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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Sept 17, 2022 9:40:18 GMT -5
Lloyd was an interesting person, a Master on his field - a very particular kind of field, a very sticky and slimy one. She didn’t envy him, but his friendship was indeed something she coveted. There was a joke, back at her Court days, when someone suggested she must aspire to have a chest somewhere with all the hearts she wanted, safely locked away in her possession - and while she laughed at the absurdity of it, real life proved to be not far from it. Contacts were useful, and the information flowed more smoothly, always buttered with a little pleasantries, favours and, of course, gold. Lloyd - and his shy, young helper - would be a good start. Far from her to treat her contacts as less than people, however, she wanted to deserve his friendship. And when she went to seek him, he promptly had a question he wanted answered: How did slimes reproduce?
...
Kamille never had such curiosity, despite her saying her curiosity would one day be the end of her. Nonetheless, she was determined to have his favor on her side, and gladly accepted the icky quest.
She strapped her alchemy bag to her side and went on the search of the slimes. He told her a few people had spotted a couple slimes around the ruins of a castle, deep into the Kingswood. A giant tree sprouted out of the middle of the ruins, its roots wrapping around it like vines - old, strong vines. They were everywhere around the ruins, indicating they were old and grew without interference.
From a distance, at the top of a slope, she gazed upon her destination, asking herself if it was wise to venture at such a late hour. Soon it would be dark, and she could foresee some trouble ahead. Kamille wasn’t much of a tracker or survivalist, but even a fool could notice the path before her was fresh - or so she would assume. Perhaps the ruins weren’t that much abandoned after all. The comings and goings of people and horses left its mark on the land, and she also heard from the locals, when asking around, there have been a couple sightings of bandits. They all advised her caution, but she was already set on her mission, and nothing would stand in her way.
She sighed, considering if she should leave her endeavours for the next day or be done with it.
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Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Sept 19, 2022 1:52:05 GMT -5
Two weeks have gone by and of little luck on his search for the scholar, King’s Valley has been a loss. However, he had been directed to a place of great interest to a Necromancer. Ruins. Bound in roots of a giant tree. If there was indeed such a place there, it would be worthy of a study. For Bellighul surely and perhaps Xenophon; a scholar who was said to be studying the ruins as of late.
A dark tale was behind his search and it would be soon unveiled.
Thus he made his way, traversing over a number of meandering streams, his robes soaked nightly as he managed a small fire from what little outdoorsmanship he possessed. He was ill suited for overland travel in such conditions, not because of frailty or cowardice but simply he preferred the pleasures of formal settings. He had cracked his teapot several days ago, his fine porcelain cup likewise the following day. Without his cup, he drank whatever wine he could carry from the bottle, which caused him much grief. The tobacco in various villages of King’s Valley were not to his liking either. While perfectly standard in all respects, the blend of tobacco was monotonous and rather stale for his refined palate.
His Ghoul, while expectantly dim witted, attempted some form of communication but over time, it’s grunts and howls slowly have begun to have some semblance of human speech. In time perhaps, he would be able to converse…although on slim subjects at the absolute surface level. Yet, in his travels he had begun to be accompanied by a rather eerie Scarecrow who called himself Jacapo; apparently Jacapo was once a locally famous theatre actor and Bellighul was impressed by his dramatic monologues. Further, Jacapo would carry his belongings without a care and was gleefully happy to be called his Majordomo.
Upon resting his back against a stone wall at the ruin’s entrance, his ghoul dubbed Ronaldo now spoke in a twisted tone. “Kaa…mille.”
Bellighul raised himself for the gritty wall, his skull like mask scanning the area for a moment before setting his sights on her. Nearly falling from the damp moss ladden rock, Bellighul was to announce himself with great joy. Yet, the Majordomo took it upon itself to declare to Kamille.
“It is with great pleasure I am to introduce Lord Bellighul, Master of the Villa of Lost Souls, Conjurer of Dark Magic and Necromancer of much import.” Jacapo bowed deeply, mimicking Bellighul in a rather foolish way. His pumpkin head was able to express a number of expressions and mouth it’s words. Straw sprinkling on the ground from it’s tunic as it rose and dramatically motioned its arms to the black robed Lord of Ghouls who neared on the trail.
