he draws his blade, its crimson edge glinting in the light. He slices it across the neck of the Mogash, assuming he doesn't have plate armor, and if he does, stabs him in the eye. Bringing the blade back over his head, or ripping it out, he savagely thrusts his katana at the Steppe elf, aiming for his throat. Studying his opponents, the other two are brutes, so he should be able to dodge them, unless they use magic like the woman said.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Oshi would have a series of attacks planned out, but as the female had warned, the mercs were not to be underestimated, and as Oshi attempts to slash across the Mogash' exposed throat, the Mogahs' skin would suddenly turn to steel, preventing it from being cut open.*\n\n*As Oshi would attempt to bring it for the stab to the eye the Goluth would stick his arms out by then and a barrier would suddenly appear infront of Oshi, intercepting his thrust. The barrier would also prevent him from moving any further toward the Steppe Elf though it had dimmed from the impact of his sword thrust. The elf will have pulled out his scimitars at this point and quickly rush in to drag the Mogash out of swinging distance of Oshi knowing full well the barrier won't last long. The brayer will have also gotten up and walk confidently to the front as well, protecting the Goluth behind him. He had a smug grin on his face as he looks down on you*\n\n\"Wrong? Yeah maybe. Perhaps trash was too rewarding of a title for you, more like kicking off some dirt\"" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Heh. Barriers. Those always tend to work well.\"\n\n*Kicking the barrier, Oshikuru draws his blade from the magic wall. He decides to switch to another target: The brayer. Testing him, he runs towards him, his feet poised to dodge any attacks from the heavy hammer. Getting hit wouldn't be good. Seems like the Goluth knows magic though, so he should be taken care of first.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Oshi would shatter the barrier with his kick and as he rushes forward toward the Brayer, he would take a wide swing seemingly not caring about destroying the walls while Goluth would let loose a bolt of lightning the moment Oshi dodges to catch him off guard. The Mogash would have regained his bearings at having his neck slashed and get up slowly while the Steppe elf would rush toward Oshi with his scimitars at the ready.*\n\n*Frankly speaking Oshi was clearly outnumbered and his quickness didn't seem to be enough to truly compensate for it. Worse the fight was causing a large amount of commotion that could likely be heard from across the hall. This mission was quickly taking a turn for the worse to say the least*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*Well. This wasn't going as quickly as he wanted it to be. Fuck. Quickly ducking from the centaur's swing, the heavy hammer flying over his head, he also summons a glass ward to block the electric bolt. Hearing the two get up behind him meant that he had to finish theses two quickly. Taking down one target would be good, even if only temporarily. With that, after the hammer flies over his head, and the ward blocks the bolt, he launches a vicious uppercut directly into the brayer's chin.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "```10 mana spent, 5 regained, 25/30 mana remaining.```" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Oshi would successfully block the electric bolt with his glassward, much to the Goluth's surprise, and the knockback effect would help push back the Brayer slightly, giving you enough room to counters-strike and deliver a solid uppercut to the Brayer's chin. The Brayer would jolt his head back as an instinctual reaction of having his chin hit and fall over backwards with a loud thud, slightly disoriented.*\n\n*That being said, only 1 target has been disabled, and only temporarily. The Mogash had gotten back up on his feet, and seeing the Brayer has fallen over, would rush and take a defensive stance infront of the Goluth as the Goluth shoots yet another electric bolt towards Oshi head in combination with the elf that had reached Oshi's side and is swinging their scimitars at Oshi's arms*\n\n*That being said, the commotion as expected had attracted unwanted attention and Oshi can hear various doors being opened in the hallway and various confused voices basically asking what is causing the commotion*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*Seeing the Goluth being protected yet again made him wonder if this was a coordinated team he was working with. Probably, since the elf also helped the Mogash. He summons another glass ward, blocking both the electric bolt and sending the scimitars back into the air, the elf's arms now above his head. Now he's exposed, and leather armor isn't going to cut it. His two hands grasp the handle of his katana, and slashes at the neck diagonally, hopefully, crimson spilling crimson.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Crimson spilling crimson would infact occur. The elf having its arms blown back Oshi's glass ward would not be able to react in time as he swung his katana accross the elf's throat. Blood would spray from the opening, covering Oshi's mask as the elf fell to the ground, dropping his weapons and desperately clutches his throat. His hands would then suddenly glow and the slash across the throat would start to quickly close up. Unfortunate to say the least, but al least the elf was now temporarily disarmed*\n\n*The Brayer will have regained his bearings and gotten up again. He would let out a snort and shout* \"Out of the way!\" *Before charging headfirst at Oshi with his steel tipped horns. The Goluth seeing all of its attacks were going to continue be blocked by Oshi's spell, touches the Brayer right before he charges and a bright blue aura then surrounds him, seemingly speeding him up.*\n\n*The Mogash would look at the Goluth and the Goluth would nod. The Mogash would then leave the Goluth undefended and rush over to the elf's side to guard him seeing that the elf was trying to recover from the slash across the neck.*\n\n*As for the hallway, footsteps can be heard coming toward the room and the frantic voice of the dwarf could be heard yelling* \"What's going on ove' he'e!!\"" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*Fucker. Well, he would have done the same. Seeing the Goluth undefended, he throws his sword at him, the blade spinning at his body. May not do much, but won't hurt. He can always call it back. As for the giant cow coming towards him, he ducks under the charge and places his hands on its neck and groin area and -lifts- the massive brayer off the ground, the beast's momentum carrying him through the air, and directly into the elf's face.*\n\n*On another note, he'll have to lock that door soon. Better change back into a human, which he does.*" } ]

[ { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Throwing the katana would as expected not prove to be very effective as one, swords aren't meant to be used as throwing weapons, and two the Goluth still had a staff in his hands, and a thrown sword is slow enough to be hit away by said staff. Thus, that's exactly what the Goluth does, easily smacking the katana into the wall while letting loose yet another electric ball at Oshi's chest.*\n\n*As for the Brayer charge, Oshi's attempt to use his own momentum against him would be successful to a certain extent in that he 'lifts' the brayer, but upon noticing his body being lifted, the Brayer would grab hold of Oshi's head between his legs as he was carried over Oshi's body toward the Elf. The Mogash who had run over to cover the Elf though would grab the elf and quickly pull him out of the Brayer's Horns path. The Brayer would crash into the wall, creating two hole where his horns had penetrated it, and was seemingly dazed from the impact, but wasn't letting go of Oshi's head between his legs.*\n\n*The Mogash would decide to take this opportunity to rush forward, and would reinforce his skin with steel again as he goes in for a sweeping kick at Oshi's feet*\n\n*The Elf will have his neck healed, but having no weapons, he would instead rush to the side of the room that Oshi could not see from where he was standing and yell out* \"Master, the intruder is causing more trouble than expected! Get on my back, we will escape through the window!\"\n\n\"What?! What's the point of having bodyguards if you have to run away anyway! I hired you all so I could enjoy the night here! Worthless Mercs...\"\n\n\"I understand, but this is simply to ensure you don't get caught up in the fighting. I will bring you back here once the intruder's been dealt with\"\n\n\"...Fine, not paying you any extra for this though...\"\n\n*The hallway would only be getting louder during all this chaos, and Oshi can hear footsteps that are only about 10 ft or so from entering the room*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*Well, fuck. 3 way attack. Summoning a glass ward yet again, the electric bolt is blocked by the force. The same glass ward is also close to the Brayer's legs, loosening them. He quickly grabs the Brayer's legs using his arms and lifts himself up from the sweeping kick, and kicks the Mogash square in the face. Won't do too much, but better than nothing. Using his remaining momentum from the kick, he gets back on his feet, pulls the Brayer out of the wall, and slams the large body into the Mogash. He has to get to the elf soon. Afterward, he would chase after the two, assuming that nothing stops him. If the Goluth throws something else at him, he always has another glass ward.*\n```10 mana spent, 5 mana regained, 20/30 mana remaining.```" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Perhaps Oshi was a bit too confident with his kick falling through, and while everything else with blocking the electric bolt and avoiding the sweep, as Oshi would go in for the kick the Mogash would instead block and grab Oshi's ankle and quickly raise it to prevent Oshi from having proper footing when he landed. As his leg was restrained he would be able to have the stability to turn and pull the Brayer from the wall and at the Mogash and would instead have difficult even standing as the Mogash had his foot as leverage to throw him off balance. But Mogash would not stop there, he would raise his elbow and attempt to slam it against Oshi's knee cap.*\n\n*The Brayer however, even without Oshi's help, would pull his horns out of the wall. Seeing that Oshi's was semi-restrained, he quickly pull back his hooves and thrust toward the back of Oshi's head.*\n\n*The Goluth is visibly frustrated that all his spells have been blocked, but would continue to shoot yet another electric bolt at Oshi, seeming wanting to make this a battle of mana, but this time at an angle to the side of stationary leg such that even if Oshi were to block it the pushback wouldn't hit either the Mogash or Brayer*\n\n*The Elf would then return back to Oshi's field of vision, and on his back was a man with the same face as that of the target. The Elf would kick the window open, shattering it, and start to tie some rope around the stone fountain in the corner and tossing the other end out the window. Seems like he is preparing to climb down*\n\n*The footsteps in the hallway would stop infront of the door, the dwarf's voice can be heard*\n\n\"What's going on in there! You are causing too much of a commotion! I'm coming in!!\" *He would shout, and the door would start to open*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*Good thing I know Jiu-Jitsu. As the Mogash raises his elbow, Oshikuru's hand suddenly crackles with lightning, and grabs the Mogash's wrist, rendering it useless. At the same time, his other hand grabs the Mogash's throat, and his left leg drops under him, in such that Oshi's body gets below his opponent. Using the momentum generated by the drop, he throws the Mogash over him, launching him into both the kick and the lightning bolt in one swift motion.*\n\n*Fuck, the door's opening. No time to lose now. Assuming that he's free after the Mogash is thrown, or he recalls his weapon, the blade flying towards him, and runs towards the window. If the Mogash doesn't let go, he pries his leg out and then chases after the elf with his sword.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*The electricity would course through the Mogash' arm, and as expected the arm go numb. The Mogash would wince in pain, but thanks to his heritage it doesn't seem as effective as one might expect. That being said, it seemed the Mogash had the same exact idea as Oshi that he was going to combo the knee break with, as the arm that was holding his leg cackles with electricity and paralyzes it as well as electricity courses through it. The Mogash would be surprised as Oshi grabs his neck, but he would immediately twist his hip, take a step back, and bend his knees to prevent Oshi's leg from going under him and lower his center of gravity to help maintain his footing, preventing him from being flipped over.*\n\n*At the very least Oshi would avoid the electric bolt to his remaining leg, and the twisting and the step back of the Mogash would pull Oshi out of the Brayer's kick, but they wouldn't let up with their assault. The Brayer would go in for another kick toward Oshi's back and the Goluth seeing the Elf about to leave with the Master would create a barrier to block Oshi from running toward them should he find a way to break free. This unfortunately would also prevent his sword from returning to his hand as there would no longer be a clear path to get to him. Also unfortunate for Oshi, the Mogash seemed to have a pretty strong grip, and would not be able to pull his leg free from his grasp*\n\n*The door would also open and as expected, the dwarf would enter and his eyes would look in surprise and then anger*\n\n\"What in the Arcane Gates is this! What's with all this damage! What's with this fighting! I demand you all size this at once, else I will call the guards!\"" } ]

[ { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*Welp. This isn't good. At least his horns aren't showing, and his back is to the door. For some reason, the Mogash also stunned his leg. Ouch. Seeing the barrier, he knows that this is going to be close. Steppe elves were fast. Thankfully, maybe he would be burdened by the master, though he seemed light.*\n\n*Fucking hell. Why did this Mogash have to try so hard? Oh well, he can only do one thing now, since flipping him over isn't an option. Fortunately, the Mogash taking a low stance means his groin is open. His hand crackling with electricity, he lets go of the Mogash's arm and slams his fist into his enemy's groin. Using his fist at the groin and hand on the neck, he throws the Mogash over his head. Does Oshi lose his own balance? Yes. Does he get flipped on his back? Yes. Does he send the Mogash into the Brayer's kick? Hopefully.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*The Mogash is caught off-guard by the sudden groin grab and would let out a grunt of pain as Oshi flips him over, straight into the Minotaur's kick, caving in the Mogash's half-plate, but before impact the Mogash reactivated steelskin once more, dampening the blow so it only knocks the wind out of him. However the Mogash would at least let go of Oshi finally as he has a coughing fit.*\n\n*The Brayer though is upset at having his kick blocked, and that Oshi used his team mate to do so. Thus like an angry bull, the Brayer would take a leap and attempt to body slam Oshi into the ground, not caring about the dwarf's warning.*\n\n*The Elf will have finished the preparations to climb down the window, and would start to climb down the window with the target on his back, quickly leaving Oshi's field of vision*\n\n*The Goluth wouldn't be able to do anything as the barrier that was summoned to prevent Oshi from reaching the merchant was also preventing him from interfering with Oshi. However, the katana was still on his side of the barrier, so the Goluth would pick it up and seemingly attempt to break it over his knee, slowly bending the metal.*\n\n*The Dwarf is clearly upset at how basically everyone in the room ignored, and would thus follow through on his promise. Taking a deep a breath, his chest would expand like that of a balloon before yelling at the top of his lungs* \"**GUARDS!!!!!!**\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "```10 mana spent, 5 mana regained, 15/30 mana remaining.```" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*Well, Mogash is temporarily taken care of. Unfortunately, he still has two others to deal with. Hearing the large cow charge towards him, he quickly sidesteps and performs an electric, sweeping kick at the Brayer's leg. He then lunges towards the barrier and launches two punches on it. No one's breaking his sword.*\n\n*As for the guards, who gives a fuck? They'll restrain the cow, and he can escape through the window. He needs to catch up to the elf though.*\n\n```10 mana spent, 5 mana remaining.```" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*The Brayer would receive the kick to the neck and have electricity course through his body as he slams down into the ground, shattering the wooden planks. Once more, he would seemingly be stunned for the moment from the impact. The Mogash would've regained his breath though and start to slowly get up, but not fast enough to impede you run. The Goluth on the other hand seeing Oshi break the barrier would continue to press down on the blade even harder and the metal can clearly be seen to be deformed, almost at the breaking point. The Goluth would look to Oshi and shout*\n\n\"Stop! If you take one more step, I will split your weapon in half!\"\n\n*From the hallway a large multitude of heavy footsteps can be heard running up the stairs. Any individual with some sort of intellect could likely figure out who they were given the Dwarf's shout just a moment earlier*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*Oh well. It was about time that he replaced his weapon. Stepping in to approach the Goluth, he prepares for the shattering of his sword, but not before he launches a quick jab followed by a mean right hook. Oh boy. Picking up the 2 pieces of his weapon, his quickly runs to the rope the elf is climbing down, and quickly slides down the rope, basically falling while using the rope as a guide, and aims his feet towards the elf's head.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*The Goluth would panic and break the katana and attempt to use the broken pieces to fend off Oshi, but he was too slow as he received a solid right hook the face, knocking him onto the ground. As Oshi would rush toward the window a group of armed guards would rush into the room and yell out* \n\n\"Halt! In the name of the law, you are under arrest!!\"\n\n*But of course Oshi wouldn't listen now would he? He would leap out the window, but there would no elf on the bottom to slide onto. The elf could be see in the distance already running away with the target on his back, 30 ft or so ahead. By the time Oshi would hit the ground they would 40 ft ahead. Oshi would be hard pressed to catch up given Steppe elves were fast, and this one seemed especially so. The onlookers on the street would look at the two of you in confusion in fear, but otherwise keeping their distance*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*Oh fuck. He immediately starts to sprint after the elf, his feet flying, especially because of that handy racial trait. He can only hope that he's faster than this elf, otherwise he's fucked.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "```Also forgot regen. 10/30 mana remaining.```" } ]

[ { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Oshi would attempt to sprint toward the elf but would find that he wasn't getting any closer. Unfortunate that he had no ranged options. Was this going to be a battle of stamina? If so things might not turn out well for Oshi seeing how the elf had barely exhausted himself in the combat. All Oshi can hope is for the Steppe elf would trip or collide with someone as the elf continued to run through the crowd. The only silver lining was that they were still within his sights and will continue to remain in it so long as he can maintain his running pace*\n\n*This job had become very messy to say the least. Not only had Oshi failed to kill any of the guards, the target may also escape. Was the girl setting him up for failure? She was different from the robed man after all, and his jobs at least seemed more reasonable/tolerable. Should he cut his losses, or should he continue running through the streets, exposing his armor and perhaps risking an encounter with any of the city's guards?*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*Fuck. Hopefully this guy trips. All he can do now is keep up with this guy. Although, taking off his helmet would help, so he does. Why? So people can see that he's human, while he's really not. His armor is basic, the same as normal plate, so no one can't identify him by that. His helmet, though, is unique, so he takes it off, letting loose his now short, black hair.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "```5 mana regained, 15/30 mana remaining```" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*It's good 1 minute chase between Oshi and the Elf, involving a multitude of crowd maneuvering and alleyway sprints, till eventually the Elf passes through a pair of patrolling guards and yells out*\n\n\"Help! The armored man chasing me is trying to kill me! Save me!\"\n\n*The guards would be caught offguard by this sudden outburst, but hearing the panic in the elf's voice, they would quickly look behind him and see you running toward the elf. They would pull out their spears and take a defensive stance, blocking the path between you and the elf, and shout*\n\n\"Halt! Seize your chasing! You as well elf! We will be taking you two to the guard post to sort this out properly\" \n\n*The elf would hesitate for a moment, but would stop in his tracks, seemingly choosing to obey the law enforcement. The question is will Oshi do the same, or will he take 'advantage' of this opportunity?*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*Well, perfect. The elf stopped. He throws his helmet, crackling with electricity at the left guard, the metallic skull flying through the air. He's going to miss that, unless he can catch the target here. He grabs the spear of the right guard with his right hand, and pulls him in and stabs him in the neck using the broken sword. This guy better not have steel skin.*\n```10 mana spent, 5 mana remaining.```" } ]

[ { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*Ohh, this felt good! Feeling the broken blade sink into the man's neck, crimson rivers flowing down. Humans. So interesting. Hearing the other one cry out for his comrade, Oshikuru unsheathes his broken weapon from the man's neck, brings it up, and the spear with it in a block, then stabs his neck too. The boss needs to have him kill more people, not capture them.*\n\n*Seeing the elf run away, he readies thr spear he grabbed from the guard, and throws it with all his strength, the projectile sparking in the air. Like Zeus! But far less powerful. Speaking of where it's aimed at, it's going for the elf's legs He picks up his helmet and runs back after the elf. He's what, 20, 25 feet away now?*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*The poor 2nd guard doesn't stand much of a chance against Oshi's superior speed and strength, meeting the same fate as the comrade he tried to avenge, clutching his throat in a desperate act of saving his life to no avail. Blood sprays from his throat as the pressure slowly dies down from his failing heart, till eventually it becomes no more than a trickle as he falls to the ground, dead. Now that the two meat shields have been dealt with, it was time to return to the main hunt*\n\n*In a resourceful manner, Oshi throwing the dead guards' spear will be the solution to end this meaningless chase, as the spear impales the unsuspecting elf's leg, sending electricity throughout it. The elf would attempt to toss the target, to the side as he fell forward and scraped his knees and elbows across the pavement. The elf would curse under his breath, and he attempts to quickly pull out of the spear out of his leg while touching wound with other arm that was glowing from magic. The merchant/target on the other hand would be slightly dazed from the sudden toss, laying on the ground with his fancy clothes covered in filth from the street*\n\n\"Wha-why am I on the ground?...\" *He would mutter trying to gather his bearings* \n\n\"I've been hit. This might be the end for me, so run quickly! Don't let my death be in vain!\" *The elf would yell at the merchant, urging him to escape*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*After the elf finishes speaking, a large crack can be heard as Oshikuru punches the elf's back, right in the center. Maybe he'll live, but he's not moving for a while. As for the target, he grabs him, and quickly runs back towards the pickup point. Fucking elves.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*The elf would receive Oshi's heavy blow and cough up blood a loud snap could be heard. The elf would then foam from the mouth and lay on the ground, limp. Looks like the elf has finally been dealt with, and not wasting a single second, Oshi would be able to easily grab the target and run toward the pickup point. The merchant will have snapped out of his daze by this point though and would be struggling against Oshi's grasp, clawing at his eyes, kicking his back, spitting at him, anything to break free*\n\n\"Let me go! Do you know who I am?! Who sent you?! I swear, you will regret handling me this way!!\"" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*Moving his face out of the way of the man's clawing, he grabs his shoulder, strong and hard.* \n\n\"Shut up, don't resist, and I won't cripple your shoulder. It's going to hurt. A lot. And just so you know, I don't give a damn who you are, especially if you can't fight. And your protection is gone. You have no chance. So might as well shut up and deal with it!\"\n\n*This fucker. He thinks he can try to get away? How stupid. Oh well. He just continues running to the point.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*The man's face would go pale at the mention of his crippling his shoulder and would stop resisting. Instead he would nervously smile and rub his hands together*\n\n\"You're a merc right? I'm a fairly wealthy merchant you know. Clearly you are stronger than the 4 useless ones I hired. So what do you say, let me go, and in return I pay you whatever I was paying them. Work for me instead\"" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"No can do. Should have hired stronger mercenaries. They all got beat up my a Macen. How pathetic.\"\n\n*Ah. Oshi's not that smart, and he knows it, but he's not an idiot. He knows what the boss is capable of, after killing the mercenary that he was unable to beat. He could have now, but he was weaker back then. He's not going to risk betraying the boss for gold. Those guys probably weren't even paid that much. So he just keeps running, looking like a Macen.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*The Merchant would be slightly confused at your mention of macen and then point to the horns sticking out of Oshi's forehead*\n\n\"Uh, aren't you an Oni? Or did you forget you had those sticking out? Not that it matters, if you want me to call you a macen then by all means I will do so! Just please consider my offer. How much are they paying you? I can pay double, no triple! I won't even press charges for all the chaos you caused, and even help handwave the fact that you killed kingdom guards! I have a good amount of influence you know! Don't let this chance slip through your fingers!\" *The Merchant would plead with Oshi, with desperation in his eyes*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*Oshi would laugh at the remark.*\n\n\"Ah, very attentive! Perhaps I am an Oni. As for your wily words, I'm not easily swayed. And I don't even care about the guards! They're weak. Now, your being delivered, whether you like it or not.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*The merchant looks defeated by your statement and simply stares at the ground*\n\n\"So this is how I'm going to meet my end huh... So many people I owe favors to and so many others that owe favors to me. Won't be able to payback or receive them now.. To think I would have this many regrets left in life...\"\n\n*With that he would remain silent for the rest of your run. Eventually Oshi would find the alleyway and just like he had left, he would see the female leaning against the wall with a grin on her face*\n\n\"Ah, you brought the target! Nice, expected nothing less of you! Got any other heads to bring?\"" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Unfortunately, no. Unless you count the city guards. I can bring back the elf, though, if you want. Doubt he'll be moving soon, and I can bait him in. He seemed focused on saving this guy.\"\n\n*Oshi then hands the man over to the woman, and places his helmet over his head. His horns once again breach his helmet, sticking out of the two holes in the metal skull.*\n\n\"So, want me to get the elf?\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*The merchant would look at the woman as he is handed over with a look of surprise that quickly turns into anger* \n\n\"Y-You?! I see, so that's what happened. You set me up you bit-\" *But before he could finish the sentence,the female would swiftly strike the man's neck, seemingly a pressure point, causing the man to fall unconscious. She would pull out a piece of rope from her purse and start to tie the merchant up while tilting her head slightly to speak to you* \n\n\"Killed some city guards? Well then, looks like the job got rather messy then. Would rather leave than risk getting caught up in it. The boss only cares about the target anyway. Though, if you think you can get the elf here without much trouble, go ahead, but I got my own pretty face to look after, so no guarantee that I will still be here if I feel it's unsafe. Here's the pay for the target though, knew I could count on you to do that at least\" *She would say with a wink.\n\n*As she finishes tying up the merchant, she would toss over a pouch towards Oshi. Looking inside would be 800 silver pieces, just as promised*\n\n\"So you leaving, or going back out to hunt? Don't want to stick around if I don't have to. Got other things to do than wait around in a filthy alleyway\" *She would say as she eyed the walls of the alleyway with disgust*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Yeah. Got quite messy. Even sacrificed my weapon to get this guy here.\"\n\n*Oshi takes the gold. It basically gave him one gold after work. Yay. He'll need to work some more, aka bring back the elf. Hopefully it gives him 3 or 6 more, depending on if he lives.*\n\n\"I'm going to try to bring the elf back. He counts, hopefully. If you're not here, then I can always use him as a punching bag.\"\n\n*With that, he leaves and tries to find the elf.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*The female would let out a sigh, clearly disappointed that she had to say in the alleyway for a bit longer*\n\n\"Well, I sure hope you know better than to keep a lady waiting. I wish you good luck, you'll need it\"\n\n*She would lean against the wall once more and wave you goodbye as you head back toward the main streets. As you enter them, you notice it is a lot less crowded than usual. Not a huge surprised considering most people stayed away while you were running, knowing better than to stay near someone carrying a broken bloody sword and someone in their arms. But one would expect after heading back into the alleyways, the streets would refill as his presence was no longer there.*\n\n*That was clearly not the case given the current lack of civilians, and instead Oshi would notice an increased number of armored individuals walking across around. No, walking would be too lax of a word, Oshi as a merc would be able to tell they were patrolling, looking around for someone or something, their arms tense and fingers wrapped firmly around their weapons. One could assume this is the city's response to his murdering, meaning it would be difficult to reach the elf from where he was currently. At least none of the guards had noticed him yet, and perhaps they won't even recognize him. But is that a gamble he is willing to take to reach the elf?*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*Oop. That was a lot of guards. There's no way he's getting the elf without a fight from them. One or two, he should be able to take, but there seemed to be too many to handle. So, he would place his helmet back on his head, and leave the area and head back to where the woman was.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Returning back to the the alleyway the woman would be surprised, but then let out a small chuckle*\n\n\"Back so soon huh? Guess it's messier than expected. Appreciate you coming back like a proper gentleman. Would've been pretty upset if you left a fine woman like me hanging right after I asked you not to. Well, see you later then, unless you need anything?\"" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Definitely. You have no idea how many guards there are. They're all on edge after two of them were killed. Just so you know, the mercenaries are mostly alive. Not sure about the elf, but most likely the others. In case of a future job, the boss can just send another letter. I'll see you then.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*The woman blows you a kiss and a wink before walking deeper into the alleyway, dragging the tied up merchant behind her till eventually disappearing from sight. Oshi would be able to leave the province with very little difficulty as the guards hadn't gone into the alleyways yet.*\n\n__***QUEST COMPLETE***__\n3 pp rewarded\nBounty for human/oni form" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*Seeing the woman leave, he would give her a wave. Perhaps this would mean more jobs to the future. He would then leave and try to find a good blacksmith.*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "It was still night time out when Arthur had exited the forest, riding out on a magnificent air strider he managed to gain control of after his battle with the New Sunlight bounty hunters. Strapped onto the beast's back was a large bag filled with all of the items he managed to salvage from the corpses of the einerfin and the archer respectively, finding the bag inside a closet in the cabin he had fought in just hours ago. The man that had thrown that sort of poison at him would seem to have fled the area before Arthur was able to track him down, along with the water macen mage he failed to kill. Well, he did want to kill her as penance for trying to attack him, but at the same time wanted to use her to gather some information that he wanted to acquire about the whereabouts and well-being of his former party members, Mevis and Hitoshi. Even if they weren't as high on the ranking pyramid as he imagined them to be, seeing that they both had managed to raise their rank to squires in such a short amount of time, Arthur imagined that talks about the two would have been abundant, seeing that rising from the very bottom rank to the rank of a squire as quickly as they did would have been unheard of; at least, in his opinion. Maybe they were even higher right now - it had been a good while since he last peered into their affairs with New Sunlight.\n\nHowever, he wasn't as interested with their actions within the guild as he was their own well being. Deep down, he still saw the two of them as his dear friends, occasionally reminiscing on the times they had all spent together. That one mission where they had to subdue a couple of barbarians as a team? Easily taken care of. Hell, if they were both here to back him up against those bounty hunters, it would have exponentially easier than dealing with all three of them alone. Although they all based their styles around close combat, if he remembered correctly. Three fighters were better accustomed to taking on three opponents at once rather than having one single person go, outnumbered, against a small group of enemies.He really did want to go on more adventures with the two of them some time, but he knew as the current circumstances stood, there wouldn't be a chance to. He was a wanted criminal with an insanely high bounty, and with this recent outing, it was bound to get even higher. Mevis and Hitoshi? They were his exact opposite. They worked for the 'good guys.' It was only common sense that both parties wouldn't be able to reconcile peacefully - at least, not for a long time. The brief instances where he had met the two of them seemed to have weakened their social bonds rather than strengthen them.\n\nWith Mevis, when they had both coincidentally happened upon each other when they were assigned to eradicate a cave of undead, they hadn't exactly been on the most friendly of terms. Arthur had left the scene as soon as he had received his pay from his employer, leaving Mevis in the dust. Looking back on it, that probably wasn't the best thing to do, was it? Mentally, he gave himself a hard slap for acting like such a dickhead towards him. He wanted to reconcile with the two, didn't he? So why did he act like such a complete asshole during one of the only times he would probably ever see his former friend again? Perhaps it was something going on in his mind that caused such a lapse in behavior, or perhaps his thoughts were on something else that day. He didn't know, but what he did know, or what he imagined he knew, was that he had given Mevis even more incentive to try and bring him to the authorities for judgement - the last thing he had wanted to do.\n\nWith Hitoshi, he recalled the two of them having a somber conversation in a dark alleyway the last time he had visited New Salvainia. She talked about how she didn't want Arthur going down 'her path', which was something he had yet to fully understand what she meant even to this day. However, he could infer on the meaning behind the words that she uttered that day. It was obvious that she had done something in the past that she was duly ashamed of, something that she yearned to erase from the depths of her memories. That much was easy to guess on, however, he had yet to discover 'what' she had done. It had to be something huge, otherwise it wouldn't have affected Hitoshi as much as it seemed to. He still had no idea on what exactly that could have been, but he didn't really want to find out. Arthur felt that would be being too intrusive, especially if it was something that traumatized her as much as it did. When they had departed that evening, he was painfully oblivious to Hitoshi's newfound desire to bring him to justice, something that Mevis and herself had both resolved to do. When he saw them as friends whom he couldn't be with due to circumstances outside of his control, they saw him as a soul who strayed onto the wrong path; someone who needed to be apprehended. Perhaps he needed to be taken under control for the greater good, but the last thing he wanted to do for the next couple of hundred years was spend his life wasting away in a cold, dull cell. It was quite ironic - he had become wanted due to breaking someone out of a cell, and it was likely that he would spend the next portion of his life in a room exactly like the one he had broken to let someone else free.\n\nHe walked out of the forest, taking a good look at the clear sky above him. For the first time in a while, he would feel a bit... Exhausted. Maybe it was due to the bounty hunters coming after him directly after he had came back from a mission from the Boss once more, or maybe it was due to the fact that he hadn't found enough time to sleep yet. Though, he found that hadn't really been needing sleep due to his turning into a vampire - rather, he found that he thrived more in the night than he did in the day, which was an obvious given. If he exposed himself to the sun for an extended amount of time, he would die due to the exposure. He'd probably burn until nothing remained of him but ashes, a fate which was ironic because he had dished out pain to most of his enemies in the same manner. His mind would drift from one thought to another, consisting of numerous \"What should I do now?\" Type questions, which came up with even more answers, most of which would be tossed into an invisible trash bin inside of his mind; a bin where all ridiculous and unfeasible thoughts were thrown into. For now, however, he needed to find a place where he could sell all of the items he had acquired. Obviously he couldn't re enter New Salvainia - the last time he attempted to, he only was able to enter because he was alone, and also had nothing weighing him down. He had entered from one of the side walls, through one of the smaller, poorer districts in the city. If he tried to do the same this time, which would be quite impossible, he would have to find a place to anchor his Air Strider, handle how to transport all of his items from one side of the wall to another, all the while not making any noise as to alert the government officials. New Salvainia was crossed out of the list of possibilities to sell his stuff.\n\nArthur would ride out on his newly acquired air strider, walking on a road. There wasn't any activity for as far as he could see; just himself, following a road that led to nowhere. Well, nowhere he knew, anyway. He sat comfortably on his air strider, patting down the soft plumage of it's feathers. Now that it wasn't actively trying to kill him, he really did admire the mount's beauty and awe-inspiring demeanor. The feathers were vibrant in color, ranging from a bright red to a deep purple, a shade of yellow that reminded him of a honeycomb and a hint of blue that reminded him dearly of the sky by daylight. He always found himself attracted to animals; this beast was no different. Arthur knew that this variation of strider was different from others, although he hadn't really seen any others in person. He had only seen illustrations in the constantly updating encyclopedia of beasts, and those all seemed to have a constant coloring of buttery yellow. This one, however, was completely different - it had a much brighter yellow that took up the majority of its body. The wings, which were currently folded in, hosted all the aforementioned colors from before. When they spread, they would surely just radiate a sense of majesty and power just from the sight alone, however he hadn't the pleasure of seeing that yet. Besides, however powerful and beautiful the animal was, he couldn't keep it. It would be a bother to him to maintain, and also would make his going-and-comings incredibly more inconspicuous. If he were to ride around on this creature, he wouldn't be able to transport himself as hidden as he wanted to. Up until now, even, he managed to transverse the various areas by himself without any assistance, including the time he hadn't turned into a vampire. He'd have to sell it, as much as he didn't really want to.\n\nSome time later, he would happen himself on a small, sleepy town. It was dimly lit, seeing that it was still late in the night. He pulled out his father's timepiece, checking what hour it was. According to the instrument, it was around 1:02 AM. Unless there were still people running businesses until that time, there would be no point in trying to sell his loot at an armory in the town - the only businesses he knew that would stay up extremely late were taverns and blacksmithing smithys. Wait... Blacksmiths. He could sell his stuff there! Well, if there were any still awake at this dark hour. Arthur didn't really see any other alternative either, and he really didn't want to stay on the road longer than he'd have to. Although sleep wasn't necessary for his survival, it was always nice to pass the time by drifting off into the empty blackness of your own mind, was it not? He rode into the village, not sensing any sign of life throughout. However, there was one store in particular that caught his eye - the main reason he had come to the town in the first place. It was a blacksmith's smithy, and from the entrance, he could hear the faint panging of metal on metal, meaning that he was still awake at this time. He walked into the store, hoping to sell his wares, and after a few moments of haggling, he exited the store, now 13 gold richer and around 50 lbs lighter. Now, the only thing that was still encumbering him was the possession of the air strider. He needed to find a place to sell it, didn't he?\n\nHe exited the town, going back on the road. To his front, the road that led into the town was laid out before him, but to his left, another road leading past a great forest was also presented. There was no point in going back the way he came, was there? He led his air strider down the path to the left, walking a long time without any sort of disturbance. The stillness of the night air, combined with the occasional interjections of wild animals in the distance, would become an odd aesthetic he found himself to like to listen to. The hooting of owls, the sharp, piercing howls of wolves in the distance, along with the chirping of the night's animals would all combine to create a wild symphony which he found himself intently listening to. It was combined with the occasional gust of wind, blowing across the leaves, combined with the scratching of the air strider's feet against the ground. This went on for minutes; no, hours, perhaps even days, before he snapped back to reality by the loud, deep 'clopping' noise of a horse's hooves hitting the ground. This was soon followed by the gritting noise of wheels rolling along the floor, along with the jumbling noise of various wares in the back. He opened his eyes, which would reveal a large caravan with various wares inside, pulled by two stout looking steeds at the front. There was a merchant at the forefront, a lantern illuminating his face, and the two exchanged hand waves of greetings before continuing on their separate journeys. Arthur would continue on into the night, not coming across anything else of notice until much, much later.\n\nAbout an hour had passed since he had sold the items to the blacksmith, and in Arthur's sight, there would be a large tent set up way in the distance, lit up with oil lanterns and magical lights. He made his way towards the tent at an increased pace, curious as to what lay inside. Was it a traveling circus? Or was it a stable? If it was any one of the two, he could probably sell the air strider there for cash. However, it seemed to lean more towards the latter rather than the former as he got closer, being able to notice fence posts bordering the back of the tent. Once he got near the entrance of the tent, he would be able to hear the quiet braying of animals at the front of the property. There seemed to be people inside of it, so he tied the strider to a post near the front, entering the structure. He exchanged words with someone at the front desk, who explained that, conveniently, this was a temporary market suited for selling magical beasts. They talked amongst each other, eventually striking up a deal to sell the air strider for 35 gold. However, due to some haggling, Arthur managed to sell the mount for an extra 15 gold, bringing the price up to 50 gold. Once they shook hands and the deal was done, Arthur brought his air strider inside the tent, the person at the front handing him a bag of gold. He made sure there was 50 gold inside the bag as the buyer sized the air strider up and down, exclaiming on what a 'magnificent specimen' this was. They finished checking out each other's goods, and Arthur finally left the building, 50 more gold in his coin pouch. He'd finished. He had sold all that he needed to do, and there wasn't really anything else to do in the night that was of utmost importance.\n\nDeciding that he'd spend the rest of the night sleeping, he walked a ways off from the beast market, settling down in a forest where he knew the sun wouldn't reach his skin when he awoke. He settled down on a soft patch of grass, changing from his human form into his fox form. It was much easier to sleep as a fox in the wilderness, after all, considering that he didn't have any proper bedware to tuck into. Beforehand, he would strip himself of his armor, putting them all piece by piece next to him, along with his bag of gold that he had yet to sell. He would lean them all against a fallen, dead log that was behind him, hoping to god that some scoundrel wouldn't try and steal his property while asleep. He curled himself up until he reached a position which was more or less comfortable for sleeping, letting his fur take in the dew that was laid onto the ground. His body would slowly shift into the perfect balance between hot and cold, and he eventually went to sleep.\n\n...\n\nIt was morning. He could tell because the instant a small ray of sun hit his cheek while in fox form, he felt a sharp, piercing pang of pain as he instantly jolted awake. Still in his fox form, he sprang up onto all fours, instinctively analyzing his surroundings as if he found himself in a fight. His peaceful silence quickly contorted into a loud yelp, and began to growl, turning his head back and forth, thinking there was something nearby that had tried to hurt him while he slept. He realized, however, that there was nothing that seemed to pose any threat to him; rather, he would fit in quite well with the forest background. The hooting of the owls were replaced with the high-pitched chirping of songbirds and sparrows, the wolves howling substituted with the soft, gentle whispering of the waving leaves swaying within the wind. He relaxed, realizing that the night had gone by peacefully, meaning that what had caused him that momentary bit of agony was just the sun. Well, at least now he knew that the sun would still damage his skin while he was transformed into a fox; that was something to take note of. He would make sure to find a better spot to sleep in next time, a spot that would completely block out any possibility of the sun's rays seeping through. His eyes snapped back to the fallen log, as he realized that if it were hollow he could have slept in there the previous night, but his expectations betrayed him as he circled to the back end of the log, noticing the lack of a hole within the fallen trunk. That was good - if he found a hole there, he would probably have smacked himself in the head, cursing his own stupidity. He would make his way back to the front of the log, taking in a final breath of the air as he closed his eyes before transforming back into a human.\n\nWhen he finished his transformation, however, he would feel that his chest was especially heavy. Quite heavier than usual, actually. Did he have something stuck on there? Eh, it didn't really matter, did it? He'd just scrape it right off. Stretching a bit before he opened his eyes, he would look towards his armor as he brushed his right arm across his chest, a gesture with the intent to brush excess any sort of excess mass off. Instead, what he found was... A sort of odd, springy texture as he tried to forcefully remove... Whatever it was on his chest. Growing increasingly annoyed at whatever was stuck onto his chest, he dug his nails into one of the two bulbous entities that had grown on, attempting to rip it off. This would lead to him feeling excruciating pain, and because of this, he finally looked down to try and get a glimpse of what had managed to stick itself on.\n\n... \n\nNo, he had to be mistaken. \n\n...\n\nNO, HE HAD TO BE MISTAKEN.\n\nWhen he looked down at his chest... He saw BREASTS. And... They looked real. He inhaled and exhaled, opening and closing his eyes as he did so. He reasoned that he was still asleep, and he was only dreaming that he had, somehow, turned into a woman. Yes, that had to be right. Right? Right. He opened his eyes once more, and looked down. They were still there. And when he realized that this was reality, when he realized that he wasn't asleep, when he knew that he wasn't dreaming, and when he figured out that everything that was happening was indeed, happening. He squeezed them, trying to realize if they were... Like... Real breasts. After all, the only sort of real exposure he's ever had to the opposite gender were with his mother, and Ylisse, the captain of the guard from when he lived in his family's house. Were these... What actual breasts looked like? His pale face turned completely beet red once he realized, and then opened his mouth to scream. \n\n\"WHAT TH-\"\n\nHe covered his mouth. The voice that escaped was not his. His voice, even by his own standards, was higher than most adult men at his age - he sounded about 2 years younger than he actually was. However, this was completely different. It was way higher, even when he compared it to his own. It was the voice of a GIRL. Had... Had he swapped bodies in his sleep? He remembered a story that went along something like that, but he had literally no one to even swap it with. Besides, if he swapped bodies, then he'd be somewhere else entirely, wouldn't he? He was growing increasingly embarrassed for no particular reason as time went on. There was no one around, no one to witness his form, so why did he feel so... Flustered? He wanted to pound his head against the log behind him. Was he hallucinating? Most likely not, because he hadn't done anything to warrant such a disaster. He wanted to hide. He wanted to just shrink until he was barely visible to... Literally anything, really.\n\nHe dashed behind the log, crouching and bringing his head into his abdomen, and saw... An absence. An absence of something important, more important than his life, more important than his 200-gold-or-so bounty; it was more crucial to his health than a sword in his hand, more prideful to him than his magical abilities and prowess. He... He lost his ***Penis.*** He was horrified at the space that was present where his rod previously occupied, and suddenly it all hit him at once: The sudden increase of weight on his chest, his voice being exponentially higher than he recognized. The absence of his penis, as well as his hair seeming to have grown way longer than he remembered, which he just realized as it swept across his crouched legs. No, wait - not 'his.' ***'her.'*** He... Somehow, he transformed into a woman. He didn't know how, he didn't know why, he knew when but didn't want to acknowledge it, and he didn't know how to feel about this entire ordeal. He... He was a girl. A GIRL. He stood up, breathing in calmly between his nose, exhaling through his mouth. He turned around, facing the log, his usually pale face turning tomato red. He raised his fist, and punched it with full force into the trunk of the fallen tree. It hurt, but he recognized that the pain was real. This entire schtick - it finally dawned on him that it was reality. It dawned on him that he changed. Changed into... A girl. His - No, her - fist, when he looked at it, was bleeding slightly, and had scrapes of tree bark stuck onto it. She screamed internally, a mixture of disbelief and grief enveloping his mind. She rolled onto the ground in a panic for a while, becoming covered in wet dew, before stopping.\n\nShe would then lay down on the ground for a while, staring up at the fragments of sky that were visible through the leaves. Exasperated, Arthur would stay there for a long time, wondering if this was penance for his actions against the government, and if the gods were punishing his criminal acts. After all, the government thus far proved incapable of catching him. New Sunlight couldn't do it, so did the gods just... Just decide that they would punish her themselves? She lied down, beginning to accept her fate in disbelief. If it was what happened, then what happened can't be changed - she would have to just come to terms with her new body. Although she wouldn't fucking like it. Lying down on the forest floor for a while, she would eventually stand up, walking back towards the log where her armor, sword, and backpack leaned on. Because of her punch from earlier, they had all fallen over onto the ground as Arthur looked down on her items in grief. Sighing to herself, she would put on her clothes, then her armor, then her sword, still sheathed within its scabbard. The chest area felt much more constricted than usual, and was really uncomfortable compared to how it SHOULD feel. The gauntlets and leg armor still was relatively fine, though she still had to adjust their positioning slightly before it was tolerable. Clenching her hand in a fist, then eventually releasing the grasp, she would take a cloak out of her bag, draping it over her head. Putting her backpack on, which was still heavy with the gold ore, she would furiously walk out of the forest, and in a bout of fury, set a tree on fire. She hated this feeling. She wanted to go back - wanted to return to her original state as a man. However, the only thing she could do now is hope a miracle is bestowed upon her, since she hadn't had a clue on how this change had even happened in the first place.\n\n...\n\nIt was a beautiful day." } ]

[ { "author": "Ardon Surfist", "message": "\"Yeah Mister its alright. You're the one who gave us the job anyways right? So its not your responsibility to help us... But we really appreciate your it anyway!\" *Ardon gave a big happy smile as he took the bag that on his incredibly large hands seemed alittle small. Opening it slightly as he put his hands inside quickly trying to have one aswell while the two were talking just curious as to what the taste of it was. Maybe Furry would like it? He'd sneak one out for Furry aswell before going back and pretending like he was listening to what the two were talking about just nodding his head up and down while smiling*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*The Pale Oni folds his arms, nods and yawns, wiping his tired old eyes and sighing.*\n\n\"Mm. Hmm... Well, about 3 of the little blighters escaped. A Brayer and a Titan shouldn't find em too hard to catch. I'll tell you one thing, I'm glad it was your kind that came and not some... Prissy Kitsune or stuck up elves. Big strong type.\"\n\n\"They don't usually get too violent. Might kick or peck when they realise you're trying to ruin their little bout of fun though. But honestly, your kinds should be able to deal with a little bird pecking and kicking.\"\n\n\"If you can't, then you had no business signing up in the first place..\"" }, { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "``oh don't worry about that sir,i quite literally cannot feel pain,otherwise i wouldn't be able to endure having to carry a 3.3 meter tall steel trident on my back all the time,and i suppose ardon can't feel pain either since he doesn't have a lot of armour,i think now it is time to go get your airstriders.``\n\n*Would say erog still whit it's calm voice, he would of course after saying that start to go toward the field, he would of course wait for ardon at the field if he didn't follow immediately*" }, { "author": "plague0886", "message": "\"Haha yeah you're fairly correct about that assumption Mr. Big Brayer Trident Man! Welp so long Mister we'll do our best to get you your airstriders soon, take care\" *After saying that to the old man he'd begin following Erog with one of his many hands still waving goodbye to the man. He felt like he was considerably less grumpy than the last old person with a farm who posted a quest was.\n\nAs he walked away there was just a slight skip on his step as he was excited to just be able to meet some airstriders and possibly even tame one of them? Or if not atleast get a discount from the old man so he could be able to buy one, he was alittle short on money but usually he just didn't like buying pets. For him it was similar to buying friendship, its just something that you can't do!*" } ]

[ { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*The group would find themselves walking towards the field, and would be close enough to see the Air Strider's vibrant plumage poking through the golden tufts of the grain. It's busying itself nibbling from stalk to stalk, until it notices a giant Titan staring at it from a little while away... And begins to just... Stare. As if it's judging you, for daring to ruin its fun. You heartless monster.*\n\n*It's none the wiser, though... Yet, and it notices the berry bag. Its eyes widen. Until it looks less \"._.\" And more... \"**O**__**O**\". The mere thought of getting one of those... Delectable balls of red goodness is just such a tempting notion to the bird, and it slowly approaches the big Titan, hoping to enjoy a little snack before it screws off to steal some more food from the Oni's neighbours. What a sneaky little bastard.*" }, { "author": "Ardon Surfist", "message": "*As Ardon saw the sight of the Air Strider his eyes would widen and his face would go into this big wide smile. Like a **: D** While still doing his best to not actually make any sound since he wanted to try and sneak up to it earlier. He would think that if they made too much of a sound that it'll spook them so he just slowly pulled out three of the berries and offered them to the Air Strider while pressing one of his fingers to his lips to tell Erog to just not make to much of a sound. The pouch of berries would also just be held high up as to not let the birds even get anywhere near the thing and if they were his powerful grasp would be there to protect it. The titan was currently filled with so much excitement!!! He had heard about the large birds in the past mostly from words by other people who actually cared for birds but he never thought that he would be able to see one up close until now! BIRDS!!! AHHHH*" }, { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "*Erog seeing that the air strider was approaching ardon to get a berry and having ardon tell him to not make a sound, erog would simply try to make sure the air strider doesn't know about his presence since it didn't seem to have notice him, by crouching , trying to mask the little amount of noise he did by only making those noise when something else would cover them, to then, when the air strider get close enough,erog would grab it's leg,he wouldn't do it strong enough to hurt the beast but he would to it strong enough so he wouldn't be able to flee or escape, if he didn't take ardon berries he would also use his second hand to put 2~3 berries in his so it would calm down a bit, if he took the berries of ardon he would just use his second hand to close his beak, the beak is strong enough that erog wouldn't be able to destroy it so no need to worry a lot about that, but erog wouldn't just go whit his full strength just in case.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*The Brayer's ambush would be successful, and the Air Strider would be caught off guard by the sheer force behind the grapple, kicking and flailing to absolutely no avail. However, Erog's attack would have one of the Air Strider's allies trying to ward him off from their friend, kicking at his stomach!*\n\n*It completely fails to hurt Erog of course, but they're trying.*\n\n*The other Air Strider would be nowhere to be found... Maybe you should be looking for it while you catch these little birds.*" }, { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "*Erog, totally not having any strong feeling to what the air strider was doing would grab the air strider that was kicking him while he was doing one of it's kick, after that he would elevate them from the ground and say to ardon.*\n\n``do you mind take the air striders whit one of your six hands? Also there is still one left so let's keep searching for it!``\n\n*While saying that erog would look around for any unusual colour or movement, if he spot that he would of course notify ardon by pointing where the suspicious colour/movement was seen and walking toward it*" }, { "author": "Ardon Surfist", "message": "\"Hmm yeah sure!\" *Ardon would then use two of his hands just for good measure to get a tight grip on the bird but doing his best to not hurt it even stroking its feathers softly to try and calm him down as he thought of a less subtly and more straight forward approach in getting the attention for the Air Striders* \"HEY! AIR STRIDERS I GOT A NICE BAG OF JUICY BERRIES READY FOR THE TAKING IF YOU WANT SOME!!!\" *He shouted at the topic of his lungs, the voice booming and bellowing as he took out all of the berries and place them on his palm for all too see. With his fingers he even just popped two of the berries to see if they had a strong sense of smell and react to that*" } ]

[ { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*The Air Strider that Ardon had grabbed is still kicking and struggling, enraged that Ardon dares to restrain him so... And kicks even harder as he hears the horrifying yelling, as does Erog's, although since Erog has grabbed its leg, there's not much it can really do.*\n\n*As it turns out, there was one right behind the group, trying to steal berries from Erog, who was startled by Ardon's shout and begins to sprint off, away from the two, and disappearing out of the wheat field!*\n\n**Summary**\n\n**2 Air Striders down. 1 is attempting to escape.**" }, { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "*Since erog was looking around he could have seen the air strider starting to run away so he would of course run toward it, of course he knew he wouldn't be fast enough to catch it if it was able to gain it's full speed so he took out his huge trident to sweep it's leg and make it fall, and to make sure it wouldn't flee he would of course, grab one of his leg, after that he would say to ardon*\n\n``the screaming wasn't really necessary since they can't understand our language,so it just startled it.``\n\n*If he was able to catch it he would add*\n\n``but it's no problem since we got him anyway.``" }, { "author": "Ardon Surfist", "message": "\"Oh... I'm so sorry about that. I didn't mean to scare them.\" *Ardon would say sadly to Erog as his demeanor just dampened after seeing that his plan didn't work at all and on top of that he was reprimanded by the brayer. To try and make it up to him for messing up he'd try to his his large stature to his advantage and look for more striders on the field all the while using more of his arms to try to pet and calm the bird down* \"I'm sorry Air Strider for doing this to you but its my job and the pale oni told me to do so. Do you wants some berries to cheer you up?\" *Ardon would near some of the berries he had on his palm to the beak of the bird to try and make it feel better*" } ]

[ { "author": "Ardon Surfist", "message": "\"Hey so umm Mr. Pale Oni Sir? Do you think I could uhh...*Get one of your birds please?* Its just that ever since I got my pet Furry I felt that he's lonely whenever I go on quests and jobs so I want to get him a friend. Also if something ever happens to me atleast he'll have a friend with him.\" *Ardon would say as he twiddled about with his fingers while on one of his palms a small little furrow was just chirping and looking at the Pale Oni intently, contemplating if he should befriend them or not? Ardon knew that he probably didn't have the exact amount of money to pay the man but he atleast had to try... For Furry!*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*The Pale Oni would nod at Ardon's question, more than happy to sell the beasts.*\n\n\"Well, they're not cheap, but I suppose I can lower the price a little... I sell them at 35 gold. They're not cheap beasts, I'm afraid, but they're worth it.\"" }, { "author": "Ardon Surfist", "message": "*Well umm yeah I've heard its 35 Gold... To be honest I'm a bit short on gold I think?\" *Ardon would say as he pulled out a pouch of gold from the depths of his pants? Leggings? Armor whatever thingies and began counting out the coins one by one placing each coin on his palm* \"Uhh okay so umm one... Two... Three...\" *As he counted he just looked intently at the coins not even trying to look away from the thing as he counted*" } ]

[ { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "*In order to make some money, Shoki took up a request by a debt collector to act as some muscle, making sure those people pay up. For some reason, the debt collector also hired two others for this request... Are the people who take out a loan by this guy dangerous? Who knows, the collector certainly wouldn't tell you.*\n\n*The first stop is a lad named 'Irvin Meeks', it's said that he spends his time in a bar called 'Fish Sticks'. He'd been skipping out on paying for a while now and the collector isn't patient enough to deal with this mans nonsense.*" }, { "author": "Kalor Eltarel", "message": "*Irvin Meeks. Not paying loans. Kalor normally wouldn't take jobs such as this, but he needed _some_ way to exercise his power. The light didn't stop for a fair fight. Neither would he.*\n\n*The naga would be in the bar, coiled around a stool, munching on a puff pastry at a nearby table. His curved falx hung on his belt, and his shield was strapped over his back. Several green tinted pebbles hung in a bag, ready to be thrown at a moment's notice. His iron mask would be moved up over his head to allow him to eat the pastry. His eyes would dart around, attempting to identify who Irvin Meeks was.*" }, { "author": "zalgar", "message": "*Zalgar, after having dealt whit the annoyance that was that man disguising himself as a chair, would have taken this job by the debt collector, which obviously didn't do a background check before inviting this eldritch being, of course he didn't care about the money.*\n\n*He had the putrid smell of rotten flesh, expired milk and assassin vines smoke, for the looks, well not much to stay, he was still the same old 'cat', no clothes, orange and black fur and around his face.. Is that... Blood? Obviously yes.*\n\n*He could be found playing card in the dark corner of the bar whit some not-reputable-looking people, looking around for this 'irvin meeks'.*" }, { "author": "Shoki", "message": "*Shoki walked into the not too busy bar and scanned the room. 'Fish Sticks'...What a strange name for a bar he thought. He did not have anything much more than the lead his employer had given him, but he had an idea how to get something at least.*\n\n*Shoki was sitting at a corner table carefully observing the bartender, who he payed attention to, and how much he seemed to be focused on talking or serving people. He took a moment to collect himself, and then he changed his appearance, taking on the same race as the bartender as his horns retracted into his head.* \n\n\"Ah, give me an ale friend.\" *He said as he walked up to the bar itself and motioned for the bartender.* \"Say... You wouldn't know where Irvin Mevis is would you? I'm supposed to be meeting with him here.\" *He said in a much more hushed tone as he slid the bartender a few extra coins.*" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "*The bartender walks up to the barrel and lets the ale run into a glass mug and then writes on a piece of paper, handing both to Shoki. The note itself says 'In VIP, what business?' He seems a little disgruntled, and the ale tastes poor, but there's plenty of patrons... What's the deal? Looking around would show a door with a VIP sign on it, likely what the note referred to, despite being labeled as VIP it's just as poor quality as the rest of the room.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Kalor Eltarel", "message": "*The Naga would observe Shoki being slipped a piece of paper. He doesn't know what it says, but he just thinks about where he could be.*" }, { "author": "zalgar", "message": "*The eldritch beast was still playing his game of poker,his hand was a four of a kind.*\n\n*Knowing that interacting here won't help whit the situation but it would just make the bartended more suspicious, so let's hope that the oni won't mess this up.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*He looked around the bar and thought for a moment. He wanted to keep it vague and he didn't want people to hear anything. He wrote on the back of the paper 'In danger, need to get him out of here.'* \"Thank you sir, have a good night.\" *Shoki said as he placed the paper down under a few more coins and walked away.*\n\n*As he walked through the bustling bars he subtly signaled the others, making it obvious about VIP being the location of their target as he slowly made his way over there.*" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "*The bartender sighs* \"Just make sure you don't cause too much of a ruckus, will you?\" *He mumbles inaudibly as Shoki opens the VIP door, inside are 3 men, the collector hadn't told you the face of Irvin. The room isn't much better than bar proper, still reeks of fish and creaky floorboards. At the table in the middle of the room is where the 3 men are sitting, they're apparently gambling.*" }, { "author": "zalgar", "message": "*Zalgar drop his card on the table, then he would get inside the VIP area, signalling the two other to stay near the exits so they wouldn't escape,the smell of fish was nothing compared to the smell of zalgar, so it would do nothing to him, zalgar would have put himself at a spot on the table and 'join' the game, after that, he would say in an extremely strange voice*\n\n\"I̵ ̴s̵u̶p̴p̷o̷s̷e̷ ̸o̸n̴e̷ ̷m̵o̶r̵e̴ ̷p̶l̵a̴y̴e̸r̴ ̷w̸o̸n̵'̷t̴ ̵d̷i̸s̵r̴u̷p̵t̴ ̵y̶o̵u̷r̵ ̷g̷a̸m̴e̵ ̶e̵n̶o̵u̴g̶h̵ ̴f̶o̸r̵ ̶i̸t̸ ̷t̶o̵ ̸b̶e̶ ̴u̴n̴-̷p̵l̶a̵y̶a̷b̴l̴e̵.̶ ̶M̵y̸ ̶n̷a̸m̸e̵ ̷i̶s̵ ̴Z̸a̶l̶g̶a̶r̵,̴ ̸h̴o̸w̴ ̵a̵b̵o̵u̶t̵ ̵y̴o̸u̶ ̷?̷ \"\n\n*Zalgar's tentacles and his tail would already be under the table, ready to grab irvin's leg when he says his name so he wouldn't flee, if he does say his name, zalgar would signal the two other to come.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Kalor Eltarel", "message": "*The Naga would slither over to where Shoki had went, the VIP area. It was filthy, stinking of fish and with 3 men gambling. He observes them, making sure to take note of their features and actions, before subtly placing a single green rune in the doorway, covering it using his tail.*" }, { "author": "Shoki", "message": "*Shoki simply walked into the room and took up post at which ever exit was left unguarded. He was not sure he really wanted to do this here, and it would be best to him if they could capture this target at least rather than kill him. He stood waiting for one of the men to answer or make a move.*" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "\"Oi! What're ye doing in here? The barkeep said no one comes in here!\" *One of the men would complain... Though it sounds more like whining, one of the others shushs him up* \"Aye, we could go for a game. You be the ones the debt collector hired, correct? How aboot we do a little game, if you win I'll tell you who Irvin is, whose a coward and will give the money if threatened. On the other hand, I get a gold piece if I win, hows it sound?\"" }, { "author": "Kalor Eltarel", "message": "\"That sounds good, perhaps for the others. I'm staying here.\"\n\n*The naga would slither over front of the table briefly to take a look at each of the men playing, trying to take in any facial expressions, their hair color, their clothing, etc. Discreetly, a greenish pair of arcane arms would slip another green runestone under the table, then would take up the entire entrance with his tail, unslinging his shield.*" } ]

[ { "author": "zalgar", "message": "\"D̴e̵a̸l̷,̵ ̶b̵u̴t̸ ̸t̸o̷ ̷m̷a̴k̸e̴ ̴s̸u̵r̸e̸ ̴n̴o̸n̶e̸ ̸o̴f̴ ̸y̴o̶u̷ ̴t̶r̸y̷ ̴t̷o̸ ̶c̵h̸e̷a̵t̸ ̸o̸r̶ ̷f̷l̷e̵e̴.̵\"\n\n*The tentacles, already in positions, would be quickly able to grab one of the leg of each men, after this, his tails and hand would look around the deck of card to see any proof of foul play, like, for example: dents in the strongest cards.*\n\n*After this,zalgar would re-arrange the deck, and then put it back where it was.*\n\"T̶a̵k̵e̶ ̶y̴o̶u̷r̷ ̵h̴a̶n̸d̴\"" }, { "author": "Shoki", "message": "*Shoki rolled his eyes a bit and walked over to the nearest exit, closing the door. 'Well looks like the subtle way is out the window.' He thought as he placed a hand on his sword ready for any quick moves.*\n\n\"Our strange friend here will be more than happy to play as you can see, Irvin don't get any ideas.\" *He said trying to lock eyes with the three men as he talked to get a read on them.*" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "\"We have a deck o' cards, you choose the game, whatever you want.\" *The man would say, this is probably the best idea, have a guy sell out his friend for a gamble. No harm to the inn and therefore no harm to your wallets, for damages.*" } ]

[ { "author": "zalgar", "message": "*The beast grins widen a bit after the man said \"Chose the game\", it seems he didn't had any idea of how much the beast's had done gambles,of course, to gamble whit the devil, the devil must gamble, it's obvious, and due to it just needing a pack of card, the beast knew a lot of about a specific game popular amongst gambler, and he had a very long wining streak.*\n\n\"W̷h̸e̴r̷e̷ ̵g̴o̴i̶n̸g̸ ̸t̸o̶ ̴h̸a̴v̵e̸ ̴a̶ ̴s̸i̴m̶p̸l̷e̶ ̸g̵a̵m̶e̴ ̵o̸f̷ ̴p̷o̵k̶e̶r̶.\"" }, { "author": "Kalor Eltarel", "message": "*Kalor simply stands guard.*" }, { "author": "Shoki", "message": "*Shoki looks over the three men very closely, and he keeps his post.* \"Let's make it quick shall we. We have other matters to attend to.\"" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "\"Poker, eh? Right, lets get started\" *He deals out the cards and invites Zalgar to sit. To his eyes, he didn't see any funny business going on, though maybe something happened, who knows?*" }, { "author": "Kalor Eltarel", "message": "*The Naga would stare at the man who had asked \"Oi! What're ye doing in here? The barkeep said no one comes in here!\". Just staring. He thinking that perhaps this was Irvin Meeks, as he was known to be a coward, especially since one of the poker buddies told them about it.*" } ]

[ { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "*Zalgars hand is above average, not lucky but not unlikely to win. The mans face remains unchanging and tells Zalgar* \"Perhaps you shouldn't put all your eggs in this basket, eh?\" *This man seems confident about his hand, he bets 50 points out of his 200 points, should you match it out abstain?*" }, { "author": "zalgar", "message": "*Most hands in poker are unlikely to win whit this low amount of information, did he had a Five of a kind, maybe a Straight flush or even a Full house, or maybe he just had a joker hand ,who knows?*\n\n'j̵u̷s̶t̴ ̴a̴ ̷\"̸f̵r̴i̶e̸n̷d̵l̴y̴\"̷ ̴r̶e̸m̸i̶n̴d̴e̸r̸ ̶t̷h̶a̸t̵,̸ ̵i̴f̴ ̵a̴t̴ ̵a̶n̸y̶ ̶p̴o̸i̴n̷t̵ ̸I̸ ̴s̴e̵e̸ ̸y̷o̵u̴ ̶c̸h̶e̸a̴t̷i̷n̴g̵ ̸o̵r̸ ̴d̵o̶ ̸a̸n̸y̷t̴h̵i̶n̷g̶ ̴s̴u̴s̶p̶i̶c̷i̷o̵u̵s̸,̵ ̸y̸o̴u̶ ̶c̷a̷n̶ ̵s̴a̵y̸ ̶g̷o̶o̴d̴b̷y̸e̶ ̸t̴o̴ ̴y̴o̵u̶r̷ ̶a̸r̴m̴s̸ ̵a̴n̴d̵ ̷y̷o̶u̶r̶ ̵f̶r̵i̴e̸n̴d̸'̶s̴ ̸a̴r̸m̷'\n\n*Anyway,over-acting a weak hand is literally one of the worst things to do in poker, which would be what those three people that only played whit each-other be,zalgar would match it out.*" }, { "author": "Shoki", "message": "*Shoki took a few steps closer to the table, pacing back and forth as he looked over the players. He was still ready to catch one if any of them ran, but he was getting closer to keep a close eye on everyone except Zalgar. He was looking for any hidden moves, or any sign of cheating at the table.*" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "*When they revealed their cards, Zalgar had won, apparently that guy had been bluffing. It's Zalgar's turn to deal, will he find a way to cheat or will he deal normally.*" } ]

[ { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "*Zalgar would continue to play, he may be a dirty backstabber, cannibalistic, anarchist, eldritch god but he wasn't a cheater*\n\n\"O̸v̶e̶r̶-̵a̵c̶t̷i̶n̶g̷ ̶a̸ ̶b̸a̶d̶ ̸h̷a̸n̸d̶ ̵i̵s̵ ̸a̷ ̶r̷o̵o̸k̴i̶e̴ ̷m̸i̵s̷t̵a̶k̷e̷.̶ ̸Y̴o̴u̷ ̴h̸a̸v̶e̴ ̴m̷a̵d̴e̴ ̷a̴ ̷b̷i̷g̷ ̵m̶i̸s̸t̵a̸k̸e̵ ̵i̷n̸ ̷d̸o̸i̵n̷g̶ ̵t̷h̴i̵s̶ ̶g̵a̴m̴e̴.̴\"\n\n*After saying this, zalgar would take his new hand*" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "\"Well, the only deal is that I tell you the identity of Irvin, and I don't even know the guy too well. I mays well fool around since I never bet too much here. Though I must say I'm rather confident about this hand\" *The man smiles and giggles, all the while betting all 200 of his remaining points.*" }, { "author": "zalgar", "message": "*Zalgar literally having a great hand, and the player obviously not knowing anything about poker, made him confident,who would ever be stupid enough to gamble whit an obvious eldritch being, so let's go straight to the point, since writing card game in paper isn't all that fun,zalgar also match it out.*" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "\"Oh! You won, well, Irvin Meeks is the innkeeper... Though he probably ran away a while ago\" *The man nonchalantly says, it doesn't seem that he's lying... So that innkeeper has fooled the party by saying he was in the VIP area, and those guys played along with it...*" }, { "author": "Kalor Eltarel", "message": "\"Hm...\"\n\n*Gathering the runestones, The Naga would slither as fast as he could, which wasn't fast at all, drawing his falx and unslinging his shield, looking for the inkeeper, and any entrances and exits.*" }, { "author": "Shoki", "message": "*Shoki drew his sword and held it to the mans neck, hovering hit just over his skin.* \"You're VIP... Do you know where we can find him?\" *He was hoping that at least one of the men had some knowledge on the innkeeper, and with the push of intensity it might get them to break.*" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "\"Hah! This place ain't even VIP, it's just the gamblers den! I have no idea, and even if he let me in on the plan, he wouldn't tell me where he was going.\" *The says, without fear* \"A deals a deal and I told you what I bet you.\"" } ]

[ { "author": "zalgar", "message": "A̸l̷r̸i̸g̸h̶t̷,̷ ̸i̴m̷ ̵d̵o̴n̶e̷ ̸w̸h̸i̴t̸ ̵y̵o̴u̵r̵ ̸f̸u̵n̶n̵y̵ ̸b̸u̸s̸i̶n̷e̷s̸s̵\"̵\n\n*Zalgar seemed to have been angered enough a bit too much, as he removed the tentacles from the other's leg to put it all on the dude whit the sword hovering his neck,after that he would use his hands to throw the table away, whit obviously enough force for it to break, after that, he would pull the guy in the air and slam him agaisn't the wall until it breaks,which would lead to the outside way faster than just running toward the exist.*" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "*Zalgar would break trough the wall with the man, but... There a lot of bystanders in the street, some run to notify city guards of the yellow abomination cat, Zalgar is now on the radar around here...*" }, { "author": "Kalor Eltarel", "message": "*Once he realized that the bartender was gone, he knew that he was the one and only Irvin Meeks. He then hears a loud crash in the wall behind him.*\n\n*Seems like Zalgar's made a massive hole in the wall. Once he looked through, he would see the bartender running in the street. Perfect.*\n\n*The naga would slither towards him at not exactly the greatest speed, but his arcane hands conjure a pair of clawed, green hands, and fires them towards the bartender's legs at 24 m/s. If they hit, they would wrap around his legs, tripping him.*" }, { "author": "Shoki", "message": "*It did not take long for Shoki move out of the way of Zalgar. The large cat monster slamming the walls with the man's body was admittedly a stupid idea in his eyes, but it was done nonetheless.* \"That was reckless.\" *He says quietly to Zalgar as he runs by through the hole in the wall. Seeing the bartender taking off down the street he moves into action.\n\n*Shoki's body glows red for a moment as he enhances his speed and takes off towards the man, seeing the hands race past him for a moment. He was pretty sure that there was no way the man would widen the distance, but who knows.*\n\n\n- 85/100 mana left```" }, { "author": "zalgar", "message": "*Zalgar didn't really care that the guard where notified or that this was reckless,he was already banned to go everywhere, it's just that people forgot about him due to having left for a few decades.*\n\n*But anyway, after leaving trough the hole, he would make sure that the man wouldn't get up by stomping the man's leg, which under the weight and strength of zalgar, would be crushed.*\n\n*After that zalgar would then of course start to run toward the bartender, pushing anything that would get in his way whit his tentacles*" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "*Kalor would successfully trip the bartender with that handy claw spell, he would be stuck for a while.* \"Ok ok, fine! I'll pay my debt!\" *He takes his bag and starts counting coins... And he counts... And counts... And counts... It adds up to 450 silver pieces and 5 gold pieces, he gives it to Shoki. Guards (3) would run onto the scene and point their spears towards Zalgar* \"Please come along peacefully, Yellow Cat, we've heard reports of you assaulting someone and destroying property.\"" }, { "author": "zalgar", "message": "\"I̷ ̸A̶m̶ ̶s̵o̷r̵r̴y̵ ̵t̷o̵ ̸b̸r̴e̶a̷k̶ ̵t̶h̸e̸ ̸n̴e̷w̷ ̸t̷o̸ ̴y̴o̶u̸ ̴p̴a̵l̶s̴,̷ ̴b̵u̷t̴ ̷i̵t̶ ̶w̸a̷s̴n̵'̷t̸ ̶m̸e̵,̷ ̴t̸o̶u̴g̷h̸ ̸i̸ ̵u̶n̸d̶e̸r̶s̸t̷a̷n̷d̶ ̶w̷h̴y̵ ̷t̴h̶e̸ ̷p̵e̴o̶p̵l̵e̵ ̸m̵a̴y̶ ̶h̶a̵v̸e̷ ̴t̶o̶u̴g̴h̴ ̷i̸t̴ ̵w̶a̶s̴ ̸m̶e̶ ̸b̶e̴c̸a̵u̵s̷e̶ ̵o̶f̷ ̴m̵y̴ ̴a̵p̴p̶e̷a̴r̴a̴n̸c̷e̶,̷ ̷i̴t̸ ̴w̷a̴s the bartender of the place that got into a rage because the man wouldn't pay for the drink he took, so he threw him at the wall which broke since it wasn't maintained properly and it was too thin, me and two other people then chased the bartender to then bring it to you, but he started fleeing, i think my friends have caught up whit him, how about we see that, they will also be able to prove to you my version of the story\"\n\n*Zalgar would then point toward kalor, shoki and the bartender whit one of his tentacles.*" }, { "author": "Kalor Eltarel", "message": "\"Good. We'll bring this back, and you'll go unscathed.\"\n\n*Kalor would look around to see Zalgar being pointed at with spears. He would motion to Shoki.*\n\n\"Let's go. His actions, his consequences.\"\n\n*The naga would sheath his curved blade.*" }, { "author": "Shoki", "message": "*Shoki took the bag with the coins in it and lifted Irvin to his feet. He patted him a little bit and shoved him in the direction of the guards.* \"There see, wasn't so difficult now was it?\" \n\n*He did not hesitate at Kalor's words. He nodded, looked over at Zalgar, and then took off as fast as he could. As soon as he was out of eyesight from large groups of people he would drop his humanoid form and revert back to his Pale Oni self.*" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "\"Looks like your friends cannot corraborate on your claim, don't worry, we'll ask the patrons of the inn about this. But for now you're coming with us\" *A guard would say, he probably means to take Zalgar to a detention center of sort, since no one was seriously hurt, the most Zalgar could get is a week in jail... That's a darn shame.*\n\n*Next on the list: Palpa Doon, this time you actually have a picture. Palpa Doon appears to be a bulky man and in the image he is barechested, perhaps he's a barbarian of sorts? He lives in some alleyways, as the list says.*" }, { "author": "Kalor Eltarel", "message": "\"Well then.\"\n\n*Kalor goes off to follow Shoki, slithering to wherever this Palpa Doon was.*" }, { "author": "zalgar", "message": "\"I̵ ̴w̵o̶u̷l̶d̶ ̵l̴o̸v̵e̸ ̵t̷o̸ ̵b̴u̴t̸-̴\"\n\n*After that zalgar would run toward a building to then jump and grab it whit it's claw, he would then start climbing it, if anything where to attack him the tentacles and his tail would block it, and in case they had spells, his tail would rip out one of his tentacles and throw the ripped tentacles at the spells*" }, { "author": "Shoki", "message": "*Shoki slowed his pace after leaving the area of commotion, and kept heading in the direction of the larger parts of the city where allies were more prominent. He was not sure where exactly, but he kept a watchful eye as he peered around each corner.*" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "*The guard give chase to Zalgar, whom would likely keep running until he manages to lose them. Shoki and Kalor would search for Palpa in the alleyways, asking around would narrow down the locations to just one... 'Blum Alley', therefore they make their way to this afformentioned alleyway. There they would find someone who is unmistakably Palpa Doon, especially with those abs.*" }, { "author": "Kalor Eltarel", "message": "\"Palpa Doon. Pay up, and we don't have to fight.\"\n\n*Spectral arms conjure up a glowing green pair of claws, bound by a tendril of glowing green energy. Kalor has his shield and falx prepared.*\n\n\"I wouldn't fight if I were you.\"" }, { "author": "Shoki", "message": "\"We prefer to just take what we are here for, and move on. No need for anything to get too out of hand here.\" \n\n*He draws his bow and keeps his distance, looking at the man ready for him to possibly charge. Should he try to run away, Shoki would put an arrow in his achilese tendon to stop him.*" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "\"Alright, I'll deal... If you want to make me pay without a fuss, punch me in the stomach, and if you can make me whince I'll pay up.\" *Palpa Doon would say, this man undoubtedly have abs of steels if he's making this wager, what an odd man this barbarian is, he wants to be punched... Is he a masochist?*" } ]

[ { "author": "Kalor Eltarel", "message": "\"You are in no position to bargain.\"\n\n*The naga would slither until he was about 20 meters away from the man. He would set down a green pebble 2 meters in front of him.*" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "\"I think I am... I live in the alleys, what sort of dweller of the slums would carry their money on their personnelle?\" *The man would say, flexing his biceps, kissing one of them.*" }, { "author": "Shoki", "message": "*Shoki looked at the man with a strange look, he was such a weird homeless man.* \"Listen, you are obviously a rather large man... And a rather muscular one. There is no way that at least I could cause you any harm with one punch.\" \n\n*Shoki nocked an arrow in his bow, and looked at the barbarian knowingly.*" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "\"Friendio! I live for getting hurt, why I live in the slums and take on debts!\" *The man flexes his knees and arms this time, it really is an art form. He then stops* \"I'd give you the money either way, but I like to play games... I'll get the money right away, you stay here... Oh! As collateral\" *The man gives Shoki a pendant,* \"Don't look inside please.\" *The man then starts to walk away.*" }, { "author": "Kalor Eltarel", "message": "\"Check out the building. From the main entrance. Make sure he doesn't try to get away.\"\n\n*Kalor would slither up to inspect the entrance where Palpa inevitably went into, holding up his shield.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Shoki", "message": "*Shoki paused for a moment then interjected. \"Actually... Trail him, I'll stay here in case he tries to circle around.\" *He takes a look at the pendant before flipping it open and then closing it without looking." }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "*Weird, you look for the man, but he's no where to be seen... That's probably to be expected of a man whose lived here most of his life, 5 minute later he returns to the spot they were at, and hands over the money.*\n\n*Next target seems to be a more defiant one, no name this time but a sketch of his face.*" }, { "author": "Shoki", "message": "\"Very much appreciated, now I have a question for you... You seem to know these parts. Have you seen a man that looks like this around anywhere?\"\n\n*Shoki takes out the sketch of the man and holds it out to the barbarian in front of him as he looks around the alley.*" }, { "author": "Kalor Eltarel", "message": "*Seems like this was going well. He wasn't sure how many were left, but they had all gone relatively peaceful, so it should be fine.*" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "*Oh yeah this is the last one on the list. The muscle man responds to Shoki* \"No... I don't think I've ever seen that person around, I find it strange to be no name listed, especially from this collector...\"" }, { "author": "Shoki", "message": "\"Ah, well... Thank you very much for your cooperation. You are a large and I'm sure very strong man.\" *He says as he holds up the sketch and walks away with the money. Shoki nods to the naga as he heads out of the alley. He was right... That is really strange that there was no name for the man. He decides to make his way to the nearest bar that is not where they found Irvin.*" } ]

[ { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "*Shoki and Kalor head to a bar, though it's unlikely they find him via pure chance... They can use this moment to clear their heads with a cold ale, it's not like the employer ever gave a deadline for this request. Just like the odds say, they did not find the Mogash with an X shaped scar on his forehead, which is rather unfortunate.*" }, { "author": "Kalor Eltarel", "message": "*Kalor didn't feel any time to rest. The job needed to be done. Plus, he didn't drink. He slithers up to the bartender, holding up a picture of the mogash.*\n\n\"Have you seen this man? If so, where?\"" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "\"...Nope, I don't see him here in this tavern ever. Though if he's a mogash, I'd expect to see him fighting someone somewhere in the street\" *The innkeeper makes the obviously racist statement with a serious face... Though it might be worth it to wander the streets in order to find him, it would have a better success rate than checking all the bars in sepdunia.*" }, { "author": "Shoki", "message": "*Shoki nodded his head, and rolled his eyes slightly at the remark.* \"Well thanks for all the help.\" *He says as he gives Kalor's shoulder a little pat.*\n\n\"We still have plenty of time, but let's try to see to it that this is resolved soon shall we?\" *He walks out of the bar, looking around at the crowd inside before surveying the streets.*" }, { "author": "Kalor Eltarel", "message": "*When Kalor feels the palm on his shoulder, his hand immediately darts up, grabbing onto it and squeezing it hard.*\n\n\"I am not a child that needs consoling.\"\n\n*After which he would let go and slither onto the streets, looking for a Mogash.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Shoki", "message": "*Shoki didn't really want to make his pressence known at this point in time, so he simply kept his distance as he moved in closer. He was watching the Mogash very carefully and looking to see what he had on his person: weapons,armor,equipment,etc.*" }, { "author": "Kalor Eltarel", "message": "*The naga would do the same, except that his arcane hands prepare a Binding Python. His falx and round shield would be in his hands as he approached the Mogash, staying 6 meters away from him.*\n\n\"I assume you know what we are here for?\"" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "\"Hmm... I'm not sure, what **Are** You here for?\" *The Mogash would ask, what a strange question for someone supposedly being chased by loan sharks... Maybe he's playing dumb?*" } ]

[ { "author": "Kalor Eltarel", "message": "*Kalor nods to Shoki. It seems like a job well done.*\n\n\"It is good to see cooperation. Thank you for your time.\"\n\n*And he slithers off to report back to the loan shark.*" }, { "author": "Shoki", "message": "*Shoki approached rather cautiously as he reached out for the coin.* \"Thank you very much, no one else should be bothering you.\" \n\n*He nodded to Kalor and walked along side him.* \"Let's go get paid aye?\" *He grinned as he tossed the large bag of coin lightly.*" }, { "author": "Kalor Eltarel", "message": "\"Indeed.\"\n\n*The naga's mask didn't change expression, but he's not exactly the most happy. Is he really reinforcing justice?*\n\n*Hey, they didn't resist. It was a simple reminder, albeit a bit threatening, but they complied. So yes, it could be considered doing good.*" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "**Quest Complete**\n2 Gold to each participant, 1/2 for Zalgar\n2 UP each, halved for Zalgar" } ]

[ { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*Power.*\n\n*That was what he had strived for. And now he had it. But like a vampire tasting blood, he wanted more. He knew of his own strength, yet he was not able to truly display it. He had taken on a group of Uzhi, but it's not like they were deadly. He was easily able to sunder stones and trees, but he had yet to test it in a true fight. There was that one titan, as well as that odd armored figure. But those were merely appetizers, nothing that would really get his name on the walls of the bounty board. Apparently, he had a long way to go before he could even reach the infamy of Artoria Dax. Despite his disliking of magic, he had to admit; the kitsune's magic was more than capable of wiping out entire teams of mercenaries, though even the most powerful mage was still fragile under their magic. If he recalled correctly... She had taken oil to the chest? Odd. But not of his concern.*\n\n*The crimson demon would have been at a nearby bar, several mugs of sake already consumed. The bartender should have asked for pay, but Oshikuru had already punched someone in the face, knocking them out. Help was bound to be on the way...*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Oshikuru sat at the bar, downing pints of sake by the minute. The inn wasn't even sure if they could continue to supply the man with sake, lest they actually create a deficit of what was supposed to be profit; someone would have to tell him to stop, but his figure was just too intimidating to converse with. No, everyone was just too scared of the man before them: this bar wasn't theirs anymore. It was his.*\n\n*Suddenly, a gang of 8 brayers came busting through the door. They all spread throughout the bar, though one of them pointed at the bartender:*\n\n\"A barrel of sake for me! And... 2 more for the others to share! Get it out, or we'll kill you where you stand!\"" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"Sake, eh?\"\n\n*The red demon turns around, his bloodred helmet now in his left hand. These brayers were trying to take _his_ sake? No no no, not on his watch.*\n\n\"As if you could ever kill me. If you want sake, you'll have to take it!\"\n\n*Oshikuru quickly downs another jug of the rice wine, as if to taunt the beastkin in front of him.*\n\n\"I've fought brayers before. Nothing special. Their horns make great trophies, you know?\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"HUH??!!! You've got a screw loose or anything? Or are you just fucking stupid?\"\n\n*The brayer who shouted for sake took heavy steps forwards, purposefully stomping the ground to make himself seem more intimidating. He got face to face with Oshikuru, pointing his finger at the oni's eye.*\n\n\"I'LL FUCK YOU UP! DON'T FUCKING TALK TO ME LIKE THAT, YOU LOBSTER-SKINNED SON OF A BITCH!\" \n\n*The brayer spat at Oshi as he spoke, a clear provocation for a fight. The veins on his forehead twitched and bulged, his face turning a slight shade of red.*\n\n\"I WILL FUCK YOU OVER LIKE A PIG! DO NOT MESS WITH ME YOU FUCKE-\"" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*The demon lets out a small laugh.*\n\n\"You think you, a mere animal, bound by the weaknesses of flesh, can defeat me? An oni? I have caved in skulls with my mere fist, and to yours, I shall do the same! Come at me! Show me what you got, you cow!\"\n\n*Oshikuru gets into a fighting stance, ready for the stupid brayer to come charge him.*\n\n\"Or are you too cowardly?\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The brayer let out a loud scream, then tried to kick Oshi straight in the stomach. No one else moved but him, for all the other brayers were watching the fight break out. They expected their leader to win.*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*The brayer kicks. Interesting. The demon simply raises his knee to check the kick, the ball of the minotaur's foot only finding hard, strong bone.*\n\n\"Come on. Is that it? I barely felt anything!\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The brayer was surprised for a moment, but let out another scream. This time he launched himself at Oshikuru, wanting to take him down in a tackle.*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*A tackle? Now that was more Brayer-like. Perfect. Oshikuru's leg raises up, soon finding itself right in between the brayer's legs. The demon's foot is swung directly into the brayer's groin, inevitably causing permanent damage. He would then watch as the brayer fell to the floor in pain.*\n\n\"What was that? 'Kill me'? Look at you, nothing but a piece of tenderized meat.\"" } ]

[ { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "Im cramming for my permit test\n\n*The brayer, after launching himself at Oshikuru, would find a hard force strike itself in his balls. Oshikuru's foot would find itself completely broken into the poor cow's testicles, destroying the entire thing completely. It was safe to say that this particular brayer was permanently celibate, though not by choice. His eyes teared up, clutching the area that used to be his nutsack. He was gasping for air, struggling to breath as the pain began engulfing him. If Oshikuru looked down at this poor creature, he would see the area between the brayer's legs beginning to leak with blood.*\n\n*The other brayers, however, would not take this sitting down. They all immediately got up from where they were situated, looking down on their leader in shock. Their eyes darted to and fro Oshi and their leader, and as if they shared a hive mind, all of them began to approach Oshi in a rather menacing way. All seven of them began inching towards the Oni - rolling up their sleeves, spitting on the floor, cracking their knuckles - and stopped right in front of where their leader's body lay.* \n\n\"What...\" *One of them said.* \"Did you just fucking do?\"" }, { "author": "felplume", "message": "What the fuck is this" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "\"What did I do? Oh, it wasn't much. I wasn't even trying.\"\n\n*The oni kicks the brayer again, because why not? He was going to publicly humiliate him as much as possible. What would the others do, stop him?*\n\n\"Look at this pathetic piece of meat. Crying on the floor, like a baby. You're nothing but a little calf trying to be a big boy.\"\n\n*A hand is slammed into a fist, as the demon prepares himself for the others.*\n\n\"So? Who's next? Who wants their face caved in?\"" } ]

[ { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The second kick towards the brayer struck his chest, causing his ribs to shatter into pieces. These pieces dug into his inner organs, puncturing his lungs and heart, while also cresting numerous internal hemorrhages as well. The brayer was left gasping for air, each inhale ripping open his already vulnerable lungs even more. He hadn't much time left in this world, to say for sure.*\n\n*After the second kick, one of the brayers Immediately began charging at him in rage. The rest soon followed, coming in from all directions surrounding the oni. Apparently they ALL wanted their faces caved in.*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*The brayer on the left charged first. He would be he first to go. Oshikuru moves towards the left brayer, avoiding the others for now. His hand swings in a powerful right hook, not striking the head, but instead landing directly on the cow's heart. Afterwards, he would simply move left more, to shift away from the others.*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The brayer would feel his heart literally jam into his flesh as Oshikuru impacted his chest. It burst open, the heart inside being crushed as the fist struck it with the weight of a boulder behind it. He fell to the ground, dying instantly of heart failure.*\n\n*The other brayers, unable to stop their momentum, crashed into the bar. However, the one closest to the brayer most recently downed was able to get close to Oshi. This one feinted left, then went with a right hook of his own towards Oshikuru's face.*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*This was it. This was true combat. Did it matter than he killed the brayer in a single punch? Yes. It meant that he was strong, and they were weak.*\n\n*Oshikuru puts his hands in front of his face for the next brayer, noticing a jab, somewhat expecting it. He didn't expect a feint and a hook from such a stupid animal, but it seems like they had some brains after all. Guess it would be spilled. The hand simply clashes against Oshikuru's forearm, and his right hand grabs onto the minotaur's wrist, crushing it in his grip.*\n\n\"Not so tough now, eh? You're all weak, and you're as dumb as you look.\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The brayer would feel his fist stop suddenly as his knuckles came into contact with Oshikuru's steel-like forearm. The bones would crack under the force, causing the brayer to yelp in surprise and pain as Oshikuru swiftly began crushing his wrist. When Oshikuru let go of it, the area would look deformed; the place where the oni tightened his grip was, to say the least, 'marked.' The flesh caved into the bone, the hand only staying attached to the arm by the pathetic remains of the minotaur's wrist.*\n\n*The other brayers, while Oshi was crushing the other one's wrist, managed to get up from crashing into the bar. As Oshikuru continued crushing the initial one's hand, two of the rest would try and attack him both at once. One from the front, going for a sparta kick to the oni's chest. Another from Oshi's left, trying to down him with a low sweep.*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*The demon turns into the sweep, causing the brayer's low sweep to stop prematurely and not able to take out both legs, instead clashing against Oshi's own steel-like shin. The kick to his stomach would strike against his gut, but it would feel like nearly nothing. Said kick is caught, and Oshikuru slams his elbow into the brayer's knee.*\n\n*After breaking the cow's leg, the oni turns to face the brayer that tried to sweep him.*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The first brayer's kick would impact oshi directly in the chest, yet to the minotaur's surprise, did practically nothing at all. He'd only have a moment to spare, in which he spent gawking at the lack of damage, before Oshikuru brought down his elbow on the brayer's knee. The force of the elbow would cause the brayer's leg bones to sever completely beginning at the knee joint. The power caused the leg itself to nearly split as well; in it's twisted deformity, the brayer's lower leg hung in desperately to the upper half by almost nothing.*\n\n*The other brayer, having his sweep stopped early, would also have his leg caught. His shin didn't break, but damn it hurt - even though it only hit the back of the oni's calf, it felt like he was kicking an entire steel bar.*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*The oni would let go of the pathetic excuse of a leg, turning to the brayer who had tried to sweep him. His other leg, the one that hadn't been hit, kicks the stupid cow in the groin.*\n\n\"Trying to sweep me eh? This is what you get, you dumb piece of beef!\"\n\n*Afterwards, he would turn towards the other brayers, to see what they were doing.*" } ]

[ { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The brayer that tried to sweep Oshi would have his balls completely destroyed like the first one. He growned momentarily, yet passed out as the pain became too much for him to handle. Foaming at the mouth, he'd fall over to the floor.*\n\n*The last three brayers would look somewhat deterred after the short work you made of their comrades. Where their fighting spirit once was, now it was replaced with one emotion: terror. They'd never been this outmatched before. They weren't dumb; if they continued to fight any further, they'd surely die.*\n\n*And even then, two of the three still made valiant charges towards Oshikuru. One of them took a stool nearby, trying to smash it over the demon's head. The other tried to aim for the oni's center of mass, using his shoulder to try and shove Oshikuru to the floor.*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*The brayers, despite seeing the carnage continued to fight. One normally might call them brave, but to Oshi, he considered them stupid.*\n\n*A hand is simply raised to block the bar stool, splinters flying everywhere but not affecting him. A fist slams into the charging brayer's shoulder, ruining it, the massive, hard knuckles shattering bone and ripping ligaments apart.* \n\n*The brayer would find that the assault wasn't over. Oshikuru performs a flying knee straight into the cow's sternum, sending him flying across the room.*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*The wood stool broke apart immediately as it collided with Oshikuru's hand. Where a normal person's wouldve been crushed with the impact, Oshikuru's remained unscathed entirely - such was the magnitude of his power.*\n\n*The first would then quickly impact the poor cow's shoulder, knocking him to the ground instantly. It tore muscle, dislocated his shoulder joint, and caused a few veins to completely burst. It's not like the brayer couldn't do anything about it, though; he was more or less engulfed with pain as he struggled to stay conscious.*\n\n*The other brayer, who tried to tackle Oshi, would have his chest destroyed as the oni launched him across the room with a powerful knee. The force of it was enough to kill the minotaur completely.*\n\n*The final brayer backed off as he saw his comrades die. He held his hands up in the air:*\n\n\"I was forced to tag along. I'll pass on this fight. I'm... Going to go now.\"\n\n*He said, slowly inching towards the exit.*" }, { "author": "Oshikuru", "message": "*There were two more left. One seems to be leaving, the other had just tried to slam a barstool into him.*\n\n*Oshikuru begins breaking him apart. He sends a low round kick to the inside of the minotaur's thigh, then to the other leg. The process is repeated until he can't stand, then an axe kick is delivered directly to his groin.*\n\n\"Good. Get out of my way.\"\n\n*Oshikuru goes back to the bar, grabbing a bottle of sake and drinking it straight, taking several more for the road.*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "**Rewards**\n0.4 UP to Oshikuru\nA lot of sake\n\nOshikuru gains the following deed:\n12/21/2020: Ruthlessly killed an entire gang of brayers over sake. \n\nOshikuru's Altruism is lowered by 4, marking him as **Treacherous.** \nOshikuru's honor remains the same." } ]

[ { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "**The Farm**\n\n*It had gotten into a rather troublesome situation, you see. They scrounged up what little money they had in order to hire adventurers who would listen to their plea. The ones known as Furrow's, the nibble and bite every crevice of the farm it brings the farmers into a sorrow. Thusly thy challenge is to round up the pests and scare them away, but it is no cost if you must kill.*\n\n*The Furrow's are indeed adorable, but you must get them away, the farmers are much in need of their harvests to make a living. They must farm to eat and they must farm a lot, for the noble of the land takes a portion of their produce.*" }, { "author": "Circine Katale", "message": "\"This must be the place...\"\n*Circine mused aloud, his horseshoes stamping against the dirt-strewn path as the four pairs of hooves approached the farm.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel rode atop his horse before eventually tugging on the reigns to come to a stop.*\n\n\"Yeah...\" *He said lowly as he turned to the side to drop down from his horse.* \"Let's take care of these pests before they realize we're here.\"" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "**Squeak!** *Goes the Furrow, o so such the annoyance, its vicinity be in the bushes to the west. Following the first squeak goes* **Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!** *All of which in different pitch and in different tune, all over the patches of wheat, which the Furrow toss and turn in, knocking down stalks and nibbling seeds.*" }, { "author": "Circine Katale", "message": "\"Right, then. Where's the owner? Should probably flag them down before stepping into their property.\"\n*Virginie concluded, taking a moment to listen to his surroundings, a deep breath calming his nerves.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel pulled back some of the cloak that sat around him as he equipped his crossbow, taking the time to load the crossbow with a bolt before responding to Circine.*\n\n\"With all these pests out here, I would say... Anywhere else...\" *He responded, turning his head towards the noise emanating from the West. Terrel raised the crossbow, aiming for the bushes as if debating whether or not the shot would be worth it.*\n\n\"Reckon I can hit one from here?\" *He asked Circine without looking back at him as he didn't wait for his answer before firing the bolt off towards it.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel would walk up to stand beside Circine, giving a nod of response.*\n\n\"We're here to catch the pests for you.\" *He responded before looking back.*\n\n\"And seems like you got a lot of them.\"" }, { "author": "Circine Katale", "message": "\"Indeed. Here is the notice we found, I believe it is up to date...\"\n*The centaur offered the slip of paper they had found nailed, glancing to the fields - counting the pests' numbers.*" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "*The farmer would tell the adventurers that 8 should be fine, Furrow's are highly social creatures and will likely let others know that the farm is guarded. Finding the Furrow's shouldn't be too difficult if the duo walks around.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel gave a small nod before turning away back towards the farmland.*\n\n\"Not too many at least.\" *He would say to Circine before heading back towards the spot where he had lost his bolt.*" }, { "author": "Circine Katale", "message": "\"How shall we go about this, then? They're a fast bunch...\"\n*He ruminated a moment, tapping his chin as he cantered beside him, keeping an eye on the outskirts of the farmland.*" } ]

[ { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "*The patches of wheat and grass that are about 2 meters from the barn are rustling, which gives away that Furrow's are indeed present, but their exact locations is a mystery to the duo.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel looked out to the small patches, staring at it for a moment before eventually looking back at Circine.*\n\n\"I figure it shouldn't be hard to stomp them out of their hiding place...\" *He said calmly before reaching for the hilt of his sword and slowly drawing it out.* \"As long as you're careful about trampling the crops I can probably make them an easy target if you give them a good enough scare.\"" }, { "author": "Circine Katale", "message": "\"Hmm...\"\n*Circine pondered this a moment, weighing up their options. The little bastard were clearly too fast to be shot, not with his speed of fire, and just rushing in would be foolhardy...*\n\"They know we're here already, so no stealth for us... Alright, we'll try it.\"\n*He agreed, stamping his heavy hooves in preparation.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel moved slowly, walking in an arc around the patches of grass and wheat with his sword firmly in his hand.\n\nHe continued moving, only coming to a stop once he was opposite of Circine before giving a brief nod to him to rush out the pests.*" }, { "author": "Circine Katale", "message": "\"Right!\"\n*He replied confidently, drawing his longsword and rearing up, charging through the battered farmland - making sure to move opposite to Terrel as to drive the pests towards him. He yelled a few times, turning his blade in his hand and beating the ground with his pommel once or twice, returning the sword to its proper grip.*" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "*Circine, with his threatening exterior and sharp as hell blade pounding the ground, would scare out 2 Furrow's outside the wheat patch. They would at first run towards Terrel Bales, but as soon as they saw him, they made a turn, 1 going left and 1 going right.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel didn't hesitate, not really concerning in which one to go after so as not to give them enough time to run away. He turned to the one heading right, waiting until he could grow close enough to the small creature before raising and slashing it down at the fleeing Furrow.*" }, { "author": "Circine Katale", "message": "*Circine would attempt to run down the one running left, Ringer glinting malevolently as he brought the blade down in an arc at full gallop.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Circine Katale", "message": "\"They'll be on guard for now...\"\n*Circine replied gently, surveying the area again as he cantered back over to Terrel.*\n\"I have fairly good hearing, might be able to find them that way...?\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Go ahead then.\" *He said with a nod.* \"If you find any, I'll be able to take care of them...\"\n\n*Terrel lifted up the blade of his sword and propped it in his opposite hand as he gazed at the small splotch of blood staining the end of it, accompanied by his own reflection. Six more to go. He lowered it back to his side and looked out to the rest of the field.*\n\n\"Hear anything?\"" }, { "author": "Circine Katale", "message": "\"Right then...\"\n*The centaur mumbled as he focused, closing his eyes and kneeling on the ground, listening closely for sounds of scratching, squeaking, nibbling...*" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "*Circine would hear a faint sound; outside, about 10 meters away, is a silent rustle... Unfortunately he would only know where within a 3 meter radius where it is, so the only thing to do is to investigate over there.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel walked over to Circine, his hands clenching and relaxing on the hilt of his sword in waiting as he looked to Circine for any notice of him hearing something.*" }, { "author": "Circine Katale", "message": "*The centaur slowly raised his arm, his hand splayed out in the direction of the sound - indicating he only had a vague idea of where it was coming from.*\n\"It's too far for now, but... Over there...\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Thanks for the specifics...\" *He said in slight monotoned sarcasm.* \"We should spread out a bit in that area then and see what we can find...\"\n\n*He turned towards the direction Circine directed in and headed off towards it.*" } ]

[ { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "*Terrel notices a squeak and a black splotch in the wheat, which then runs away as fast as it can.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Catching sight of the black splotch, a grin formed. He turned to chase it down as he readied his sword in hand. If he were to get close enough to the black splotch he would quickly raise his sword and swing it down at the fleeing creature.*" }, { "author": "Circine Katale", "message": "*Circine kept watch on the field, circling around as not to trample the crops, ready to intercept any other stragglers.*" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "*Terrel would kill off the furrow, maybe he should consider specializing in extermination, since he happens to be so good at it. Circine would find two Furrow's, each would run opposite ways from each other to avoid Circine. As a note, Terrel has his back turned to them and hasn't noticed the Furrow's yet.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel turned away from the corpse of the Furrow he had killed. Three down, five more to go with the blood of the furrows now dead coating the tip of his sword. The elf would turn to look back towards Circine to see if the centaur had many any progress in their extermination.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Circine Katale", "message": "\"Terrel, your eight and four - I'll take four!\"\n*He called out to Terrel, breaking into a gallop towards the Furrow that had left the wheat field - if he trampled all over their crops, he would cause more harm than good. Still resting his sword on his shoulder, he swung his arm like a piston in a downward arc as he drew close to the critter.*" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "*Circine would plunge his sword into the soft flesh of the Furrow, but Terrel would lose sight of the other one which appears to have gotten away... Unfortunately I suppose Terrel won't specialize in Furrow hunting. But Terrel would detect another furrow behind him attempting to nibble his shoe.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel would glance down at the Furrow nibbling at his shoe and let out a chuckle before reaching down to grab the creature tightly in his free hand.*" }, { "author": "Circine Katale", "message": "\"Oh, don't torture the thing... At least dispatch it quickly...\"\n*Circine lamented with a sigh, unskewerering the critter and throwing it near Terrel's first kill.*" } ]

[ { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "*The Furrow tries to squirm out of Terrel's hand, it fails, but it still tried. You have currently chased away 1 Furrow and killed 2, as well as having 1 captured. You only have to get 4 more Furrow's away from the farm in order to complete the mission.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Aw, but this one's got fighting spirit.\" *He said back to Circine before giving the Furrow a small pat on its head with the opposite index finger, his sword dangerously close to it before he moved the hand away. Terrel turned to look at the rest of the farm for any other Furrows that might be around.*" }, { "author": "Circine Katale", "message": "\"How shall we go about this now, then?\"\n*He asked, turning to face the elf and gesturing to the bodies, flourishing his blade idly.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Simple, we find the rest of them and get rid of them.\" *He stated as he gradually made his way back over to the centaur.* \"Already got one of their own, it's not like they'll do much other than try to run away.\"\n\n*He turned his gaze back to the fields, as he asked:*\n\n\"See anymore?\"" } ]

[ { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "*CIrcine would spot a furrow and let off their arrow immediately as a gut reaction, killing it. 5 down, 3 to go. Terrel would find 2 more Furrow's attempting to get into the farm house.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*He let out a grunt in response as he spotted the two furrows and quickly ran towards them. His sword tight in one hand and the furrow trapped in the other, he would wait until he drew close enough before swinging at one of the furrows with his blade. If he had enough time to kill it, he would quickly follow it up by stomping his foot down on whichever Furrow remained.*" }, { "author": "Circine Katale", "message": "*Circine would nock another arrow onto his bowstring, raising the bow and readying it for another shot. He slowly turned to the farmhouse as he heard the commotion, and would see the two furrows - focusing on the area in front of the house in case any tried to escape in the moment.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Circine Katale", "message": "\"Right, try this again...\"\n*Circine muttered, slightly peeved by his miss. He slung another arrow onto his bow, scanning around for any remaining pests - listening closely for any signs of them.*" }, { "author": "pindlewand", "message": "*Circine notices a target and reflexively let off his arrow, missing but the furrow was caught so surprised it doesn't move, allowing for an opportunity for Circine to finish it off with another weapon. It will come to its senses if you delay, though, so a ranged attack might be too slow*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel decides to hang back and give Circine the chance to get the kill while the Elf idly rubbed the furrow in his hands atop its head.*\n\n\"All yours Circine.\"" } ]

[ { "author": "ansari", "message": "```fix\nZalgar's Day Out\n```\n\nAll is quiet in the forest of Salvainia. \n\nOne felinid, wandered and lost, is walking down the path of this forest. Who know what is driving him? Perhaps hunger? Wanderlust? No one can guess at the motivation of Zalgar. Maybe not even Zalgar himself know. \n\nZalgar walk into a gathering of wolf tearing at the carcass of a deer some 20 meters away. One of them turn toward him, looking at him with curiousity. Looked like a big cat, upright." }, { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "*The motivation zalgar previously held would've changed no matter what as he saw the group of wolves feasting on the deer carcass, as this was the perfect opportunity to feast, he only needed to get closer.*\n\n*Zalgar would've moved 8 meters toward the wolf looking at him, growling at the pack,possibly intimidating some of them, as it prepared to charge next round if they decided to try and defend their food.*\n\n```zalgar attempted to intimidate the wolves\n6/6 focus\n3 blood charge```" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "Zalgar would walk in front of the wolves and attempted to intimidate them, making him look bigger than he actually is. \n\nThe wolves looked at him, growling in anger at this strange, new, upright standing cat. Though they are also somewhat timid, they seems to think they can probably take them on. \n\nJudging by the count, it seems there's seven of them total." } ]

[ { "author": "ansari", "message": "It seems the wolves was less than intimidated by Zalgar's attempt, and in fact, seems quite enraged. They started barking and growling at him. Do they have rabies? \n\nThey started approaching him slowly from all side. And it seems this wolf pack is growing with time. Oh boy. \n\nOh boy. \n\nDoes Zalgar initiate combat and try to get a surprise attack on them? Or look around for a better position to fight from?" }, { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "*It seemed like the wolves where desperate enough to try and protect their food, oh well, that's more of him..*\n\n*Zalgar would've entered into his berserk rage, turning him into an even more horrifying beast than he was before, suddenly charging the closest wolf clawing at him two time, the first attack being even stronger due to the 6 tiles he charged through giving him +3 damage*\n\n\n\nZalgar clawed a second time at the same wolf\nHP: 41/41 \nMana: 0/ 0\nFocus:6/6\nRage: 6/6\nBlood charge: 3\n\nMovement: 6 tiles\nAttack 1: 18| 18dmg | | \nAttack 2: 4| 12dmg | |```\n\n*The fact that they where surrounding him didn't quite matter to zalgar, neither did the fact he miss due to his rage as he was literally to angry to care about it*\n\n*Zalgar would've quickly struck again with a slash and then a ferocious bite, even though they outnumbered him, one wouldn't stand long after being struck down by him*\n```zalgar did 2 normal attack\n\nMana: 0/ 0\nFocus:5/6\nRage: 5/6\nBlood charge: 3\n\nMovement: 6 tiles\nAttack 1: 8| 14dmg | | \nAttack 2: 6| 13dmg | |```\n\n*Zalgar would've riposted against the wolf who missed, possibly giving him the chance to get one of them down*\n```zalgar riposted\n\nMana: 0/ 0\nFocus:4/6\nRage: 5/6\nBlood charge: 3\n\nMovement: 6 tiles\nAttack 1:21|9dmg| | \nAttack 2: | | |```" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "```\nRound 2 Reaction Resolution\n```\nThe riposte successfully hit one of the wolf, damaging it badly.\n\n```\nRound 3, Player Phase.\n```\nThere's still 3 wolves fighting and within range, and the other 4 seems posed to approach Zalgar." }, { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "*Zalgar would've quickly finished off the damaged wolf, striking him twice, ignoring the pain of the bleeding and of the next attack, he just needed one good strike and each of them and they'd be done for*\n```zalgar attacked 2 time\n\n\nMana: 0/ 0\nFocus:4/6\nRage: 3/6\nBlood charge: 3\n\nMovement: 6 tiles\nAttack 1:11|11dmg| | \nAttack 2: 21|18dmg| |```" } ]

[ { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "*Zalgar would attempt to evade the attack, his body shifting around like the massive wriggling pile of flesh it is making it even harder to hit him*\n```zalgar evaded 14 damage, only took 1(+4 bleed) damage\n\nMana: 0/ 0\nFocus:3/6\nRage: 2/6\nBlood charge: 3\n\nMovement: 6 tiles\nAttack 1:11|11dmg| | \nAttack 2: 21|18dmg| ```" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "```\nRound 3 Action PC\n```\nThe wolf this time seems to be making a particularly poor defense, this time. It is Zalgar's turn to attack, once again.\n\n\n\nWolves Defense: 6" }, { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "*Zalgar would've continued his onslaught, striking twice at one unlucky,defenseless wolf*\n\nMana: 0/ 0\nFocus:3/6\nRage: 2/6\nBlood charge: 3\n\nMovement: 6 tiles\nAttack 1:14|11| | \nAttack 2: 7|13| |```" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "```\nRound 3 Action GM \n```\nThe six wolves continued their assault. They closed in on him, slashing and crawling at him from every angle possible. Zalgar furiously slashed away at one of the wolf, tearing it apart alive. In the chaos, though, as Zalgar ended his frenzy, he would've noticed more slash mark and bite on him, wolf's mouth latched to his legs and arms, and blood flowing from every part of his body.\n\nIt didn't take long before he dropped unconscious, and the sound of a distant fireball can be heard.\n\nAttacks: 9 hits out of 12. \n\n```diff\n+ Zalgar deals 24 damage to one wolf. It would've been slashed apart.\n- Zalgar takes 9 * 6 = 54 Cut Damage! At least two crits, but he is already bleeding!.\n- Zalgar is incapacitated\n```\n\n**While Zalgar is down..**\nWith at least two of their companion killed, the wolves was't sure what to do anymore. The rabied wolves would retreat, leaving Zalgar alone. \n\nBesides, that massive ball of flame nearby was quite terrifying.\n\n**An hour later** \nZalgar would regain consciousness in middle of the forest. It appears there was plenty of time before sunset - still enough for Zalgar to return to safety and healing. He will probably need it. \n\nAs he stood up or examined himself, he will find that his right leg had a few muscles torn apart, slowing down him considerably. And as he exerted himself, he'll find that he was struggling to breath with every step - it appears that one of his rib was cracked during the fall, and magical auto healing wasn't quite cutting it..." }, { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "*It seems like the animals had gotten stronger, or was it him who had gotten weaker?\n Either way it didn't change the end goal, he didn't know how or from when, but he remembered of an old friend that was living nearby in his little hermit hut, a healer who had gotten tired of the city life and the village's folk, he would've to navigate his way there but that wouldn't be too much of an issue due to his knowledge of the forest, but due to his broken leg, it seemed like he was gonna have to forgo walking, thankfully he knows how to use his vampiric abilities to the best of their capabilities, the fact he could partially transform would be a great advantage*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*Consuming his inner Blood, Zalgar managed to stabilize himself to the point of being able to walk. Luckily for him, he would've found an abandoned carcass near the original one - not much to speak of, but he could take the blood from it and use it to recover and further steady himself.* \n\n*Friend? A good friend is nearby and available. Luckily for Zalgar, he managed to find the house of said old friend, next to a rather bountiful farm, fenced in with several pigs in the pen.*\n\n*A farmer wearing a hat in the field noticed him, and turned toward him. The stranger looked familiar, but way dirtier and horrifying than he remembered.* \n\n*He walked toward him.* \n\n\"...Is it you?\"" }, { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "\"Unless have you've met another two-jawed, giant cat, then yes, it's me.\"\n\n*Would say zalgar, for once, not in a sassy or annoyed tone, which was a huge change of habits since that was the only 2 tones of voice he used in the last few decades*\n\n\"Would it be too much of a bother if we talked inside?\"\n\n*It wouldn't be hard to see that something was wrong about zalgar, even while not taking into account the shape-shifting and such, as his breathing always seem to cut shorter than it should and he seemed having difficulty walking*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The old friend offered a hand to him, supporting Zalgar on his way inside.* \n\n\"It would not be.\" \n\n*He led him down to his table, watching the slight dripping of blood on the way, and offered him a seat at the table.* \n\n\"You look way worse for wear, my friend. Way worse. Nothing like the one I used to know.\"" }, { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "\"Times have changed,our world is full of strange events, powers have been weakened and beasts have gotten stronger, the reason of those happenings are unknown to me,but a pack of wolves showed me i should've taken more precaution as i am sure you can see, that and age seems to have finally started to play a few trick on my mind, which is to be expected seeing my age of...225 years old? Honestly, i have lost count.\"\n\n*Meanwhile, zalgar would apply a bit of pressure near the wounds, to limit the loss of blood, even as he knew he didn't risk anything from blood loss at this point*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "\"Times has changed indeed... Now stop reminding me I am an old man too, Zalgar.\" *The white haired felinid stood up, pouring a cup of tea for Zalgar, combined with painkilling herbs to ease the pain. For a felinid, his friend Zamreth always looked exceptionally human - enough for him to blend in as if he was an Oriate amongst the humans - which is why he is here.* \n\n\"You look pretty messed up. I'll heal you.\" *The healer stood up, walking to the back and taking in some supplies, which he proceeded to use to cast a healing spell on Zalgar with, mending his leg and lungs over the course of several minutes.*\n\n\"The wolves in the forest are getting pretty restless, in fact, they've attacked several of the village's lifestock, I didn't expect them to be this fierce, however...\"" }, { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "\"Heh... Thanks for the assistance, and i probably could've taken the pack down if i had brought some armor, i'll have to dig up that stash of owlbear hide I've been collecting over the last few month, then the problem of those mad wolves would be over, but for now, their pack has been weakened as i killed 2 out of the 6, at-least the next bold adventurer who tries to take them down will have an easier time, they aren't exactly difficult to kill, the real danger is them swarming you all at once, which you can guess happened to me, if they didn't, there wouldn't be any wolves left here, Hehehe\"\n\n*During the few time zalgar spend time to catch his breath, he would also take the occasion to sip on the painkilling tea zamreth had made for him*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "\"Thinking of picking up a weapon again, Zalgar? Looks like your fist isn't serving you too well.\" *The veteran said as he looked at the scars on Zalgar's fist.* \n\n\"Thought you've sworn off them for some reason, but you are no monk, you strive in the heat of battle, do you not?\"" } ]

[ { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "\"That is true that i strive in the heat of battle and that i will have to find a weapon, my claws and bite usually where enough to take care of way bigger threats but it seems that due to the animals gaining in strength,i will need a weapon to once again re-gain the upper edge.\"\n\n\"Now the issue will be to find a trusty blacksmith, I've been having some issue with a particularly annoying soldier that walked in front of the tree i was chopping down and now he think i tried to kill him so he wants track me down and 'get revenge', he's not really a threat since he has no mobility in the tree's nor does he have ranged weapon, but i don't want to deal with the issue of getting ratted out and having to deal with him,too much of a waste of time for the plans i have.\"" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "\"....You have strange issues. Zalgar. Really strange issues.\" *The healer exasperated, and then closed his eyes.* \n\n\"And where does he come from? The local blacksmith can probably make you something usable - thinking of a two handed weapon or a one handed one?\"" }, { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "*Zalgar would've nodded when zamreth said he had strange issues, it didn't take a genius to figure that out*\n\n\"Probably will just go for a bec de corbin,those does some brutal hits and are very useful to pin foes in one place, works especially well agains't people on mounts and centaur, but i probably won't see many of them seeing the terrain i traverse usually isn't kind to them, anyway, how have the year's been on you? Seems like your farm's doing good.\"" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "\"Fair point - I can commission one for you or you can. But I suggest stop... Shapeshifting into such a weird form. Try to look a bit normal, aye?\" \n\n*He offered to set up a bath for him to wash away the blood.*\n\n\"Not as good thanks to those rabid wolves. Once you get yourself geared up, come back and kill them for me, will you? Consider that repayment for the healing.\"" }, { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "\"I'll do the commission myself, you already helped me enough with the healing and i can try to limit the shifting but i don't have the full control of it, and yea you can consider the wolves already dead, as soon as the equipment's ready i'll track them down and take care of 'em\"\n\n*Right after that, zalgar would start scrubbing off the blood off himself*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The healer set up the bath for him and left him alone for an hour to clean himself.* \n\n*After he is done, Zalgar would be able to commission his weapon - and most likely take care of the wolves without any excessive complication. The friend was quite thanksful - and most likely it has saved him more money than he spent on healing material.*\n\n*Zalgar skinning and hunting the wolves would yield some pelt and meat, but his luck was quite off - so they only yielded a moderate amount of yield.*\n\n```fix\nQuest Complete - 40 XP Awarded, 400 SP gained from sales of wolves material.\n```" } ]

[ { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "```quest start - like father and son ```\n\n*Sirdan would find himself walking down a some-what large dirt path in the middle of the salvainian forest.*\n\n*All seemed peaceful until he spotted a turned over chariot in the near distance , two humans where standing right next to it,one of them having an imposing stature, seemingly rummaging through a crate without anything covering his upper body, while the other was a much smaller and scrawny individual that seemed to be looking out for his pal, shortbow in hand.* \n\n*They didn't seem to have spotted Sirdan who would've quickly figured out that those weren't the owner of the chariot.*" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*He will be damned. It seems the two were pilfering the cart. But he was a tiny, slow man, and his outfit was the direct opposition of being fast and nimble*\n\n*A direct confrontation? He examined the imposing man and the not so imposing one, looking out for any ranged weapons he was carrying*\n\n*He continued on on his horse, quite sure that his presence is... More than obvious at this point. He wondered if he can charge in and surprise the smaller man*" }, { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "*As already previously stated, the small man had a shortbow, from a closer inspection he seemed to be wearing some gamberson,while the big man didn't seem to have anything other than his own body, which would've been really strange, perhaps was he a pugilist?*\n\n*Sirdan would've been able to advance until there was 15 meters in between him and the two men, but it was at around 20 meters in that the small men would've notices sirdan arriving.*\n\n\"Small man: hey uh... There's someone approaching\nBig guy: does he seem like a threat\nSmall man: he has plate armor and a horse so i'd say yes\"\n\n*The big man would've stopped rummaging trough the box and looked straight at sirdan who can notice his bloodied hands*\n\n\"Big guy: HEY WHITE HAIR, you better turn around and forget everything you saw, otherwise, thing's are gonna get reaal messy!\"" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "```fix\nRound 1\n```\nSirdan nodded,\"SORRY SIR! I WILL BE ON MY WAY!\" *He turned his horse around, moving backward, and then tried to move himself out of sight - giving him maximum space to build up momentum - preferably 30 meters, or 15 tiles away.* \n\n*Then he sheathed his falchion and brought up his great lance. With a deep breath, he set his horse on a gallop toward the man, aiming to lance the big man twice. The first strike would hurt the most, with the second strike meant to stab him in the leg to cripple him.*\n\n*Sirdan is in an offensive stance.*\n\n*Sirdan's horse carried his bow, lance and spare weapons*\n\nHP: 50 / 50 \n\n\nMovement: 8 Tiles toward Man - using the horse's movement action.\nAttack 1: Great Lance vs Big Man | 22 | 27 (34) | Charge\nAttack 2: Great Lance vs Big Man | 20 | 12 (20) | Cripple" }, { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "```round 1 gm```\n*Sirdan would've been able to impale the big guy, skewering him, while he did some heavy damage, they guy was still alive surprisingly.*\n\n*The big man would do throw some pocket sand at sirdan's eye and then do a composed attack, meanwhile the small man would back away while doing one precise shot and then quickly firing haphazardly another arrow.*\n\nB m: 12def\nS m : 23 def\n\nBig man misses his second composed punch.\n\nSmall man then panics and throw an arrow randomly, hitting a tree in the background!\n\nTotal:20dmg and a malus in sirdan's next attacks! \nMeanwhile the big guy lost only 38hp due to his evilish tendency and is still somehow alive..?```" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "```fix\nRound 1 Reaction\n```\n\"SHAT!\" Shouted Sirdan as the pocket sand flew toward him. He quickly turned around in place on his horse, using his shield to **Protect** Himself.\n\n```\nHP: 50 / 50 \n\n\nMovement: 8 Tiles toward Man - using the horse's movement action.\n\n```" }, { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "```round 1 enemy reaction```\nThe big guy would've tried to evade the charge when he saw it, reducing it's incoming damage by 9\n\n```nothing is able to damage sirdan\nThe big man takes only 21 damage```" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "```fix\nRound 2 PC\n```\nSirdan dropped his great lance and drew his falchion, using it to hack and slash at the pugilist twice - with its sharp blade, Sirdan hoped to cut through his toughened skin.\n\n```\nHP: 50 / 50 \nFocus: 5 / 8\nDefense: 11\nMovement: N/A\nAttack 1: Falchion vs Big Man | 29 | 5 (12) | \nAttack 2: Falchion vs Big Man | 11 | 12 (12) | \n```" }, { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "```round 2 enemy```\n\nThe big man would do another composed punch and a normal one this turn\n\nThe small man would do two quick shots at sirdan\n\nBm: 17 def\nSm:22\n```the big man hits both his punches, the second criting (17,25) , dealing a total of 19 damages and stunning him\nThe small man hits his second shot (5,15), dealing a total of 4 damages\nAll for a total of 23 damages of sirdan if he doesn't react.\nMeanwhile, sirdan's first attack would crit, dealing 12damange+4(16, for a total of-37) bleeding if the big man doesn't react```" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "```fix\nRound 2 Reaction\n```\nSeeing those rather deadly attacks coming his way, Sirdan decided to focus on protecting himself once again, putting all his efforts into blocking those attacks with his shield.\n\n```\nHP: 50 / 50 \n\nDefense: 11\nMovement: N/A\nReaction: Protect x 2 / -27\n```\n\n```fix\nR2 GM Reaction\n```" } ]

[ { "author": "ansari", "message": "Sirdan decided to swap his falchion for his horseman's pick, and ordered his horse to circle around despite the difficult terrain, coming in for a pass to swing at the big man with his pick, with the added momentum of his horse. \n\n```\nHP: 50 / 50 \n\n\n\nAttack 1: Horseman's Pick vs Big Man | 16 | 22 (32) | Charge (Cav Bonus) \n\n```" }, { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "```round 3 gm action```\n\nThe big guy would wait for the perfect time to dodge the hits who barely goes by him without touching him, after that he would do two normal punches \nMeanwhile the small guy would shout encouragement at the big guy while shooting two arrows \n\nBm def: 23 \nSm def:14\n```the big man doesn't get hit!\nBoth of his attack where absorbed by sirdan's armor, sirdan felt nothing\nThe small man's arrow completely miss, landing on one of the chariot's broken wheel.\nBig man's hp is at -36 due to the bleeding```" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "```fix\nRound 3 Reaction\n```\nSirdan decided to counterstrike the big man after he missed his punch, swinging his horseman's pick to hit him on the back of his head, using some of the additional momentum from his horse. \n\n```\nHP: 50 / 50 \n\n\nAttack 1: N/A\n\n```" }, { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "```enemy reaction skipped```" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "```fix\nRound 4 Action\n```\n*Sirdan rode away on his horse, coming back for yet another pass to attack the big man with his horseman's pick.*\n\n```fix\nHP: 50 / 50 \n\n\n\nAttack 1: Horseman's Pick vs Big Man | 25 | 29 (32) | Charge (Cav Bonus) \n\n```" }, { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "```round 4 gm action```\n\n*The big man was barely holding out to life after those brutal attacks, the bleeding would do him in and he knew it,the best he could do was disarm and make sirdan trip so that the small man would have a chance to flee, but he would fail both as he collapsed to the ground, as he said his final words to the small man*\n\"Guess i wasn't much of a leader huh, you man where always better than i could ever be\"\n*Meanwhile the small man, in a panic would shout at sirdan*\n\"YOU FUCKER KILLED FRANCIS... Y-YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS!\"\n*After that, the small man would leave the scene by going through the forest, the chances of sirdan catching up to him where low as he would need to navigate through the boxes, but sirdan can feel this may not be the last time he'll hear of him*\nBm def:10\nSm def: 14\n```the big man got finished off with the bleeding, -91hp/80hp\nBoth of his last ditch efforts have failed\nThe small man fleed the scene, swearing that sirdan would pay for killing the big man\nCombat over,you are now free to look around or end the quest right now\nGood job with not getting hit while depleting his huge health pool!\nNote: i probably under-estimated sirdan's defensive abilities.```" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*He examined the scene of the carnage as he pulled out his war pick that has dug into the man's surprisingly resilient flesh.*\n\n*Part of him felt a tinge of guilt, and he holstered his weapon, kneeling down next to the man known as Francis as the small man fled. He placed his finger next to his nose, wondering if he has in fact, survived the final hit.* \n\n*The man looked around for any supplies to provide medical treatment - and if Francis turned out to have survived in spite of the wounds - which Sirdan thought likely, he'd find some way to bind him and render him more... Harmless..* \n\n*In the meantime, he looked at the cart for any possible loot.*" } ]

[ { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "*Francis was no longer breathing,he also was beyond the point of recovery as you have turned him into the human equivalent of Swiss cheese, the fact he was able to survive for this long with the blood poring out of wounds proved his resilience.*\n\n*While you looked around for loot, you would've of-course looked into the crate Francis was rummaging through, a repugnant odor was coming from it, in it, a bunch broken flask with labels saying they'd heal basically anything, even illnesses that don't exist..*\n\n*Other than that, not much was found, the big man barely had any copper in his coin pouch, all boxes seemed to be full of the same kind of medicine, although they weren't opened, sirdan had a gut feeling he shouldn't drink any of those. The only thing that was of interest was the merchant who had his head caved in, and with his coin pouch surprisingly untouched*\n```Quest complete - 40 xp awarded, 600 sp where inside the merchant's pouch, you may do some more actions if you think of them```" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "\"Next time, I am not travelling on my own.\" *Said Sirdan as he realized the delicacy of the situation - if only he were travelling with a caravan, he could've buried them and not lead to any suspiscion of coin.*\n\n*In between the thoughts of being a good samartian and burying the merchant - and potentially running into bandit, or reporting the incident only to be mistaken for a bandit, Sirdan can't help but think the best course of action is to... Steal from them.* \n\n*He crouched and examined the merchant's body, pinching his nose as he looked at the caved in skull - not a favorite sight. He tried to see if there was anything of note to his next of kin...*\n\n*But once he realized he looked like a bandit and might as well be the people who could've waylaid them, he decided to see if there's a convenient bag to carry some of the flasks and leave.* \n\n\"Sorry.\"" }, { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "*The merchant didn't seem to have anything on him that would lead to his family, and, of course, as he was in a 'merchants' chariot, there was a few empty bag, although those bag are usually used to carry around crops in big quantities, they would make due with carrying a few of the flasks, although, he may not actually want to be seen carrying those, no one likes a snake oil salesman after-all.*" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*He shook his head, wondering if there's anything else of note. It appears those were snake oil and not an actual alchemical potion. He decided to speed off and move back to town with his horse to report the incident.*" }, { "author": "chair._._.", "message": "*As you reported the incident nothing bad seemed to happen, they mostly just seemed annoyed that the snake oil salesman didn't just disappear and became someone else's problem instead of dying on one of their path ,meaning they'd have the clean up whatever nightmare fuel the mixture of his oils would create, although the bandits seemed to be only small time and weren't known,they probably only did attack the salesman due to necessity like most other.*" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*Sirdan thanked the guardsmen for the help, and would return to his business, setting out with a caravan instead of travelling alone the next time*\n\n```fix\nThe end\n```" } ]

[ { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna came to sit down at the edge of the wooded trees from the Salvanian forests where the tree line met open fields before going out much further to where it would inevitably reach the capital. The sun had casted a golden glow down on it, signifying that it was near the time for it to set with the cold winds of winter notifying those of how frigid it will be once it did.\n\nA bow sat strung around the Canifor's torso with a quiver of arrows sitting just along her spine where she laid hunched over what it appeared to be an animal. To any that saw, it would look to be a Jackal, while the Canifor a huntress. However, she had no intent of hunting Jackal, instead him being a companion of hers. She lightly ran a hand along his side in a sort of rub, grazing a small cut that had formed on his flank. It didn't appear much more than any other tear nor lethal in any way, however, the Canifor seemed troubled.* \n\n\"Please... Please heal...\"*She seemed to murmur half to herself. The Jackal seemed to gaze up at her, most likely tired from whatever tasks they were trying to do earlier. He didn't seem very bothered, though he could pick up concern in his owner's tone. For what it was, the animal wasn't sure, only that she seemed to carry worry with her.*" }, { "author": "Alethea Fern", "message": "*Alethea walked down the path where there was wooded trees at where a tree line was present. She saw the open fields, hearing the birds chirp and migrate to different places. It seemed she was having some trouble locating the capital, but she saw open fields which followed something that looked like it. As she walked further, she started to seeing the sun setting. Seeming to be as if it was time to find some sort of shelter before it got dark.* \n\n*After walking down the path, she saw some sort of silhouette in the distance over what appeared to be a Jackal. The Kemonomimi tried not to make and noise, but she did so anyway. Footsteps came up to them, and the Doctor arrived. She saw the Jackal laying down on the floor, while the Canifor was deeply concerned for it. However, by quick examination, the Jackal wasn't in much trouble. Alethea started to speak in a very light, moderate tone.*\n\n\"That Jackal doesn't seem to be in much pain, that cut needs to be covered in cloth and treated with medicine so it doesn't get infected. Also, you should take it somewhere safe, that blood might attract something bigger from those woods nearby.\"\n\n*Her tail could be seen, and her fox-like ears were poking out. The Kemonomimi stood there looking at the cut in quiet observation, and she seemed to be concerned for the Huntress's safety as well since it was getting dark.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna had nearly jumped in surprise at the approach of the woman, taking a moment to grow lax once more in realization that it was just another person. Maybe she expected it to be some kind of predator or someone else entirely. It took her a good while to come to realize what the woman was talking about, casting a glance between Alethea and the Jackal.*\n\n\"Oh... Right... Right...\"*She said in barely a murmur after finally realizing that the woman was just instructing her on how to help her Jackal.*\"Yeah... That's... Probably a better idea...\"*Something about her tone, seemed to come off as more disappointed than need be at the idea of patching her Jackal up with a cloth. No one knew that was simply a sign of defeat in the Canifor's eyes. She had moved her hand away from her Jackal, once more seeing the cut still there despite her efforts and eventually she decided that maybe she should just take it as a sign to just go and cover the wound before any predators came like the doctor mentioned.\n\nHer ears flicked up towards the Kemomomimi, taking note of her appearance and wondering what had brought her over here, well besides the scene before her anyways.*\"I'm sorry... I'm not on your land am I...?\"*She'd ask, most likely from repeatedly having to make sure she wasn't crossing into someone's territory. It was strange how it had never been much of a problem when she'd gone out hunting while growing up. Now it had gradually became and more of an issue, something else to worry about on top of cold, her jackal, and trying to hunt for food in the winter.*" }, { "author": "Alethea Fern", "message": "*Alethea heard her response, it seemed rather normal or disappointed. The doctor was a little confused, but she did wish she had some sort of medicine to treat it.* \n\n*Her eyes laid on the Jackal again, then the woods. The woman was concerned for all three of them, and it was clear through her facial expressions. Staring into the woods repeatedly, she hoped there was no predators nearby that stalked them in the distance. After hearing the Canifor speak again, her eyes glanced back at the both of them. The question the Huntress asked the Kemonomimi peaked her interest for a moment before she responded back.* \n\n\"I have no land, I'm merely a Doctor that travels throughout these territories peacefully, nothing more. But now, I'm trying to find some sort of shelter since it's getting dark. And I should probably purchase medicine and some food since I am quite hungry. But before I make a move, do you know any place that has shelter and where I can locate medicine at? If so, I may be able to help that Jackal.\"\n\n*Her tail started to sway back and forth smoothly since she was curious to know her response.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna would give a small pat on the Jackal's flank which seemed to be a sign for him to get up to which he'd do after a moment of shaking himself off a bit. Standing up to her full height, she'd gaze over towards Alethea. Her gaze remained lowered as she typically did around people she seemed shy of, but at the very least she seemed relieved that she hadn't accidentally crossed someone else's land.\n\nWith the questions she was asked, Juna would eventually look back up at the doctor in a look of only slight confusion. Maybe she was new around here like the Canifor once was. If that was the case, Juna couldn't really blame her lack of knowledge.*\"The closest place would... Most likely be the Capitol but... You probably won't hit it before nightfall... They will have everything you need... I'm not sure of any place closer...\"\n\n*Her ears lowered slightly, seemingly tired for a long days work.*\"There's my camp for shelter but... I don't have any food or medicine there currently...\"*She'd add with a bit more hesitation. The Jackal would pace around Maevette, sniffing around her in investigation of who she was.*" }, { "author": "Alethea Fern", "message": "*Alethea watched her stand up, her gaze seemed to be disconnected. Which seemed rather normal since she didn't know her that well. Continuing, she listened to her answer and thought of an action to take. Before responding, she looked at the Jaskal directly, slightly smiling before looking back up in direct contact to the woman standing infront of her.* \n\n\"Hm, well, I guess I should take shelter at your camp then since it's way better than nothing at all. And besides, I think they like my company already. Also, before we head off, what's your name? I'm Alethea, Alethea Fern if you want to be exact.\"\n\n*After she responded, she looked down around her only to see a Jackal pacing around her. She assumed the Jackal was trying to know who she was, or perhaps wanted something from her. Either way, it was quite nice having company once in awhile. Her tail seemed to fluff up a bit, Alethea took that as a sign she should probably head there immediately. Goosebumps formed on her skin too, it was getting colder and colder as the sun set. Hearing crickets in the distance made it seem that the night was to follow.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "\"I'm Juna...\"*She'd say, rubbing at her arm absently to generate some warmth to it.*\"Juna Carse...\"*As always, her full name sounded unusual off her tongue in not being used to saying it often. However, Alethea had given her full name so it was only courtesy to return it.*\"We should get moving... The nights have been getting much colder lately and... It'll get harder to start a fire...\"\n\n*'Or impossible...' Juna wanted to add. It was hard for Juna to prep her camp to be ready for the harsh winters, but she thought it rude of her to bring the doctor back her friend's house without permission. This would simply have to be the next best thing. With a tilt of her head, Juna would gesture for her to follow as the Canifor began to walk off towards the large forest sitting just beyond the fields.\n\nSeeing his owner walk off, Jace would let out a huff of air, swiftly following after her with what seemed to be little issue. The injury was most likely not bothering him too much, but the cold probably wouldn't make it any better when it came down to it. All the more reason to move with haste as the sun threatened to make its disappearance soon.*" }, { "author": "Alethea Fern", "message": "*At first, the cold air was a little concerning, she hoped that they could start up a fire in time so that they could receive proper warmth. Or maybe there was some sort of blankets or clothes back at camp. Who knows? She just had a bit of faith there was gonna be something there at the camp or wherever they were going. There was no guarantee about that though. Alethea just marched with them, and looked ahead at the direction to which they were walking towards. Alethea's nervousness started to tick up once more, but she concealed it within her mind.*\n\n*The woods. A place she heard bad rumors and scary stories about as a kid. But she didn't want it to interrupt the main goal, so she just gulped it all down and kept on walking forward. Carrying her leather backpack, she looked further down the path they were taking as the Jackal followed Juna with not much of an issue.*\n\n\"Well Juna, nice to meet you then. Let's hope nothing bad happens down the road before we get to destination..\"" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "\"It's nice to meet you too...\"*Juna would make her way through the forests, passing through rather easily with her ability to see in the dark. Her Jackal had ran off ahead, most likely checking out the path for anything worth exploring. It seemed like the Canifor was very comfortable in the woods, despite her eery silence. Her ears remained raised while every now and then she would pause to re-assess where she was before continuing again.*\n\n\"It won't be much...\"*Juna would say to break the silence while she thought back to the state of her camp. She'd be surprised if it was even still altogether after all the time in the winter. It had been a while since she's visited it after traveling to Lymia and even longer since the winter had hit. The Canifor wasn't even quite sure if she'd be able to follow the sound of the Brook if it turned out to be frozen over, but still she continued.*\n\n\"You... Said you were a doctor...?\"*She'd ask in question.*\"That... Needed to purchase medicine...\"*The second part sounded less curious than her initial tone of voice as if she were coming into realization of something from asking.*" }, { "author": "Alethea Fern", "message": "*Alethea quickly followed along, trying to hop over any branches that could make a noise from a quick snap. She could also see through the dark with her ability and looked behind herself every now and then. Her mind was alert and anxious, but the Huntress gave her a sense of comfort since she seemed like she knew what she was doing. However, the Kemonomimi decided to keep quiet so that she wouldn't awaken anything nearby.*\n\n*After walking though the forests, she noticed the Jackal was gone which didn't bother her too much. Besides, they are known to be intelligent creatures capable of quick adaption throughout their new environment. When Juna spoke breaking the silence, she had hope that they'd be there quickly before she knew it herself. While continuing, Alethea heard the question Juna asked and decided to respond.*\n\n\"Yes.. I'm a doctor, and I do need to purchase some medicine on my travels just incase anything bad happens while I'm on this trip.. Oh.. And I'm an Apothecarist, meaning I prepare medicine and sell them to whomever needs it. But I sadly don't have the equipment for it.. And I need a proper place to work at, meaning, I'm for hire currently...\"\n\n*She whispered very quietly while she walked carefully throughout the forest with Juna while staying perceptive of the environment around her.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "\"...For hire...?\"*She'd ask in a confused tone.*\"Right... Of course...\"*She wasn't anything like the blind healer Juna had met long ago, one that could heal wounds with but a simple touch. Maybe she was the fool to think a doctor she randomly met would have similar capabilities when she herself couldn't even remember her own.*\"Sorry... I feel as if I may have forgotten something...\"*She'd say, walking further out through the forest.\n\nJuna felt bad for seeming disappointed, maybe she should accept that this person was willing to help which was more than what some would do. Juna knew that well, all too well and the thought caused her to take a deep breath to bat away at such horrific images.*\n\n\"Are you new to Salvania...?\"*She'd eventually ask. It was strange to find an unprepared doctor roaming around the wilderness, but like she said, she was for hire so the thought didn't surprise Juna so much. She doubted the blind healer was much different, except she had a gift to aid her. What was her name again? It started with an E or so the Canifor thought.*" }, { "author": "Alethea Fern", "message": "*She heard Juna for a moment, rather confused about why she sounded off. Almost as if she hoped for something different, Alethea was trying to piece it together from the information she gathered in her head currently. Following the Canifor, she moved very quickly and swiftly, trying not to slow down. Her mind went straight to being keen again, as well as sniffing through the area making sure to detect anything strange or at least trying to. She then spoke in a soft, quiet tone to respond to the Canifor's question.*\n\n\"Yeah.. I'm new to Salvainia... I bet you could tell since I wouldn't be wondering around like an idiot. But anyways, I'm trying to look for a job that could perhaps aid civilians or help people in general, since I really hate seeing things get hurt...\"\n\n*Alethea kept looking around in the dark, and watched her back before continuing on. From her observations, it didn't look like much was in these woods. She didn't want to assume the worst but she did hope Juna didn't have any bad intentions since she put some of blind faith in her since the start. In the back of her mind, she wondered where the Jackal ran off too, or maybe he found the place before they did. Who knew really? She just wanted to find shelter immediately before anything snuck up on them.*\n\n\"Uh... Are we getting any closer?.. I don't want to be rude or anything, but it sure does feel like this place was farther then I thought...\"\n\n*The Kemonomimi sounded like she was completely clueless, but still followed behind her regardless.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna tried to offer a hidden smile, somewhat hard to see in the dark.*\"I figured you for a potential traveler...\"*She'd say in defense of the Doctor's wanderings.*\"Many people like to move from place to place... There's always... Something new to see...\"*Juna would carefully step over an exposed tree root, now finding herself more familiar within the area where she had once left Jace hidden while she went to find food.*\n\n\"Watch your step.\"*She'd warn, venturing further. At the Doctor's mention of wanting to aid people, Juna would continue.*\"Many people are in need of doctor's... I've seen many get hurt without the help to aid them... Many who didn't make it... So so many...\"*The Canifor would have winced at the thought, but it happened so often that Juna was most likely used to it. At least she should have been, but it would always come as a shock to her in the moment.\n\nWith Alethea questioning if they were getting close, Juna realized that she was just making small talk and decided to focus what was ahead.*\"Yes... We're quite close actually.\"*Even without the sound of the brook to aid her, she had grown accustomed enough to the area to remember the terrain, it was almost a trip back down memory lane for her. Almost. \n\nHopping over a small dip in the earth, the Canifor would eventually gesture out towards a dark clearing ahead of them where the bare trees had parted themselves just enough to make room for a camp. Jace was already there, darting around the familiar area as he anxiously sniffed at the different bits of wood lying around the area. If there was a camp there, it was hard to tell, especially between the dark and snow.*" }, { "author": "Alethea Fern", "message": "*Her tail caught on to some leaves along the way due to how bushy and fluffy it was. So, she dusted some of the particles off of her tail whilst they kept moving. Furthermore, she wanted to get closer to the camp so that she could finally have a moment of rest. Which was something she didn't get to have in quite awhile now. Listening to Juna, she understood what she was saying and saw a slight smile while they moved. The only reason she saw it was due to her enhanced vision, but she only saw it for a second before they kept venturing out farther into the woods. Almost tripping on a rock, she caught herself and it luckily didn't make a lot of noise. Noise loud enough for only a tiny cricket to hear anyway.*\n\n*Alethea understood the woman, and nodded with the intention of thanking her when she warned her. The mention of doctors and how people passed away without seeking medical attention in time, it truly devastated her deep within the Kemonomimi's heart. But she had to stay strong, and so she continued moving further down forth.* \"Yeah.. I wish there was a way to save them all...\" *She mumbled under her breath with a quick sigh to follow her voice.*\n\n*Quietly, she also hopped over the small dip in the earth that Juna passed too after be told they were close. Poking her head out to see a clearing that lead to a camp, she slightly smirked with joy. Seeing the Jackal at the camp, she knew her assumption about where he was at was accurate enough.* \n\n\"Well, it's quite cold.. And I hope that camp is big enough for the three of us. Now thinking about it now, if there is big enough wood around here, we could create a fire. But that's if the wind won't blow it away roughly first..\"\n\n*She was trying to think critically of what to do in this type of situation as she laid her fingers on her chin. There had to be some sort of way to provide them warmth, and if they didn't, then she'd only hope they could pass through the night without suffering victim to hypothermia then.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna picked around what remained of her camp, coming to walk upon a strange lump jutting out of snow. Carefully, she would brush away at the white surface with her boot coming to uncover her old stick tent or what was left of it anyways. With a sigh, she'd turn to face the center of the area where the campfire once was and where currently, Jace decided to lay down at.*\"I may... Be a little low on wood... I didn't expect for there too be this much snow when I returned...\"\n\n*Sticks or not, with the snow covering most of the materials she had used to keep her camp going, it had managed to make them much too wet to start any real fire out here. Maybe she could get Jace to help with digging out some of the snow to build a blockade from the wind. It would be a grueling task, but at least it was some kind of shelter. After all, it helped her through last winter.\n\nOnly when she had glanced back at Alethea, did she come to feel a bit guilty. Juna had promised a shelter, but right now it seemed like they'd have to cave in their own and Juna wasn't quite sure just how accustomed the Kitsune was to the outdoors. She was a doctor, but did doctors usually have survival skills? The Canifor wasn't actually sure.*\"...I'll get to work on the shelter...\"*She'd say, continue to scratch along the snowy surface with her shoe. Of course her hands were an option, but by the time she'd be able to dig out a hole big enough for them, she'd already have lost all feeling in them.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Alethea Fern", "message": "*Alethea started to look around, and the camp seemed to resemble a tent made out of sticks. She immediately noted what she was going to get in order for the three to have a shelter again. Her idea was to get leaves and sticks to support the structure of the tent again. The Doctor did have some ideas but it would be too grueling and some would be far too long since the sun would already rise up before they even finished what they started. She spoke up to Juna, making sure she understood what kind of supplies she was going to get out in the wilderness before she trailed off,*\n\n\"Okay, so.. I'm gonna get sticks and leaves to support the new tent. And if I can spot any herbs, which would be a bit rare since it's winter, I'll come back with them. I don't think I'll be lost too easily either, since I can see in the dark. Anyways, I'm heading out to find the supplies but uh, try to stay safe please...\"\n\n*The last part of the last sentence she said sounded like she had consideration for them both. Almost as if she was attached to the two. As she went into the woods, she start picking up sticks first. She came back and forth to where the old camp base was, and there was a pile slowly getting bigger. What followed next were leaves, and then she kept of going and going till there was enough. As she came back again, she noticed Juna digging out the hole that got bigger... Bigger... And bigger! She was pleased to see her working hard, but a bit concerned with her safety, primarily her hands.*\n\n\"I think that's good enough for now, Juna. I couldn't find any good herbs for us since most of them withered and died. But... I got new leaves and sticks which is in a pile a few feet away from you. If you want, we could start the process of rebuilding the structure and fixing the old tent now.\"\n\n*The Kemonomimi started to like where this was going, and her tail seemed to be covered up with snow. She was freezing a bit, but she wasn't gonna quit till they got somewhere with this project.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*As Juna would dig away at the snow in front of her, Jace's ears would raise as he'd watch her in curiosity. The night darkened the area more and more until the sky was eventually left with nothing more than twinkling dots. Juna didn't say anything when the doctor left, trying to conserve her energy with the lack of hunted prey to keep her moving. The only sign of her hearing Alethea would be the single flick of her ears before she'd eventually continue digging further.\n\nWith Alethea gone, Jace would eventually get up from the old campfire area, most likely having grown stiff from sitting too long on the cold surface. Soon enough, he'd start digging with her, taking it as more of a fun activity than a need for the moment.\n\nMore and more, the hole would grow and with it, so would the cold. The Canifor had always hated the cold and now she had only wished she was back at her friend's house in front of the nice warm fireplace. Alethea seemed to be returning every now and then, but the Canifor had merely been focusing on what was right ahead of her and tunneled her gaze in doing such.\n\nAlethea's words had sounded so faint in her ears when she had told her that it was enough, Juna didn't even stop for a while after until eventually the cold had gotten too much for her and she eventually had to take a pause. She didn't seem to carry the same enthusiasm as Alethea, even as she gazed over the pile she collected.\n\nShe simply saw it as work, work to survive. Bit by bit, she'd move a slowed hand to grab one of the sticks to help fix the already ruined tent. It had seemed so much easier to make with the sun warm on her back, now it just felt like an effort not to cause more to topple over. Juna's fur bushed up around her and she decided to use her tail to wrap around her as extra protection. It wasn't much, but the Canifor at least felt like it was helping.*" }, { "author": "Alethea Fern", "message": "*There wasn't much she heard from Juna, but she really didn't want to bother her by interrupting the work flow. Her footsteps was quickly heard going towards the pile, and then back to where the ruined tent was. She carefully placed the sticks in a proper order, and she followed up with the measurements of it. It was perfect. The tent was going to fit the three of them. Alethea made sure to test the structure of it, and it was stable enough since it wasn't even budging to fall down from her mere weight.* \n\n*She put the sticks on her tail and her arms then walked carefully to the halfway done tent. In her mind, she was making sure not to create a mess by dropping any of the useful material into the snow. As she kept going back and forth, the progress of the tent seemed to be going quite well. In fact, from the Canifor's work and the Jackal contributed greatly to it as well. The Kemonomimi really wanted to tell them that they did well, but she knew she still had to focus on the task.*\n\n*Alethea got more larger or bigger sticks since the other side of the tent wasn't going to easily hold with small sticks. Going back to the forest, she found a huge stick that was almost the length of a log. So, she started to carefully cut it in half by using a huge stone. Dragging back the now two large sticks back to the base, she dropped them on the floor. Then, Alethea went back into the woods to continue the process.*\n\n*Coming back to the base again, she now begun the process of stacking the huge sticks on the other end of the tent. There was a careful intricate pattern of how she did it. This was to prevent the tent to falling on them if they were under it. Alethea smirked as it was all coming together. In a few minutes, she was going to put the dead leaves onto the tent to prevent the snow from coming inside the very small gaps of the sticks.*\n\n\"It's all about to be done..\" *She mumbled under her breath as she continued to work relentlessly.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Seeing the shelter being formed, Jace would happily walk into it, sniffing at the new interior before he'd make himself comfortable by lying down on his side, avoiding the one with the cut on it. At some point in time, Juna had felt as if she had become numb to the cold and her surroundings.\n\nThe tent grew more and more, but she was hardly aware of it until the words of the doctor had met her ears and she had finally decided to look up at the progress.*\"The night is only going to get colder...\"*She murmured.*\"We shouldn't stick out here much longer... Sleeping later may cause us to not wake up...\"\n\n*Juna would turn herself ever so slightly to face the Kemonomimi, her gaze remaining lowered more out of exhaustion than will.*\"I feel I must hunt, but with no fire... It... Wouldn't be the best to eat...\"*The Canifor sat in silence, almost pondering something over.*\"I may have some... Spare bits of Jerky... They were for Jace but... We can spare some for tonight...\"" }, { "author": "Alethea Fern", "message": "*Alethea kept working and working, till all the sticks and branches finially ran out. Soon enough to come, she dumped the leaves and patted it down on the structure. It was stuck onto the branches for good, and hopefully the tent was going to hold till day. For now, she backed away and stared at the tent. The Kemonomimi really did like how it came out. In fact, it looked quite neat and sturdy. Alethea turned towards the direct of the two once she heard Juna speak.*\n\n*After hearing everything she said, she was a bit surprised she had food. Alethea saw the Jackal, and thought about the offer.* \n\n\"Hm.. You can give the remaining spare bits of Jerky to him. Besides, I think he'll need more then I do considering he had to work while having that cut. You too, I know you must be exhausted from digging with him. I'm exhausted as well, but it's nothing too much to worry about. Anyways, I'm gonna go to sleep to get some energy for tomorrow. Have a good night, Juna.\" \n\n*She knew that she could probably wait till sunrise and walk to the capital to find whatever she needed. Plus, Alethea didn't want to the Jackal to be malnourished or starving as well as Juna. Before walking off, she smiled towards her kindly and went inside.*\n\n*Walking into the tent, she put her bag beside her which didn't take much room at all. She used it as a pillow on the ground, and started to slowly fall asleep. Alethea thought about what she was going to do after sunrise, but it depended on what they wanted to do too. Either way, she went to sleep shortly afterwards.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Jace eyed Alethea as she entered the tent, letting out a high pitch bark before relaxing his head on his paws once more. Juna sat at the entrance to the tent, watching Alethea head inside for the night.*\"Goodnight...\"*She would say quietly before turning away to gaze out into the forest.\n\nAt first, Juna considered keeping watch for the night as she occasionally did when the nights were at their most threatening, but after what became of her in Lymia, she figured it was probably best to just get some sleep as well. Besides, who would come looking for a fight in the middle of winter anyways? Slowly and surely, Juna would crawl her way into the tent, curling up so as to use her body as a blockade against the wind that made its way in with her bushy tail protecting her from the outside.\n\nShe didn't fall asleep as easily, finding discomfort in her own thoughts as she gazed down at her hand. Surely she had simply forgotten. It didn't just leave her overnight, did it? The cut her jackal had received was still fresh in her mind, though by now it had mostly patched itself up without her help. Too late to find out now. She'd bring her hands close to her, trying to bring life back into them by using her own body heat. Juna wasn't quite sure when she had fallen asleep, only that she had eventually dozed off in the night.*" }, { "author": "Alethea Fern", "message": "*Alethea went to sleep in peace, and woke up immediately afterwards. Almost as if time had went by in a quick second. She decided to get of the tent as quietly as possible without disturbing the others if they were still asleep. The snow seemed to have shrunk a bit, and the floor looked cold and wet. As she walked out a bit more, the sun was felt against her skin. The comforting warmth of it was pleasing to feel, and she didn't feel too cold anymore.* \n\n\"Well.. That tent surely helped a lot and it looks good too. I hoped they all had a good night rest though... Hmm...\"\n\n*She watched carefully and saw light from far away, Alethea assumed that's where the edge of the wooded tree were. It looked far but not too far away, it was probably going to be exhausting to walk back to the edge. And even more exhausting to go to the capital instead. However, it was going to be something she was going to work with. More importantly, she needed to buy supplies before she went further on her own exploration.*\n\n*The Doctor sat down on a heavy log with her leather backpack on her back. She stared down at the floor just thinking to herself at the moment, there was nothing much on her mind. Out of boredom, Alethea picked up a random rock and started to toss it in mid air before catching it. She would continue to do this repeatedly till something happened.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna shifted in her sleep, feeling the warmth of the sun shining on her back as she'd slowly open her eyes. Jace had remained curled up in front of her, him being the only one left in the tent and, for a brief moment, Juna had figured the doctor must have left early. It made enough sense anyways, after all, she had to head all the way to the Capitol for supplies.\n\nReaching to her waist, Juna would grab at a small pouch of Jerky that she had kept with her, soon littering out its few remains in front of the Jackal's sleeping form.*\"Enjoy the breakfast...\"*She'd whisper to him before turning away and crawling out of the tent. The sun seemed to welcome her for a moment, almost blinding her with the sheets of white snow reflecting it's bright light and, glancing to the side, she'd find Alethea sitting on a log seemingly in boredom.*\n\n\"O-oh...\"*Juna would say, standing up and brushing off a few flakes off ice from her clothing.*\"I... Thought you had already left for the Capitol.\"*Needless to say, finding the doctor still here was quite a surprise. She'd have figured anyone would want to escape the cold first chance they get. Well, if they were anything like her anyways.*" }, { "author": "Alethea Fern", "message": "*She heard Juna's words for a moment, and almost chuckled. Looking up at her, she gave a quick smile before pausing her action with the stone.*\n\n\"I wouldn't leave the you or that Jackal behind, you both helped me a lot yesterday. Even if you don't see how now. Plus, I wanted to make sure you both didn't exactly freeze to death before or after I carried on with my departure. But it seems as if you are both okay now, since your both awake.\"\n\n*Alethea stood up before adjusting the strap on the backpack. She tossed the rock away into the wilderness which disappeared in the sheets of snow. It was cold and definitely wet. However, it didn't mean she was going leave them without saying her proper farewells.* \n\n\"Goodbye, Juna. Tell that Jackal that he was a huge help too. Besides, your really skilled in making that tent!\"\n\n*She said the last part as she started heading away into the distance. The Kemonomimi started to walk into the woods, and she remembered everything Juna told her and where the capital was. Alethea would be seen hopping around any holes in the ground before she sprinted quickly with the quick and swift movement of a fox. Then never to be seen again.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna let out a quiet laugh at her reason for staying.*\"I suppose that's fair...\"*It was rather odd to find such a caring individual, in the middle of the forest anyways. Only on the occasional does she find herself having good encounters while out hunting. She'd watch Alethea get up, prepping her bag to leave before tossing the rock away and being on her way after saying her farewells.*\n\n\"Goodbye Alethea-\"*She'd say, offering a friendly wave as she headed off.*\"Be safe...\"*A moment of silence followed the Canifor as the only sound would be the crunching of snow from the Kemonomimi's departure. Suddenly, a thought would cross her mind and looking up she'd try to call out to the Doctor to ask something, but by then, she was already gone, vanished within the snowy forest.\n\nJuna let out a sigh, gazing down at her hand. A Doctor for hire? Maybe there was still hope of finding someone. There were other healers around after all. With a yawn, Jace would stretch out before leaving the tent and gazing up at his owner.*\"Let's go Jace...\"*She'd murmur before heading off in the opposite direction.*\"Got something searching to do...\"" } ]

[ { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna would make her way past the outskirts of town, heading off into the open plains that she typically took back to her camp ever since the roads had proven to be too dangerous for her. With the time having passed, the sky had soon become a scarlet-orange hue, signifying night soon approaching and with it, Juna figured she'd grab whatever she had left back at her home before returning to Addy's with what little coin she had collected for the day. Jace would walk at her side, practically hidden in the tall grass they walked through that seemed to come up halfway for Juna. It was quite annoying to walk through at times, but she preferred safety over the slight discomfort.*\"Think we'll find any prey back home Jace...?\"*Juna would ask her Jackal quietly while he sniffed along the ground. He didn't give a response which Juna expected, so she would only give a quiet sigh before continuing on.*" }, { "author": "Celeana Ashwood", "message": "Celeana couldn't help but find herself growing bored. Honestly, she began tailing the Canifor since the early sunlight. If her presences was compromised, she would've known by now, right? Making sure to keep quite a gap between herself and the Canifor, using different spices and perfumes she gathered along the way to mask her scent. Feeling rather confident that this Canifor was the one from earlier based on the companion that always seemed to be nearby. It wasn't until she reached the open plains that she called out. \"Princess.. Is that you!?!\" Her pace moving from a walk to a jog to close the distance. \"It's getting to be too dark for someone like you, what brings you out here?\" Celeana's head tilted to the side to further place emphasis on the question. Unlike before, the mud from her hair was thoroughly removed recently. Strands of what was Ash coloured hair now gave the appearance of moonlight silver. Even her skin looked healthier, much more pale than before in the merchant district. \"Don't tell me that you live out here, prey of the nocturnal are almost upon us.\"" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna went still as she heard someone call out to her, her head turning back to find herself staring over at Celeana. There was a long pause as Juna would look at her, not quite able to remember the Elf with how different she looked now. Mud completely washed away, she almost looked like a new person, but there was only one who has ever called her princess. Seeing her rush over, Juna found herself backing up defensively, her Jackal having darted out of the tall grass to rejoin her at the first sense of discomfort. Juna's hand would reach for her bow as she'd take a step back away from Celeana's approach. After a while, her gaze would narrow slightly as if studying the Elf before finally responding.*\"...Aren't you the thief from earlier?\"*Of course she had once more completely evaded the questioning with questions of her own as she began to wonder what Celeana was doing out here as well.*" }, { "author": "Celeana Ashwood", "message": "*Celeana's jog slowly turned into a full stop as the Canifor reached for her weapon. Two pale hands lifting to her chest, palms facing outwards to prove she was not here to attack.* \"I would feel much more inclined to answer your question, if I didn't feel like you'd shoot an arrow at me on a moments notice.\" *Her hands lowered back to her side, occasionally brushing against a set of throwing knives along her waistband. She didn't really care for 'thief' being her defining characteristic to the young lady.* \"Here I thought I was being polite by remembering your name.\" *As she began walking towards the female, although her approach seemed carefree, she was entirely aware of how quickly things could turn if Juna removed the bow. She was betting on Juna's pure nature that she wouldn't attack someone who gave no outward intentions of harm.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna's gaze would lower slightly as Celeana mentioned her shooting her bow. At first the Canifor considered explaining that it would impossible to get away with a proper shot at this close of range, but seeing the Elf near her anyways, she would simply take another step back, her grip tightening.*\"My name is Juna...\"*She would murmur in correction of her, eyeing Celeana while Jace would stare at her, barking at the woman in warning.*\"Have you... Been following me...\"*She'd accuse. It hadn't even been a whole day since she's last saw Celeana and seeing she had come this far, surely it wasn't any mere coincidence.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Celeana Ashwood", "message": "*Celeana took another step closer, confidence growing that she would indeed not be shot by the young huntress.* \"Right.. I'm supposed to call you by name but I'm called 'thief'.\" *Glancing down at her companion and giving a subtle nod. Her hand reached behind her back and into a pouch that was hidden by her new cloak. She knew she had some dried squirrel meat, the same squirrel she obtained on their first encounter. As her fingers grasped onto the tough game meat she lowered into a kneel. Celeana held the food up for both Canifor and companion alike to examine. Bringing the food to her mouth and taking a rather large bite from the jerky, proving that it was not poisonous. Celeana stretched out her hand with the jerky resting within her palm.*\"Does Jordan enjoy squirrel, do *You* Enjoy squirrel?\" *Her second question lacking intrigue. It was her turn to start question dodging until she obtained some answers as well.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Jace would sniff at the jerky in Celeana's hand, a low growl rolling up in his throat before he would bark at her. It didn't seem to be exceptionally aggressive, though the Jackal would still stare up at her, in waiting almost. Juna would take another step back, her gaze narrowing slightly as Celeana avoided the question. As far as Juna knew, she had been following her this whole time and her lack of an answer only seemed to prove it more. Bringing up how she's supposed to call Juna by her name while she's only called thief in return, Juna would give a light shake of her head. She could recall the thief mentioning her name was Celeana, how true that was Juna wasn't sure. Though seeing as she couldn't get Jace's own name right, Juna saw no reason to be on a first name basis anyways.*\"We enjoy squirrel when we catch it ourselves...\"*She'd answer, not only jabbing at the thought of Celeana potentially stealing the squirrel, but also providing the idea that Juna prefers to eat her own catches rather than what someone's given her. She deserved what she could provide herself, nothing more.*" }, { "author": "Celeana Ashwood", "message": "*Celeana placed the jerky onto the grass before standing once more, her hands patting her bottom and legs to shake free the dirt that clung to her.* \"Then I don't see an issue.\" *Finding loopholes within Juna's words. Technically speaking that is the squirrel she caught. Technically speaking, Juna said nothing about having to cook it herself. Celeana pointed down at the jerky with her left hand, before speaking.* \"Then you should really enjoy that one, seeing how you caught it.\" *A grin forming across her lips.* \"Anyways, I just wanted to share with you the food you gave me yesterday, and to maybe talk once more. It's also getting dark, an extra set of hands or blades might help.\" *Celeana walked right up to Juna but instead of pausing, she passed in the direction the Canifor was heading before.* \"Are we on our way to check traps or maybe a deer?\"" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Jace would snatch the jerky up in his mouth, quickly gnawing it down before returning back to Juna's side. Hearing Celeana say that it was her squirrel, Juna couldn't help but look away from the thief in slight embarrassment of it. At least Jace had gotten his end of the meal, but it didn't completely suppress her disliking of the woman. For the time being, however, she'd simply bite her tongue silence. Watching her walk past in the direction Juna was already heading in, she couldn't help but feel a sense of panic rise up in her in the realization that she had been leading Celeana towards her camp.*\"I thought you were going to stay at the tavern-\"*She suddenly spluttered out, mostly to shift the Elf's attention away from the forest.*\"Is... There not someone there that could help with your hunting-\"*Juna wasn't sure why Celeana found the need to come to her specifically. There were a lot more capable hunters out there. The whole 'we' thing, suddenly felt like weight sitting in her stomach, as if she were stuck having to be followed around by this woman.*" }, { "author": "Celeana Ashwood", "message": "*Celeana turned from the forest to once again face the Canifor, a brow lifting upon her face in curiosity. She knew better than to assume this was compassion on Juna's part, but for a brief moment her mind leapt to that conclusion.* \"It was getting too loud and someone was trying to cour-\" *She thought Juna had finished her question but was mistaken. Juna's words hit a soft spot within her core, She didn't really know anyone else. It was Celeana's turn to cast her gaze downwards, the feeling of self-pity bubbling from within.* \"I haven't really met anyone else. Besides, as annoying as you can be, you're decent company.\" *Celeana lifted her chin once more, her gaze locking onto Juna once more.* \"Anyways, some drunken man was getting all grabby and decided to leave the tavern...\" \"Not without being called all types of names\" *She said the last bit underneath her breath.* \"Shall we continue, Princess?\"" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "\"As annoying as I can be-?\"*Juna questioned in a baffled tone, half to herself. Wasn't Celeana the one following her around this whole time? The Canifor could at least feel a little bad about Celeana having to put up with people in the tavern with nowhere else to go, but her way about going things, Juna wasn't sure whether or not she had that coming to her. As she brought up the name thing, Juna would murmur under her breath:*\"Must have been really annoying for you...\"*She wasn't unable to fully say it aloud, but she felt it was karma at this point. Looking back over to Celeana she would say:*\"There aren't any traps out there...\"*A truth.*\"And it'll probably be hard to find any prey out there as well...\"*Another truth. Juna decided to be careful with her words, seeing as Celeana could easily turn them around from what information she gave. She wasn't fond of the thief, but she had to admit she was smart.*\"It's better if you find somewhere to stay for the night... The forest gets dangerous around that time...\"*A half truth.*" }, { "author": "Celeana Ashwood", "message": "*Celeana just stared at Juna, something was off. Things did not add up at all. After all, Juna was the one going into the forest, at night, alone. Her gaze narrowed at the stretch of trees and then to Juna. Celeana tilted her head back and closed her eyes, re-processing everything their exchange so far. Places to stay, People, forest, danger, following, No traps or food. It was then, her eyes snapped open and she faced Juna, her gaze almost penetrating.* \"The city isn't much better than the forest, I feel like far less can happen to me in the wild than in the city.\" *Without so much of a warning, she ran towards the forest's edge. She had a hypothesis on the situation though Juna's reaction would the defining factor.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Her eyes would widen as Celeana would rush off, quickly having to recollect herself to turn tail and chase after her.*\"Celeana wait!\"*She'd call out. Seeing his owner give pursuit, the Jackal would look up with newfound excitement before darting on ahead almost as if they were chasing down prey. In her haste, Juna wasn't sure what she could have said to get the thief to listen to her and eventually, the Canifor would find herself skidding to a stop. There was no way the Canifor was going to be able to chase the Elf all the way through the forest. The place was too big and too confusing for most.*" }, { "author": "Celeana Ashwood", "message": "*Celeana stopped the moment Juna yelled, confirming her suspicions about the Canifor. Turning around and approaching the female, ignoring the concept of personal space. She only stopped when she could make out every strand of hair, every micro expression, even the Canifor's scent at this distance.* \"What are you hiding in the forest?\" *She asked plainly, no longer caring for the game of cat and mouse when it comes to questions.* \" '..The forest gets dangerous'.\" *Quoting Juna's words as if they didn't make sense.* \"Yet you're the one who came out here alone. Yes, I've been following you and I saw some suspicious looking people eyeing you as you passed them as well. I wouldn't be surprised if they were waiting at the entrances for your return. I wouldn't be surprised if they were bandits too.\" *There was no hint of amusement or her usual playful attitude about her this time.* \"If it's that important, I can help you and whoever it is across the wall a different way.\"" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna's ears lowered as she tried to shrinking away from the questioning. She had lied once, it did not end well for her either, nearly leading to getting killed by an angry Vampiress.*\"I'm hiding myself!\"*She'd suddenly snap back to her when the Celeana's lack of space had grown to be too much for her. It wasn't exactly the answer she was meant to give, but in between trying to keep her camp hidden and pushing out the dangers there already were out here, somehow this was the outcome.*\"I'm hiding away from people like them and more importantly, from people like you!\"*Too late she realized that the things she said came out more insulting than she meant for it to be. Her heart raced, her breathing labored, for a moment the anxiety reaching her before her ears would eventually lower on her head. She didn't want the help, she didn't need the help, at least that's what she figured anyways. Juna could never feel safe with the thought of a rule breaker knowing her home inside and out, she already couldn't whenever bandits and other crooks stumbled upon her camp. She had a Jackal to take care of and a hatchling underway, but she couldn't even keep others at bay let alone be able protect an animal so helpless. She eyed the Elf, keeping her gaze lowered.*\"No one will find me in the forest... I won't allow them to... And if you go in there... You'll be lost until daybreak...\"" }, { "author": "Celeana Ashwood", "message": "*Celeana simply stared at the Canifor, Listening to the pained words and reading into the unspoken ones as well. Taking a deep breath in through her nose before exhaling in a long drawn out breath. Celeana know what it feels like to be on the run or hiding from people who may or may not be there. She couldn't show herself around Irunia without the risk of being captured or killed on sight. Celeana raised her left hand and placed it upon Juna's right shoulder in, trying to comfort her.* \"There, there. 'A person like me' won't follow you. I'll just..\" *She looked behind her before pointing to a large tree at the edge of the forest.* \"I'll lay there somewhere, in case they come searching for you.\" *With that she turned and walked towards the edge of the forest, feeling sorry for the young lady. She only made it a couple of steps before she whispered to herself, possibly loud enough Juna to hear.* \"Daybreak can't find me, either.\" *She didn't look back until she reached the base of the large tree before pressing her back against the bark, facing the distant city gate they had both came from.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna would tense under the woman's touch, her fur standing on end before she would finally bring herself to move away. Only when the woman had started to walk away, would Juna say:*\"A person like you did follow me...\"*The Canifor would watch as the woman would lean against the bark of the tree, a look of distrust towards believing the woman wouldn't follow after her again the moment Juna's back was turned. Jace would come to a slow walk, gazing up at his owner in waiting as if she half expected her to do something only to be met with silence.*\"If you want to rob me dry why don't you just do it and be on your way...\"*Juna would ask. It was clear that the anticipation of it wore her down more than the actual act itself. It wasn't like she had much on her besides her weapons, clothing, and Jackal anyways. Maybe she didn't understand a thief's work in its own, too stuck on the idea of them to think they were anything more than Kleptomaniacs.*" }, { "author": "Celeana Ashwood", "message": "*Celeana threw the hood of her cloak up before resting her head against the tree itself. She didn't feel like answering too much at the moment, it was always \"Thief this\" Or \"Thief that\" With this young Canifor. Another drawn out sign escaped her lips at the invitation to rob came.* \"Again, I came to give you back your food. I did not come here to steal from you. If I wanted to steal from you, I would not have called out, I would've continued to follow until you reached wherever it is you are going. Maybe even wait for you to return like the bandits you passed earlier today. Then I would make my move. Instead, I called out, I came with a gift. Almost took an arrow by the looks of things.\" *Adding the sly comment in under her breath.* \"Offer to assist in whatever it is you're doing and even to get you back in by a different means.\" *She had finished listing the events of today as well, much like yesterday.* \"I don't know what you see me as, entirely. 'A person like me'. You hide constantly to survive and I gather resources.\" *Celeana looked up at the branches high above her head, gazing up at where the stars would've been if clouds didn't paint the sky. Hopefully it wasn't going to rain tonight of all nights.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna fell silent again, part of her couldn't help but feel bad for the unfairness in it. She supposed Celeana has only been helping for the most part really or as far as she knew anyways.*\"...Thank you...\"*She'd mumur ever so quietly. Juna would take a few steps into the forest, eventually gazing back at Celeana.*\"It would be better for you to find a place in town to stay at...\"*She'd say.*\"If you really want to stay out in the forest... Then there's a small makeshift canopy if you head directly straight in. You'll know you hit there when you see a clearing and a few oversized leaves creating some cover near a pond...\"*It wasn't her camp she was describing, however, the detail she used made it seem like she could have set up one there. It wasn't the case, instead merely a spot in the woods she had seen at some point in turn, most likely left by a traveler who decided to stray from the usual path path to set up camp for the night.*\"Rain will be nearing...\"*She'd say as if she alone could simply sense it, smell it maybe but Juna preferred not using her senses in that way.*\"And I don't plan on staying out here for the night...\"" }, { "author": "Celeana Ashwood", "message": "*Celeana simply stared up at the clouds, Her suspicions being finalized by Juna's prediction. Only to look towards Juna as she described wonderful sounding clearing a little ways in. Her lip tugged upwards into a small smile.* \"Thank you.\" *Though it would be counter-projective to move locations.* \"I wouldn't be able to intercept if I move into forest though.\" *She looked back towards the entrance and squinted. Jumping to her feet and making her way back to Juna. Without hesitation she placed both hands onto the girl's back and pushed her into the forest. She wasn't sure if the people approaching were the bandits or guards, she didn't wait to find out.* \"I'll stall for time, Run!\" *Before turning her back to the girl and rushing out to greet the two figures who approached.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna would gaze at her, saying:*\"You don't need to protect me... Or this place...\"*She'd say to her solemnly.*\"Protect yourself... And don't try to be a hero...\"*The Canifor already nearly had to learn that the hard way. As Celeana would yell out to run, she'd whirl her gaze towards the bandits, her fur spiking up in their ability to sneak up on her. For a moment she had froze, eventually taking one last glance at Celeana before fleeing all together into the forest. With how dark the clouds were making the area, it made it harder and harder to see, all the more easier for Juna to vanish from sight into the trees beyond. She wasn't sure how Celeana planned to handle a pair of bandits on her own, but she knew one thing for certain, that she was leaving Celeana to fate almost at bad as the teammate she had abandoned. Juna was a coward, only brave when it ended up getting her nearly killed no matter what she. Celeana had chosen this however, and with it, Juna couldn't do anything but hide away as she promised she would.*" }, { "author": "Celeana Ashwood", "message": "*Once Celeana was sure Juna was far enough away, she turned back to the two people. Unfortunately, she was correct. They're bandits. It was safe to say the meeting went rather well. After obtaining a black eye upon her left eye and bruised ribs she finally gave up the full coin pouch she carried with her everywhere. She didn't really care about the coin but she the fact they took her brand new cloak she spent the last few days stealing for was just brutal. They wanted to know where the other one went but Celeana had lied and told them she owed her money and everything she had was in the pouch. Thankfully, they only wanted materials and didn't come looking to claim a life. Using the trees as cover, she slowly made her way to the canopy the Canifor spoke about earlier, The forest was definitely safer than the town. At least animals are more predictable, attacking out of survival or to protect, not for monetary gains. It took way too much effort to scale a nearby tree, as breathing was painful as hell. Celeana knew she couldn't just lay on the ground near a pond, bodies of water were drinking grounds for all types of unwanted visitors, mainly predators. Finding a nice parting branch that could support her weight and was comfortable enough to nestle into before sighing up at the sky as rain began to fall.* \"People like me..\" *She said to herself, not entirely sure what kind of person she was, other than a thief.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "\"Why did you do it...?\"*Came a familiar voice from high above the thief. With how dark it was, it was impossible to see the Canifor from where she stood the branch without any motion to pick up, but from the sounds of it she was at least up in the trees somewhere, staring down at the thief. She may be easy to follow, but she was right about one thing: no one will find her in the forest if she didn't want them to. Her Jackal was nowhere to be seen, perhaps she had left him somewhere in her escape or had she possibly taken him elsewhere before coming here? It was hard to know. In the time they were apart, much could have happened.*" }, { "author": "Celeana Ashwood", "message": "*Celeana carefully turned within her branch and started to scan the ground for where the voice came from. Was she hearing things, was the punch to her face messing with her head? After a thoroughly search of the forest ground she assumed her mind was playing pranks on her. It was painful to move, her achy body now throbbing against her side.* \"Ow, Ow , Ow\" *She whispered to herself as she placed her back against the tree once more. She looked up again at the rainclouds above. Even though she was looking directly at the hiding Canifor, she had no idea. It was all dark up there for her anyways. She wasn't sure how she'd sneak back into the city, the guard she had planned to bribe for Juna required coin, which she was now fresh out of.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna would watch the woman wander about, deciding it was best not to show herself again for the time being. She was nothing more than 'Lady' now, but a voice to travelers, most of which who would never see her anyways.*\"You're hurt...\"*She'd murmur, unable to help but feel this was partially her fault. Juna would have healed her if she could have. But that too had left with her magical capabilities, something she had learned to her own dismay.*\"You should have fled...\"*She'd continue. 'Like the thief you are.' Juna would repeat in her head, reminding herself of the troublemaker this person was.*\"There was no reason for you to have gotten beaten for the sake of someone you hardly know...\"" }, { "author": "Celeana Ashwood", "message": "*At first Celeana was alarmed because the voice was not in her head, in fact she still had no idea where Juna was. Eventually she closed her eyes and just spoke out, not straining herself further to find Juna.* \"I'll be alright, Just some bruised ribs and a black eye. I didn't really have anywhere else to run to, They would've chased me further into these woods and I probably would've gotten lost.\" *She chose to ignore the last part, It wasn't up to the Canifor to decide who was worth protecting or not.* \"I told them that you were nobody, just someone who owed me a lot of money and the pouch was all I had. They didn't believe me but after thoroughly checking\" *With no amount of disgust lingering within her attitude.* \"They settled with beating me instead, probably because I don't know when to shut up sometimes.\" *A half-hearted laugh could be heard which was immediately replaced with a groan as her side really did hurt.* \"But you sound as *'lovely'* As ever, Princess.\"" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "\"It's-\"*Juna paused, deciding there was no point in saying her name to this Elf. She'd only be called the same name every time anyways. A quiet sigh left her as she'd lean against the branch, small droplets of water falling on her front where the leaves couldn't create enough of a roofing over her.*\"You never answered my original question...\"*She'd say back to the Elf after a long moment of silence with the only filler being that of the rain landing around them.*" }, { "author": "Celeana Ashwood", "message": "*She began the poke the swelling of her right eye, and wincing at the pain that shot back in return.* \"It's Juna, I know, I remember your name. I forgot the other one th- Where is the other one?\" *She looked down at the forest floor again, this time searching for an annoying Jackal that was never too far behind his owner* \"Is he okay too?\" *Realizing she was hopeless when it came to searching at night, the trees above blocked almost all rays of moonlight and everything far too dark.* \"You ask a lot of questions for someone who doesn't give answers, has anyone told you that? Here I am all wounded and hurt, and you can't even make an appearance. I guess a 'person like me' deserves it, right?\" *She didn't mean to snap at Juna, but pain does that to people. On the grand scale of things, surviving a bandit attack is pretty fortunate. After a few seconds of quiet and plenty of guilt she spoke once more* \"I didn't mean for the tone.\" *It was the closest she'll get without blatantly saying \"I'm sorry\"*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "\"Jace is safe...\"*Juna would murmur, her tail passively wrapping itself around her. She supposed that Celeana had a point about her hardly answering any questions, avoiding them so much up close to where she ended up answering none of them in her anxiousness. Now, up in the trees, there was an everlasting feeling of calm. She felt better hidden, always did with the lack of risking getting attacked. Juna took a moment to think about it, saying a quiet:*\"It's okay... I deserved it...\"*Towards Celeana's semi-apology. Folding her hands in her lap, she would say:*\"I will answer any one question of yours if you answer mines...\"" }, { "author": "Celeana Ashwood", "message": "\"That sounds fair.\" *She said as she reached to throw her hood over her moonlit coloured hair just to find there was no hood behind her anymore. It felt as if the world grew colder as a reminder how bare her arms and neck were to the elements.* \"What is your questions then?\" *Celeana asked, assuming the question to be something frivolous. Her began to growl as a reminder that she was feeling hungry and she let out a muffled cry. Why did she have to be hungry now on top of everything else right now. Reaching into her pouch in hopes of something to snack on but it was empty aside for a few rocks she had placed in case she needed to create a distraction.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna would sit in silence, not necessarily having to take too long to come up with at least one single question. Night was becoming cold and with it, she was eventually bounded to fleeing away, so for now, only really one question lingered on her mind.*\"Why did you do it...?\"*She would repeat in the night air. The question wasn't very detailed, not even specifying what 'it' was, but the Canifor would soon go quiet once more in waiting.*" }, { "author": "Celeana Ashwood", "message": "*Celeana gritted her teeth, She assumed the question was \"Why did you save someone you hardly know.\" And the answer was because she was alone in the world. She's been dashing from city to city with no real rhyme or reason for so long. It was lonely.* \"I've enjoyed our time together despite you being absolutely repulsed by me. I'm tired of being alone, Tired of having nowhere to go, nobody to laugh with, nobody to lean on.\" *She thought about continuing further though she disliked having her emotions out there as much as the next person. The life she was forced to live preyed upon the weak, and she had to adapt. Needing to not come off as an easy target or she wouldn't have made it this far.* \"You're at least level headed and I suppose I wanted to preserve things like that in the world.\" *The original reason was closer to the truth, she was too selfish to realistically think about the world which tossed her a horrible hand in life. Though, thoughts of 'The world needs better people' were appearing more often as the years passed.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna didn't seem respond for a while, her head merely dipping at the thought of someone needing a friend this much. In a cruel world like this, it was true one way or another, Juna simply tried to go about it the best way she could, by avoiding trouble when possible. The Canifor didn't see herself being much use to this person, hardly someone to lean on as, when it came down to it, Juna had left her altogether. She's wasn't someone to trust to lean on. At the end of the day, she feared her own safety over most things in this world and it was that selfishness that left her cowering here, out of the sight of others to be able to do anything.*\"That's all I wanted to know...\"*She'd say, suddenly turning around as if she were preparing for her own departure.*\"You may ask question you have from me...\"" }, { "author": "Celeana Ashwood", "message": "*Celeana shook her head, mainly to herself before shutting her eyes. She was fully prepared to sleep in the rain tonight. Hoping the trees above would provide enough cover and that the storm was quick and light.* \"I don't have any questions.\" *She lied, She had plenty of questions though she didn't want to know out of obligations. She'd rather find out in a more healthy friendship or relationship of that nature than here upon this tree. Juna's words kept replaying in her head though. 'People like you, People like you.' It certainly hit a chord inside her chest.* \"I hope you find your way back peacefully, it's getting to be pretty chill out here.\" *Celeana grabbed onto her branch and scaled down the tree. She was going to try and make it back as well but ended up walking in the direction that lead farther into the forest instead of away.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna would watch the Elf walk off, surprised at the sudden lack of questioning in comparison to just earlier today. Celeana seemed to be walking further into the forest which Juna wasn't quite sure where she was planning to go. Surely she'd just end up more lost out here.*\"If you're still here by sunrise...\"*She began.*\"Look for two sets of footprints...\"*Juna stood up to begin heading off in her own direction. She had already lingered too much out here and with al the rainfall, she'd be soaked by the time she got back to the house.*\"It will lead you to a nice lake...\"*Juna already knew it was pound to be muddy by the next morning, planning on it anyways and with it, brought easy tracking save for the lack of scents to follow.*" }, { "author": "Celeana Ashwood", "message": "*Celeana stopped where she was and looked around, she really didn't want to be out here like this.* \"Can I just follow you back instead, Maybe I'll find someone to...\" *She trailed off, she wasn't going to find anyone that'd take a look at her wounds for free. At best she'd be ask to do things she'd much rather not do in return.* \"Thank you.\" *Is all she ended up saying before walking further in the direction she faced, using trees and branches nearby to help navigate the woodland terrain. This night would probably one of the worse night she has had since escaping Irunia.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna only caught about half of what she said, hearing her cut herself off before murmuring a thank you and trailing off. Turning away Juna would begin to make her way along the branches, picking back through the forest with her odd ability to see somewhat well in the night. Soon enough, she too would find her way out the forest, leaving the Elf to her own once more.*" }, { "author": "Celeana Ashwood", "message": "*Celeana awoke the next morning with possibly one of the worst headaches in her life. She was entirely dazed other than the constant throbbing from her eye and on her temples. Not only that, she had absolutely no idea where she was and her hair was dirty all over again. On the side she had slept on was caked with wet mud, including her hand. Rolling onto her butt before kneeling in the mud and then finally onto her feet. The only thing going for her was the fact her own footprints were still visible in the mud. At least she had a way to get back to the tree she vaguely remembered. Upon her right arm, the arm not currently covered in mud she saw thin scabs and dried blood on her arm. Celeana figured she probably walked through bushes and branches to get to wherever..'here' was. It felt like hours before she reached the tree using her own prints and from there she found a different set of prints. She followed these new prints next, assuming they were Juna's and her companion.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Following the prints, it would seem to take her on a long windy trail, occasionally coming towards the edge of the forest where the roads were before heading right back into the center of the forest once more. The trees stretched on forever it seemed, leaving it a wonder of how there could possibly be a lake all the way out here, but sure enough, the woodland would begin to thin out around her, soon leading to a dip in the earth that opened up to a sandy beach down below. The gravelly terrain seemed to be fairly wet from the rain the day before, but the Canifor from earlier could be seen near the waters edge, her Jackal splashing about in the open water while she remained knelt down with a cloth in her hands, trying to soak up what water she could from the waves as they came close to shore as her back remained turned towards the Elf.*" }, { "author": "Celeana Ashwood", "message": "*Celeana made her way onto the beach without so much of a word from her, heading straight for the lake. Upon arrival she kneeled down at the shore before drawing her face close to the water. To anyone else it looked as if she was going to drink from the lake until she turned her head to side and allowed her mud stained hair into the water and began scrubbing at herself. A dark brown cloud of mud spread underneath the surface and expanded outwards as her hair began to resemble moonlight once more. Her confidence was entirely energy based and right now, she had no energy. Once her hair was as free of dirt as she could make it, she started upon her arms until only cuts and scabs remained. Once she was finished washing herself, if anyone can call this washing, she looked at the Canifor.* \"Hi.\" *Was all she said in flat tone, trying to be somewhat respectful still.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna would wring out the cloth in her hand, shifting the bag she had brought with her off her back as she'd turn to look over at Celeana in hearing her greeting. The Canifor didn't respond, looking Celeana over as her injuries became more easy to see with the mud now washed away. She could tell it had probably been a rough night for her as while she had been left wallowing in the mud, the Canifor appeared more clean refreshed. Juna would pat at the sand beside her as if asking for Celeana to come sit near her.*" }, { "author": "Celeana Ashwood", "message": "*At the silent invitation she stood up and walked towards the Canifor, taking a seat beside her. Celeana placed her elbow against her knee and placed her cheek into her open palm. She didn't really want to be looked at right now that's just how pathetic she thought she looked right now. As much as she wanted to remain like this, being hunched over just made her ribs hurt, in fact everything made her ribs hurt. Giving up on trying to stay somewhat clean she laid down in the sand, her hair now golden with how easily sand clung to her wet hair. Only in this lying position did breathing hurt less, never really going away but at least this was bearable.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "\"I'm sorry for what happened yesterday...\"*Juna would murmur as she'd watch her Jackal splash about in the water. Reaching into her bag, she'd take out a small kit from it.*\"And I'm sorry I cannot do much for your injuries... I used to be able to heal... At the slightest touch...\"*She'd murmur with a quiet sigh, almost as if she were talking to herself before eventually turning to look back at Celeana where she laid down in the sand.*\"But I'm afraid I've lose the ability to do that... My...*Friend* However... Let me borrow this... May... I see your arms...?\"*She'd ask.*" }, { "author": "Celeana Ashwood", "message": "*She laid there quietly, listening. All she wanted to do was lay beside the lake, listening to the sound of water's ebb and flow. At the request of her arm, she raised it straight up. She could see Juna in her peripherals which ended in Celeana's hand finding the sand behind Juna. Celeana's fingers drifted up Juna's back until she found her shoulder. Now that she knew exactly where Juna sat, she extended her arm in front of the female. Nearly all the small scrapes on her arm looked had redness around the wounds, an early sign of infection. It wasn't until well after Juna had spoken her piece that Celeana replied.* \"It's fine.\" *Was all she gave in consolation, although they both knew things were not fine.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna would slowly take Celeana's arm, rubbing the damp cloth along it in silence as some of the blood would make its way in to the thin sheet. She gave a slight shake of her head at the reply, rinsing the cloth once more before wiping at her arm again and turning to open up the kit. It seemed have small things like bandages and others of the like, but instead of taking what was inside it, she would turn to her bag and dig through before pulling out a handful of blue colored berries, easy to mistake for blueberries, but they were much different. She would hold a few out to Celeana to take, saying:*\"Here... They were... Really hard to find just out of season but... They may help a little...\"" }, { "author": "Celeana Ashwood", "message": "*Celeana's head turned, It didn't really matter what was being offered, She didn't like to accept things out of pity. All she saw was something blue, then her head turned back in refusal.* \"Keep them.\" *She said, still with the absences of her usual feistiness that was present the past two days. She couldn't get out of her own head. She always hit road bumps such as these. Something that tripped her up and it took a while for her to get standing once more. Times like these is when she wished another was there for her, even if she's entirely blind to current situation. Using the hand on her free arm, she began poking the bruise that circled her eye. She wanted to go back into the city and steal the supplies she needed, wanted to once again try and obtain a cloak that would hide the majority of her features from prying eyes.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna would stare at her for a while, eventually retracting the berries and deciding to use some of them for the open wounds instead as she applied the juices from them onto her arm. She wasn't sure if it would fully prevent the infection, but she'd at least hope it would num away some of the pain even if not consumed. Eventually she'd grab at the bandages, wrapping it around her arm with what little experience Juna had with using them, only making sure they were wrapped enough to stay on for the time being. With what was left the berries, she'd place them into the hand Celeana wasn't using, saying:*\"They'll help with the pain if you ever decide to eat them. I won't make you though... I wouldn't either...\"*She'd close up the kit and place it back in the bag before leaning back in the sand.*" }, { "author": "Celeana Ashwood", "message": "*Celeana brought the berries to her mouth and ate them all at once. For whatever reason she thought it would have a fruity flavor but she was mistaken. It had to have been one of the most foul tasting berry she ever ate before in her left. She realized her mistake after biting into one of the berries and it's juices filled her mouth. It was warm, it had the texture of mucus. It was bitter as all hell too. Celeana's face puckered up with disgust and she turned her head to look at Juna with a look that said. \"If you wanted me to leave, you could've just asked.\" Written all over it. She had to even pinch her nose to help dull the taste. On top of all everything else so far, it numbed her mouth as well.* \"Princess, what the hell were those?\" *A glimpse of her humor returning as the pain throughout her body slowly eased*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*She'd look at her with a rather calm expression, a lack of amusement coming from her.*\"Juniper berries...\"*She'd answer.*\"They... May be a bit bitter but... They can help for potential sickness... And... Keep the pain at bay... It's... Not their main use but... I don't know of many berries and... It was hard to find them alone...\"*Juna would eventually stand back up, brushing the sand off of her and flicking the smaller grains with a whisk of her tail.*\"It's... All I can really do to help heal your injuries...\"" }, { "author": "Celeana Ashwood", "message": "*Celeana jumped to the conclusion that the Canifor had other things to attend to now. Turning her head back to face to sky as she closed her eyes once more, trying to find a way to relax now that her pain was subdued.* \"Just tell me how to get back to town.\" *Figuring that the Juna would rather travel alone than be caught walking into town with someone like her.* \"Thanks for help.\" *She added, the field medicine was was helping more than she thought it would have.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna would pick up her bag and throw it over her shoulders, glancing towards Celeana as she would ask how to return to town.*\"Simply follow the trail we've already created. Take my tracks back to the canopy and head straight the way you originally came. That will lead you to the fields... From there head left for a while until you find the main roads... They will lead you to town...\"*She'd explain before clicking her tongue to call her Jackal over. Jace would turn his head, graceful swimming his way back to his owner before running along the beach, his wet fur flinging droplets everywhere. Hearing Celeana say thanks, Juna would respond.*\"You're welcome... And... Stay safe...\"*It was similar to what she had once said to a certain Vampiress before she had left her to fight on her own. She wasn't sure of what state she was currently in nor was she even sure of the Treton was still alive, but she hoped so. It was all she could do really nowadays.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*It's been a while since Sirdan had met Aldea. He has been busy messing around - looking for new jobs and meeting new friends along the way. But that intriguing elf is here again.* \n\n*Sirdan saw her appears in the guild, and waved at her.* \n\n\"Aldea! Is that you? I haven't seen you for a while!\"" }, { "author": "Aldea C. Whitiker", "message": "*Aldea now wearing a much different get up... A new set of armor and much longer hair with new weapons would turn quickly to sirdan waving at him as she began walking towards him* \"Sirdan! It has been quite a while yes! Are you doing well?\"" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*Sirdan eyed Aldea up, examining her new armor and longer hair,*\"Hmm! You've really grown out your hair a lot. A new look, and a new set of armor. I like it.\" \n\n*He walked up to her,*\"How about we talk at the canteen?\"" } ]

[ { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*There was something calming about the atmosphere. A gentle breezing playfully toying with the tall blades of grass that whisked around the area. Silence had befallen on the land, leaving the Elf to quietly go about his work without none other to bother him for the time being. His fingers would brush across the dirt in covering the seeds that were placed in the ground, soon knocking against the the edge of his mask that he had laid upon the ground next to it.*\"Hopefully you'll be able to grow here until I get back.\"*He'd say to none in particular.*\"Not the best place to grow, but I'm sure future harvests will enjoy a new place if things go well here.\"*He'd recall to sending word to a certain Uzhi some time prior to meet up with him here, remembering a time in him mentioning to someone when he'd get a place of his own one day. While that time seemed far away with all his traveling, it had became apparent that he'd rather leave his wolves upon his own lands than giving responsibility to another. \n\nWiping the sweat from his forehead, he'd pick the mask back up and would return it to tis original resting position on his face as he's stand up to his full height. A tall statue against fields of grass. It would be a wonder if he'd ever the find the plant again when returning later, but that was a worry for another time. He'd wait for the time being, the golden swath of a setting sun painting its way along the field and bathing it in its range of colors. Terrel enjoyed this time of day whenever he was waiting for something, the light always giving him something to distract himself with in its oddly illusive hues.*" }, { "author": "Uku Spurfie (Yughotta Friend)", "message": "*Uku would be heading to the area which they agreed to meet in. His donkey pulling his cart through the area until eventually he saw a figure he recognized.*\n\"Hey! Pig! Long time no see, eh buddy?\"\n*He waves to him and hopped off his cart to walk up.*\n\"How were your travels? Undisturbed I hope.\"\n*He smiles and looks around to the surrounding area.*\n\"Seeing how we are meeting out in a field, I could hazard a guess that either you're in trouble or looking to get into trouble.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*He'd turn his head at the sound of Uku approaching, offering a faint smile at the sight of the duo.*\"Same as always. Lots of walking with not enough time spent at the destination before walking again.\"*He'd chuckle, soon walking off from where he planted the seeds to go and join up with the slime. Being questioned on his reason for them meeting in the field, Terrel would say:*\"What? Can't meet up in a field without being accused of committing something? Well maybe I am, but that's a discussion for somewhere not so in the open. I'm sure you have more legal matters than simply keeping people from getting themselves killed, hm?\"" }, { "author": "Uku Spurfie (Yughotta Friend)", "message": "\"That is about half my work but yes I'd like to cut down on that because usually I'm the one who has to put myself in the way and that is no bueno.\"\n*He shakes his head.*\n\"And you tell me why we are meeting up here and I'll judge whether or not you are being accused. Right now you are just currently being questioned.\"\n*He's find a stump or a log to sit on plop down on it unceremoniously, patting a spot next to him.*\n\"Come, take a seat, tell me your troubles.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"I asked for a lawyer. Not a therapist.\"*He'd say as he would walk over to Uku, though not really taking a seat.*\"But if you're qualified in that, I can send you to a friend that needs one. You meet a lot of... Interesting individuals after traveling for a while...\"*Eventually he'd come to sit down atop the ground, resting his arms behind him as he'd lean back into a more comfortable position.*\"You ever work with landlords?\"" }, { "author": "Uku Spurfie (Yughotta Friend)", "message": "\"I am an advisor in all things. I can be whatever people want, if they need a therapist, then sure, I can do that.\"\n*He nods confidently.*\n\"Yes, yes, of course I have. That is a large sum of my work. You would be surprised how many people come to me about land troubles. Especially in this day and age when a good amount of them go undocumented and you can't stop bandit steve from walking on your property and just claiming it's his.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel would give a light shake of his head at the comment of him being many things.*\"I'll keep that in mind. While Uku explained his line of work in land trouble, Terrel would idly pick at the grass in the space next to him, a light distraction while the man spoke.*\"I think I'll have enough security to deal with the latter.\"*He'd say in reference of someone claiming the land as their own.*\"However, the last thing I need a number of authority figures on my case in my questionable life as it is. So how would one go about claiming land for themselves?\"" }, { "author": "Uku Spurfie (Yughotta Friend)", "message": "\"Well, that depends entirely on what land you want. Are you talking about just a plot of land in the middle of nowhere, in the forest, a place with a built house, a farm, maybe even a keep?\"\n*He raises an eyebrow.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel would think about it for a moment as he was bombarded by questions.*\"Middle of nowhere, far from any real city.\"*He'd begin, knowing full well he wouldn't want anything to do with an Empire sitting just beyond his land. The amount of catering he'd have to do with their constant watchful eye would only prove to be a nuisance in the longer run.*\"Just a plot for a home maybe, with much larger land for a farm. I don't care much for the forest lands... Not as open and more susceptible for people to sneak up on it.\"" }, { "author": "Uku Spurfie (Yughotta Friend)", "message": "\"If that's the case, you would basically just want to find which area you'd like to settle in and find out which country it resigns in. As long as it's unclaimed land, you can usually pay a fee to a local noble to be able to get documents saying you own it. Of course, there's also the alternative of just going to an area no one has settled and claiming a piece, but that runs into the trouble of not being able to prove ownership. And of course, there's the option that a good amount of lesser land pieces aren't usually made out to specific individuals, so if you were to *Ahem* Somehow get a hold of a deed to a land, you could claim that it was sold to you. People usually contest this, but without it being a major piece of land, it's usually just hearsay. So the one with the documentation tends to win.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"I'm sure the most standard way would be the only one to warrant that people don't repeatedly tread on the land. Though if I find somewhere where people are less likely to travel, I suppose I wouldn't have to worry about that much.\"*He'd think aloud, soon gazing off towards the horizon.*\"Maybe further up in the mountains where it isn't too steep and rocky to live, but also cold enough to keep most travelers from going there ideally. I guess I'd have to look to some Salvanian noble for permission? Or do you think I stand a good chance of not many people deciding to go there?\"*Part of Terrel didn't care much for the idea behind legalizing a place to stay, though he was sure if he started building enough, someone was bound to come across it and make it their problem. Not that telling a noble of it would maintain its privacy anyways. It was the noble's land as much as his at that point. What he would give to have some land not already claimed by tyrannical empires.*" }, { "author": "Uku Spurfie (Yughotta Friend)", "message": "\"Up a mountain? Yeah, I don't think you'd have much trouble up there. Most people would just wave to you walking by if they saw you. No one's gonna come up a mountain to claim land unless it's for the ore inside, and in that case they usually just tunnel under and up. Just pick one with less people and settle there free of charge. It's a lot better to ask for forgiveness rather than permission and plead ignorance.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"I guess that works out one way or another as long as people don't get too curious.\"*He'd sit up more straight, allowing himself to stretch a bit before continuing.*\"I'd have to check out the lay of the land then. Salvania doesn't seem like such a bad place. At least it's much better than Silnaria. You don't think people would care much about a sudden increase to the wolf population in the mountains would you?\"*He'd suddenly ask him, shifting his gaze away from the distant view of the mountain range that stop so far apart from where they were.*" }, { "author": "Uku Spurfie (Yughotta Friend)", "message": "*Uku was usually prepared for weird questions or requests, but this one threw him for a loop. His face scrunched up in a confused look with his eyebrow raising.*\n\"Okay, first off, what does that mean? Are you planning on starting a wolf farm? Or... By the gods! Is my client a werewolf?\"\n*He jokingly says and chuckles.*\n\"Second, yeah people probably wouldn't care, or at least, no ones gonna see a pack of wolves and somehow equate that to you.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"It means I'm planning on increasing the wolf population, what else?\"*The Elf would tease.*\"In all seriousness. I do have quite a few wolves I need to take care of. Wouldn't want random groups of people to come across a few and start attacking them if you know what I mean? Could get pretty deadly really fast.\"*Though the words carried heavy meaning, the Elf seemed bemused by it.*\"At any rate if I can have a farm built there without worry of people trampling about, I see it as a win win. I wouldn't mind going the extra measure of keeping it hidden away from curious eyes. Let's just say I may have one, two, maybe a few people that may be on my case that wouldn't mind the chance to get revenge.\"" } ]

[ { "author": "Uku Spurfie (Yughotta Friend)", "message": "\"I mean, it's possible, but unlikely. Even if it were to happen it would take awhile for any speculation to actually become something people would go investigate, and again, no one really wants to go to a place like that. Technically, you would be safe as well as long as you are vague with your wording saying you will lower amount of wolves in the wild.\"\n*He nods.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"I suppose there's no risk without reward. Though it might be better not to have a bunch of wolves all in one place.\"*He'd say, thinking aloud.*\"But I guess that's where the extra land would help.\"*Perhaps he could keep to the mountain side for himself while he figured out the best places for his ever growing pack of wolves.*\"You wouldn't happen to know of any other countries that may happen to be having a wolf issue that I can take over, would you? I'd assume somewhere with more forest or mountain lands though I'd prefer somewhere more open to work with.\"" }, { "author": "Uku Spurfie (Yughotta Friend)", "message": "\"This isn't exactly my area of expertise, but, I could find out for you if you wouldn't mind waiting a bit. I could send some guys to the different countries and see which may be interested in that. But that will cost money for travel as well.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Fine by me. I still have a lot of traveling to do before being able to meet up again, so if you're able to find out anything in the meantime, that'll work perfectly. Hopefully it's some country close by so that I don't have to spread my resources too thin.\"*As he mentioned the cost for travel, Terrel would raise a hidden eyebrow.*\"And how much would it cost for this discussion?\"" }, { "author": "Uku Spurfie (Yughotta Friend)", "message": "\"For this discussion? I'd have to say something along the lines of 100 silver.\"\n*Pls im not good at knowing how much things are worth here if thats a stupid price lemme know...*\n\"And then there would be some more pricing down the line for when the men get back with the information you need.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel would shrug off the pricing. 100 Silver was simply pocket change for him at this point.*\"I guess I can spare some gold for that then. Not like I don't already have to spend a handful for the wolves.\"*The Elf would fall silent as he'd think it over. So Uku was planning on sending out people to scour the countries for those with rising wolf issues and with any luck he'd be able to obtain the extra land for taking them off their hands. In that time he'd be able to travel, well that would depend on how long it would take anyways.*\"Got an idea for how long it'll be before I'd have to get back to Salvania for the results? I'm assuming you're fine with meeting back here again?\"" }, { "author": "Uku Spurfie (Yughotta Friend)", "message": "\"Maybe a week or two. Just depends on how smooth traveling goes, maybe a bit more if not so smooth.\"\n*He nods*\n\"And, this isn't a professional question but, I just have to know, what exactly are you doing with all of these wolves?\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Just taking care of them mainly.\"*He'd say as if waving off the oddity of his plans.*\"Wolves make good companions wouldn't you say?\"*There was something to his tone that suggested a hint of mischief, as if his plans were much bigger than that. Nevertheless, he didn't seem like he was going to give any more info on it.*\"Kind of like your donkey. How's he been doing by the way?\"*The Elf would ask as if to change the subject.*" }, { "author": "Uku Spurfie (Yughotta Friend)", "message": "\"Yeaaaah, I'm not gonna pry further. It seems whatever you have planned for them is something I don't want to know about.\"\n*He looks over to his cart.*\n\"He should be right over there if you wanna go see him. He's as stubborn as ever, as usual.\"" }, { "author": "Dingbat", "message": "Is here, just grazin" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Well if you ever get a call back here and I say I'm on the run, then you can probably make a few guesses.\"*He'd say before turning to look over at the Donkey with Uku gazing to him. The Elf would nod, soon getting up from where he sat to walk over to the donkey.*\"Still giving your owner trouble, huh?\"*He'd say, lowering his hand to pat the donkey.*\"It's fine, I've met plenty of stubborn steeds working on the farm.\"" }, { "author": "Uku Spurfie (Yughotta Friend)", "message": "\"The less I know the better here.\"" }, { "author": "Dingbat", "message": "He raises his head for a head for a second to look at him. As he sees who it is, he pushes against the hand playfully." }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*The Elf would let out a light chuckle before turning to look back at Uku.*\"Still not giving him treats I'm guessing?\"*He'd ask back to him before moving his hand away from the Donkey. Perhaps some playfulness can be rewarded. The Donkey seemed to be fine in his eyes, though somehow more stubborn to Uku. It was a wonder as to why.*" }, { "author": "Uku Spurfie (Yughotta Friend)", "message": "\"He gets fed well enough, he's just a baby about it.\"" }, { "author": "Dingbat", "message": "Dingbat pushes air out of his nose quick at that" }, { "author": "Uku Spurfie (Yughotta Friend)", "message": "\"I know you know what I mean... Don't try to hide it, dingbat.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel would knelt down, pulling a carrot out from within his cloak before holding it out to the donkey.*\"Don't tell him I gave you this.\"*He'd say to Dingbat before patting him on the side of his head and standing back up to return over to Uku.*\"Business been going well I'm assuming? Haven't seen you since you left for the Capitol.\"" }, { "author": "Dingbat", "message": "Crunch crunch crunch" }, { "author": "Uku Spurfie (Yughotta Friend)", "message": "\"Business is better than ever! You'd be surprised how many clients I've ended up meeting just through random bumps in the street and even in the woods. Seems like everyone has their foot stuck in some mud these days. Luckily they come to me, the professional mud remover!\"\n*He chuckles to himself, getting a little sad at the end there that this is what this is becoming.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Doubt it.\"*He'd say in response to being surprised.*\"Most people either live poor having legal issues with the empire or rich having legal issues. Well unless you're a noble, but I doubt most people climb to the top the cleanest way possible. I'm sure at some point, you'll get to where money solves most issues you may have though. Much like this one, but if it was worst than just trying to claim a plot of land before someone else does.\"" }, { "author": "Uku Spurfie (Yughotta Friend)", "message": "\"Yeah, like an undertaker I at least constantly have business.\"\n*He chuckles to himself again.*\n\"So are you going to be settling down out there? Need me to stop by every once and awhile to make sure things are okay when we get you up and running?\"\n*He pauses for a second.*\n\"Wait... Where are you even keeping wolves right now?\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"I may find a small place to stay in the meantime while working out a much bigger plot for the wolves. I'm currently keeping them on some farm land out on the country side so that they have some freedom to roam while other people watch them since I'll be traveling in that time. I'm sure I can get a message sent to you if I ever encounter trouble, namely going to be if I ever try to obtain a much bigger plot. For now though, a small settlement wouldn't be bad.\"" }, { "author": "Uku Spurfie (Yughotta Friend)", "message": "\"Huh, alright. Yes, just make sure you do everything you can to avoid any damage to people. That will be the main source of any problems you would run into, but, keep that to a minimum and you should be good!\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Don't worry, I can assure you that any damages-\"*He'd say before pausing and thinking it over a bit.*\"Well, hopefully I won't have to come to you for. You do have a coverage plan in the event of mishaps, right?\"*At any rate, he wouldn't have to worry about his wolves misbehaving, but lets just say for amount he had, incidents were bound to happen. Maybe he was better off splitting up the group of wolves coming to think about it.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Uku Spurfie (Yughotta Friend)", "message": "\"Not so much a coverage plan but I do have people who can talk to people to make sure they don't talk to others about it.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Well if not spreading rumors is the only thing you have, guess I'm better off trying to hide a bunch of wolves as well in the process.\"*He'd chuckle at the thought, part of him finding amusement in the amount of chaos such would cause. He'd look out towards the horizon with the setting sun causing the landscape to darken in time.*\"I'm guessing you'd be wanting to head back to Salvania before nightfall?\"" }, { "author": "Uku Spurfie (Yughotta Friend)", "message": "\"I would definitely recommend hiding the wolves in the meantime. That would make things a lot easier. Also, start to consider how exactly you are going to get them from point a to point b.\"\n*He nods.*\n\"Yeah, don't want these clothes getting ruined by any bandit or animal attacks.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Hey, how hard can herding a bunch of wolves be?\"*He'd say in a more carefree tone.*\"Give them something to chase and they're bound to follow.\"*With Uku mentioning his preference of not staying out late, he'd gesture towards his donkey, saying:*\"I don't know, he doesn't seem too concerned. Then again, the steeds are usually the first to go out here during this time. I can understand you wanting to head back and, hey if anything happens I'm sure I'll get message to you at some point. Perhaps by bird next time around.\"" }, { "author": "Uku Spurfie (Yughotta Friend)", "message": "\"I can imagine herding wolves is like bearding cats.\"\n*He laughs to himself.*\n\"Anyways, Dingbat thinks he's invincible so he never worries. We ran into a bobcat on the road once and it hissed at dingbat, and he didn't even move, just kept walking towards it until it ran.\"\n*He walks over and pets the donkey.*\n\"Whose my good little dingbat, that's you, yes you are.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"I'd say that would deserve an extra treat for him, wouldn't you think?\"*Terrel would say casually before heading over where the two were.*\"At any rate it would be best to get him back to the Capitol soon. Wolves might start hunting in groups at night if he ain't too careful.\"*He'd say, almost jokingly in reference to their conversation earlier.*" }, { "author": "Uku Spurfie (Yughotta Friend)", "message": "\"Hehe.\"\n*Uku would say a bit nervously.*\n\"Well, If you need a ride back I'm heading that way.\"\n*He hops back up onto the cart.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"I guess it's better than walking.\"*He'd say, a grin forming on his face. Terrel would give Dingbat a pat as he'd pass by.*\"Try not to get us both killed out here. You can do that when I leave.\"*He'd say jokingly to the donkey before hopping onto the cart next to Uku.*\"Just the nearest Tavern should be fine. I don't plan on staying here long before heading back out again, but staying one night shouldn't be too bad.\"" }, { "author": "Uku Spurfie (Yughotta Friend)", "message": "\"Sounds good to me.\"\n*He would flick the reins forward to have dingbat slowly continue forward back towards town.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*With the wagon heading off, Terrel would lean back in his seat and would glance out towards the field where he had planted the crop. 'Till I come back.' He'd think to himself. Hopefully by then he'd have his own home to treat the harvest to. One could only hope. After all, plants took their time to grow as do those that take care of them.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel would trudge along the muddied lands of sepduania, having to retrace his way across Salvania in him traversing across the country. It didn't seem the morning lasted very long before the impending rain decided to come and revel at the tortured land with the humidity it brought. The Elf didn't seem to show much care to it, most of his problems focused on his vision already being obscured by the layers of fog that came with the new day. \n\nIt was hard to really tell which way he was going. Terrel only knew to continue heading south in hopes of either reaching the Capitol or Mentia. Against the shrouded lands, the Elf appeared as a rather tall figure, the hog mask he wore making his face appear to be more piglike despite the rest of him appearing no different than the rest. His pink hair lay soddenly draped across his red cloak and, in turn, he found it pressing against the armor he wore. Each step seemed to ring out against the sound of a thousand pellets of rain hitting the earth, but as far as he could tell, he was rather alone out here to care of who may hear.*" }, { "author": "Selly Ozan", "message": "*Even with the rain pouring down onto Terrel, he could somewhat hear the soft squawks of a chicken somewhere in the land. Decorated across the muddied area was debris and thrown away items, and the occasional tree.*\n\n*The squawks got louder and louder as Terrel walked through, before eventually a tiny, brown hen ran to him, squawking its head off. Maybe it was some kind of warning system? Whatever the case, it was running at him, and fast.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*As more and more debris came into view, Terrel's gaze would narrow ever so slightly. It was the squawks of chickens that caught his attention the most, causing him to glance around at the area he was in.*\"This... Does not seem like a place I've traveled through before...\"*He'd say aloud. Had he managed to accidentally wander into a farm? If he did, it was hard to tell out in this weather. In the corner of his vision, he'd catch sight of a small animal squawking and rushing towards him, which in turn caused him to take an instinctive step back. He was already aware of how aggressive the animals could get in his time working on the farm. This was no different outside of him being overly geared for worst potential attacks.*" }, { "author": "Selly Ozan", "message": "*The chicken stopped in front of him, moving its head as it looked up at him. The chicken did nothing to him, but stopped squawking.*\n\n*It then turned around, running a few meters away and turning back around. It looked like it was trying to lead him somewhere.* \n\n*In the distance, the shouting of a younger lady could be heard.* \n*\"Milly! Where'd you go?\"*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel would grow still as the bird quietly approached him only to waddle back off again.*\"Anti-climactic, but you're much nicer than the ones I've known.\"*He'd say to the chicken as it would stop to look back at him. Hearing a lady call out to someone, the Elf would glance in the direction it was coming from.*\"Escaped your pen?\"*He'd ask the bird in a joking tone before following after it.*\"Lets get you back to your farmer before you get eaten by something out here.\"" }, { "author": "Selly Ozan", "message": "*The chicken began to run off into the distance, turning around every few meters to check if Terrel was still following after it. It would eventually run to a young woman, standing in front of a large building of some sort made out of debris.*\n*The woman picked up the chicken and rubbed its head, before looking at Terrel.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel would continue following the chicken, only coming to a stop as it would run off on ahead to reunite with the woman supposedly calling for her. The Elf would watch them in silence, meeting her gaze as she would look over to him. Terrel never considered himself the best at small talk, but seeing as he had most likely gotten turned around out here at this rate, he figured he might as well.*\"Didn't know there was a farm this far out in Sepduania.\"*He'd say to her.*\"Probably not the best weather to be losing animals though.\"" }, { "author": "Selly Ozan", "message": "\"It's not really a farm. More like a...\" *She couldn't quite put a word to her current living situation. The debris behind her was arranged to act like some sort of shelter while she shopped for some sort of housing. Inside the arrangement was a smaller looking loom. She set the chicken back down and looked back at Terrel.*\n\"It's an uh, arrangement? I can't find a word for it. I'm Selly, who are you?\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Terrel.\"*He'd say with a dip of his head before glancing around at the debris sitting across the area.*\"Well whatever it is, seems like the storm took away a good chunk of it. Do you just live out here in the middle of nowhere with only chickens for company?\"*There was a hint of curiosity in the masked man's tone, mostly out of not suspecting to stumble upon someone else's land in him heading towards the city. He supposed the world was still sprinkled with surprises every now and then.*" }, { "author": "Selly Ozan", "message": "*She sighed.*\n\"Yeah. It's terrible. Even though I have enough gold to purchase a little home I can't make my way to the city to purchase one.\" \n\n*She sat down on a beat up looking chair, as the chicken ran around Terrel.*\n\n\"Although, I do have a lot of time on my hands, but even then, I need it for my job. I'm a weaver. Go to the city every week and sell the cloths to a business down there. Then I have to come back and start all over.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel would find himself mildly distracted by the chicken running around him while he'd listen to the woman explain the state she was in. Soon enough he would stoop down to pick the bird up, patting it idly.*\"For all the walking you'd be having to do to get there, you're better off just traveling and weaving as you go.\"*He'd say, not thinking too deep on his words.*\"You already travel to the city to sell cloths why not just settle at a tavern there until you're able to purchase a house close by?\"" }, { "author": "Selly Ozan", "message": "\"Because then I'd have to lug the loom with me. I can't just not work for weeks and expect to live in a tavern with limited money.\"\n*The rain continued to pour down, but became lighter and lighter as the minutes passed by. She put her hands up to her face and silently sobbed.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*He'd watch her, standing in silence for a while to the sound of her crying. Well that or laughing. With the rain, it was partially hard for him to tell really.*\"Is there anything else you're skilled at?\"*He'd ask her after letting her cry for some time. With his dull tone, there wasn't much feeling shown in his words, but it seemed like they were both stuck out here for the time being.*" }, { "author": "Selly Ozan", "message": "*After a bit, she got her act together and stopped crying, as the rain continued to slow down, eventually just a light drizzle.* \n\"I can cook, a little.\" \n*She wiped her tears off of her slimy face.*\n\"But that's pretty much it. I'm not good at anything else.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Ever considered trying to cook meals for money?\"*He'd ask her, placing a hand over the chicken's head as if suspecting that she was listening.*\"You know there's a lot of opportunity in it, some of which where you won't even have to worry about buying a home.\"" }, { "author": "Selly Ozan", "message": "\"I've considered it. I could try. Before you got here, I was about to go into the city to sell.\" \n*She stood up, walked over to a cabinet-looking piece of furniture in the ground. Inside were woven pieces of cloths covered in a plastic to prevent them from getting too wet.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Same here.\"*He'd say.*\"Though mainly to take a break from travels for a while. Got caught out in this rain so I doubt I'll get to the Capitol anytime soon, but should be good opportunity for my work as much as your own.\"*Terrel would glance down at the chicken in his arms.*\"So is the hen your coworker or like an emergency snack for later?\"" }, { "author": "Selly Ozan", "message": "*She smiled to herself a little, chuckling.* \n\n\"No, she's my companion out here. The closet people are miles away, so I figured I should get a friend.\" \n\n*She realized how dumb she looked and sounded, a chicken as her only friend? She shrugged.*\n\n\"Whenever I go to the city I buy myself some food for the week.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"A chicken for a companion? Not a bad choice.\"*He'd say with a cheesy grin. The Elf would reach towards his hair before pulling out a small furry animal from it. It seemed rodent-like if not for the beak it had, signifying its relation to birds. He'd hold the Furrow out to her.*\"Got a little bird companion myself. He mostly just lives in my hair though, so I suppose he doesn't make for much of a social companion. We're heading to the city now if you want to come with, maybe you'll find better opportunity there.\"" }, { "author": "Selly Ozan", "message": "*She looked at the Furrow in awe. It was so adorable! She smiled a bit, before waking back over and gently taking her chicken back.*\n\"I'd love to go with you.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*He'd place the Furrow on his shoulder.*\"Grab what you need then. With any luck we'll be able to find the path again out here. Do you know which direction you generally go in to head towards the Capitol?\"*He'd ask her.*" }, { "author": "Selly Ozan", "message": "\"That way.\" \n*She pointed northeast, where a dirt covered cobble path lay. She picked up a few of her cloths and set them in a wheelbarrow behind her debris house. She then wheeled it to the front and onto the path. Luckily, there wasn't much mud.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Northeast. It seemed he must have gone a bit further south than he intended to then. Oh well, what's a short trip back northwards. As long as they can find the path to follow, they would be fine. Seeing her bringing out the wheelbarrow, Terrel would turn in the direction she had originally pointed in.*\"Ready?\"*He'd ask back to her.*" }, { "author": "Selly Ozan", "message": "\"Yep.\"\n *She set the chicken into the wheelbarrow and began pushing to forward, at a somewhat good pace for her size.*\n\n*OK blah blah they go down the road and eventually end up at *" } ]

[ { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*The grass crunched underfoot as Terrel made his way across the open plains, a path he had grown used to taking in time while he lead his Kemonomimi comrade. Only recently had they finally returned to the mainland from their eventful trip through Runra, followed by the return of his pack of wolves that he had gratefully brought home prior while they hung around the city for a while doing their own thing. The Silnari never pressed what Kibaru kept up to, for Terrel seemed distracted enough on his own. He could sense the winter impending in the frosty air, rendering traveling to become harder this time of year, but he was used to it enough to make the most of it as pestering as the chill was.*\"Shouldn't be much further.\"*He finally said to Kibaru, a small cloud of air escaping his mouth anytime he spoke. In the distance sat a fairly large house, a place he figured Kibaru would want to visit with the events taken place prior. Home. Well one of them anyhow.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*Kibaru seemed to have changed clothing to a warmer style, but he still had his chest bare to the frigid cold* \"This your home?\" *Kibaru asked quite surprised by the size. He had expected much smaller from Terrel. But he was quite exited to see what his home was like though. But Kibaru figured it would mostly be mercenary stuff and weapons laying about the place*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Yep, not a bad place either. Spoke to a lawyer and everything, isn't that neat?\"*He said with a low chuckle. The Silnari continued on, having some familiarity to the plains. He knew not far away would be the parsnips he had promised to harvest for a certain Vampiress. Though the trip back would be long, he was more concerned of the crop surviving. He had to start growing it eventually, but winter was not the seasons for them. Terrel will have to harvest quickly before the winter fully reached. Too bad it wouldn't be in their peak season. He continued to close the distance between the building, saying:*\"You can stay here for a few days or so if you want before we continue heading west again. Will be much larger gaps between having a roof over our heads once we set off, but I suppose we've done quite a bit of traveling lately.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Yeah, Think I'll take you up on that offer. I kinda still needs some stable sleep. Just show me my bed and I'll get comfortable. Also going to need house rules.\" *Kibaru was a bit exhausted from having to constantly check up on his business and traveling the other half of his time. A break would be quite nice*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*As they drew close to the door, Terrel grabbed the key to unlock, it, listening as Kibaru asked for the house rules. The muffled sound of barking was audible enough just beyond the door.*\"Sure.\"*He said with a mischievous grin.*\"First rule, don't pay no mind to the wolves.\"*As he said that, he opened the door, casually stepping to the side as a horde of wolves darted out of the open doorway, barreling towards Kibaru. It seemed like a lot more than the three Terrel had once had. One can only wonder where they kept coming from.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Well that's ju-\" *Before Kibaru could finish he saw the pack of wolves barrelling down at him and his first instinct was to grab his Katana, ready to strike, but soon realizing there was no threat, he soon lead up* \"Kinda hard to do that when it's like trying to walk in waist high waters\" *Kibaru gave pats and pushes to each wolf he came across, giving them enough time to actually smell to smell him. His tails were high up in the air from having to deal with an unexpected horde of wolves* \"I've got so many questions right now\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"None of which I probably have answers to.\"*He said in response before crouching down on the ground and calling the wolves back to him. They each turned their heads, tails wagging with newfound excitement as they ran back over to him and tackled him over. He let out a laugh, one of the few times he ever did so genuinely as he gave each of them a light pat on the head.*\"You'll get used to them.\"*He told Kibaru, standing up and grabbing some jerky from his pouch. Terrel tossed it out into the fields to which the wolves all soon swarmed after. While they were distracted, the Silnari tilted his head towards the house soon heading inside with expectations of Kibaru following. The house seemed genuinely spacey with the occasional bits of furniture to fill the living room they were in that sat parallel to the kitchen.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Why exactly wolves... Being a pig man and all I would've though you might want to avoid them... Wait... Am I?\" *Kibaru followed with a confused and concerned look to his face as he though to himself for a bit* \"I would hate my life\"\n\nBruh, he is going in'" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Kibaru I'm going to tell you a secret that I should have said so long ago.\"*He said to him before whispering:*\"I'm not actually a pig.\"*With a snort of amusement, he continued further through the house, leading him down the hallways that branched out to the different bedrooms with a bathhouse taking up one of the spaces off to the side of it. He showed him the smaller upstairs where he slept, a space Kibaru could have more easily predicted with the Silnaris equipment scattered about alongside some of the books they were given from the clan, making the room seem smaller than it already was.*\"Still having to fix this place up, but it should do for a few nights.\"*He said.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Reaaaaaly\" *Kibaru said over reacting to Terrel's words* \"Shut your pig ass up\" *Kibaru said with shake of his head and s light smile on his face* \"Starting to wonder why you don't just wear a wolf mask then\" *Kibaru gave the place a good look through as they went about* \"Well good thing we're staying for a few day. I can help you fix her up in the mean time\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Well then the pack of wolves wouldn't be as unpredictable, now would it?\"*He said back. Never let them know your next move. Terrel took a seat on the bed, laying back on it for a while in finally having a comfortable spot to lay down on while he stared up at the arched roof.*\"Would be a big help. Still have to figure out what stuff I should take west with me and what things I should leave here.\"*While they spoke, it seemed like the wolves were gradually making their way back to the house, one of the furry heads peaking through the doorway curiously with its tongue hanging out in a light pant.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"You moving?\" *Kibaru asked a little confused by what he meant* \"Got a new house you want to move into?\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"I wouldn't say moving so much as... Expanding.\"*He said, looking for a word for it.*\"This place will always be home, one of several anyways.\"*Terrel gave a light pat of his leg in gesture for the wolf to come in. The smaller canine made their way over, hopping up onto the elf's lap while Terrel gave him a light pat.*\"Besides, going to have to take some stuff with us if you really want to work on that town of yours, not just going to go to no man's land empty pocket.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Well I guess you have a point. We talking your pack with us then? Or is this still your main residence?\" *Kibaru asked, he didn't much have many homes himself, though he has though of the idea of buying many more at some point. Just to have a place to sleep for the night*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Nah, I'll be leaving this pack here.\"*He said gently as he regarded the wolf on his lap.*\"They can manage themselves while we figure out what we want to do out there. Might make a feast for em while we're here though. I think they deserve that much for being so patient.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Well that my queue I'm guessing. I might have to hunt a few deer to feed all of these little pup however... About 3 should so\" *Kibaru said casually with a shrug* \"Going to have some left overs... Might make some jerky\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"I'll see what I can make with the stuff I have in the kitchen. Might even put those cookbooks to use if you brought any of them with you.\"*He said in reference to supply of books the clan had given them. Terrel shifted his gaze to the pile he had around, some of which he debated on keeping or simply letting Kibaru have in remembrance to his own clan.*\"Might try making some dessert, who knows.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"I guess I did, But these are some foreign recipes. You up for the challenge?\" *Kibaru asked as he reached into his back to pull out a book* \"Definitely not your usual Salvanian eats\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"I've practically been all over the map.\"*He said with a grin, soon sitting up afterwards and allowing the wolf to hop back down to the floor.*\"Try me.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*Kibaru handed him the book* \"Well then. Let us see what you've got, shall we\" *Kibaru then gestured with a bow towards the door, waiting for Terrel to lead first*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel got up from his bed, grabbing his Trident before heading off downstairs with the wolf at his heels.*\"Probably won't have much luck in the fields around the house. Mostly just find my wolves eating field mice around here.\"*He explained to Kibaru as he headed towards the living room. Down in the main area, most of the wolves were lounging about, some coming to and from the house while other play fought with each other. The wolf following Terrel soon joined the rest while the Elf took the time to count them all to make sure they were all there.*\"There's a bit of forest area near here, one with pool of water I'm pretty sure some animals like to hang around if you're able to find it. Probably not as populated with it getting cold though by my assumption.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Well as long as they can keep themselves full. I would imagine them hunting quite the sum of animals to keep themselves full. Amazing how self sustaining they can be.\" *Kibaru said with a nod as he looked at the play* \"Maybe I should get one of my own\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Y'know I once thought about getting one of my own.\"*He said in a joking tone as he stood by the door.*\"This was the end result.\"*Of course Kibaru only saw the end result at surface layer. He had no idea of there being more to come. Terrel shifted his gaze as he caught sight of the white pelt of Floof, soon calling him over to him.*\"You can take Floof with you. He's the most experience of the bunch.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Hey there little guy. Been a while, huh. Look at you. Grown up so big and strong\" *Kibaru came to Floof giving him a pat* \"Everyday you keep getting older, huh?\" *He then shifted his attention back to Terrel as he pat floof* \"He can come with. But I want one of my own... A big one. Like an ancient wolf... Like those fabled Blizzard wolves\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Floof's tail gave a light wag in seeing his old friend, hopping up into his hind legs to sniff at Kibaru. Terrel gave a snort of amusement.*\"Don't think there will be any ancient wolves out there worth taming, but you're free to give it a shot.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"I mean. What better wolf to tame then an ancient one. Maybe I can even tame a deity wolf... As if\" *Kibaru said jokingly at the though. He was quite serious about taming an ancient wolf though. What better stead to have then a giant wolf*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Maybe you should work on that elephant dream of yours first, hm?\"*The Silnari teased, coming to notice the growing list of animals Kibaru was hoping to gain. He can only see a repeat of himself happening, but more the the extreme with each large animal Kibaru considered.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Oh yeah, there was that too... Mmm I think I should have enough money for that one though... Maybe even a Morgash Elephant if I'm feeling lucky. So. Decided what you're going to prepare us?\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Remind me to never bring you on a stealth mission.\"*He said to him, trying to imagine any point of time where Kibaru would use an elephant. If he did end up riding it, it was either for bragging rights or him not thinking a plan all the way through. Either way, Terrel had no idea what he planned to do with it.*\"Let's see what the cookbook has to offer.\"*He said, holding his hand out for Kibaru to give it to him.*\" I'll leave it as a surprise for whenever you get back from your hunting trip.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*Kibaru would hand him the book* \"You know, it is close to thanksgiving. If you want, we could just go catch a turkey and make a thanksgiving feast\" *Kibaru added before going around the Kitchen to check it out*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel raised an eyebrow curiously towards the proposal.*\"Well if you're able to find one, I'm sure the wolves would enjoy trying something new.\"*He said, grabbing at the bird that lived in his hair.*\"Tzu as well... Maybe.\"*Placing Tzu, back on his shoulder, he flipped a bit through the book.*\"Yeesh, going to have to return to town for some of these ingredients.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"I mean. When have you even stocked up on stuff here? Do think much of this would be fresh right about now... You know. Maybe I'll ask my chefs to prepare us some thanksgiving... Nah. On second thought I think Their hads are quite busy right now... I'll just make it myself when we're at the eatery again\" *Kibaru then sat down in one of the chairs and watched Terrel*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel waved off the idea, saying:*\"Oh no, you've cooked for me tons of times already. It's time I return the favor. Just one dish at least. Will have to go to the shop anyways. Not like food spontaneously appears.\"*Terrel took a moment to think about it.*\"Unless mages are able to do that now. Will have to check back in the magic books for that.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"But... Cooking is my job. My passion in fact. You can't just go taking away what I'm good at and just expecting me to sit idly bye\" *Kibaru said with a fake fine. He honestly didn't mind much eating someone else's cooking. In fact it was always better eating another's cooking rather than their own*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"I don't know Kibaru. I think after looking through this book I've rediscovered my hidden passion for the culinary arts.\"*He stated in a dramatic tone.*\"I think it's time I be the chef with my own restaurant while you be the Mercenary with a ton of wolves.\"*The funniest part of it was how much the roles seemed to suit them even when swapped. Odd how things worked.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"As tempting as the offer is, I'll have to pass, thank you very much. I kind of like being a cook very much. A cook that hunts and can sell stuff. That suits me well\" *Kibaru said with a smile* \"Decided what you're making yet?\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel flipped through the book once more, nothing seeming to catch his eye. Closing the book, he glanced back at Kibaru.*\"How about a Bales' family recipe?\"*He said, holding the book back out to the Kemonomimi, figuring maybe making something he knew himself would be a better idea. The Silnari didn't wait for an answer, his mind already made as he grabbed his bag and Floof.*\"Just need a few ingredients for it. You make yourself comfortable or something until I get back.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*Kibaru took the book* \"Okay then. I'll just be chilling here with the puppies\" *Kibaru said before going upstairs to got get a blanket and lay it on the ground before making himself comfortable in the living room* \"There we go... This brings back memories\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Light up the fireplace while I'm out.\"*He said.*\"It'll probably be dark when I return.\"*With that he turned away, heading off. Some of the wolves turned towards the door as the Silnari left, sitting in waiting while the other ones sniffed about to see if there were any treats left behind for them. A few remained around Kibaru, still somewhat curious of the newcomer. Upon counting, it appeared to be about 10 of them total, some full grown while others were hardly juveniles.*" } ]

[ { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Okay then\" *Kibaru would do as requested and light up the fire before laying down on the blanket. He gave a yawn and stretch as he laid down* \"Well this is nice... Now I just wait for food, huh. I hate this\" *He said to himself*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*With the fireplace now lit, the rest of the wolves began moving over to sit by it, creating a sleep pile amongst one another to keep warm. The sun had long since set before Terrel eventually made it home, Floof bursting through the door in an excitable enough mood to catch the attention of the other wolves. Terrel came in soon after, carrying a couple bags worth of groceries as he stepped around the re-awoken canines.*\"I'll get to cooking in a bit.\"*He said to Kibaru while he passed by to the kitchen.*\"Also got some more jerky while I was out. It's mainly for the wolves but you can have some too if you manage to stop them from eating it all.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*Kibaru was in a light sleep and with all the wolves waking with Terrel coming back, he soon woke. Kay. But for now I'm way to comfy here\" *Kibaru said with a few wolves by his own side*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Sure. Make yourself comfortable.\"*He said, unpacking some of the food he had gotten. Terrel turned to some of the wolves that followed after him, tossing down a few pieces of jerky to keep them busy while he started getting stuff ready. It was a long time since he's ever cooked something like this before, at the very least he hoped he could remember the recipe with the taste being a distant memory.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"So, you making a vegetarian safe dish, I assume?\" *Kibaru asked as he did get up after the wolves left him. He then came to grab some Jerky for himself as he looked at what Terrel had gotten*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"I'll leave that up to your own interpretation.\"*He said to the Kemonomimi while cutting up some of the vegetables he had brought back.*\"I'm sure you'll be able to smell it coming a mile away.\"*In the bags it seemed to be a collection of spices and vegetables, with some cheese laying buried another the rest alongside some other produce. Most of the scents seemed to be outweighed by the spices themselves which was fortunate enough for Terrel to keep the wolves from tearing into the bags at the first sign of a treat.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Mmm. Okay then. Need me to do anything?\" *Kibaru asked as he tilted his head slightly while looking at all the ingredients* \"Anything would be good, even if it isn't cooking\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Sure.\"*He said, figuring the Kemonomimi needed to find something to do to keep himself occupied.*\"You can try hunting to feed all these wolves while I continue cooking.\"*He suggested, part of him doubting there would be much to find this late at night, let alone enough for all the wolves standing in waiting outside the room.*" } ]

[ { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Aight. Now that I can do. Easy enough... That is if these wolves didn't scare them all off.\" *Kibaru said as he went to go grab his bow and leaving the house* \"I'll be back soon enough!\" *He shouted as he left. Good thing he was use to hunting at night*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Just make sure they don't get out.\"*He said without looking behind him, waving off the Kemonomimi and resuming focus on his task. Terrel glanced over to the bag he had left, taking out the remaining ingredients. It would take some time for it all to cook, but at least he bought some with Kibaru going out to hunt. He gave a light grin as he left the food to cook, a mixture of vegetables, meat, and spice filling the air and bringing a sense of familiarity to it.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "Kibaru would later return with two deer on each shoulder. Much as he brags about hunting, it has been a while and thus He was a bit tired out from carrying them, but he walked towards the kitchen window before asking* \"You have anywhere I can skin and prep these?\" *He took about 2 hours catching them.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*By the time Kibaru returned, Terrel had left the food to bake while he relaxed with his wolves, soon turning his head as Kibaru made his way back.*\"Might want to do that outside unless you wanna set off the whole pack.\"*He said to him, getting up from where he was sitting with a few curious wolves following after him.*\"They may well do the skinning themselves at that point.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Okay... So want me to do it on the ground or is there I place I can hook them or even lay them on a table?\" *KIbaru asked a little irritated by the lack of preparations, but not to Terrel's fault as he didn't even eat meat. Realizing this, he just shook his head and stopped being irritated*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel was able to pick up the signs of his irritability as the Silnari finally made his way over to the window.*\"Would a table be easier for you?\"*He asked simply, oblivious to the process of skinning an animal.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Yes, yes it would be very much so. Though hooks to hang the bodies would be much better, but I'll take what I can.\" *Kibaru said seeming to be inpatient* \"These thing are heavy. Could you hurry up?\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"It's a wonder how you carried them all the way here.\"*He commented before turning away.*\"One sec.\"*The Silnari headed off, ushering his wolves to another room where he could keep them closed in for a while. Making his way back over, he cleared off the table in the kitchen before moving back to open the door.*\"Alright you can bring them in.\"*He said to him.*\"Left the kitchen table open for you.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"You don't mind it being done inside your house?\" *Kibaru asked seeming a tad bit concerned by the choice* \"I'm first going to have to bleed them or you floor is going to be covered in the smell of blood. A smell better left outside\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"If you can help carry the table outside then you can do that.\"*He suggested, glancing back towards the kitchen. It was a wonder of why the Kemonomimi didn't simply skin it on the ground. Surely it was a much easier process than moving furniture around for it.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Okay then. I think I'll do that\" *Kibaru said before letting the bodies fall to the ground before coming back to help Terrel move the table outside. He the put the deer on top and punctured their arteries to let them bled out on the ground for a bit* \"There we go. Now we can wait for a little bit\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"You do realize the wolves would have eaten that whether it still had blood in it or not, right?\"*He asked the Kemonomimi, still wondering what the point of all this was. Terrel supposed if Kibaru was looking to have some deer himself, it would have make more sense though he doubted the wolves were keen on sharing.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"I want some myself you know. Can't just let the wolves take all of it. I'm rather fond of a few of the meats and thus I'll cut them out and let the wolves do the rest... Besides. I al also a hunter. So I would preferably not have the hides utterly torn to pieces if I can sell them instead\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*He gave an amused exhale of air. Between being a chef, mercenary, merchant businessman, and Hunter, it was a wonder of what he didn't do. Especially in still caring on something as simple as a torn hide. One would think he had enough income to not care as much on it.*\"If you want to clean up, the food is about ready.\"*He eventually said, turning and heading back inside the house.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Yeah, let's go eat. I just wana wash Up first. As you can see. My hands are quite bloodied and so is my coat. Good thing It's water proof on the outside... Or it would make cleaning blood much more difficult and the snowfall would cause this poor coat to freeze me to death\" *Kibari said a he waited for Terrel to lead the way*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel lead Kibaru through the house out to the back, grabbing a bucket as he did before moving off towards a distant well and placing the bucket down beside it. He waved Kibaru over soon after.*\"Best place to collect water.\"*He said to him.*\"You can use what you pull up to wash the blood off with. I'll go make sure the food is done meantime.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Kay thanks\" *Kibaru said before washing up along with his coat, after he was done, he would move to the fireplace to dry his coat a little after some of the not so waterproof fabric got wet. Sitting bareback in front of the fire*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*While Kibaru was washing up, Terrel left to go grab the dish from the kitchen, cutting the meal up into different slices. He made a plate for Kibaru, heading into the living room to join him by the fireplace. A strong scent seemed to waft into the air, containing what smelled like a mixture of cheese, spices, vegetables, and a more hidden smell of some sort of meat. Chicken perhaps. Terrel held down the plate of the pie-shaped slice of food he had made for him.*\"Here. If you like it, consider it a family recipe. If you don't, I was never here.\"*He said, joking on the last bit. It wasn't exactly followed by recipe in him deciding to experiment with the addition of meat the rest of his family seemed to enjoy in comparison to his more vegetarian version, but he was sure it tasted fine either way.*" } ]

[ { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*Kibaru stood up and took the plate in hand* \"Ahh, finally. The smell has be killing me here. Thanks. So. Am I eating a vegetarian Pie or did you do me a favour?\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"A favor.\"*He said simply. The Silnari took a seat on the couch, taking in some warmth from the fire while he unbraided his hair.*\"There's chicken in it. I typically just have the vegetarian version, but my family always kept the ingredient in for themselves. It's chicken pot pie. Kind of funny removing the chicken from it when you think about it.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Yeah, not chicken pot pie at the point\" *Kibaru said a she bit in* \"Well not bad for someone that doesn't do meat. Not bad at all\" *Kibaru continued eating as he sat and watched the flames dance before them*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"I suppose a pot pie works just as well.\"*He said.*\"If you like it enough, the rest is in the kitchen.\"*His hair fell past his shoulders as he took the last braids out. Taking off his shoes and cloak, he lays back on the couch, allowing some of the exhaustion of the day to weigh in a bit as he got comfortable.*\"Or if not, there's always your restaurant in the morning after everyone gets their fill of deer tonight.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Nah. Think I'll chill on the left overs for a bit. I don't wana see my restaurant for as long as possible right now. I just want to relax and not worry about anything\" *Kibaru said as he continued eating his food, not long finishing it*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*He let out a snort of amusement.*\"Whatever you prefer.\"*He said, dozing a bit.*\"Should probably let the wolves out if the deer is ready.\"" } ]

[ { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*Kibaru let out a long Irritated sigh* \"I'll have to skin them in a bit. I'll just leave the carcass a ways from the house so it doesn't stink up the place when the dogs get to chowing*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Need my help in keeping them at bay?\"*He asked half-consciously, a yawn sook following his words.*\"Or are you fine with them letting loose?\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"It's your call man. After I set it out, whether they are obedient enough to not bite each other is yet to be seen\" *Kibaru said before getting up and going to the door* \"For now, just give me a few minutes*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"I'm sure Floof will keep them in order. He's the oldest of the bunch, but not the frailest.\"*He said, falling silent as Kibaru headed off.*\"See you when you get back.\"*The Silnari said before dozing off a bit.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*After a while, Kibaru would open the door and call the wolves. He had his bag full of his chosen meats and the hides. The bag had a strong smell that sterilized the smell of meat and blood* \"Kay man. I'm done\" *Kibaru said before sitting next to him with another servinf* \"Moon's shining brightly today, huh?\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel opened his eyes as Kibaru came back, jolted from his sleep. He sat, rubbing at his eyes in trying to process what Kibaru said.*\"Going to go howl at it or something?\"*He questioned him, looking over to realize that deer was already done with the smell that accumulated. Guess it was time to let the wolves out the room. Terrel hardly had to get up and make his way over to the door to open it before the wolves had bursted out of the room to give chase to the smell of deer. Hopefully they won't drag that in later. Terrel returned back to the couch soon after, laying back in it for a while.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"You don't want to maybe get in your bed. Your back will thank you, I promise you that much\" *Kibaru said as he tapped Terrel's knees* \"Much better than sleeping here\" *Kibaru said before feeding the Fireplace more wood*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Probably a good decision.\"*He said thoughtfully as if considering it.*\"You going to stay down here?\"*The Silnari asked him, thinking over how he was going to get the wolves back in for the night before getting some sleep.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Yeah, I'll stay for a bit. Might even cook us up a feast with the meat that I have. Gona need some time to prepare everything. And you probably want your wolf blanket to sleep better tonight\" *Kibaru said as he started stretching*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Yeah, I guess I'll get some rest.\"*He eventually agreed, getting up to head to the door. Terrel called his wolves back in, sleepily counting each one a few times over before confirming it was all of them. Shutting the door behind him, he turned to head upstairs.*\"Goodnight Kibaru.\"*He said.*\"And if you're making a feast for all of us, try sparing me from the meat.\"*He joked the last part, turning off to head to his room, while his wolves seemed to split up. Some followed him while others came to lay back down near the fire, their bellies contently full. The chicken pot pie remains rested on the counter in the event that Kibaru wanted some later before putting it away, though for now it seemed like the house itself had gone into a doze.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Kay man\" *Kibaru said behind him as he watched him leave. With the house falling silent, Kibatu stared outside for a bit* \"Well it's quite... Mmm. I miss home\" *He then shook his head and turned towards the kitchen. He would continue making many foods and leave for a bit before once again returning with more ingredients. Quite some time after, Kibaru finally went upstairs to go sleep in his room. It was around 2 in the morning that he finally finished*" } ]

[ { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel woke up to the streams of sunlight filtering in through his window. Finding himself surrounded by the wolves that decided to make their way up here to join him. He gave a light chuckle, taking the time to remember where he was after the traveling the day before. Terrel got up, rubbing at his eyes tiredly before grabbing his mask and returning it to his face. By now his wolves had begun waking up and in turn he grabbed his trident and decided to head down the stairs back towards the kitchen.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*Kibaru was still asleep/ In the Kitchen, Terrel would find allot of different plates of varies dishes with a little over half having meats. There were allot of ingredients that Terrel didn't have before. Clearly Kibaru went out shopping himself*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Consider Terrel mildly impressed, that or having his memory shot. Seemed like Kibaru went all out after the Elf had fallen asleep. He wasn't kidding about the feast. Terrel walked up to Kibaru, lightly bonking him on the head with the shaft of his Trident.*\"Had a fun night out?\"*He asked jokingly to the Kemonomimi.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*Ki8baru woke up with a frown as he stared at Terrel for a bit* \"You mind not waking up someone that did you a huge favour?\" *Kibaru said before yawning and stretching*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Well if I didn't wake you, the wolves sure would have.\"*He inquired, looking at all the dishes Kibaru had made.*\"I'll give it you. You've outdone yourself. Didn't happen to raid your restaurant in the middle of the night did you?\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Nah, Just made a few stops at a nearby village and a few houses. Traded with them and go us some proper ingredients. You have a cool box?\" *Kibaru asked before sitting up and going down to the Kitchen*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Yeah it's in the corner.\"*He pointed out, moving towards the kitchen to take a look out the window. Some frost seemed to build up on it, though he could still see out into the foggy terrain.*\"Weather is getting much colder. Hopefully it shouldn't deter future travels so much.\"*He said, figuring he won't have to worry about it so much now. They were in a warm house with enough food to consider hibernating. Traveling was a problem for another day. For now they could enjoy their time here.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Awesome, thanks\" *Kibaru would place some left over ingredients in there before he got everything ready on the Table* \"I do well with cold, so I'm fine either way\" *Kibaru said with a smile* \"But for a week or so, I just want to rest for a while... I'll be working on your house in the mean time\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Guess that's enough of a reason for me to actually start packing stuff away.\"*He watched as one of his wolves ran by, a bone held precariously in its jaws with a pair of wolves tryna wrestle him for it.*\"Things are easily distracting around here.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"I guess so. For now. Just sit down and enjoy the fest. Grab what you want\" *Kibaru said before handing Terrel a plate as he began doing just that. Grabbing most items on the table*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel decided to follow suit in adding some stuff to his plate, at least the vegetarian dishes anyways.*\"Shall I invite the wolves to this feast?\"*He jested in seeing a few of the canines sniffing at the food curiously from where they stood on their hind legs.*\"I'm sure they're quite famished.\"*Terrel added on a bit of regal tone to his words, finding it funny that Kibaru was playing host despite being in his house. Either the wolf man was determined to be the chef here or the chicken pot pie was that bad. He snorted in amusement at the thought.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"No, They have their own bloody food outside. They can go chew on that if they really want to\" *Kibaru said shaking his head at the though* \"I made this for us, not them.\" *Kibaru said before sitting down and beginning to chow down an the food. It was quite clean. Not a dish other than the ones below the food remained, not even the chicken pot pie remained*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"You're going to be a great pet owner, I can tell.\"*He said in questionable sincerity. Terrel found a place to take a seat at, eating his food more slowly as he occasionally shooed the wolves off to go find their own food. He glanced out towards the window, partially lost in thought for a while as he ate.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Thanks, I'll take that as a compliment\" *Kibaru said casually as he continued to eat. His tails acting as a barrier to the wolves that seemed to lack manners* \"But to me it almost feels like you live with the wolves instead of them living under your roof\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*He watched as the wolves passed by, directing a few to sit so that there weren't so many roaming around at once.*\"I'll admit, some are still learning. They're still young after all.\"*Terrel was glad that at the very least, Floof was able to be a good example to the bunch.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Yeah, but who's teaching the mutts with their owner being gone?\" *Kibaru asked with a raised eyebrow* \"I can imagine them being hard to control when you barely see or know their behaviour\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"You know, you make a fair point.\"*He said as if just now thinking of it. It was a question of how they'd stay trained, though perhaps they were more fortunate that these wolves hardly acted more than playful mutts. Why that was, the Kemonomimi would probably never know. A grin suddenly appeared on Terrel's face, realization coming to mind as he did.*\"I haven't properly introduced you to them all have I?\"" } ]

[ { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Yeah, you haven't. Too be fair I'll probably forget most their names anyway\" *Kibaru said with a shrug* \"But if you think I might be able to remember, then shoot*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel gave a nod, shoving some more food into his mouth before getting up from his seat to a spot with some more space around him. He grabbed the wolf whistle from around his neck, suddenly blowing into it and causing the high pitch noise to resound throughout the room. The wolves turned their heads to attention, flooding their way over to him with a mixture of curiosity and eagerness. There were multiple colors of wolves, some brown, some black, some simply grey or white, a few with a mixture of colors. It was a wonder how one could remember them all simply and to imagine this was just the tip of the iceberg. Terrel nudged the wolves about, trying to get them more organized before he could name them off.*\"Let's see here. You already know Floof.\"*He began, gesturing to the older white wolf sitting at the end, his tail wagging at the mention of his name.*\"The brown one next to him is Sorrel. Name given to him by a certain someone who decided to leave us for dead, but I couldn't bother changing it at that point. The smaller white one is Hunter. Still teaching him the ropes. The four Grey ones are Lucky, Cliff, Linus and Spike. And the four brown ones are Dobi, Jax, Crypt, and Fiery.\"*He said finishing of the list as the wolves began growing bored of sitting in one place for so long. It was apparent that most of the wolves seemed pretty young outside a few that he mentioned at the beginning. He gave each of them some jerky allowing them to return to roaming for the time being.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*With the blowing of the whistles, Kibaru's ears twitched and he frowned somewhat at it. His ears were the ones of wolves and so he had a slightly more sensitive hearing. The whistle wasn't as audible, but sitting in the same room, he couldn't help hearing it* \"Mmm. I think I'm good with only knowing floof\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"You'll probably only need to know Floof, probably.\"*He mentioned, not taking notice in Kibaru's reaction to the whistle.*\"Might not see the other ones as often, besides they can be easy to mix up at times.\"*Terrel returned to his seat, deciding to continue eating the rest of his food for the time being.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Yeah. And I have trouble with names as is. And I don't exactly live withy wolves, so determining the difference can sometimes be hard\" *Kibaru said before finally finishing up, having a full belly* \"Now that was quite the breakfast, huh?\"" } ]

[ { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Yeah, a little bit. Unless you have materials I can use for repairs that is. But we won't be going out for food anytime soon.\" *The amount of food he had made would at least keep the full for 3 days by the looks of it* \"Do you have plans to go visit town?\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Probably not today.\"*He answered.*\"I think I'm going to gather all the things I need for traveling around here. Might even find some stuff that I might not have much need for now if you want them. I've been keeping this place for some of the storage for the time being.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Well them I guess I'll check it out in that case. Might as well do a little cleaning while I'm at it. Me working to relax, it's quite ironic\" *Kibaru said with a chuckle*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"I don't think either of us know how to take a break.\"*He laughed. The Elf got up from his seat, heading over to the front door to allow the wolves to head outside for a while before returning to Kibaru.*\"Come on, I'll show you were a store most of the stuff at.\"*He said, soon walking off towards the rooms.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Aight. Lead the way then\" *Kibaru said with a smile and nod before he stood up giving a few stretches. His tails wagged slightly with him being so satisfyingly full*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel guided him off to one of the rooms he had left un-toured by Kibaru. Opening the door to it, the two were welcomed by a number of items. Some things remained in containers of sorts while other much smaller items sat scattered about in hasty abandonment. It seemed like a thin layer of dust had managed to collect in the time the place reminded untouched, though Terrel simply walked in as if it were any other room. It wasn't a lot of stuff overall, though it seemed like, with the containers, there was quite a bit of things to look through.*\"If you find anything of interest in here, let me know and I may be willing to part with it. Otherwise getting this area organized should be good enough as is.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"I would like to not further expand on my useless items either. But if there is anything to help fix this house, I'll be using that\" *Kibaru said immediately beginning to search the containers* \"Quite fucking dusty here. I'm gona need a bath after this\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Have that as well, if need be.\"*He commented, turning away soon after to head upstairs.*\"I'll be in my room for a while sorting between the stuff from Runra. Yell if you need anything.\"*With that the Silnari headed off. The containers seemed rather abundant in items, the first few Kibaru opening containing a collection of books, empty potion bottles, and several slips of paper, some containing small images on them.*" } ]

[ { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Thanks\" *Kibaru would be too curious and would look at the pictures in hand while he searched the rest of the storage to find a hammer and some materials. He was pretty sure Terrel would have at least a some things to use in here*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel decided to look through the books they had been gifted, separating them into two different piles of which he'd rather take with him and which he'd consider leaving here.*\"You want any of these magic books?\"*He called down to Kibaru.*\"Might spark some secret ability in you or something.\"*The latter statement was mostly a joke, though seeing as both Silnaris and Kemonomimis seemed to carry a natural magic prowess, it could really go either way. The pictures Kibaru had uncovered carried several different images, one of a dagger with various writings around it in Kirigic. Another being a map of Ramul Ta with specific locations marked. And a third with a more kiddie-like drawing of a pig on it. Wherever the materials were that Kibaru was looking for, seemed a bit buried amongst the rest of the containment near where he kept some of his spare weaponry.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Aye, Sure. Not gona learn magic myself, but it couldn't hurt to learn a few things here and there\" *Kibaru said before he grabbed the stuff he need. He then moved outside in attempt to find a way up. The Kemonomimi had quite the acrobatics and was use to climbing varies things. After he moved all the stuff up, he began working on the roof first. Patching up where he could*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel decided to toss the magic books to the side for the time being, glancing up only as he began hearing noises coming from the roof.*\"Kibaru... What are you doing...?\"*He asked him slowly, half expecting an answer from downstairs in him not realizing the Kemonomimi had gotten up on the roof.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"I'm Fixing the roof!\" *Kibaru shouted as he continued hammering away at the roof. He felt like the roof should be the best part to start* \"I'll do the rest eventually. I just don't want it snowing or raining in\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"How did he get on the...\"*Terrel began questioning to himself before quickly shaking his head. He didn't need an answer or rather didn't want one.*\"Well when you finish with that can you check on the wolves and make sure they haven't wandered off too far.\"*He said back to him, moving off to check the supplies he had in his room.*" } ]

[ { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"This might take a while, but sure, I got ya!\" *Kibaru shouted back before he moved a bit to hammer another part of the roof. Kibaru enjoyed the simple work he had tasked himself with. And doing it for a friend made it that much better to him*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*While Kibaru was spending time on the roof, Terrel continued to spend his day sorting things into the two piles. After being satisfied with the result, he took the stay pile to the storage area, deciding to organize it up a bit more before finding a bag to pack all the stuff he was planning on taking with him. Some of it included things he planned on selling later, which he had also collected in his time cleaning storage. Hopefully it'll be a small enough travel bag once he visited down before they left again.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*Kibaru would soon finish up his work on the roof before doing as Terrel requested and checking on the wolves. Luckily not as hard.* \"Wait, why the hell did he even ask me that... He's left the wolves roaming about for long enough not to have to worry\" *Kibaru questioned by himself before shrugging and walking back to the house* \"Wolves ain't that far at least\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*He brought the bag out towards the main room, placing it down upon the floor as Kibaru made his way back.*\"Good to hear.\"*He said half distractedly, making sure he had everything.*\"Going to bring all this stuff with me whenever we get back on the road. Some of it, I plan to sell like the extra fabrics and stuff unless you want them.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Nah, thanks. Though I can most definitely help sell them if you want\" *Kibaru said with a shrug* \"I am a merchant after all.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Sure.\"*He said simply, deciding to leave the bag there for the time being.*\"We can stop through town on our way out.\"*The Elf headed towards the door, blowing into his whistle to call the wolves back. One by one, the small canines gradually made their ways in, one of them having some blood on its muzzle as if it had recently killed something.*\"Looks like someone's learning.\"*He commented with a chuckle. Terrel counted them up, soon shutting the door behind them. The day was long, though night was always quick to come these days oddly enough. Perhaps something of the colder weather bringing about shorter days.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"You all done with your sorting then?\" *Kibaru asked as he gave a long and satisfied stretch* \"Thought it would take a little longer\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Can only take a limited amount with me anyways.\"*He said, moving to lay back on the couch.*\"So I just grabbed however much I could fit in the bag and organized the rest. Maybe whenever I make the trip back I'll sort through them more.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"You might as well just buy a wagon to do the rest for you... Come to think about it... I think I should repair the one I have. That should help out quite a bit. It has been a while since I used it... Maybe I should just buy a new one, huh\" *Kibaru thought to himself out loud. Kibaru then went to go grab them some of the much left overs and brought it over to the couch, Giving Terrel his plate with the lack of meat as he sat down and ate his own*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel took the plate in turn, moving it out of the way of the curious wolves as he ate from it.*\"Well if the wagon is beyond repair, I don't see why not. If you're still insistent on the making your own town idea, got a lot more purchases in the future anyways. Transporting some of the stuff we have now may just make it easier.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Aye. Then I guess I should get one, huh.\" *Kibaru continued eating his food with his tails wagging ever so slightly behind him as he enjoys the food*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Might need multiple considering how much stuff that would require, but that's a problem for when we get there.\"*He stated.*\"How do you even plan on making the town? Surely not planning on building everything yourself.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"No, I know a few people. And the eatery can help gather more info and even with hiring. The ship can help with importing materials, so we would preferably make a port town. The rest I'll figure out as I go. As for residence, well I'm pretty sure the remaining Tsuyoi members can take that... But that'll have to wait.\" *Kibaru said with a smile* \"First we need more funding\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Shouldn't be too hard in that case.\"*He said.*\"Maybe we'll find some stuff out there. I haven't explored the whole expanse just yet.\"*He finished off his plate, placing it down soon after.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"The big question is. Do we want to be an independent nation. Or fall under the jurisdiction of greater empires?\" *Kibaru asked as he though deeply on that though* \"The ladder could be a problem for us if we choose wrong, but the first is going to bring allot of hardships that might take minimum of two generations\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"If we wanted it to be under another's jurisdiction, we'd have just set it here and not in the middle of nowhere.\"*He said with a snort of amusement. Terrel wasn't completely sure of what Kibaru envisioned, though so far the Elf only promised a place for it. What Kibaru wanted to do with the town was up to him.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"I want to make a trade rich area. But that might spark the wrong attention with higher up. Honestly. I think it would be better if we found and claimed new land instead. Maybe there's another continent untouched by civilization?\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"I think I can work with that.\"*He said.*\"Maps don't chart out much to west beyond the beastkin lands. But my guess is as good as yours if we just so happen to stumble upon another civilization. World sure is full of them.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Hopefully they have free land then. Would be good for trading. But I would prefer nowhere too hot. A forest would be ideal\" *Kibaru said before he stood up with his finished food and taking Terrel's if his was also done*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"It's pretty far from any desert as far as I've seen, so won't have to worry about that. Besides, the colder seasons are approaching. I doubt you'll have to worry about heat from some time now.\"*With his plate taken away, he decided to busy himself with giving his wolves a light pat on the head, some of them deciding to rest near the couch.*\"And if it doesn't seem to suit you, there's always settling in the beastlands. Don't think they'd favor my kind there too much, but it's an option.\"" } ]

[ { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Just keep the mask on. I'm sure they won't even know you're an elf\" *Kibaru said as he returned from the kitchen with some pudding in hand for the both of them* \"But in all seriousness. I think the beast lands aren't that bad of an idea actually\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"I'm pretty sure the ears are a bigger give away. Mask doesn't cover them too well. I suppose I can use my hair, though that's also a big give away with how long it's getting.\"*He explained, taking some pudding and deciding to snack on it.*\"We'll have to go through them anyways. Get whatever inspiration you want from them while we're there.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Oh, we're actually going there then?\" *Kibaru asked with a questioned look on his face as he sat down eating his pudding with a gleam smile* \"So good\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Well it is is west of here. Of course, the other option is passing through the warzone that is Mentia right now.\"*He also suggested.*\"Not that the beastlands are having it much better, but at least it isn't going on in their home turf.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Yeah, I don't know how I feel about a winter war... Travelling is also going to be a little difficult. Well. I picked our previous destination, not it is your turn\" *Kibaru shrugged not really knowing where to go right now* \"But for now I'm just going to kick back and relax a bit\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*He gave a chuckle.*\"Sure, trust the pig with the map. Only good things are bound to come from it.\"*He joked. While Kibaru was relaxing, Terrel reached into the folds of his cloak, taking out a deck of cards. This would probably be one of the few times they could actually relax from the constant travel and fighting, so perhaps now it would be best to enjoy the peacefulness of it.*\"Fancy a game...?\"*He asked the Kemonomimi.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Uh, sure. What ya wana play?\" *Kibaru asked. He didn't much play card that much himself. So he was unsure whether he would be able to learn the game quickly enough, but he was willing to give it a shot*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"A game I made up.\"*He said casually, removing the cards from their box and shuffling them.*\"It's called Eternal. Might want to get comfortable. We could be sitting here for a while.\"*He said, a sly grin forming on his face as he began dealing out the cards.*" } ]

[ { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Outside the city limits of New Salvainia was a popular inn and tavern by the name of Hacken's Hole. It was a common point for those traveling to and from the city towards the Elven March, being one of the finer establishments around. It was an windy evening, bringing many to prefer staying in doors if they could help it. However, a ruckus was going on outside, a man panting and gasping for air, running out of the nearby woods. When asked what he was running from, he simply gasped out,* \"The song! They're singing the song!\" *Reports of the Cult of Aventurr had been going around Salvainia for weeks now, a cultist group known for singing and human sacrifices. Commonly, city guards would be alerted to the event, but they often came far too late to save whoever was being sacrificed. While altruism may be a reason to leap headlong into danger for some, another reason existed to track down the cultists: their rituals also included sacrifices of silver and gold, and the city guard was quick to sweep those up when they finally arrived.\n\n For anyone looking to save a life, fight a dark cult, or simply make a pretty copper, the frightened man was begging somebody to stop the cult.* \"They're just within the woods! You'll hear them singing, I swear it, singing **The Song of Aventurr!**\"" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann, planning on going to Hacken's Hole hears this man's shouts as he darts outside of the woods. Almann would reign his rouncey to a halt._\n\n\"What is this about a song you say?\" _He shouts._" }, { "author": "thatparchedboyo", "message": "Tythis' leg burned just a tad from that Karvoc bite, but he was otherwise fine. He'd been thinking about the Karvoc pups he found in the back of their den and... What he ended up doing to them. It wasn't so much that he wasn't sure he did the right thing, more that he still couldn't get their brief whines out of his head. It wasn't the prettiest thing in the world to do, that much was for sure.\n\nAt least now he was nearing the city limits, and the inn he remembered heading towards The Elven March. He needed a proper rest, a bed and blanket to sleep with and a nice meal, rather than a cold, windy night on the forest floor. Perhaps-\n\nSuddenly, a man sprinted past him, shouting to the skies about how someone was \"Singing\" Again. Tythis had an inkling of what he may have been on about. Those cultists, the ones that sang, were a popular topic around the city lately, and he had been thinking about trying to take a job for it. That was, before he was contracted by that one elf. But now, he was mostly fine and just down one boot. Well, now was a good of time as any...\n\nHe walked up towards the man, as another stepped up and asked him about the song. He decided to stay quiet and wait for the man to answer instead of butting in with his own questions" }, { "author": "wololo1138", "message": "*'Huh...' was the only thing going through her head when Fiona walked towards the Inn. The rumors about that cult was commonly known and even she heard of it. Though something popped up in her head, and a wide smile formed up on her face. The Kitsune slightly cleared her throat approaching the people and started to hum a melody. Not only just a random one though, it be similar to the song. It was a good idea to freak them out even more, at least in her mind. Her horse stood still after she gave it a hand sign near the people.*\n\n\"How dare you to talk about it! Wasn't there an agreement? I mean the rules?! Rule 1: Do not talk about the cult! Rule 2: Do... Not... Talk... About... The... Cult...\" *She came slower closer and her whole body got tingly from the excitement, which was slowly growing in her body.* \"And do not forget Rule 4. The most important rule! Give us all your cookies!\" *She stopped nearby some people and her red eyes looked directly into the yelling mans.*\n\n\"I still need to get your cookies!\" *Her ears twitched a little before laying down and turned back from the people. Though she cleared her throat, realizing that this wasn't the best idea probably.* \"I-I mean *Oh nooo the cult is doing its stuff again*\" *It should be clear that she wasn't really caring about the sacrificed people and that is was meant sarcastically. Overall there was no connection between her and them.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann gives a strange look towards the fox woman before continuing to wait for the man's answer to his question._" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*The man finished his mug of water, clearing his throat.* \"The Song of Aventurr! It's this song that the cultists have been singing when they do their rituals. MY daughter heard it, so I hid my family in the cellar and came out here so somebody would get the guards.\" *The man and the bystanders present gave Fiona a weird look, uncomfortable. They thought she was with the cult, but with the mention of cookies, everyone figured she was just a madwoman. The man continued though, seeing that a small crowd was gathering.* \"But maybe... Please, if anyone here can stop them! I don't know when they'll finish, but I'm afraid they'll come for my family next. Please!\" *He was pointing north, up a worn path by the inn.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "\"How many voices do you think you heard? Be quick when thinking about your answer.\"" }, { "author": "thatparchedboyo", "message": "Tythis briefly looked at the fox woman, before ignoring her at the mention of cookies. He listened intently as the man explained his situation and begged and pleaded for someone to help him, pointing towards the same path Tythis had been up just a few seconds ago, though he had been trekking from the woods.\n\nTythis has switched from mulling over going up to help with the problem to just deciding to go, though he would stick around to see the man's answers to the other's questions. Perhaps those cultists would have something of value on them, if anything. Besides, they were cultists. What were he to expect, trained soldiers? No, he would be surprised if they had little more than pitiful daggers, robes, and *Maybe* Some basic magic.\n\nThough, they had been kidnapping travelers... Either way, Tythis would keep his wits about him when they did finally find them, if at all." }, { "author": "wololo1138", "message": "\"What is in it for me? I mean I don't know you or anyone here. There is nothing really giving me the helper vibes. At least for now.\" *The looks on her where just boosting her personality a bit and she didn't regret anything now. So she came closer to the begging man and looked up to him. The smile on her face slowly revealed the small fangs and the 5 tails slowly started to swing from side to side.* \"Come on make it worth it. For now you just have my attention, so make me to help you.\"\n\n*She went quite for a bit to at least use a bit of her brain, placing her index finger on the lower lip.* \"By the way, who says that you aren't working for them? Maybe you are lying and try to lure people away from here and into their arms. What about a little proof that you aren't with them?\" *Actually a quite reasonable question in her eyes and with that she stepped away some feet from him.* \"There are two things now. First I'm not quite sure if you are trying to send people into their arms and on the other hand, I have nothing from helping you.\" *She crossed her arms in front of her chest, and finally looked at the others, before looking back at the man, waiting for an answer*" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*The old man closed his eyes as he tried to remember.* \"Ten? Twelve? They were sitting in rows, all singing. And one was at the front, leading them. Throwing jewelry into the fire, buckets of it! They had some weapons, but I don't think all of them were armed. At least, I couldn't see.\" *The old man, looked at Fiona, angry at her practically taunting him.* \"I'm sure someone here can help me! Those are my lands back there, the people here know me!\" *There were nodding heads from bystanders, verifying his story.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann shakes his head and crosses his arms while still mounted on the piebald horse. The woman is right, what does a peasant like this have to offer? What could he offer that is worth getting rid of 10-12 cultists on land Almann doesn't even know? One has to see the goods before making a deal after all..._\n\n\"Should we get rid of these cultists what would you give us? I'm in agreement with the fox woman, what do you have to bargain for your safety and the safety of your family? Why should we put our lives in danger for you?\"\n\n\"If I go as well, you're leading the way in front of me or whoever goes to wherever this singing is taking place. No funny business.\"" }, { "author": "thatparchedboyo", "message": "Tythis sighed while the other two interrogated the man. He wasn't exactly looking for payment from the peasant, more of he was interested in what the cultists could offer from their corpses (or... Knocked out bodies, whichever came first). And they could grab a reward from guards if they were told about this whole debacle, surely? Maybe even the victims or towns involved? These two were going about it the wrong way.\n\n\"I'll go.\" Tythis was tired of hearing their questions, and he had the information he needed to act. He didn't really care whether or not the other two wanted to go or not, but he still waited for both the man's response and the other two's as well." }, { "author": "wololo1138", "message": "\"Well, have fun being knocked out, stabbed or whatever they do. Maybe it is a thing eating you alive? Starting with the feet first for sure.\" *Fiona turned around to Tythis and waved at him with a short giggle, before returning her attention to the man.* \"Well, even when they know you, that doesn't mean they stick 24/7 around you. Like I said, you could be technically one of them, trying to get new victims and that is a thing I don't like.\" *She tilted her though and was a little confused that actually someone agreed with her and also wanted to be paid for it. It was so amusing to her and yet something inside her was coming up. It was the curiosity of the way on how their rituals worked.*\n\n\"Well, I need at least one proof that you aren't with them. I don't care what it is, but I want it now. I will give you five minutes to proof it.\" *She had her calm voice though her tails started to flick around more and more, showing how the curiosity mixed with the excitement ramped up aggressively. Gosh she wants to see such a ritual now, even when she wasn't caring about the sacrificed people.*" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "\"Thank you, sir, thank you!\" *The old man was almost in tears from gratitude of Tythis. As for Fiona a and Almann, the man raised his hands, exasperated.* \"I don't know what to tell you, lady. If you don't want to go, then don't go. I'm just asking for help here.\" *The old man looked around the crowd for help, not sure what else to say. A younger man, looking like a lumber worker, stepped up.* \"I know the town guard is offering 3 gold for every live capture of the cultists, half that if they're dead. And the guy just said they had buckets of valuables. Maybe you can get paid like that? Don't make the old guy go with you, we'll go get the guards if you won't help.\" *The people were anxious, seeing the people trying to harass and shake down the old man. People began to move to him, escorting him inside so he could tell the story to a courier who could go alert the guards. The old man had nothing to offer in return, but maybe the v aluables at the ritual and the reward for killing or capturing cultists would be enough.*\n\n*Tythis would see the road clearly paved, extending straight ahead. The farmer's homestead would be down this road, and past that, the scene where his daughter reportedly heard the singing.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_The fox woman and the man seem impatient. Almann grunts, he would go anyways whether or not this man was a cultist. Seeing how desperate a man is to protect his family shows how honest he is about his story. He's determined that he is telling the truth and decides to go. Nonetheless, Almann turns towards the two who also heard the man's pleas and engaged with him and turns his horse in the direction of the homestead using the road._\n\n\"Two questions before we go, what are your names, and can you two keep up with my horse?\"" }, { "author": "thatparchedboyo", "message": "Tythis nodded to the man. \"I'm sorry you have to deal with this. I'll take care of the situation, now.\" He trekked forward onto the road, not waiting or questioning the two people that were harassing the poor man. He silently thanked the younger man who pointed out the flaws in their logic, and simultaneously shut them up. He wasn't really doing this out of the goodness from his heart, but the poor man had earned a break at this point, he didn't deserve to be interrogated by a looney and a fool.\n\nLike he did with the Karvoc dog situation, he kept his hand firmly grasped on the pommel of his sword, ready to draw at any time should anything happen when he gets too far up the pathway." }, { "author": "wololo1138", "message": "\"Well, to deal with this? Okay big brains, go ahead and tell me your plans. I mean it is pretty foolish to use a horse to go there. It would be too loud because of the size and the steps. Then not really having more information than just singing is also pretty bad.\" *Fiona sighed and shook her head rather annoyed looking. 'How can people be like this and survive?' she thought and with a last sigh looked at the other two.*\n\n\"Listen here. First of all, I do not follow a horse into such a dangerous situation. Like I said it will be too big and draw unwanted attention. Second I don't trust the old fart and neither do I trust you two. Then if you want to \"Hunt\" Them down, do it with using your brains.\" *She started to slowly walk forwards while talking.* \"Rule number one. Do not draw attention of your prey. Rule number two, have always two plans. First plan should be a safety plan, which allows you to get out of it with your life and not extremely wounded. The second plan is the attack plan. Rule number three... Have someone in your group that is able to get a good view on your back and far in front of you.\" *She stopped at her horse and took out the two small daggers and stroke through the horses mane.* \"Go get some rest, I will be back soon.\" *The wide smile turned into a more soft one. The horse though just walked towards the building and stood there.*\n\n\"Anyway, get down from your horse at least and let it stay here. Take only the needed stuff with you.\" *Her tails slightly started to spread a little and small almost invisible globes formed on the tip of two of them, before dropping down.* \"Wait a few seconds and let one of them go in front of us. They will be used as a warning system and as scouts.\" *She pointed to the globes on the ground.* \"After that we will go and see what they are doing over there.\"\n\n```4. Normal Copies ( (10 Mana per illusion & cap, draining 1/10 of the mana each turn and copies) Those are normal illusions, used to scout areas and used as decoys. They actually have breathing motions and when you touch them, they will feel like a normal body. Though they don't have a heartbeat and no blood. A direct hit will despawn the illusion. The illusion can be 30m (98ft) away from the caster and is telepathically connected with them. They are able to say what Fiona thinks.\n\nFiora creates small almost invisible globes on the tip of her tails and can either drop them or throw them. They need to be at least 5 meter near Fiona. Takes one turn to create the summon.\n\nThis will leave her with 105 mana and a drain of two mana each round. The copies will be activated in the following post.```" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Tythis would be moving ahead of the other two down the quiet road. The homestead would come into view, though far off to the right. A branching path would lead straight to it, but, to the left... Singing could be heard. It was very hard to hear, but its melody stuck out amidst the noses of the evening. No path lead to it, so he'd have to traverse through some vegetation in order to reach it. Trees and other plants blocked any visibility of the source, but moving in that direction made the singing easier to hear.*\n\n*The other two would see Tythis up ahead on the road, though the sun was setting, making it harder to see with every passing minute.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "\"If we take too long the family will be used as hostages, this will make it more difficult, and if we fail, we would face ridicule. It is smart to plan along the way instead of charging head in or waiting too long to make moves. You should have the copies move in front of us while we make our way there. Make sure they, and you, catch up.\" _He says to the fox woman_\n\n_One is too brash, and the other is two slow and makes too many rules of engagement. If we wait too long the family of the farmer will be caught out and used as sacrifices, assuming what the locals say is true. Almann would unhorse and use the reigns to tie the rouncy to a nearby sturdy post. He unequipped the bow by putting it on his back and instead uses 'Bronze Heel' for 6 mana, increasing his speed from 18 mph to 27 mph. He attempts to catch up with the man (Tythus) (6 mana used, 94 mana left)._" }, { "author": "thatparchedboyo", "message": "Tythis could hear the idle chatter of the two in the back, though he noticeably falter as the song and voices of the cultists broke through the evening air. He turned down the branching path, and quickly drew his sword, slicing through the vegetation and stepping around the fallen bushels and branches. Hopefully, it would make less noise. \n\nTythis' equipment allowed him to brute force many situations, but if there really were ten or twelve, he'd have to be careful, even with much higher quality gear than the cultists. The color was slowly draining from his vision. It was getting darker, and probably harder to see for at least one of the two behind him, though Tythis would be fine with his own night vision.\n\nHe heard someone approaching from behind, turning his head to look at one of the pair that were lagging behind. He said nothing, instead following the voices of the cultists, which were slowly growing louder as he walked." }, { "author": "wololo1138", "message": "\"Oh man... Why am I doing this?\" *A slapping noise came from the Kitsune, when the hand was sliding down her face after making the biggest facepalm in her life. Nonetheless she started to run as soon as the copies fully developed in the meantime. One was standing 5 meter (16ft) behind her before starting to follow the group and looked out for any threads behind them. The other copy was faster than Fiona and going ahead 15 meter (49ft) to inform her of anything in front of her, while looking out.*\n\n*It probably didn't took to long before Fiona's own sensitive hearing caught the singing. Alone this made her extremely cautious, and she slowly slowed down her speed and looked to her left and right, trying to see something when it started to get darker. Also hearing the slashing of vegetation made almost wanting to facepalm again. Though with the copies telepathically connected to her and one in her back and one in front her, it should be helpful to be warned enough. Also commanding the copies to not approach the cultist and just watching them, if they see them is a thing she did. So she would just try to stay 2 meters (6.5ft) away from the others.*" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*The singing picked up, both due to the group approaching the group and the cultists now singing louder. With their lyrics in a dead language, they were unintelligible, but it sure did sound dramatic. With Fiona's summon moving at the front of the group, and Fiona's second summon towards the back, the group slowly made their way into the forest. The cultists now seemed about 25m away from the forward summon and two adventurers towards the front. A fire could be heard crackling as well, a big one by the sound of it.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann would motion Tythis to stop... Just for a second. Almann would look back at Fiona and wave her over._\n\n\"Fox woman, send over your orbs if you would to look at how many there are before we attack them. I'd like to know just how deep we're going into this, I'm sure you two would too yes?\"\n\n_He looks at both of them_" }, { "author": "thatparchedboyo", "message": "Tythis let a single, quiet breath out of his nose as the man motioned to him. Depending on what he had to say, he might just walk off again. But just for the moment, he would stop and see what he had to offer... \n\nHe mentioned something about the Fox girl's orbs to see how many there were. A scouting ability, maybe? He couldn't be too sure, since he wasn't listening in on the pair's bickering while they were walking." }, { "author": "wololo1138", "message": "*'Not too deep else it will hurt...' she couldn't resist to at least think of this answer and suppressed a giggle. Though another surprise again and slowly making her a bit more relieved that actually they are starting to use a bit of their mind.* \"Well, just give me a second and we will now a bit more hopefully.\" *She started to whisper and took a slightly deeper breath giving the command to get closer, and to spy on the cultist. Also to see how many of them are there and what they are doing with a rough description of their equipment.*\n\n\"Well... It won't take long, the copy in front of us is going closer.\" *With that she came closer to the the other two and kneeled down. The copy behind would start to look around and try to see something weird to alarm them. Now Fiona was just waiting for the report of the summon near the cultists and tell the other two the information she would get from the said summon.*\n```4 Mana drained, leaving 101 Mana left```" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*The cultists and their bonfire were now somewhat visible, though difficult to see clearly. The foliage and shrubbery made their sight line somewhat obscured, but the fire was difficult to miss. It raised up to nearly 14ft, and was 8ft in diameter. The cult leader was at the front, singing quietly as he took a bucket from the ground and emptied its contents into the flames. Gold, silver, and gems came tumbling out, dropping into the heart of the massive flame. The leader tossed the bucket aside, towards a pile of seven more empty buckets. Only one upright bucket remained, which the leader was picking up now. The other cultists were kneeling in four rows, three to each. The scout was closer, and less hidden than the rest of the party. It could see that some of them had weapons beside them, swords and spears. All were shrouded completely in robes, including the leader. Features were impossible to make out.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann crossed his arms, he was impressed by the magic and thinks about what to say next. A quick plan was needed to be made and executed._\n\n\"The old man was right around the mark. 12 cronies and 1 leader. Seems like they're perfectly lined up. Turns out that I have spell that can impale several of them from a distance, since they're all lined up like that. My incantation would go first, and then either one of you or both can take out the leader. Hopefully, that can make them panic and easier for us to take the rest of them down or take prisoners. If all else fails and we take a full engagement I can dual cast and protect one of your flanks from attacks. Are we in agreement?\"" }, { "author": "thatparchedboyo", "message": "Tythis felt a spike of jealousy as the fox girl relayed the information, giving them (almost) everything they needed to know. He glanced to the man as he began to speak, finally adding his own comment after he was finished. \"Can you do that spell *Without* Killing them? That guy from before said they were were three gold alive, and *Half of that* Dead. I don't know about you, but I'd like a bigger reward...\"\n\nOther than that, though, Tythis didn't really have anything else to add. He was quite ready to charge in and start knocking heads, all he cared about was whether or not their potential prisoners stayed alive for the larger reward." }, { "author": "wololo1138", "message": "\"Fuck the bigger reward for not killing them. 18 gold + some valuables are enough. I rather want survive and not getting too much injuries here. So yes trying to get as much as possible down in one go would be good. I just hope they don't know how to use that big fire against us. Like fire manipulating magic.\" *She smiled and tilted her head a bit, enjoying the ongoing information (hopefully more). Though if anyone is spotting the copy Fiona would tell it the group.*\n\n```5 mana regained so I'm on 102 mana after getting 4 drained```" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*As the song picked up in pitch again, two members in the back row stood, holding the person kneeling between them. The middle figure's hood fell down, revealing a cloth wrapped around their head and covering their mouth. The features of the person were hard to see, but they were now thrashing as they were being lead forward. The cultists still kneeling stood and made way for the three now. The cult leader lifted the bucket over his head, his own chanting now rising with the song. The cultists seemed like they were preparing to throw their sacrifice into the fire, just after the last bucket of valuables. The robed figures now made a wall on each side, standing shoulder to shoulder as they sang.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "\"I'll go with shock and awe. I'll use two 'Stone Fists' to knock out 2 of them to shock the others. Fox woman, see if you can't take out that cult leader, that should cause more hysteria. Sir, go as berserk as you need after the initial engagement, I'll back you up once I've done my spell. Deal? Deal.\" \n\n_Almann would attempt to sneak his away to get a good angle behind the enemies for his ranged spell, to approximately 15 meters away from the cultists._\n\n```99 Mana Currently in Almann's Pool```" }, { "author": "thatparchedboyo", "message": "Tythis nodded and snuck off to his own corner, quietly sheathing his sword and grabbing his crossbow, loading a bolt as he snuck forward. He tried to hurry it along, and find a spot where he could aim decently. Oh, what he would give for magical vision. \n\nFor now though, he'd have to settle for night vision. Tythis took aim at the ones holding the hostage in place. He didn't want to wait for the other two to get into position, but he would be willing as long as that person wasn't burned to death.\n\nIf the two holding the hostage made any gestures as to throw their hostage into the flames, he would shoot a bolt into their backs no matter the other people's positioning. He wasn't just going to sit and let someone be burned to death because he waited on two other people to prepare." }, { "author": "wololo1138", "message": "\"It is somehow sad, that I can't see an actual ritual being held... Anyway let us do this. The scout in front will go in as soon as the attack starts. Luckily those things are able to use my magic.\" *With that said, Fiona will also slowly approach the cultists, but a bit behind the other two. The summon near the camp will start to rush in as soon as either one of the others starts to attack. It will use ``Ice blast for 11.25 Mana to slow down enemies that are not aimed at from Tythis and Almann``. Fiona will do the same when reaching the cultists on enemies left to slow them down too.*\n```This will use a total of 23 Mana from Fiona + 4 for the Mana drain. Leaving her with 75 Mana```" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*The incantations and singing all rose to a fever pitch, then abruptly stopped. The cult leader dumped the last bucket of valuables into the fire, tossing it aside with the rest of the empty ones. The remaining cultist began practically screaming as the flame soared, touching to 45ft in the air, while a booming laugh sounded. The two cultists holding their sacrifice began marching forward with their struggling hostage as the others watched. Tentacles sprouted from the back of the cult leader, and he, along with the rest of the cultists, produced daggers from their robes.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann would aim for two of the cultists. His aim would be at the back of their heads. He chants the necessary incantation to summon the two Stone Fists (costing 7.5 in total for two casts, making Almann's total Mana 91.5). They appear in front of him, twice the size of a regular Macen fist, and launch themselves at 150 fps at the cultists. He would get ready to support Tythis or Fiona, whichever one seems to need it._\n\n```7.5 mana used, 91.5 mana left. Two stone fists launched at the heads of two cultists from 9 meters away, at 150 fps.```" }, { "author": "thatparchedboyo", "message": "Tythis immediately let a bolt lose as the cultists started marching forward, ignoring the chaos that ensued what he assumed was the fox girl's attack. Nobody would be burned while he was there. Well, maybe a cultist if they were particularly annoying to fight. He immediately reached for another bolt after the first one, trying to load it as quickly as possible..." }, { "author": "wololo1138", "message": "**If possible** *Fiona would stop before revealing herself, letting the second copy taking the spot in the started action, aiming for the the leader trying to slow him down. The scout copy would be in there already using Ice Blast on some cultist. Fiona herself would use ``Simulcast to create two Fox fires for 15 Mana each (25cm diameter with fitting two raisins after hitting)`` and aims at two different cultists when in range, shooting both fox fires at the same time.*\n``5 mana gained, 4 drained, leaving her with 46 mana (the Ice blast was already calculated in the post before this one``" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Tythis' bolt would find its target first, sinking squarely into the robes of the cultist on the left of the hostage.* \"AAGHK!\" *He'd pull the hostage to the ground, leaving his friend to whirl around in confusion. Almann's fists would both strike a cultist each, driving one to the ground where they would stay, as the other struggled to stand back up, their hood being thrown over their face. Fiona's copy would surprise two cultists towards the end of their wall, striking them both with Iceblast. They'd be slowed considerably, though would move towards the copy to begin stabbing it. With Fox Fire, one cultist would fall to the ground as their robes erupted, screaming and writhing in pain. The other would drop to the ground, too, though tried to rip the robes off of themselves as they tore the robes off. The copy vying for the cult leader would be spotted, though, as it would have to cross the furthest distance. The leader would throw his dagger at the copy after it hit him with the Iceblast, hitting it squarely. His hood fell down to reveal a helmeted head.*\n\n*The cult leader, and five other cultists, would be completely unharmed. The singing and chanting would immediately end as they realized they were under attack.* \"They mean to strike down our god,\" *Their leader cried, drawing a sword from his side,* \"Grab your weapons and kill them all!\" *As a few cultists struggled to their feet, three would drop their daggers and run to spears and swords laying about. One would rush towards Almann with his dagger, while another did the same towards Tythis.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann would cast 'Bronze Fists\" On to Tythis, increasing his strength by +2.5 for two turns, and the other hand would cast another 'Stone Fist' at a slowed cultist at 10 feet away towards their center mass._\n\n```7.5 mana used, one cultists attacked with another stone fist at 10 feet away with a speed of 150 fps towards center mass. Tythis' strength is increased by +2.5. 7.5 mana used, 84 mana left in the pool for Almann```" }, { "author": "thatparchedboyo", "message": "Tythis loaded the other bolt, swiftly and calmly, shooting it at the other cultists. This was around what he had expected. Unorganized lunatics, scrambling for their weapons and some odd ritual... Though, the leader did somewhat put him on edge. \n\nAfter firing the bolt, Tythis would quickly hang up his crossbow, and upon putting his hands down to reach for his sword, he would find that it found its way into his hand already. It had warped from the sheathe. \"Well... That's new.\" \n\nThat was his only comment on the matter, at least for now, and he charge the cultist wielding the dagger. He doubted it would be much of a fight." }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "The leader is slowed by ice\nTwo have been shot and killed\nOne was killed by stone fist, the other is recovering\nOne of the slowed cultists is trying to stab your clone, the other was hit in the back by Almann\nTwo are on fire, though one is dead and the other is burnt but alive" }, { "author": "wololo1138", "message": "*Fiona will cancel the clones which is going to be stabbed. It will vanish into thin air, and the cultist striking through it. ``removes 2 mana drain`` The remaining copy will try use a normal fox fire to hit the recovering cultist and aims at the center of the torso/back depend on how he is laying on the ground. ``11.25 mana``. Fiona herself is using another fox fire ``11.25 mana`` and use it on the cultist which was stabbing the vanishing clone. If needed she will get a little closer, but try to still be safe.*" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Fiona's copy would successfully ignite the burning man on the ground, finishing him off, but would be destroyed by a cultist who armed himself with a spear and drove it through the copy. The slowed cultist would also be hit by Fiona's spell, sending him to the ground for a fiery death. The man struck by Tythis would hit the ground heavily, though start to slowly rise to his feet. Tythis' bolt would find and kill another target, though one of the dagger wielding cultists were charging him now, within 10ft. Almann would find himself in a similar position as a maniac with a dagger rushed him. The last cultist would grab a sword before running to his cult leader, putting a hand on him as he pointed to Fiona. The cult leader nodded and began running towards her, sword in hand, with his cultist just beside him.*\n\nOne dagger cultist rushing Tythis\nOne spear cultist standing around\nOne sword cultist struggling to stand\nOne dagger cultist running behind the cult leader" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann would unsheathe his steel dagger and cast 'Bronze Fists' on himself, using 5 mana and increasing his strength from 4 -6.5. He prepares to counter-attack the cultist by overpowering him by both using the dagger and his fists with his the enhanced strength he's gained._\n\n```5 Mana used, 79 mana left, increase in strength to 6.5 for two turns. Almann is ambidextrous, he fights equally well with both hands. One hand is unarmed, the other has a steel dagger.```" }, { "author": "thatparchedboyo", "message": "Instead of properly engaging the cultist with the dagger, Tythis charged forward, and raised his shield. The runes on it would glow briefly, before a glass ward would pop out from the center. Should the cultist not be able to stop, he would most likely be sent flying. If he was, Tythis most likely would go ahead and run off to deal with some other cultist, unless someone tried to stop him of course." }, { "author": "wololo1138", "message": "``back on 26 mana``\n\n*Fiona would giggle when she saw the two running towards her, before turning around and running away as fast as she can (22mph). While doing so and feeling how much mana she already lost, Fiora used 20 Mana again to create two new almost invisible globes on the tip of two tails. They would be thrown in front of her into the bushes (Not further than 5meters). ``This will create two new copies next turn``. She would ran towards them, should they run past them next turn, the clones/summons will try to make them trip over their own feet.* \"I-I could at least need a little help here! I think they wanting my body a little too much for my taste\" *She laughed while running and yelled it towards Tythis and Almann.*" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*The cult leader would slow his pursuit, ultimately stopping. Seeing the cultist holding a spear and doing, he called out to him.* \"You, go after the Kitsune!\" *He pointed into the woods, and the cultist began charging that way. The cultist following the leader ran into the forest as well as their leader then turned his eyes to the two still in the immediate area.\n\n*Tythis would raise his shield and the cultist would slam his dagger into it. Upon breaking the ward, the dagger would fly out of his hands and the cultist would be knocked to the ground. Still having some fight in him, he would grab onto Tythis' sheath or sword belt, then scream,* \"IMMOLATE!\" *Instantly, the cultist's head was engulfed in flame, a fire that was quickly spreading to his hands that gripped Tythis.*\n\n*With superior strength and speed, Almann would quickly put his dagger into the chest of the cultist before he could attack, dropping his weapon to the ground. Still, driven by a fanatical zeal, he grabbed onto Almann's hair, still trying to fight.* \"IMMOLATE!\" *Another flaming cultist to deal with.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann would use the steel dagger to cut away at the fingers of the flaming cultist and the locks of hair he has a grip on, while casting 'Bronze Heel' on Fiona so that she might evade her attackers._\n\n```Bronze Heel is casted at 10 mana on Fiona, increasing her speed from 22 -37 mph. 10 of the mana is offset by mana regen, and Almann now has 74 mana left in the pool. The cultist's fingers are sliced at by Almann using a steel dagger still with 6.5 strength enhancing Almann's abilities.```" }, { "author": "thatparchedboyo", "message": "Tythis, having to stop with the tug on his belt, let out a groan of annoyance rather than a noise of surprise or fear at the flaming cultist. Swiftly, and without marcy, he chopped off the hand of the cultist, unable to be as precise as the other man because he was using his whole sword. Not like he'd be alive much longer to use it, anyways.\n\nWith that Tythis let his sword drop to the floor, prying off the dead hand from his sword belt. He took off again, towards the hostage they were holding to make sure the cultists wouldn't try to get them as a bargaining chip, his sword magically reappearing in his hand as he ran forward." } ]