Before Ronaldo had a chance to embarrass Bellighul any further, as it made a horrible attempt at a crooked bow as well, the Tomb King approached Kamille with a hand on his heart and bowed lightly. “By Lunala, we meet once again under strange circumstances to be sure…but I welcome even the darkest day when the Exalted of the Flames graces me with her presence.”
He lifted her hand, placing it towards his skeletal visage in a symbolic kiss of the ring.
"What brings such a treasure to such a shattered lonely place such as this, Kamille?"
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Sept 20, 2022 16:58:57 GMT -5
At first, Kamille looked surprised with the appearance of the Scarecrow - and for a moment it hit her the irony of a scarecrow, scaring her. There wasn't much time before she could decide whether the scarecrow was a threat or not, as he started to announce someone. Comprehension slowly but surely took her as he spoke, and a slight shadow of worry covered her eyes for a split second.
Necromancer? She had almost forgotten that... It still seemed to make her uneasy, but she was trying to let go of her prejudices.
But still, as he was dramatically announced and - as dramatically - appeared, Kamille offered him one of those smiles that made her eyes light up. She lowered her hood as to reveal her face - he had seen her in that attire briefly when they last saw each other. A feathery cloak covered her shoulders, black leather and lace beneath it, always of good quality and incredibly flattering. As Bellighul took her clawed hand in his, he was rewarded with a perfect curtsy, one he could only see from Court ladies.
"Lord Bellighul! What an auspicious night, as they say!"
"CAW! Bellighul!"
Mischief seemed to have finally woken up from his slumber from inside Kamille's cloak. He seemed to be immediately drawn by the scarecrow Jakapo - as ironic as that was - flying over to go perch on its head, curiously examining him.
"I see you have company now! How I would like a herald to announce me like a Lady wherever I go!"
Just like Bellighul, she also had a taste for the theatrics and quite a dramatic flair, even if of a different nature.
"I've come here on account of a friend-to-be, hopefully. He's a fellow researcher, even though is field is... well... unlikely."
Whatever she meant by that. She smiled at him.
"I would never dare to dream of finding you here! Perhaps you can even help me on this! But firstly... why are you really here? We may even be able to help each other out. What do you think?"
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Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Sept 25, 2022 11:18:02 GMT -5
"Jacapo, Mischief is also a friend, allow him to do as ravens do." The Tomb King spoke sternly as the scarecrow attempted to shake the bird from his pumpkin head. Straw cascading from long sleeves and from beyond a vest. Thus Jacapo, perhaps sercretly begrudgingly, stood entirely still, staring off into the distance of the trees for a moment.
Bellighul returned his void-like gaze, from beyond the mask at Kamille. He would be rather secretive. His pleasantries and manners and charm always seemed to hide his intentions. Yet, to the Exalted of the Flames, he would be rather transparent compared to anyone else. The time in Moonglade at her home was still fresh. Her hospitallity warranted a somewhat straight answer.
"You see, there is someone who I am searching for and have been told of his whereabouts. Perhaps it's in these great ruins. Perhaps not." Xenophon had last been seen studying here, for what Bellighul sought him out for would remain a mystery for a time.
"The details are less important than I search I am afraid. However, one can say he is indebted to me in many ways." Thus, to avoid a more direct question or further investigation to the matter, he would change the subject swiftly.
"I am far more interested in the Exalted's adventuring, what is it that you seek?"
The air was fresh with greenry and the smells of nature, although the mud and gnarled limbs of old roots beyrayed a sense of serenity. It was a chaotic place, as most old things are. For order and tidyness seem to only be for the new. He had heard of strange creatures making their home in these ancient ruins. Where they some methuselah, older than humanoids? Or were they some new manifestation. Chaos or order?
"Lord of Ghouls, perhaps it is best if we begin our search; day will give into night in a few hours. May the Exalted come along?" Jacapo interjected, aside from Mischief still perching on his head, there was a sense of urgency that he oft had to remind his master of. As Bellighul could chat during a great wind storm over a cup of tea.
"It would be my honor Jacapo. Kamille, shall we make haste then?" ______________ ______
The pair and their familiars rambled along, shattered walls of stone made climbing over such hurdles a necessity and flooded areas made passing difficult and cautious. What dangers lurked in the shadows of rain water pool? The tree roots snaked across rock; man made and natural alike. Their presence reminded Bellighul of the passing of time, he mused over them in silence but occasionally spoke aloud some poetry he had heard to Kamille related to the subject.
An hour or so passed, the Lord of Ghouls extending his hand from time to time to aid Kamille over a ledge or crevase. Not that she lacked the ability to do so without him, but he was rather courteous and inclined; as noble as he was.
A foul sound broke the serene, some squishing noise in the water that had been once a great chamber, though whatever decor had been lost to time. The water was not very deep, as the hill sloped making it increase in depth as sight went on, but enough for the distant water to become black.
An amorphous mass, a light green in color, seemed to float atop the water, swaying in its own ripples. It was unnatural, given it seemed to oscilate and move on it's own accord.
"What in Lunala is this....atrocious thing?"
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Sept 27, 2022 20:35:21 GMT -5
Mischief seemed content on perching on Jacapo's head, poking at it lightly before doing his little dance up and down. Kamille giggled softly at that, but shook her head before turning to Bellighul. " Someone who is indebted to you? Here? I would want to hear that story......." Of course, regardless of Bellighul's intention of keeping the whole story to himself, she would try and take a peek at it, slithering her way into his tales with the mastery of a good listener. When asked about her own adventures around the place, her answer seemed vague, and yet was the whole wide truth: " I'm trying to make some friends." And by "friends" she meant a specific person she wanted to gain favor with. It wasn't clear to what end, but she spoke of Lloyd, a specialist of some sort, that was interested in the birth of slimes. And as a good scholar, no matter how icky the subject, she found herself needing an answer - not for herself, not for her own curiosity, but for Lloyd's. Mischief remained safely perched on top of Jacapo's head, and by the looks of it he didn't want to leave. Kamille took Bellighul’s hand as offered and seemed to enjoy his gentlemanly manners. Even his poetry was appreciated, as she surprised herself by knowing a line or two and reciting along. Poetry wasn’t something she was used to searching on her own. And when Bellighul spotted the green mass, her eyes lit up. She pulled and shushed the Lord of Ghouls like a child, tugging at his fine robes so she could see clearly what was ahead, and also avoid disturbing it. She kept Bellighul put, whispering as she watched what the creature would do.
“This is precisely the reason men are not allowed in the birthing room,” she joked at the expense of the Lord of Ghouls, despite her eyes not even blinking.
The general dramatic air of mystery she kept around her was clearly just one layer of many about that woman. Bellighul could see in her eyes her heart was that of a scholar, a mage and researcher. It was not her field of interest, and yet she attentively observed the creature to draw her own conclusions, rarely blinking, a luster of curiosity and thirst for knowledge - it was probably the reason she became such a powerful mage on her own merit.
She was about to say something, and then stopped. The green blob started to ripple and turn, as if it was being poked by a giant, invisible hand. Kamille tilted her head, almost as curious as she was puzzled, and then to the side of the slime she could see…. a wart? It looked like a wart, but it wasn’t there a second ago. After a minute longer, the “wart” started to bloat. And it grew, and grew, and grew…. Until it became heavy enough, and with a soft, squishy plop, fell on the water, by the side of the larger slime. A perfect replica of the original, yet much, much smaller in size. Kamille whispered:
“Is that it?” she sounded dissappointed. “I expected something more dramatic. I have seen worse. That looked easy…”
Of course a Witch and alchemist, who delivered babies before, who handled reagents and experiments of all nature before, would need something a bit more interesting than some ooze to make her feel disgusted. Then, to the far end of the chamber, a bit above them, they started to hear some noises. Voices. Several.
“ What’s that?”
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Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Sept 27, 2022 21:42:54 GMT -5
Bellighul was being tugged by his robes, nearly knocked off balance by Kamill'e hushed excitement, he himself was puzzled. With the Raven Witch still clinging to the side of his robes, he sat upon s large root that snaked across the ruins. The void of his eyes staring into the pool as the ooze began to oscillate. He placed his elbow on his folded knee and his chin on his fist, engaged in the sight to behold but lacking the enthusiam that his fellow researcher had. Jacapo and Ronaldo, in a rather silly way, snuck behind the same tree root and peered over it just enough to also watch as the sight transgressed.