[ { "author": "wololo1138", "message": "*Fiona dropped her two daggers running past the two summons hiding in the bushes. Those summons would try to make the two cultist chasing her to trip and hopefully getting out of balance or dropping on the ground. Then they would use the dropped daggers to kill them, at least try to kill them. Fiona herself would run towards the hostage then, and picking her up (strength 3) and carrying her around towards Tythis, still running.* ``4 mana left because of the drain``\n\nI can probably squeeze in an hour though\n\nSince I don't need to be early on work and have a short day" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Both Tythis and Almann had quickly disposed of their attackers, leaving the to burn to death on the ground. Only one of the cultists would be tripped and killed by the copy, while the other would sufficiently defend himself with his spear.*\n\n*The cult leader would be running over to the hostage with his sword, backed up by the last cultist wielding a sword as well. The man with the spear was running back to the group to make their final stand.*\n\n*The three cultists were racing to the hostage, only 15ft away. The would be sacrifice was still on the ground, bound and gagged ad shivering in fear. Fiona would be about the same distance, as she ran further away from the hostage to lure the cultists, then had to double back. Tythis would be in the same range, with Almann being the furthest.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann chants_\n\n\"Gods of metal and forge, bless me with twin bronze lances to hunt my enemies at a distance.\"\n\n_The lances would form in front of Almann's palms and be aimed at two of the cultists going towards the hostage. Almann would fire these two lances at the men._\n\n```2 'Bronze Lances' that are 6 feet long and 2 lbs in weight launch themselves barbed head first at the center of mass of two of the cultists heading towards the hostage. They travel 120 fps, and were launched from 20 feet away. This uses up 30 mana, leaving Almann with 54 mana left in the pool.```" }, { "author": "thatparchedboyo", "message": "Tythis realized that he, the fox woman, and the cultists were all on a collision course with the hostage. Even if he didn't trust the fox girl completely, he'd rather have her move the hostage *Away* From the insane cultists and their giant fire. \"Go! Take her somewhere else, I'll handle the cultists!\" Tythis change his path to intercept said cultists instead of towards the hostage, right around the same time that Almann threw his spears.\n\nHis blade arm readied as he neared the cultists, ready to block or swing at any time." }, { "author": "wololo1138", "message": "\"I'm trying...\" *Fiona would still run towards the hostage with 37mph, and try to pick her up as fast as possible and bringing her to a safe spot. The remaining illusions would also turn into thin air.*" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Fiona would be a flash, swooping the hostage from the ground before any others could. She ran behind Tythis and Almann, presumably as the two parties clashed. The spears would meet their marks first, impaling the leader's remaining cronies. The cult leader would practically ignore this, comign down on Tythis with mighty overhead swing from his sword, cocking back his other hand to balance his weight and ready the next attack.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann would cast 'Bronze Shield' a few inches in front of Tythis. This shield is designed to block physical and magical attacks. With his other hand Almann would cast 'Bronze Fists' on Tythis as well for his counter attack._\n\n```'Bronze Shield' would be cast in front of Tythis to attempt to block the incoming attack, costing 10 mana. 'Bronze Fists' would be casted on Tythis to keep his strength up at 6.5, aiding him in a counter attack and costing another 5 mana. Almann's mana pool decreases from 54 -39.```" }, { "author": "thatparchedboyo", "message": "Tythis watched as the remaining cronies went down, feeling a bit of relief as the fox girl blurred by. Tythis wasn't slow by any means, she was just... A whole lot faster, than any of them. Another pang of jealousy hit, though he didn't really get the chance to focus on that feeling.\n\nAs the cultist leader approached, raising his sword overhead to swing down at him, a bronze shield appeared, and the same spell that was cast on him earlier also reappeared. Tythis had to admit, this was going a lot more smoothly than it would, had he gone alone.\n\nInstead of letting the shield alone block his attack, as soon as the leaders sword clashed with the shield, he swung his own sword at the leader's hand, aiming to hit the handle (or really, just slice his hand in general). Tythis doubted that this big brute would be too much of a challenge, and his ward should be coming back any moment now." }, { "author": "wololo1138", "message": "*Fiona would would look at the hostage for a moment and then looking around again, to see if there is any danger nearby. She forgot to remove the gag though and her body is still tense and the adrenalin was rushing though her body. The heart was beating fast, as she tried to find a safe spot to finally remove the gag. Though before doing that, she would place a finger on her own lip, to signalize the hostage to be quiet.*\n``Regained 5 mana``" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*The female hostage would comply, looking scared but less desperate now. It would be safe anywhere past Tythis and Almann, as there were no living cultists remaining besides the cult leader.*\n\n*Speaking of which, Tythis blade cleanly found the leader's hand, slicing it in half and disarming him. The leader recoiled, though with his other hand still cocked, threw a jab to punch Tythis squarely in the face.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann would equip his bow and aim for the shoulder of the cult leader, slowly making his way forward towards one of the Bronze Lances still stuck in a cult member. This is definitely more thrilling than a hunt! Almann's archery skill is of an adept level, being of a steppe tribe, all young ones are required to learn bow skills from a young age, and this lumbering cult leader is nothing more than a decently sized antelope._\n\n```Almann would fire a steel arrow at the shoulder of the cult leader using a draw weight of 80 lbs of the composite bow. The Bronze Lance stuck in the cult member would take an additional 2 mana to maintain, but negated by a gain in 5 mana, increasing his mana pool from 39 - 52.```" }, { "author": "thatparchedboyo", "message": "While the cultist leader tried to get a cheap shot in at Tythis, he was much too slow about it. Tythis simply tilted his head to one side, dropping his sword to grab the arm trying to hit him, and swinging his left to try and bash the cultist with his shield and knock him out. Tythis would be disappointed honestly, if they weren't making it so easy to nab a good bit of gold." }, { "author": "wololo1138", "message": "*Fiona would still watch from the safe spot behind the other too, and slowly calming her breath. She still held the hostage in her arms though, because she just want to make sure to be able to run. Though it would be her normal speed of 22mph if that is the case, since the buff from Almann ran out.* \"Oh damn... How should we be able to carry all the corpses to get the coins...\" *She sighed somehow disappointed, but her look went down to the hostages face.* \"Well, at least you are safe now. Hopefully I mean... If not we will just keep running back to the Inn and to the old man.\" *She actually started to smile again, before looking back on the ongoing battle.*" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Tythis caught the punch in time to stop the attack, and Almann's armor would find its mark. More accurately, it'd hit below the shoulder now, as the cultist's arm was raised, and the projectile would slip into his unarmored armpit. Tythis' shield would knock the leader to the ground, and he died in seconds. It was quiet now, except for the crackling bonfire and the muffled sobbing of the hostage, relieved to be free of the cult. Eleven corpses were strewn about, vanquished by multiple different means.*\n\n*A horn would sound, followed by the hoofbeats of horses and the clatter of armored soldiers. The city guard had finally arrived, though would struggle with the thicker vegetation, making their approach loud and slow. They'd be in the clearing in the next turn, though.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann laughs, he hadn't felt this good in ages! Hunts and herding never gave him such adrenaline. There were so much money to be had from these cultists, but this wasn't the time to dawdle. Almann would collect and line up the cultist corpses one at a time, slightly revolted at the leader's protruding tentacles. But, money was money. Some creature of chaos he was, he wasn't that powerful at all._\n\n_Almann turns to the other two while lining up the corpses. He's tempted to start stripping them of their belongings, but he'll wait for the others to make their moves as well._\n\n\"Now wasn't that fun? Now the guardsmen come to us to take these heavy bodies too! Saves us the time and effort. I suggest we hurry up and gather some loot here though, they may just _confiscate_ it in the name of their law. I'd be willing to split it even, if that's fine with you two.\"" }, { "author": "thatparchedboyo", "message": "Tythis resisted the urge to sneer at the laughing man, just glad this whole ordeal was over. Yes, he liked to fight, but he would never take joy in the smell of death and blood and killing other people, no matter what they just did. Though, he did have a point. He should go ahead and try to swipe some of the valuables, no?\n\nHe looked over to where the fox girl was, his eyes sweeping to see if there any stragglers or something, but she was just there with the hostage. The horns blaring and the sound of clattering hooves... Tythis shook his head in disappointment. His little group hadn't exactly been the most quiet while they were approaching, but giving them a forewarning? That was just stupid, even if they were told other people went up to take care of it. If they were in the middle of combat, they could have retreated and been scared off, let loose to regroup and do the horrid things they did.\n\nWell, at least it was over with now. He watched as the man hauled the corpses into a disgusting pile of rot, only now realizing that the one they had just killed possessed tentacles. Gross. He hadn't even used them, they were so unnoticeable to Tythis. He sighed, waiting for the guards to finally arrive." }, { "author": "wololo1138", "message": "*Fiona removed everything from the hostage so that he or she was able to move and do what they wanted. Though she walked up to the pile of corpses and sighed.* \"Such a shame. I wasn't able to see their magic and here I hope it would something to learn...\" *She then shrugged and looked at the others. Killing wasn't really bothering her and the dead bodies didn't bothered her at all. Though she raised a hand up.* \"I will take 4 corpses to get the 6 gold.\" *So she started to pick out four of them, and laid them next to each other. Within a second she would see if there was something valuable on them or anything weird.*" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*There wouldn't be any possessions on the cultists other than their damaged robes. There was a loop to keep their daggers, as well as trousers and a shirt, but they were bare of items otherwise. Daggers, swords, and spears were strewn about. The cult leader was an exception. Under his robes was a steel helmet and a set of quality Almain Rivet armor. Altogether, the loot would be this:*\n\n*Three spears, worth 3 silver each*\n*Two shortswords, worth 30 silver each*\n*One longsowrd, worth 100 silver*\n*Eleven daggers, worth 3 silver each*\n*Bascinet helmet, worth 140 silver*\n*A set of Almain Rivet, worth 600 silver*\n\n*Their assumptions were right; the city guard would be confiscating all the equipment strewn about. They had a few choice seconds to grab some items, before the guards came through the trees. If they wanted the armor, they couldn't turn in the body of the leader.*\n\n*As the horn blared again, the soldiers came streaming into the clearing, 16 of them in total. Their captain rode to the front, holding a lance.* \"Cult activity was reported here. I imagine you all were the mercenary forward party?\" *The hostage would run to the nearest soldier, weeping as he lifted her onto his horse as he returned here to the city immediately.*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann would scramble towards the cult leader's body, quickly grabbing the Almain Rivet armor and Bascinet he was wearing, and tossing them in a nearby bush. He proceeds to hide the body of the cult leader. Almann would separate two bodies away from the rest, claiming them as his reward. Almann would leave the remaining 4 as apart for Tythus' share of taking down the cultists, their worth as bodies and loot should make up for the gear Almann took from the cult leader. There are now 4 bodies left for Tythis to loot and claim, as well as their weaponry._\n\n\"Aye, that's right. We took care of them too, as you can see. Apologies for not keeping them alive, they gave us a little bit more trouble than initially thought. I think we did a good job all things considered.\"" }, { "author": "thatparchedboyo", "message": "Tythis simply stood by the remaining four bodies, not attempting to strip them for parts like the other two did. The guards were already here, and not only did he not want to get in trouble with the guards, he didn't see anything of value on the other corpses anyways. Of course the other two got the lion's share of the pickings... Oh, whatever.\n\n\"We dispatched as quickly and efficiently as we could, but yes, we failed to keep them alive... Probably better that way. They just tried to explode when they were defeated.\" The 'Immolate' spell they had known was quite surprising, but little more than an annoyance to Tythis and the others, though he didn't know how a common guard might fair against such a last resort.\n\n\"The fox girl is taking care of the person they kidnapped. It's a good thing we arrived when we did...\" He briefly glanced to the fire, still raging and providing more than enough light to keep the area well lit. He stayed silent, waiting for the guard's response." }, { "author": "wololo1138", "message": "*Fiona stopped with the search for valuable stuff and shrugged after finding nothing. Though the horses and the people coming to them are somewhat annoying her already. Her ears started to turn away from them a bit, and twitched a little.* \"Well, do whatever you do, after arriving too late to such a thing. I just want my 6 gold and that's it.\" *The kitsune turned around and looked at the leader of the guards and slowly walked towards him with a smile and stretching out her hand with the palm turned to the sky.* \"So 6 gold for me and the rest of my cut is yours. I don't care about the stuff laying around here. It would be too much of a nuisance to carry that scrap around.\"\n\n*Though her eyes turned to see hostage and looked at her, the hand turned into a fist and only the index finger was pointing towards the hostage.* \"Also this person was the almost sacrifice. I don't know where the rest of the family is. Maybe you can ask her about that.\" *She shrugged and the attention went back to the leader of the group.* \"Anyway, I'm tired and I want to sleep. So I would highly appreciate the gold now, so that I'm able to walk back to my horse and get a room.\"" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*The captain listened to what they said before nodding.* \"I count...\" *There were a total of eleven dead cultists, and one was hidden,* \"Ten bodies. Josef, the gold.\" *A rider strode beside him giving him two bags, one full and the other empty. He counted out 14 pieces of gold and 100 silver before dropping it into the bag. Handing the fuller sack back to his compatriot, he called out to his unit.* \"Heinrich, take four and establish a perimeter. Josef and I will return once we've delivered news to the city. The rest of you, clean this up.\" *With that, the captain dropped the coin filled bag onto the ground and rode off, back into the woods, as his men collected the bodies and equipment.*\n\n**QUEST COMPLETE**\n*Every person involved earned 1.5 Progression Points!*" }, { "author": ".rybus", "message": "_Almann calculates in his head...\n\n740 silver (7.4 gold) for the gear which includes the helmet and armor set he can take off of the leader cultist... He should leave the rest for the other two to bargain with, Almann already has what he wants in equipment, the other two can fight over the the remaining gold. Almann already has middle men in the city that would gladly buy such a fine piece of armor off of his hands... Especially if he improves it, he could mark it up even more!_\n\n\"You two can split the gold coin...\"\n\n_He points to the bag_\n\n\"I'll go ahead and get the other... Stuff. Was good fighting with you two, we get to take down these creeps, save some people from being sacrificed, and it makes us all richer in the end.\"\n\n_Almann goes off to strip the cult leader's body. Maybe he could even cut off some of those tentacles for potion making, Almann also has connections in the underground potions industry for poisons and other elixirs... There would be clients wanting such rare ingredients born from chaos. He would make his way around to the main path afterwards back to his horse with a bag of tentacle pieces, the bascinet tied to his belt, and the set of armor tied up with some rope on his shoulders._" }, { "author": "thatparchedboyo", "message": "Tythis didn't care much for the armor. He didn't want to get his hands dirty with technically not legally possessed equipment, and he wouldn't really know how much it would sell for, who to sell it to, or anything about it. If that man wanted to go ahead and try to make more off of the armor than the gold, he was free to do so in Tythis' eyes.\n\nHe walked towards the bag, speaking aloud for both him and the fox girl to hear. \"Well let's see... That man said that they were offering half of three gold for a corpse instead of a living cultist, so with ten corpses, that's fifteen gold, and around seven gold split between us... Tell you what, I'll let you keep whatever extra there may be. But, I want to take out my seven first.\" \n\nHe didn't trust the fox girl in general, saw her as a lesser looney as compared to the cultists, and he wasn't going to let her handle the money. He waited for her response as he went to pick up the bag from the floor." }, { "author": "wololo1138", "message": "*Fiona tilted her head and smiled, stretching out her hand directly.* \"I tell you something else. It will be 7 gold and 50 silver for me and you. I will get my money first, though you can take it out of the bag. By the way, please do not try and trick me. I wouldn't like that and get really angry and I don't think you would like me being angry. That what you saw is only a small portion of my capabilities and I'm not just a supporter type.\" *Her almost shining red eyes didn't left the man and the tails started to heavily swaying from side to side. Oh the sweet excitement came back right now.*\n\n\"Well, and just a thing for the next time. Don't just go alone without thinking. I don't think it would have been easy to do something like this on your own. Preparation is the key and thinking fast too. I still don't trust the old fart, but now I will never know if he was with them or not.\" *The Kitsune came another step closer as soon as he picked up the bag with the coins.* \"So give me the coins, I, like I said, want to get a room as soon as possible to sleep after walking through the forest the past two days.\"" }, { "author": "thatparchedboyo", "message": "Tythis shrugged, not bothered by her threat, taking out seven gold pieces and placing them in her hand, then grabbing his own seven pieces and tucking them away in a pocket. His hand shuffled around inside the bag, and took out about ten silver pieces at a time, placing them in her hand until she had her fifty. He didn't bother taking out his own. \"I'll be keeping the bag, if you don't mind.\" \n\nDespite his distrust of the girl, she did have a point. Tythis doubted the cultists could actually threaten him, even if he was alone- but that hostage wasn't something he had accounted for. Who knows, maybe if they were down one less capable warrior, they'd have lost the hostage. He sighed, relenting. \"Thank you, for the assistance, and the advice. I will keep it in mind.\" He held the bag at his side, waiting to see if she had anything else to offer. If not, he would simply walk away, back towards the inn. He needed a proper rest." }, { "author": "wololo1138", "message": "*Fiona took the coins and pulled out a small bag of her robe putting them into it, though not without gnawing slightly on one to see if they aren't fake ones. After all and one of her rules. 'Trust is good, control is better.'* \"Oh take it if you want, as you can see I have my own bag. Anyway, back to the Inn!\" *The Kitsune started to almost jog towards the Inn and past Tythis, while humming a different melody than before. Actually she was happy now and glad that this went rather smooth.* \n\n\"I will get you a drink prepared since we both are heading towards the Inn. I will be asleep probably so have a good rest of the evening.\" *Her head turned around and she waved a goodbye to him, until reaching the Inn.*" } ]

[ { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Outside the city limits of New Salvainia was a popular inn and tavern by the name of Hacken's Hole. It was a common point for those traveling to and from the city towards the Elven March, being one of the finer establishments around. It was an windy evening, bringing many to prefer staying in doors if they could help it. However, a ruckus was going on inside, a female felinid suddenly jumping up and shouting. When asked what she was yelling about, she simply screeched,* \"The song! They're singing the song!\" *Reports of the Cult of Aventurr had been going around Salvainia for weeks now, a cultist group known for singing and human sacrifices. Commonly, city guards would be alerted to the event, but they often came far too late to save whoever was being sacrificed. While altruism may be a reason to leap headlong into danger for some, another reason existed to track down the cultists: their rituals also included sacrifices of silver and gold, and the city guard was quick to sweep those up when they finally arrived. There were also rumors that the cultists were using this self combustion spell to prevent capture.*\n\n*For anyone looking to save a life, fight a dark cult, or simply make a pretty copper, the frightened woman was begging somebody to stop the cult.* \"They're in the woods, I can hear them! You'll hear them singing, I swear it, singing The Song of Aventurr!\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur Dax was walking his way out of New Salvainia, determined to look for an alleviation to his boredom. He left his friend, Hitoshi, behind at a store vendor back at new Salvainia, and hit the road again. He saw a signpost in the city square that told of a dangerous cult, the \"Cult of Adventurr\", and a 150 silver reward to dead cultists, and a 300 silver reward to those captured alive. Arthur wasn't necessarily in the need of money, seeing he had roughly 850 in his savings account, but felt the need to stock up just in case he saw something that caught his fancy. After all, one couldn't have TOO much money, right?*\n\n*The latest report of the Cult of Adventurr had been made at a popular inn/tavern called Hacken's Hole. Arthur was never fond of taverns to begin with, and the presence of a dangerous organization such as this only increased how anxious Arthur felt about the task. However, Hacken's Hole was where the report originated from, and Arthur felt he had no other choice but to begin his investigation there.*" }, { "author": "Mevis", "message": "*Mevis had just recently gotten a job as a librarian at a nearby library. He had been working there due to the lack of news about horrific events in the area. Books calmed his nerves after all. He had happened to be walking past the Hacken's Hole when he heard the commotion. What could it be wondered Mevis? Thus, he cautiously approached the crowd and listened in on the conversation. \n\"The're in the woods, I can hear them! You'll hear them singing, I swear it, singing The Song of Aventurr!\"\nMevis legs tensed up at the mention of the Song of Aventurr. When he first came here, he had learned about it in his pursuit of being a hero, but there were no leads for him to follow. Now he finally got one. Finally, he can help save someone, to cleanse the world of this cultist filth. He pushes through the crowd toward the women so that he that he can ask her some questions.*" }, { "author": "Galin", "message": "*Galin had just began his new Bouncer job at the tavern 'Hacken's Hole' due to a shortage of contracts for him to complete. As Galin suspected, this job would most likely be as boring as the last ones he had taken up. That was, until he heard of the commotion inside and saw the women yelling something about singing. Galin saw no need to intervene as this woman was the only one making any substantial amount of noise, so instead he peaked inside the tavern in order to listen in on this plea for help from the woman to maybe have an opportunity at a little more fun than this boring tavern could offer." }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "Mai walked through the paths near the Hacken's Hole, all the commotion and yelling caught her attention. She decided to go see what was happening, she put her cape on to cover her body and her *Vulgar* Outfit. She approached to the crowd, trying not to get attention from others. She quietly stood still and listened to the conversation and all the people.\nShe heard about *The Song of Aventurr* Only one time in her life, but never wanted to know much about it. Now, after hearing all the conversation, she decided she wanted to participate for saving people and if possible, helping women and practicing her fighting skills." }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*As Arthur drew close to Hacken's Hole, he noticed a large riot of people within the outside of the tavern. There were so many people out there, causing a large ruckus and commotion, and Arthur had to cover his ears before he got used to the loud, discordant cacophony happening in front of him. Walking closer, he put on his cloak, covering up his Kitsune ears and used concealment to hide away his tails. The kitsune deducted that this commotion was likely due to the recent report of the Cultists of Aventurr, and the song which they sung happening quite recently and closely to the facility. Keeping his head low, but drawing closer to the main speaker; a female, looking highly distressed by the matter.*\n\n\"They're in the woods, I can hear them! You'll hear them singing, I swear it, singing The Song of Aventurr!\"\n\n*\"Yep\", Arthur thought. \"This is definitely the place.\" The kitsune opted to listen in rather than speak out, hopefully for any important details about the cultists. For example, the tune of their song. Yes, the tune of their song will likely prove an incredibly valuable resource.*" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*A male Lora beside the speaker, likely her husband, was trying to calm her down.* \"I'm sure it's nothing, sweetheart, we shouldn't get involved.\" *The Felinid pulled away from his light grasp.* \"No, I can hear them, dammit! I'm telling you!\" *She looked to the crowd now, a bit panicked. Many were mostly curious as to what was going on, though some seem worried.* \"Listen, my hearing is far better than the rest of yours, you just can't... Let me show you!\" *She ran to a window near the back of the bar and pushed it open, letting in the air. Those with keener hearing could hear the faintest sound of chanting from the woods, though others would have to walk close to the window to hear as well.* \"Somebody has to do something!\"" }, { "author": "Mevis", "message": "*Seeing how Mevis was already pushing through the crowd to reach the woman, he too stands besides the window and hear the chanting. Mevis nods and looks towards the woman.*\n\"I believe you, I can hear it as well. I may not look strong, but I want to help. But first, I need more information. Where were you when you started hearing the chanting? Did you see the cultists? Anything you can tell me will be appreciated.\"* He says to the woman in a gentle tone*" }, { "author": "Galin", "message": "Galin could hear the chanting very faintly from where he stood at the door, he believed the women albeit she seemed crazy. Although he hadn't heard much talk about this cultist organization, the idea of fighting cultists sounded enjoyable to him. Galin pushes through the crows and saunters up next to Mevis with his boots making the floor clack and creak, towering above him and in a calm demeanor he adds, \"Seems like we might have ourselves an adventure if you decide to pursue these guys, shortie.\", then laughs. The Macen next to him was very short compared to his towering height of 6'4. Galin rarely met people that were taller than him because of his elf heritage, and even as an elf he was taller than most." }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "Mai decided she wanted to help the woman. She careful and quietly walked toward the two near the window. She let her cloak fell a bit from her shoulders, reveling her long silver/white shiny hair. \n\"I will help too.\" Mai said with a calm tone on her voice, her light blue eyes looking at the woman and then at the two next to her.\nThat was a good chance for Mai to get better at her fighting skills and a good adventure." }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur heard the woman ramble on about the chanting coming from the woods, and fhay you could hear it through a window. Arthur, with his kitsune ears, heard the song with a sense of clarity. To him, it sounded... Beautiful. It was a song of sadness, a song of lamenting, but at the same time a song of joy, happiness, rebuilding and picking up pieces of a fallen world. He could not understand the language, but somehow knew the words. The song beckoned to him like an enchantress; he found himself resisting the urge to go forth and join the woods alone. He snapped back to his senses, and went to the woman, taking off his cloak and revealing his ears and tails.*\n\n\"I can hear them. It's... It is the most disturbing thing i've listened to, and I'm a musician. That song... It is evil. It terrifies me how something so dastardly could masquerade itself to be as beautiful as I heard it. The Song of Aventurr... It is evil.\"\n\n*Arthur turns to the crowd.* \n\n\"We have to kill those cultists. There's no point in taking them back alive, because we risk fhe chance of their escape. These murders and rituals will never end unless we go for the root of the problems; the cultists themselves. I plan to go in. I don't know if anyone else will decide to join, but this is a major problem happening so close to us; it'd hurt my pride to just let it go by.\"" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*No one in the crowd would stand to Arthur's call, none other than those who had already made themselves known. They had the support of the people, all the way until they reached the outside of the woods, fifty feet away. The Lora who spoke up earlier said that he'd go alert some guards, but it would take a while. It'd be up to them to save whoever was being sacrificed by the cult.*" }, { "author": "Mevis", "message": "*Mevis eyes the tall elf and the Kitsune that had decided to join him in this hunt. Perhaps it is his instincts as a prey that he knew that these two were predators and would certainly prove useful in fighting these cultists. The female doesn't seem to have much of a presence, but looked like she could fight so that was more than enough.\n\nMevis wants to put a stop to the cultists, but thinks the Kitsune's plan seemed a bit rash, thus Mevis clears his throat and nervously eyes Arthur.*\n\"So uh, I understand that killing the cultists would be better than letting them escape, but, uh, hear me out. There is a reason why there is a higher reward for catching them alive, and I believe that reason is there is more information to be gained that can be potentially be used to attack the actual heart of the problem. So do you think it would be possible that we at least capture some of them alive?\"" }, { "author": "Galin", "message": "For a moment Galin thought about the riches he could accrue if he captured a majority of them alive. Before he could daydream any longer he agreed, \"It would be wise to capture some of them alive as we would have access to their hideout or something of the sorts.\", he added, \"It will be a little more challenging to say the least but we could do it.\" He made sure to not mention anything about the money as he did not want to seem as though he was only in it for the money. Even though the money was now another reason that he liked the sound of this. This evening was getting even better and better as it went on he thought." }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur turned to the boy who spoke to him.*\n\n\"Yes, I know that there is a greater reward for bringing them back alive. But do you honestly think that these people will give away their secrets so easily? Knowing the overly religious, they'd rather die than reveal their deepest secrets about the problem. Even if we do capture them alive and go for the higher reward, it doesn't make any sense to me since they're going to die after interrogation anyway. I for one believe this evil must be cleansed, and i'll 'cleanse' it in my own way.\"\n\n*Arthur harbored a deep hatred for people like the cultists. His family, his home, they were all burned to ashes by some unknown organization who branded their symbol on his land. They made him a stranger to his own home, and it was they who cast Arthur out into this cruel, unforgiving world. Arthur would not forgive these cultists like those who burned his family to the ground. He would not forget, nor would he forgive. His eyes burned with fiery hatred, and he stared at the forest in silence.*" }, { "author": "Mevis", "message": "*Mevis sighs and scratches his head. He didn't like arguing against people, it was stressful and usually gets nothing done since usually both sides are incapable of convincing the other. It's not like Mevis didn't understand the sentiment. He too wishes to cleanse the evil of the world, but he had already learned in the past that just killing whatever evil is infront of him won't cure it. Alas, he isn't in any position to impose his beliefs on this warrior. Mevis looks up to Arthur and smiles meekly*\n \"I-I see. Well, I guess I can't convince you, but how about a middle ground? Whatever cultists we take down, we are allowed to take back alive. Any cultists you take down, you are free to kill. Basically stay out of each other's way. That sound fair to you?\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur looked at Mevis. He wanted the group to stick together for the most part because of there being strength in numbers, but also partly he didn't like the feeling of being completely alone with nothing but him and the forest. He saw a bit of himself within Mevis; a weak, naïve boy who wanted true justice. Arthur knows that killing the cultists isn't the best option to go with, but his self-centered path of vengeance clouded his rational thought. He spoke to the kid, but this time with a hint of foreboding sorrow in his voice.*\n\n\"Look, I know that you don't want to kill. I was like that too. I AM like that, but there are just some that you cannot forgive. These cultists remind me way too much of an incident that happened in the past, a past I want to keep forgotten. This isn't because I enjoy killing. It's not even for the reward money. It's... It's for revenge. I know you probably won't be able ro understand, but that's fine. You can go your way about this, and I can go my way.\"\n\n*Arthur turns to the elf.* \n\n\"You look like good company. You mind coming along with me?\"" } ]

[ { "author": "Galin", "message": "Galin stared blankly at Arthur for a moment pondering wether or not to accompany the small macen or the person he couldnt quite identify. Galin decided for perhaps his own safety of himself that joining the mysteriousman was most likelynot the best idea. Galin then reluctantly replied with his arms crossed, \"While I do enjoy killing *And i mean really enjoy it*, i enjoy money more than killing. Sorry mister, but im going to accompany this litte guy.\", galin then pats Mevis' head as if he had been friends for ages,\"Besides\", he remarks smirking, \"I doubt this little guy could stay alive on his own.\", In Galin's mind a person of short stature was quite a significant amount weaker than a person of height. Galin knew that this way of thinking was flawed in many ways but he had nothing else to base the combat abilities of someone." }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur nodded his head in a sort of blank agreement. Disappointed at the fact that he'd probably be entering the forest most likely alone, he went back to the tavern. He didn't want to be hasty, because he did not know the enemy well at all. He decided to walk into the tavern and munch on a piece of Walnut bread, and he decided to think about his plan of attack.*\n\n*He began to recall the people he saw that day. The woman who reported the singing. The small boy who looked frail as can be. The tall elf who was grim to the point of death itself. The woman with the striking blue eyes that offered to help out with the quest. Four people, including him, and the only one who wanted to stick by Arthur was himself. Talk about a sad life.*" }, { "author": "Mevis", "message": "*Given the way the elf dressed and the way he carried himself including when he suddenly appeared behind Mevis in the tavern, Mevis had a suspicion of what kind of work he did. But when the elf patted his head, Mevis couldn't help but see a bit of his old mentor in him. The elves hands weren't as warm or caring, as expected from what Mevis assumed to be his work, but they were stable and reassuring nevertheless. The Kitsune looked sad and lonely, and Mevis understood that pain. He had experienced something similar himself as well, a similar kind of pain, the same desire for vengeance. He wished he could reach out and tell the Kitsune that he wasn't alone, but he couldn't. Cus, Mevis knew that we be a lie. Despite resonating with this Kitsune, Mevis felt alone. Mevis knew he was weak, so how could he be strong enough for others to rely on him. So all Mevis could do was watch as the Kitsune walked away, all alone. Mevis lets out another sigh and looks up to the elf.*\n\"Thanks for sticking with me. I'll try my best not to hold you back...\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "\"How about we go after him. He will still be helping us tomorrow even if our methods differ...\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur sits in the tavern, moodily munching bread. He keeps thinking about tomorrow's assault, but everything he thinks about keeps leading back to the bread he's eating. Arthur doesn't drink alcohol, for he never really acquired the taste, but gets a glass of water from the front table while no one was looking.*" }, { "author": "Galin", "message": "Galin pondered for a second he answered, \"Maybe you're right\", bowing out and streatching his hand towards the tavern, \"Lead the way oh small one.\" He smirked at that last remark." }, { "author": "Mevis", "message": "*Mevis nods and walks back to the Hacken's Hole. Upon seeing Arthur sitting all alone eating bread, Mevis comes over and pulls a chair.*\n\"So, uh, you like bread huh?\"\n*Retroactively Mevis realizes what a stupid question this is to start a conversation but it's too late to take it back.*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur glances at the sudden question towards Mevis. He hadn't noticed the two walk in, for he was too busy eating his bread.*\n\n\"Well, it's my staple food. There's not much food you can carry around without having it go stale, and bread seemed to be the best option. You can buy a lot of varieties for low cost, they all taste different, there's just a lot of different types of bread. I personally like white bread and Walnut bread the best. So I guess that does mean I like bread.\" Arthur says in a joking tone, hoping to lighten up the mood." }, { "author": "Mevis", "message": "*Mevis smiles slightly as he realizes how similar the two of them are as Mevis also likes bread as it is rich in energy and even if it goes stale it is still edible.*\n\"Y-yeah, I think the same way. I actually have over 100 pounds of bread stored away and eat a little bit of it each day. Guess we are bread fanatics, eh? Ha ha ha\" *Laughs Mevis awkwardly*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"To be honest, I only have 20 or so pounds of bread in this here backpack,\" *Arthur pats his bag to emphasize*, \"And I actually don't eat a whole lot. I only eat after I finish training my magical skills. Magic, and swordsmanship that is. Best of both worlds.\"" }, { "author": "Galin", "message": "Galin smirks at the man sitting, \"So you are a swordsman and a magician i take it?\", galin was intrigued by the man as he also was a person that enjoyed both worlds of combat, the close combat blade to blade action aswell as longer range spell on spell combat. Although Galin was not all too proficient in the longer range tactics, one day he would learn but for now his focus was on closer range things." }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"Yeah. I've studied the magical arts for my entire life, ever since I was born,\" Arthur begins. \"I was good in all kinds, but I drew closer and closer to Fire and Earth magic because I had a strong affinity towards them. Thats why my spells are circulated around those two kinds of magic. I'm also training as a swordsman because my dream is to be a swordmancer, someone who could effectively wield magic and a sword with equal proficiency. Basically a swordmage.\" \n\n*Arthur looks at the elf. The elf does seem to have his fair share of scars from combat, a trait in which the kitsune could admire. He seemed like a well seasoned warrior, contrasted to the Macen boy accompanying him.*" }, { "author": "Galin", "message": "Galin decided to sit down so he wouldn't hurt his feet from standing, \" I too am proficient in both use of sword and spells. Sadly this is what is expected of my job, its either be the best or die like the rest.\", He continues looking the kitsune in the eyes, \"I myself am more akin to lightning type magic, my sword can atest to that statement.\", his sword was his prized possession as it made him stronger and had a weird sort of affinity to it. Not to mention it was basically made for a user of electricity." }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"I see,\" The kitsune began. \"Is that what a magic weapon looks like? It seems very, very powerful. I for one focus more on my spellcraft than swordsmanship, but still, my skill with the sword isn't to be taken lightly. It's been about 7 years since I started, but I caught on pretty quickly I'd say.\" \n\n*Arthur turns to Mevis.*\n\n\"What about you? What do you do?\"" }, { "author": "Mevis", "message": "*Mevis had been taking mental note of these two predator's abilities. He is amazed at how confident they could be to just share their abilities and affinities to one another. Just because they were all working together for this one quest doesn't mean that one week down the line the same people won't be coming after your life. As a weakling, it would be best to keep as much information as you can to yourself so you can use it for a slight advantage later on.\nHe chuckles weakly.* \"I don't really have any magic items or know how to use weapons. Even so, I will try my best for this quest. Hopefully we will all do well\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur nods, then heads upstairs in the tavern.* \n\"I'm going to go sleep upstairs. Good night you two; let's prepare for tomorrow.\"" }, { "author": "Galin", "message": "Galin headed upstairs to sleep aswell, \"Goodnight!\", he yelled." }, { "author": "Mevis", "message": "*Mevis nods and heads to bed as well*" }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "After the commotion and all the people leaving after some time, Mai decided to find somewhere to sleep this night. She covered all her body with her black long sized coat, her light blue eyes looking around for someone. The area was now quiet, people sleeping and going to their houses. She walked through the paths, with slight and silent steps as a cat. After finding a tree, she looked to both sides, checking if anyone was near. She began to climb it and laid down on a branch, looking at the starry sky and slowly falling asleep." }, { "author": "Mevis", "message": "*Mevis twists and turns in his bed, wondering why he was having so much trouble trying to sleep. Perhaps he should take a walk, a nice night stroll always calmed his nerves. As Mevis starts to head out he suddenly notices that the sun is still out.* \n\"....Wait a minute...\"\nMevis then rushes over to the elves room, banging on it \n\"Uh, Elf! Not so sure why we decided to sleep, but there is still light out, and we kind of need to deal with the cultists! Let's go!\"\n*Mevis then rushes over to the kitsune's room*\n\"Uh, kistune, I know you may be a bit down, but we can't afford to sleep right now. We need to take down those cultists before nightfall! Let's go!\"\n*Mevis realizes he has no idea where the lady is, so he decides to just run out door yelling*\n\"Uh, black coat lady! Don't know where you are, but if you are in the city, please meet us at the forest! We kind of got distracted, but we are going there now. Hope to see you there!\"\n*Mevis then sprints over toward the forest hoping the others are following*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur walks into his room, but turns after noticing his window remaining bright because of the sun. He realized that he acted like such a fool, and was about to head back outside when he heard the singing some more.*\n*The chanting from the forest grew louder and louder, still beautiful in it's contents. However, this time it was almost oppressive, it was tyrannical, if it made sense that a song could be that way. Arthur knew that this was a precursor for something terrible, feeling that something dark and dangerous were to happen quick. He continued listening, and it seemed to remain that volume for a prolonged amount of time. Arthur knew that whoever got kidnapped into the forest by the cultists did not have much time left.*\n\"'Uh, kitsune, I know you may be a bit down, but we can't afford to sleep right now. We need to take down those cultists before nightfall! Let's go!'\" \n*Arthur paused. That was the little Macen boy. What was his name... Maven? Melvin? Mevis? Mevis, that was the one.*\n*Arthur burst out the door quickly, leaping from the top of the stairs down into the bar floor, ramming through the front door onto the threshold of the forest. He decided that it was idiotic to go alone and that if he did, he could easily get killed. Waiting for the rest of the party, Arthur paused as he listened to the music. It wasn't growing louder; it was stagnant. If they had to act, they truly had to act right now.*" }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "Mai heard the yelling from Mevis, opening her eyes quickly. She jumped from the tree's branch, landing silently on the ground. She saw Arthur and Mevis from far, walking toward the two. Now her coat wasn't covering her body, it was falling from her shoulders.\nShe was quiet at the moment, she didn't want to socialize right now. She stood next to the Kitsune, only giving a glance toward him with her light blue eyes shinning by the sun. Her eyes then caught the sight of the forest. She sniffed, feeling the nature's smelling, but another smell... A strange smell... Of something mysterious and probably, dangerous." }, { "author": "Galin", "message": "Galin awoke quickly after he heard the macen boy yelling something about a light and cultists. Cultists was all he needed to hear, quickly realizing that it was the next day, Galin glided down the stairs of the tavern excited for this opportunity of cultist killing. Thrusting the door of the tavern open with both hands the sun startlingly hit Galin directly in the face. Galin thought that the sun was not exactly in the right place for it to be morning. Then Galin noticed that it was not even close to the next day it was relatively close to the time he went to bed. Upon noticing the group, Galin walked up next to the macen boy and questioned, \"Are we all ready to fight these dumb cultists?\", his sword was shining against the light of the sun, \"This is the perfect time to fight some idiots.\", he thought to himself.\n\nThis was an amazing chance for Galin, not only was he able to gain a quite large sum of money from this but it also would be his first battling experience against cultists. Although this was not his first quest, it was exciting nontheless. Especially considering he would be able to form new pacts and bonds with the people currently around him, maybe him taking the job of bouncer for the \"Hacken's Hole\" Tavern was fate. Perhaps it was chance, whatever it was, he knew, that this would be fun." }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*At the edge of the forest, the chanting could be clearly heard, though it was still some distance away, at least 200ft. Evening would be a few hours away, so there was no hindrance to their collective visibility. All the same, it would be challenging to sneak in the daylight, though possible. The faintest hints of smoke through the trees could be caught by the average person, and the singing was still relatively calm. Between them and the ritual would be a densely forested path.*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur stared down his companions(?). The song staying at a stagnant pitch and volume, Arthur realized they could not waste any time loafing around and doing nothing. Arthur begins to step into the forest, motioning for the others to come along, albeit silently. Before going in, however, Arthur said this:*\n\"Today's the day, let's go in,\" Arthur began. \"We don't have a lot of time left before the song could change it's tune, so we need to rescue this person as quickly as possible while eliminating all cultists we see in a swift manner. Don't bother taking them alive, since they're going to cost us time. And time, right now, is of the essence; we don't have any to spare. Let's get the victim first, then hunt the cultists down. Or, that's what I believe should be the most effective course of action. Are you all coming along with me?\"" }, { "author": "Mevis", "message": "\"While I still believe we can capture the cultists, I can agree to rescuing the victims first. So I am willing to follow you up till we rescue them. After that, I will be dealing with the cultist my way.\" *Says Mevis with a serious tone unlike his usual nervous-self. It would appear with lives on the line, the uneasiness that was plaguing him has disappeared and was instead replaced with determination. His muscles stand poised, ready to take action. He scans the surroundings for any possible leads.*" }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "Mai nodded with her head at the two, she wanted to help the victims and after dealing with the cultists. \"I agree...\" Her voice had a calm tone.\nShe tried looking inside the forest as her eyesight was better than a normal person, but nothing could be seen. She only was able to hear the chanting. Mai likes to make things silent and \"*Gracious*\", she preferred to not interfere in their conversation and only to make what they wanted, she knew if she'd make the things like she wants it would be fatal for one of them. She was the kind of fighters who gets close silently and then attacks to kill her prey with an accurate and precise attack." } ]

[ { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "Alrighty, we'll kick off in 2 hours\n\n*The singing would grow louder as they made their way into the woods, both due to the shrinking distance between the two groups and the rising intensity of the ritual. The pace picked up and the incomprehensible words were coming faster and faster. Barely visible through all of the leaves and trees would be the tall flames of a bonfire. There had to be at least six singers by the sound of it.*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur quickly came to a pause. He had the smell of fire ingrained to his very core, and caught the scent of the bonfire before he saw it. There wasn't a clear viewpoint, and by the sound of the chants surrounding the fire it appeared that there was 6 cultists. Arthur was tempted to use his attacks and kill them all right now, but decided not to; there was someone to save. He had not see any sign of the victim, which struck Arthur as odd. This could mean that there was more than one cultist camp. Could the sacrifice possibly be taking place further into the woods?*\n*Arthur turned to the two trailing behind him.*\n\"So, we've located one of the cultist camps,\" Arthur murmured in a hushed tone. \"This could be one of many, but the victim isn't here. We need to locate them first, then come back and kill all of these cultists.\"" }, { "author": "Mevis", "message": "*Mevis's senses weren't as keen as Arthur's but he could hear the chanting and see the bits of flames of what he assumed to be a bonfire up ahead as well. Mevis looks over to the group.*\n\"So, I assume we are going to sneak around them then? How confident are you all in sneaking by? I may not be the best, but I think I could make it if we remain in the vegetation...\"" }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "Mai stayed quiet for a moment to think about the possibilities. She looked up and saw what could be a bonfire. She liked to make strategies, but this wasn't a game. She decided to follow what they wanted and act when needed. She turned toward Arthur and arched an eyebrow.\n\n\"Are you sure the victim isn't there?\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur was about to speak, but stopped himself. He hadn't confirmed if the victims were here or not, and he didn't want to take any chances.*\n\"I'm not entirely sure, but I didn't want to risk exposing ourselves to the cultists and the possibility of having them warn others. However, if we're able to take them out swiftly, I believe we can keep our cover down. I vote to eliminate them, not sure about you two.\"\n*As he's saying this, Arthur casts Daggers of Flame twice on both of his hands, making sure to keep them far enough from the fauna so that they don't burn the entire forest down. He keeps them orbiting around his hands.*\n\"I'm ready to fire at them. Two shots to the head should just be about the trick.\"" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*From where they were now standing, it appeared the cultists were arranged in a semicircle around the bonfire. Ten figures stood, shoulder to shoulder, with hoods throwing over their heads and hands held to their chests, all holding gold chalices. The chanting was getting louder and louder with every passing second. One of the figures seemed to be shaking during the ritual, writhing on their feet. The group was still in the brush of the forest, about 100ft away. If the they exited the forest, moving forward 40ft, they'd likely be seen by half of the robed figures.*" }, { "author": "Mevis", "message": "*Mevis doesn't like all this chanting. His instincts tell him to run away like the coward he is, but he digs his feet into the ground. He is going to stand his ground this time around.* \n\"The cultists seem to be doing something, but I'm not sure what... I don't like to take brash actions, but I feel like if we don't take action now, we might be too late. So, my vote is to take them out right now, focusing on the one that is shaking first...\" *Whispers Mevis as he channels his inner chi to concentrate the air around him to reinforce his arms and feet*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "``Mevis used Air Reinforcement Mana: 110/120 ``" }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "Mai agreed with the two with a glance and a smirk on the corner of her lips. She adjusted her black coat, glancing to where the cultists were. She waited for the group to advance and go into to the direction.\nMai could go first, using some of her skills to get more information by looking from closer, but it would take to much risk for her and the group.\n\n\"I'm ready.\" She nodded at them." }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur nodded his head, and aimed at the cultists. He was prepared and read to command his 8 daggers to shoot two at a time , towards the heads of each one. If there were 10 cultists, and 2 was enough to take down a singular one, then he could take out four cultists with his strike. He breathed in, and then was about to target the one writhing in pain; but he realized that if that were the kidnapped victim, then all they're struggles would've been for naught. Instead, he aimed for four cultists on the right side of the semicircle. He breathed in, and launched all of his daggers towards their heads.*\n\n``` 8 Daggers of flame shot. Remaining Mana: 85/125 ```" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*On the right side of the semicircle, three cultists would suddenly yell and fall in pain, some hit by two, two of them stuck by two daggers each, one struck with one, and the other unharmed. Eight simultaneous shots from 100ft away through thick vegetation was not an easy shot. Two of them would fall straight to the ground, as the third struck, only with a single dagger, would fall awkwardly, tumbling down on top of themselves. The remaining seven, except for the writhing one, would turn and stop singing immediately.* \"Weapons!\" *One would cry, raising his hand and producing a large ball of fire,* \"They're killing us! In the trees!\" *The six cultists would just begin their first steps towards the group.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Following Arthur's lead, Mevis runs into the clearing with his arms and legs still reinforced with air. Mevis eyes the shaking cultist and mentally apologizing for what he is about to do. He couldn't risk the person being an actual cultists that was about to be taken over by something instead of a victim, so it would be best to act on the side of caution. Thus, Mevis would charge forward with his speedy/reinforced legs to push through the woods and using his training as a martial artists and quick reflexes, slips past two of the cultists and makes it 80 ft forward in total*" }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "Mai walked toward the coming cultists. She slowly removed her coat, throwing it to the side. She was walking calmly and *In some kind of slow motion*(?), focusing and closing her eyes.\nAfter some seconds, she began to shift into an adult-sized black panther with 2 meters long from nose to tail and light blue eyes. She now was running, later reaching the speed of 40km/h, still being able to reach 58km ( A real leopard has this speed), targeting one of the cultists. She focused her eyes on him, jumping and tackling him down to the ground. After the cultist falling, she bit and scratched his face and chest with her sharp claws, looking up at the others coming.\n\n```Panther's Transformation ( 30 mana ) - Mana: 90/120```" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur quickly moved to go on the offense with the other two. He casts Burn Up! On himself, increasing his running speed by 15 mph; now being able to reach 37 mph running speed. Using his left hand to quickly cast HellFire Blades, he has one of them circle behind his back, and commands the other to fly towards another one of the cultists running to assault Mai. Arthur then quickly draws his sword, and goes to another that he noticed out of the corner of the eye another cultist preparing to launch a large ball of fire at Arthur, so he quickly ran up to the cultist and slashed him horizontally with his sword.*\n``` Burn Up! And Hellfire Blades cast. 5 mana passively regenerated. Remaining mana: 32.5/125 ```" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Two of the cultists would attempt to either grab or stab Mevis, both failing as he slipped between them. They turned and ran after him, both raising daggers over their heads as they chased him. The last cultist still shaking, would crouch down before fully standing, raising their hands over their head. A wooden stake would be pulled from the ground beneath them flying up in the air with a chain bolted to it, now falling to the ground.*\n\n*The cultist wouldn't draw his sword fast enough, simply being taken to the ground and mauled as Mai tackled him, screaming all the while. Two cultists would run to their allies aid, one drawing a dagger and the other drawing a short sword. The one with a dagger, however, would be sent to the ground as Arthur's attack hit him squarely.*\n\n*Arthur would reach the cultist before they could fire their fire attack, though his sword would strike armor beneath the robes, not quite cutting through him. The cultist would growl as his hood fell back, revealing a Canifor's face. He let go off the fire ball, launching squarely at Arthur as the cultist's robes caught fire.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mevis is not sure weather if this stake was summoned by the shaking cults own intentions or by the ritual, but in either case, it seems knocking them out would be the best choice. Mevis springs over with a flying kick that is still air reinforced toward the shaking cultist;s now exposed diaphragm to knock him out. If he succeeds, he will attempt to carry the cultist away from the floating stake in the air if it doesn't disappear, and into the woods*\n\n`` 1 Mana Regenerated Mana 111/120 ``" }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "Mai quickly jumped on the cultist with the short sword on his hand. She bit into his hand and ripped it off, hissing at the cultist on the ground. After that, she ran after her two companions, looking at the wooden stake floating. She decided to go with Mevis to help him if needed, she thought Arthur was able to take care of himself. \n\nMai looked around to see if everything was okay and then looked up at Mevis flying kick and hoping he gets a successful kick." }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur looked up, and saw the mage he attacked grimace only slightly in pain as the cultist's robe got set on fire. He saw a fireball leave his hand, and it hit Arthur square in the chest. The light plate armor, however, did it's job quite well, and on top of Arthur's proficiency in fire magic, he did not take a lot of damage from the attack. With Burn Up! Still in effect, this time he grabbed the remaining hellfire blade that was orbiting around him and swung it downwards, with a great amount of fury put into the strike. If the cultist got knocked down from the attack, he would continue pummeling it's dead body with the hilt of his steel sword. If not, he'd swing again until it died.*" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Mevis would face the hooded figure to strike their diaphragm, the target's hood would fall back once the kick landed, showing a female Macen's face. A cloth was wrapped around her mouth, and she'd hit the ground once struck, her hands flailing up, clearly chained together. He'd have no trouble lifting her, and could carry her off. However, the two cultists chasing Mevis would nearly be upon him, both still wielding their daggers.*\n\n*The cultist Mai pounced on wouldn't go down so easy. As he hit the ground, he'd use his other hand to brace his sword and block Mai's teeth. He was strong enough to keep her from biting and killing him, at least for a few seconds.* \"Help!\" *He'd cry, clearly unable to keep this up.*\n\n*The Canifor was without a helmet, so Arthur's sword would cut into his skull without much trouble. The cultist would gasp as he collapsed to the ground, all signs of life fading quickly.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mevis is not too pleased that the lady is still chained to the stake, but at the very least he is keeping her away from the cultists. Mevis turns around for a quick moment and channels chi around his leg before kicking it forward, launching a blast of air at the nearest cultists leg in hopes of tripping him and possibly trip the other cultist in a domino like fashion.* \n\"Uh guys, I don't know how to get rid of this stake thing!\" Yells Mevis in a panic\n\"You guys know how to deal with this?!\"" }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "Mai tried to get away from the cultists, but her mouth was trapped with the sword. If she transform into a human, the blade could cut her neck or head. She put her front paws on the cultists' chest, expanding her claws into it, hoping that it would kill him. At the moment she needed help or to think about an escape." }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur was engulfed in his fury. How DARE this cultist assault him? How DARE he lay a hand on his body? Arthur, wrought with fury, pummeled the dead cultist's skull with the hilt of his sword still. Bathing the back of his blade with the blood of his foe, blinded with fury, he slammed his sword into the head of the cultist repeatedly until he could no longer make out the cultist's facial features. This cultist was the visible representation of a past, his past, that he wanted to keep buried for the rest of his lifetime. Cutting it down was not enough; he had to rip and tear until it was no more, until it was done. Finally stopping when the cultist's head was completely gone and shattered, he stood up and turned to the two cultists that were chasing Mevis constantly. Arthur got up, and with great speed, assaulted the two with a downward facing slash cutting from the right shoulder to the left leg.*\n``` 5 mana regained. Remaining mana: 37.5 ```" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*The cultist would, as planned, trip over Mevis' attack, though his compatriot wouldn't fall. Instead, the remaining cultist charged Mevis and attempted to slam the dagger into Mevis' chest, the attack coming overhead.*\n\n\"HHHHHRRRAAAAUUUGGGGHHH!\" *Having the panther push its claws into his chest was incredibly painful for the cultist, making him lose his grip on the sword. He let go and started grabbing at Mai's paws, desperately trying to stop the pain somehow.*\n\n*Taking his time with the now unidentifiable cult leader, Arthur would only be able to make distance to the fallen cultist in time. This one was meekly trying to stand, looking for where he dropped his dagger. He look up to Arthur, seeming like he was a bout to shout something. However, as Arthur was already on fire, immolating himself to kill him didn't make much sense. Instead, the cultist scrambled for his weapon.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mevis would shield the female in his arms before twisting his body sideways to minimize the area to be stabbed. However, he doesn't stop there. Using his knowledge of bodily physics as a martial artists, Mevis would attempt to use the forward momentum of the cultist and the backward momentum of Mevis carrying someone to shoulder plow the cultist, albeit wincing a bit as the dagger grazes Mevis' back*\n\n``Mevis 1 minor injury sustained``\n\n``Mevis 1 mana recovered 104.5/120``" }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "Mai stared at the cultist, hissing at him while her claws stabbed deeper in his chest. After that she got off of him and ran toward Mevis and Arthur. When she arrived, she saw the woman and Mevis being stabbed. She ran toward them and looked up at Mevis, making a noise similar to a meow as a \"Are you okay?\". She looked at the dagger, hissing a bit at it and then looked at the female." }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur looked down at the remaining cultist scrambling before his feet. He somehow felt a sick enjoyment of looking down on his enemy panicking in fear, and wanted to savor this feeling for just a bit longer. Silently, he kicked away the enemy's weapon even farther than it already was. Pinning the cultist to the ground with swift brutality, Arthur let the flames on his body lick the cultist's robes. Allowing the flames to spreas throughout the cultist's body, he watched as the cultist slowly churned out his last words in wicked agony; and Arthur enjoyed watching every second the cultist spent pleading in vain for help as his skin turned black. Having been satisfied enough, Arthur lifted his sword and drove it through the open mouth of the cultist, and got up, extinguishing the flames as he went.*\n*He then went back to the group.*" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Mevis would feel the dagger slash across his back a moment before the cultist was knocked to the ground. The move was a good, considering his options, but the cultist was in no way disabled. He rose to his feet, breathing heavily as he looked around. All of his allies were killed.* \"Immolation!\" *The cultist began to catch fire, starting at his feet, and he sprinted towards Mevis now.*\n\n*Mai would be closest to the last standing cultist, though tackling a flaming lunatic might not be the best idea. Her presence, at least, insured that the cultists had not grabbed his weapon before the suicidal charge.*\n\n*The cultist that Arthur had tackled would only have one final word before death.* \"Immolation!\" *Even so, it would not change his fate, and as Arthur retrieved his weapon from the cultist's skull, he could clearly see the last one standing, rushing towards Mevis and the would-be sacrifice 10ft away.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Even with the moderate injury, Mevis endures the pain and takes a crane stance and hopes he is quick enough to launch a sonic blast kick at the cultists running at him aiming for the head, He hopes this will be enough to knock him out for good*\n\n``Sonic Blast used Mana 97/120``" }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "Mai almost shifted into a human again but remembered she wasn't with her coat, so she waited till they returned to shift into a human again. She looked at Arthur with her light blue eyes, thinking on why he wanted to kill all of them and not to try bringing at least one alive." }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur created 4 more flaming daggers and had three orbit his left hand, but sheathed his sword and dashed towards the remaining cultist with one flaming dagger in his right. Tackling the cultist to the ground, he whispered in his ear with silent, pure fury:*\n\"You're going to tell me right now what you were trying to do in this forest,\" He began. \"Depending on how you answer, I might decide to make your death a painless one. Or perhaps not, maybe I'll let you go. Maybe not. Your life depends on your answer, and my patience grows short.\"" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Mevis' attack combined with Arthur's tackle would take the cultist down without much effort. However, the Immolation spell completed burned through the cultist, cooking him from the inside, out. Aside from the muffled voice of the saved sacrifice and the crackling bonfire, it would be somewhat quiet now.*\n\n*Other than the sound of hoofbeats and clanking metal, coming from within the forest. It was likely the City Guard. If the party wanted to secure a prize beyond the kill bounties, they ought to act quickly.*\n\n*There were 7 gold chalices, 6 daggers, 3 short swords, 3 salvageable sets of cultist robes, and the damaged armor of what appeared to be Almain Rivet. The guards would confiscate everything for 'study' soon. There was only a bout a turn of time to scavenge. If somebody wanted to take the Almain Rivet, they'd have to hide the body and therefore not collect the bounty for the kill.*" } ]

[ { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "\"Well I guess good job everyone?.....\" Chuckles Mevis wryly as he looks at the carnage around him. \"...Unfortunate that we couldn't get any of them alive, and sadly I doubt this will be the last we hear of them either. I don't care too much about the wealth or bounty so you two can take as much you want, I'm just glad we were able to save the victim.\" Says Mevis as he attempts to untie the female. \"Once again, thank you all for helping me...\" And Mevis bows" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Nodding in Mevis's direction, he turned towards the Macen boy.* \n\"At the end of the day, it worked out well,\" Arthur spoke. \"We cannot be too relaxed foe there may be more cultists nearby, and the city guard is approaching soon to loot- I mean, 'investigate' -the valuables. I'd recommend taking what you can.\"\n*Arthur quickly spotted something valuable among the corpses. Not knowing it was the Almain Rivet, he looked at the piece of armor, and dragged the corpse it guarded along with him further into the forest. Pocketing an extra couple of gold chalices as well, and making off with some daggers, he put them into his backpack. The armor looked very valuable, and Arthur intended to keep this as his trophy while also collecting the reward money. After all, 150 silver would not to compare to something of this... Value.*" }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "Mai returned to where she threw her coat, shifting into her human form again. She put on her outfit and her black coat.\nShe ran toward the group again, looking around for something interesting for her. She spotted the chalices, but decided to not to take it. She didn't have a home or house, she travelled through the cities to make her spectacle, so nothing in there would help her with it.\n\n\"I thought it was going to be... More uh, dangerous? I mean, none of us got any severe injury, right?\" She arched an eyebrow, and glanced at the forest." }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*As the three attended to whatever business they saw fit, the city guard came through the forest and into the clearing. The captain rode at the front, with a guard on either side of him. He stopped his horse before the scene, making a gesture to have the other guards line the perimeter.* \"I see the cultists have already been dealt. All dead, I presume?\" *The captain visibly did a headcount, muttering to himself.* \"Eight dead, earning you lot a total of...\" *He held a hand out as one of his men hastily counted the gold and placed into a big for the captain,* \"Twelve pieces of gold. Four a piece, though it doesn't concern me how you divide it.\" *Once someone took the gold, the guards would begin collecting the bodies and items strewn about. As one of the knights came to secure the sacrifice, she handed Mevis a golden chalice she had swiped from the ground. Without another word, she was assisted onto the horse, and she rode away.*\n\n**QUEST COMPLETE**\n*1.2 PP awarded each*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur stays in a forest enclosure, unseen by the guards. He keeps the body hidden within the bushes so he could keep the armor for himself, but decides to go interact with the guards.*\n\"Hey,\" He begins. \"Were there any other signs of dangerous cultists around here? Or just any threats in general?\"" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "\"No,\" *One of the guards say, lowering his crossbow as he looks at Arthur,* \"The only disturbances reported in this area were suspected to be linked with this group. We get the occasional horse thief and pickpocket, but if you're looking bounties like that, try the New Sunlight Guild.\" *The woman speaking raised her visor before nodding over to the bonfire.* \"Good work here, by the way.\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"The New Sunlight guild...\"\n*Arthur had never heard of the group prior to this encounter. Perhaps he could find more quests to do there, even better: a stable source of income for the kitsune.*\n\"Hey, about the new sunlight guild, where are they located, and are they currently offering any quests to partake in?\" Arthur asked the woman with the visor." }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "\"They're, uh... Here, lemme just give you this.\" *The guard leaned to one side, pulling a parchment from one of her pouches. She handed it to Arthur. Within, he'd find a short description of the guild and where to find them, along with a crude illustration of the map, highlighting where the headquarters was located in reference to New Salvainia.* \"They've been on the rise lately, hiring plenty of new members. I know they're initiates, Fledglings, they call them, I know they hunt down petty criminals. I think the older, tougher ones get into bigger scrapes, but I'm not sure what.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mevis also walks out of the forest, following Arthur for a bit, trying to hide himself. After evaluating the encounter, Mevis was too ashamed to show himself infront of the others. He though the Kitsune and him were very similar. Both of them seemed to suffer from a dark past, and they both liked bread, but Arthur was so much stronger and brave. He took out most of those cultists by himself with no injuries while Mevis barely fended off two and got his back injured. It would be disgraceful to compare such a strong warrior like that to someone as pathetic as himself. \nMevis clenches his fists in frustration. He wanted to get stronger, he wanted to save more people. But how?\nHe then overhears Arthur asking the guard about some sort of guild, and listens in on the conversation. A guild that hunts down criminals? That would certainly help Mevis in his goal, and he could possibly learn from the stronger members there. Mevis doesn't have the map though, so he decides to sneakily follow Arthur in hopes that he will lead Mevis there.*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur walks out of the forest with the corpse of the cultist leader dragging behind. After carefully taking off the Almain Rivet the cultist had on, he put the pieces inside his backpack. It was fairly heavy, but Arthur now had a different goal in mind. He wanted to find out on the whereabouts to the New Sunlight guild, in hopes for more bounty to hunt. Looking on his map, he saw that it was far down the road he was currently on. Arthur decided to take a quick rest on the side of the road, savoring his new loot. He stops to sit on the side of the road, taking in what he had just done. Never before had he been so violent in combat; he was somewhat ashamed of how he had fought back there, fueled by naught but his blind rage and fury. Could he really forgive himself for what he'd done? For how brutally he had fought? Arthur pondered for a second, while taking out a loaf of bread, chewing absentmindedly. He sat on the side for god-knows-how-long, and decided to nap until the new morning. After all, with all the blood that covered his body, he didn't think any smart thief or burglar would try and assault him. He started sleeping next to the corpse of the cultist, not getting bothered by that rancid, odious smell.*" }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "While walking back to the city, Mai saw Mevis following Arthur through the forest. She decided to follow them in curiosity, being silent always. Even if her hair could catch their attention, she continued. What were they doing? She covered her body with the black coat, approaching to Mevis with a smirk as she realized what he was doing. She whispered behind him.\n\n\"What are you doing, uh?\" She arched an eyebrow." }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "\"Ah!- \" Yelps Mevis as he leaps a few feet into the air before landing on the ground with his hair standing on end. \"Oh, uh, it's you. Please don't sneak up on me, I feel like I lost a few years of my life... Any way I am, uh, looking for, uh...\" \nHe looks around and realizes there isn't anything he could really use as an excuse and sighs. \"I get the feeling that was a rhetorical question, wasn't it...\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur continues sleeping.*" }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "Mai chuckled a bit. \"Yes, it was. Why are you following Arthur?\" She arched an eyebrow. She glanced at Arthur from far and saw he sleeping. Why was he sleeping? She blinked a few times, signaling to Mevis to keep quiet and follow her. \nShe slowly approached Arthur, seeing the cultist's corpse next to him. What was he doing next to the corpse? Why he was sleeping next to it? She thought a bit, looking down at Arthur.\n\n\"Why is he sleeping next to it?\" She whispered." }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "Mevis looks over to Arthur and the body with an equally confused face and shrugs. \"Uh, I don't know? I would say maybe he wanted the armor, but I doubt that given how skilled he is. The armor doesn't look like it will do him much good and he wouldn't be stupid enough to drag a body with him just for that. Perhaps the body has something on it that only he noticed?\" Says Mevis hoping to distract Mai from the question about why he was following Arthur." }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "Mai thought a bit, crouching and kneeling next to Arthur. She was silent all the time, looking down at him and then at the corpse.\n\n\"Maybe. But you didn't answer my question.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "\"Uh...\" Mevis thinks for bit but realizes there isn't any reason to really lie, after all, he was following Arthur to possibly join the New Sunlight Guild. Nothing worth lying over. \"Well, I overheard him talking to one of the guards about this guild that hunts down criminals. I want to do more good deeds like what we did in that forest. I also want to get stronger. So I figured I would follow him till we reached there.\"" }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "\"Oh, that's cool! I would try to help you guys... But I don't know. Only if they accept dancers. Pfft.\" She chuckled a bit, thinking a bit. She then looked back at Arthur and decided to wake him up.\n\n\"Wake up.\" She lightly shook him. Her light blue eyes looking at him, a smile forming on her lips." }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur felt a slight tapping on his shoulder. He didn't want to wake up, as it felt like he had just fallen asleep. It reminded him of the countless times his younger brothers would try and wake him up in the middle of the night as a joke, so Arthur had become accustomed to this kind of stimulation. He kept on sleeping.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "Mevis is surprised that this isn't enough to wake him up. If it was Mevis, the slightest touch would've sent him into a panic, there are many dangerous things that could attack you when sleeping after all. But in any case do they need to wake him up right now? Mevis still felt slightly embarrassed to show himself, so he calls over to Mai\n\"Um, maybe we don't need to wake him up right now? Must be exhausted from all the fighting. We could just wait till he wakes up and follow him from there.\"" } ]

[ { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur continues to nap, until he felt a forceful tugging at his right ear this time. Coupled by the odious and plain rotten smell of the corpse baking in the broad daylight, he snapped up to a sitting position and woke up. As he rose, he instantly recognized Mevis, the macen who helped him with his quest, and also saw a tall, Air Macen in front of him whom he did not recognize. However, he was faintly certain that he saw her before, and was trying to figure out who she was when he caught a whiff of the rotten body sleeping before him. Why did he choose to take a nap next to it, he suddenly did not know. Taking his left hand, he set it aflame, and then set fire to the corpse until it burned to ashes and he couldn't smell it any longer.*\n\"Now that that's taken care of...\" Arthur began. \"Why are you here, Mevis?\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "Mevis curses his luck, he didn't want to be seen, but now it's too late. He shifts the oni skull mask to cover his face so that Arthur can't see his embarrassed face. \"Me? Oh, well, I couldn't help but overhear that you were heading towards this guild that helps fight criminals. I was interested in it and was hoping we could go together? If not, I understand. Being associated with a weakling like me might hurt your chances in getting in...\"\n\nMai hangs back a bit, seemingly nodding in agreement to what Mevis just said. She looks over to the ashes then back to Arthur \"Mind me asking why you had a dead body?\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur begins to open his mouth, but quickly closes it. He wonders; what WAS he doing with the dead body? Then he remembered that he had salvaged a soemwhat valuable piece of armor from the cultist it had come from, and Arthur opted to keep this information a secret since he planned on selling said armor later, with a couple of other salvaged items.*\n\"Er.. Don't ask any strange questions, and don't receive strange answers...?\" Arthur says questioningly. Then, ironically, he asked Mai a question. \"What are you doing here, exactly?\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "Mai shrugs \"Saw this fella following you so I figured to follow him. Anyhow, you ok with us joining you?\"\nMevis meekly looks up at you, hoping you say yes." }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur stares at the two, then looks down. For one, he didn't feel like giving up his bread to two nigh-complete strangers he didn't want following him, but on the other hand, he figured that it gets lonely while youre traveling alone on the road. Reluctantly raising his head, he looks at the pair.*\n\"Fine, I guess you two could come.\" Arthur says, with difficulty, slightly red in the cheeks. \"I'm planning on hitting the road soon, but first, are you two hungry? I've still got a good amount of bread that I couldn't finish by myself.\"" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Hey, look who it is! A pretty small figure, with a fox tail and ears, and a naginata strapped over his right shoulder, and an engraved, ornate katana on his side. The man had covered his face with his mask, but Arthur will probably recognise him through the weapons and clothes alone. That, and the man's accent, which obviously wasn't Salvainian. He waves at Arthur, that being the only person in the group he recognises.*\n\n\"Hey! Who are these people?\" *As Arthur has been reminded many times, Hitoshi isn't great at Archidanese, only having known it three months. He says every word with a robotic intonation, and is generally obviously still having trouble with a language so fundamentally different to his own. He points at Mevis and Mai.*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur turns and sees a familiar face walking towards him. A fox tail and ears, with a naginata strapped on his back, katana at his side. The man covered his face, but Arthur instantly recognized him. It was Hitoshi, which did puzzle Arthur. Why did he decide to abandon an offer at his job and hit the road? Perhaps he became bored like Arthur, and set off. Waving back at Hitoshi, and as he drew closer he heard him ask a question.\n\"Hey! Who are these people?\" Hitoshi asked Arthur.\n\"These guys? They're some... People... That I grouped up with on a quest just earlier today.\" *Arthur points to the small macen boy.* \"This here is Mevis. Be nice to him, he's... An odd one.\" *Arthur then motions to the Air Macen woman.* \"I honestly have no idea who this person is, but she seems pretty cool. Although, she doesn't really talk alot. Anyway, what brings you here?\"" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"I was bored. And the directions were bad.\"\n\n*Hitoshi tries to read the directions he was given.* \"Very bad.\"\n\n*He looks at the Macens, and waves a little.* \"Hey.\" *Normally Hitoshi is very confident and chatty, but it's a little hard to be that when the word \"Regret\" Is challenging to you.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "Mevis cautiously waves, his nerves tense by this newcomers arrival. He didn't seem like he was from here. Perhaps a foreigner? Was this actually an ambush? If so, how long ago did Mevis fall into the trap. Mevis curses his stupidity for being so careless, and looks as if he is about to run away from the area.\n Mai on the other hand smiles and gives a curt nod.\n\"I'm Mai. Nice to meet you. What's your name?\"" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"It's Hitoshi. Good to meet you.\"\n\n*Hitoshi extends his right hand for a handshake. His gauntlet/handwrap combos are on full display here; there are some razor sharp blades attached to the elbows and forearm, and while Hitoshi clearly takes care of his equipment, there's some chips here and there, showing that Hitoshi has used these many times before.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "Mai shakes it while Mevis is more hesitant but after confirming it's not laced in poison or anything he shakes it also." }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur stands up, loaf of bread in mouth. He takes his backpack and puts it back on, and then speaks to the newly assembled group.*\n\"Well, it looks like our 'party' is in place. HOw about we hit the road?\"\n*Arthur turns to Hitoshi.*\n\"Also, for your information, we're heading to the New Sunlight guild to seek out some more quests. I assume you're coming with us as well?\"" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Hitoshi shrugs again.*\n\n\"Eh, whatever.\"\n\n*Anything that could get him paid. And maybe a little less bored.*" } ]

[ { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur begins to ready up to hit the road, and puts his backpack on, loaf of bread still in his mouth. Getting up with renewed enthusiasm after his nap, Arthur motions to the group to come along and follow him.*" }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "Mai looked at Arthur, following him to hit the road. She adjusted her black coat covering her body. She had a smile on her lips while they walked. Hitting the road with strangers seemed interesting for her, but of course she was going to lose some money because she couldn't do her spectacles." }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mevis follows the group, albeit he hangs around the back as his eyes dart back and forth looking for possible ambushes on the road. He doesn't know how long this trek will take, but he had trained himself to run long distances so he wasn't worried about tiring out. He felt kind of happy to be travelling with a group, it reminded him of the old times. Maybe he can form a bond with them? He opens his mouth to perhaps start a conversation with this new stranger, but then decides against it. They are just travelling together, nothing more, nothing less. He decides to continue walking in silence." }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur notices the awkwardness in the group. It wasn't fun for anyone to just hang around in silence for a long, long trek. The sun was still high, but Arthur's internal clock told him that sunset wouldn't be long until it came. He had finished an entire loaf of his walnut bread, and was now just staring at the road ahead. Arthur began to think on some things, like what the New Sunlight guild was about. Judging by what the guard in the forest said, he deduced that the guild was not an evil one, since it had multiple bounty hunters throughout the continent. Judging by that fact, Arthur thought the guild must have been pretty influential in domestic and foreign affairs. He then looked to the group. Mevis was silent as usual. Mai was smirking at nothing. Hitoshi was looking brooding as usual. Yeah, the group had amazing chemistry.*\n\"So,\" Arthur began. \"How was... Er... Everyones day?\"" }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "Mai continued to walk along with the group, her light blue eyes shining by the sunlight as she glanced toward Arthur. Mai smiled and slowly took off her coat because of the sun hitting on her.\nShe looked at Arthur again and answered him with a smile on her lips.\n\n\"Well, it was a good day. Though I won't be able to work while we travel. Anyways, I think it will be fun!\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "Mevis is caught off guard by the question and almost trips over himself, but quickly regains his balance. \n\"I, uh, think today's been alright. We got to save someone and we got some pay. We are now heading toward a guild that hunts down bad people. I guess I can say I'm making progress in becoming a hero...\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur pauses at what Mevis says. A hero? Arthur almost laughed at the prospect. No, heroes were scarce nowadays. Arthur believed that Heroes were overrated. They had to abide to a strict moral code, they had to meet the expectations of the public, etc etc. It was simply not worth being a hero.*\n\"A hero... That's interesting.\"" }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "Mai glanced at the two talking as she continued to walk. She tied up her white shiny hair, her left arm holding her coat over it. She looked around while the two talked about... Heroes? She glanced over at Mevis and smiled at him.\n\"That's interesting... Mevis, right? I never thought about heroes. The best thing in life for me is dancing, but at the moment I want to increase my fighting skills.\" Her light blue eyes glanced at Arthur and Mevis." }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "\"Ah, yeah. I guess interesting is one word for it...\" Fully knowing that being a hero is a silly ideal for most people and a pipe dream for someone as pathetic as him. But even so, it's the only thing he can cling onto now. \"So you're a dancer, eh? But want to get better with fighting? That seems slightly odd. Isn't dancing for entertainment while fighting is either for self-defense or violence?\"" }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "Mai looked at Mevis and arched an eyebrow.\n\"True. But I think fighting is a kind of dancing... Both are art to me. I feel free when dancing, and I feel free when fighting too. I can feel my movements in both. I don't know if you understand me... But I just think they are similar in some ways.\" She smiled at him and continued to walk. After some seconds she looked at Arthur.\n\"Sorry if I look rude, but are you a Kitsune or something like them? I'm just curious.\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur turned his head to Mai.*\n\"Yes, I am a kitsune. I've got, what, three tails as of now. I've also got ears as well-\" *Arthur turns off the concealment spell which head the former and latter.* \"As you can see. The tails, they represent my magical ability. The ears, they're just ears. So yes, I am a kitsune.\" Arthur finished. Still looking at Mai, he asked a question of his own shortly. \"Sorry if this comes across as rude but... What are you?\"" }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "Mai looked at Arthur with a smile while she answered his question.\n\"I am an Air Macen, but I can shape-shift into a panther. Some people call people like me as 'Shape-shifters'.\"\nShe continued to walk." }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "\"An air macen? I also happen to be one. But never heard of one that can transform into a panther. Is that a kind of magic?\" Asks Mevis in curiosity for finally meeting one of his kind for the first time." }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"I'd say it's something similar to that. Kitsunes have a natural born ability to turn into their respective animal, a fox. Maybe her turning into a Panther has something to do with that. Or she just has a natural talent for transformation magic, which I wouldn't doubt.\"" }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "\"Being honest, I don't know... Pfft.\" She chuckled a bit. \"My parents used to tell me stories. I remember one of them said about a girl who got possessed by a 'Panther's Spirit'. Sometimes I think about it, maybe that girl could be me. But no one knows. I just know since I was a little girl with 4 or 6 I used to transform into a panther to run around and scare people.\" She smiled." }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"When I transform, it's usually to sleep. Sleeping as a fox is way more comfortable than sleeping as a human. The reason I didn't do it earlier though is for the fear factor you get when you see someone with blood covering them, in hopes that bandits and the like wouldn't come after me,\" He says. \"Sometimes I turn into a fox to listen in on conversations that I usually wouldn't as a human.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Mevis gulps as he makes a mental note not to speak about anything private around panthers or foxes. Infact, don't speak about anything private around any animal. Mevis is not happy that he now has to add another thing to his ever increasing list of concerns*" }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "Mai continued to walk and looked at Mevis, thinking he didn't want to talk much. She looked back at Arthur and arched an eyebrow.\n\"Well, have you guys ever did something people would judge? I mean, I don't know. What if we tell more about ourselves? Hm?\" She smiled." }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "Mevis' face darkens as Mai mentions judgement. He grimaces slightly as flashbacks of his past run through his mind. He shakes his head in an attempt to clear his thoughts. \"Uh, both me and Arthur like bread? What's your favorite food?\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur was hung up on the first question Mai asked. How should he reply? He hadnt necessarily done a lot, but he has witnessed a lot. Shivering slightly as she asked, he slowly raised his head forward without looking back, and replied.* \"Ive seen things. I haven't done anything. I will leave it there.\"" }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "Mai looked at Mevis. \"Hm... Strawberries. They're so good!\" She smiled and continued walking." }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "\"I like strawberries to, heh\" Chuckles Mevis wryly. By now he has accepted that he is terrible at chatting with others, but it looked like it was going to take a while to get there so may as well keep on talking. \n\"You guys travel much? I've only ever been in salvainia and I still haven't explored a quarter of it.\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"I've been places. I havent been around the world, but ive pnly really been around Savainia.\"" }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "\"I wasn't born here. I come from a far kingdom. The only place I travelled to is here.\" She continued to walk and looked at the sun." } ]

[ { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "Arthur and Hu Lang, you both have mysteriously received a letter asking for your services in 'dealing' with some individuals that had cheated the sender. Nothing else is known, not even the name of said employer, but somehow they knew your names. Alas, it would seem you two aren't so picky as to refuse simple work for good pay.\nYou two would wander the streets for a while, but after asking a few questions here and there, you would find yourself at Frogcroak alley. The sun doesn't reach inside, creating a rather shady atmosphere. True to its name, you can hear frogs croaking from the nearby sewer entrances. You two would arrive around the same time, and are the only three in the alley way. Conveniently the nearby streets are somewhat empty with no guards in sight, an ideal environment for illegal dealings. You two still have a couple of minutes or so before it is noon." }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Hu Lang walks in a calm manner, not seeming dark in any way. He arrives at the alleyway and patiently waits for others to arrive*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur was returning from a quest with the New Sunlight guild. He had received a mysterious letter addressed to him from a courier, and decided to go and take a look at the job he was requested to do. 300 silver per body... Could this be a hunting quest? Though with the context of the letter, Arthur doubted it. His conscious told him that he was getting into something that he wasn't supposed to, but his heart was controlled by the money involved. After all, 300 silver was a hefty sum. And twice if the objectives were alive? That was a great deal in Arthur's eyes; if they weren't like the cultists he had faced before, he'd be glad to resolve the situation with the least amount of bloodshed possible, though he would resort to violence if need be.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*A couple minutes pass as you two continue to wait in the alley. Still no one in sight. Perhaps this was a joke? However, you two then notice a frog hop on over toward the two of you. It looks up at you with intelligence in its eyes. It then open its mouth*\n \"Glad you two could make it. Seeing that all two of you are here, I can only assume you have accepted the job. To be honest, I'm impressed by the amount of business we've been having. To get introductions out of the way, I'm merely an employee of the boss. The boss apologizes for not meeting you in person, but I'm sure you understand that in this kind of work confidentiality is valuable. But enough, small talk.\"\n*The frog then slowly transforms into a tall yet slim humanoid figure wearing dark robes and a hood that completely covers his face.* \n\"This is a rather simple job. The headmaster of a private school for privileged children had ordered a large sum of medical herbs for the academy. Things were going well, however as of recently he had stopped paying the boss for the shipments we've been delivering. When asked what is going on, the headmaster scoffed us away, saying an unknown company like ours can't do anything to him and that he would call the guards on us if we ever showed up again. The boss doesn't mind the name calling, and wouldn't mind stop doing business either with that scoundrel. However, we do not deliver free shipments, and we still require payment for the most recent one. So that's where you two come into play. The boss wants you to take him out, dead or alive, along with everyone that resides with him in his mansion. Here is map with the mansion's location and a portrait of the headmaster. There is no need to hold back as everyone in there is corrupt in one shape or another. I will also be accompanying you all as an observer. Any questions?\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur looked at the man for a couple of seconds. He knew he was about to get into some shady business, so he wanted to know as much information as possible about his employers without giving any signs of suspicion coming from him. Although, a frog turning into a man? This was a kind of magic Arthur was vaguely familiar with, seeing that he himself could turn into a fox, and a previous colleague was able to turn into a panther. It had to be some sort of transfiguration or transformation magic similar to his own. Arthur wondered if he himself could take on a different from besides his fox; he'd have to ask about that later.*\n\n\"Who are you people,\" Arthur began. \"Some sort of vigilante group, or maybe a large criminal organization? I just want to know our employers.\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "\"So we just go in, murder everyone and that's it. Any particular way you want them dead?\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"Obviously not the students, they're just kids! Don't murder everyone, PLUS we have to be as secretive as possible about this. Those were in the instructions.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "The robed figures looks to Hu first as he asked the easier question \"No preference. You don't even need to kill them if you wish. The liberty is all yours\" \nHe would then look to Arthur \"Some questions are better not asked. The most I can tell you is that we are a company that sells herbs and spices and that we treat our business deals very seriously. If that doesn't satisfy you and you do not wish to take this job, that's understandable. However I will have to ask that you do not speak of what happened here to anyone\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "\"We're not murdering the students, Kitsune. We're murdering the headmaster and everyone in his house. If there happens to be a student there, then oh well.\"\n\n\"Is it okay if we burn the house down?\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"Like I said, we have to do this in secrecy. That was in the directions. Preferably, we should act in the middle of the night, then find away straight from the grounds into the headmaster's office. However, I honestly don't know how we're going to accomplish that.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "\"I'm afraid that would not be advisable as the boss wants the mansion intact. We have some plans for it, and well while it isn't difficult to burn down a house, it is hard to cover it up afterwards.\" The man responds to Hu\n\"I won't tell you how to do your jobs as I trust you two are capable. If however you think it is beyond your skill set, it is alright to decline and pretend this encounter never happened\" He says to Arthur" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Hu Lang nods* \"I accept this job\" *He turns to Arthur* \"What about you?\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"I accept, though we should come up with a plan of action. I already have an idea in mind, though it might not necessarily suit your fancy.\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "\"I am open to any and all ideas. As long as they work\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "The figure figure nods in satisfaction with both of your response. \"It would seem you have no more questions then. In that case I shall meet you all at the mansion. Try to keep out of sight while heading there. The fewer traces the better\"\nThe man then steps into the alleyway's shadows and seemingly disappears, but those with keener sense could hear the scurrying sounds of some rodent moving quickly through the sewers." }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"This is only a first draft, but I can turn into a small fox and sneak into their mansion, or I can have one of the students take pity on me and bring me inside. Granted, I won't have access to my armor or weapons, but that won't be an issue, since I can conjure up my own once inside. I'm going to have you take on role as a... Courier of sorts? You're probably going to be some kind of messenger to one of the nobles. Ill try and find a way for you to enter, maybe by discovering some sort of passageway within the mansion. If we go the courier route, you're probably going to make up a fake letter about some kind of family emergency to one of the students in the place, and the job to find out which student we're going to have the letter addressed to is up to me. Then you're probably going to have to make up a fake letter to the headmaster, which would give you an excuse to enter his office. Or the door surrounding it. What I'll do is I'm going to try and eliminate as many guards as possible in secret while I'm inside, while also relaying information to you on the outside since I'm going to be frequenting in and out during the night to give you knowledge on what I've learned. And who knows, maybe we could find some extra cash inside?\"\n\n\"Like I said, this is only a rough draft. Point out to me any problems you find, and we can resolve them together.\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "\"I honestly don't think we should use students. Instead, I think you just sneaking in as a fox would be better. I can act as a messenger, about taxes maybe or something. While I keep them busy, you can kill the guards in the other room, and if they turn to your attention, I'll kill the ones in front of me. Eliminate all the guards before we get to the headmaster\"\n\n\"For maids and such, silence them if possible, kill them if they resist\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"We've got to do this during the night. Under the cover of night is when we have the best chances of assassination, unless the headmaster is a paranoid old cog.\"\n\n\"Also, you're going to have to carry my armor and weapons on your back, but keep them concealed in like... A bag.\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "\"If I'm a messenger, then a bag will be a good excuse. I'll say that the headmaster has a package. I agree with night.\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"Alright, then for the most part its planned. However, how are we to dispose of the bodies?\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "\"Perhaps toss them in the fireplace?\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"I can set them on fire, if need be. Controlling the flames won't be difficult for me.\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "\"So can I. If we need ice, I have that as well. If not, then just bury them in the garden.\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"I suppose I can have the earth swallow them up. However, how would I get into the headmaster's office without them noticing? Or will I be the package?\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "\"That's a good idea. However, we'll need to take care of the guards after, which shouldn't be too hard\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"If need be, you can put me into the package after we've dealt with the guards. Just make sure to have some sort of tiny hole at the back, so I can breath as a fox. By the way, you're going to need an excuse for the package, since if the headmaster's paranoid, he'd recall not ordering anything. Perhaps say it's a new sample of herbs, and say that its an offering for peace?\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "\"I'll say it's a gift from his students\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"Eh, remember what the man said? All the people there are corrupt in one way or another. I don't think they'd be the type to give their teachers a gift.\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "\"But the students wouldn't be in the headmaster's mansion would they? That would be weird\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"That's a good point... I guess we could say a different supplying company heard their needs for herbs and decided to send a couple of samples.\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "\"That too. So once we kill the headmaster, it's just a matter of cleaning up\"\n\n\"If things go wrong, and they stop us, then just transform back and we just kill everyone.\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"Yes, OR we could leave the headmaster alive and threaten him. We get more silver for that, anyway. Personally, I dont like getting more blood on my hands than necessary, but if the need arises, I can take them down with you.\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "\"That would be good. If there are guards in his room, kill them. If not, just tie him up to a chair or something\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"Yep. We've got a plan?\"\n\n\"Alright. Lets go head off.\"" } ]

[ { "author": "komisama0649", "message": "At the side of the road just outside the imperial capital, a young kitsune was busy working with what seemed to be a small and shoddy forge. That's not to say the forge was poor; it was more than capable of making a quality blade. Rather, it was made with whatever materials were on hand, clearly a design meant for temporary use that could be made anywhere with a bit of perseverance. The fox girl knelt on the ground before her forge, hammering out a small dagger on a wide and flat rock, using a smaller smooth stone to make deft strikes across the heated iron. She was almost finished with this one. A dip in the water and it'd be ready for its intended task, whether it'd be meeting the flesh of beasts long dead or men still living." }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru wandered the streets dressed in his battle armor, colored a bright red paired with a fearsome helmet and mask, not that his face was any different. He attracted strange looks from people around him, people quickly moving out of his way. He had been searching for a while now, looking for a blacksmith skilled enough to enchant his weapon. As he walked down the street, he noticed a young Kitsune on the side of the road, hammering a dagger in a shoddy forge, but he could tell that the dagger was high quality. Having a Kitsune enchanting his weapon would also be good, they were known to be adept at magic. He walked up to the small blacksmith, and realized that he had seen this person before.* \n\"Hello, Yuuki\"" }, { "author": "komisama0649", "message": "She glanced up at the man when he spoke, quickly recognizing his voice from the job they'd taken together some time ago. \"Ah, it's you,\" She replied dispassionately, cooling the dagger in a bucket of water before setting it aside. \"Is there something you wish to hire me for? You can kill people easily enough yourself, you don't seem the social type, and you don't seem like you go out of your way for bedside companions either, so I assume you want something forged or enchanted?\" Yuuki answered her own question with a brief analysis, dusting off her robes as she stood up and faced Oshikuru with a slight bow. \"I will say it now, I do not work for free. Tell me what it is you desire, and what you wish to pay for it.\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Oshikuru bowed in return.* \"I do have something do enchant.\" *He slowly drew his sword, its blade gleaming in the light.* \"It is currently able to morph, and it is quite strong as well. However, I do want to increase the power of this weapon.\" *He draws a large bag full of gold coins* \"I'm willing to pay as much as necessary\"" } ]