Once the ooze began to seperate, the Tomb King's fancy was broken and he shook his head in a slight disgust as he reared back from his fist.
"What manner of devilry..." He spoke softly. He peered up to Kamille and planed to continue, but watching her eyes go from sheer amazement to dull, nearly frowning and the intensity was gone. "Don't look so disappointed." He jested. "I half expected that thing to explode or turn into some other abomination. If you would like, for more drama, I could have Jacapo jump into the pool and chase them a while?" He looked backwards, seeing the orange pumpkin head of his Majordomo sink deeper behind the root. "Master, I would prefer not to touch that slime...but your will is law." Bellighul chuckled as he turned back.
However, in the distance a rustling stirred, as voices in a strange tongue murmurred in cruel tones. A hyena like chuckle echoed, joined by more like a plague. Bellighul rose to his feet, dirt clad boots pressed firmly on the ground as his looked in the direction. The ruins had sank deeper into the hill and level with the ground; allowing one to see down from the crest of the hill mared by giant tree roots. The cackling got louder as four hyena like humanoids snarled into vision. One took to feet and rushed towards the chamber, leaping down cradling a large makeshift spear of iron, wood and bone as the other began to hurl their spears down into the pool. Crashing and nearly impaling the oozes.
Gnolls.
The Tomb King instantly looked to Kamille, whose fury would surely ignite any second.
"Ronaldo..." The Lord of Ghouls half whispered. "Time to eat."
Suddenly, the rather goofy and lanky Ghoul rose almost upright, its simian like posture now more humanoid. It's elongated fingers, bearing claws clicked together maniacally as a long tongue slithered out from a fanged maw, once hidden behind its veil. It rushed forward, as Bellighul commanded it into Undying Frenzy, taking the unsuespecting Gnoll by surprise as in its blood lust failed to see the others.
Ronaldo leaped onto its back, claws into flesh and tore into it's shoulder with ghastly teeth. The Gnoll roared as it began to run about, attempting to slam the Ghoul into the wall but it clung on, tightly and began to dig in deeper.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Oct 1, 2022 8:30:15 GMT -5
Kamille was certainly fairly dissappointed. She scowled at Bellighul's jest, but sighed a defeated sigh. An explosion certainly would make for a more interesting spectacle, even slimier. But her dissappointment was pushed away quickly as the cruel cackles started to fill in the air, reverberating through the destroyed ruins, making them echo and giving the illusion there were more individuals than in reality.
She had already begun to step forward, always leaning towards the brash, reckless action, when the gnoll jumped forward to stab the slime. By then, having recently witnessed the miracle of life, she was too invested to let it go. That, and Lloyd also pleaded to keep the slimes safe and alive. Her expression of shock was quickly taken by anger when the slime was attacked, followed by other gnolls that rushed in.
"YOU! Stay away from it!"
The ghoul ran towards the gnoll that attacked the slime, and for a second she hesitated, not used to this kind of carnage. But it would be hypocritical of her to judge or even flinch at it. Fire was no better, even if it worked faster.
Lighting up the room, flames and sparks started to dance around her fingers. The flames condensed in her palms, and when she brought them together, they fused and engorged in a giant fireball, that eagerly jumped away from her hands. She aimed at the approaching gnolls, since the first one has already been taken. Even so, the impact of the giant ball of fire was enough to make the ground and the walls shake. Gnolls, ghoul and slime, everyone that was close, even if not hit by the massive fireball, were pushed back by the destructive force of the spell. A wave of heat and dust assailed them, as the walls shook and a few pebles and sand fell on them. The ceiling on top of them looked precarious.
Two gnolls instantly burned to a crisp, while all the others scattered around the room and were trying to get to their feet. The big and the small slime peacefully sloshed away from the battle, apparently not hurt enough to burst out in slimy blood. One gnoll was quicker on his feet, jumped up and started to run towards Bellighul and Kamille, but was also met with a tragic end: a part of the ceiling fell and a big rock hit him on the head.
Two gnolls remained, if they were to discard the one being mauled by Ronaldo.
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Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Oct 3, 2022 13:35:10 GMT -5
Bellighul was awestruck at Kamiile's power; the force the fiery blast rattled stone from its place, sending cracks up the already crumbling walls. Splintering the ceiling and charring a massive root which crept in. The wave of force sent his robes bellowing backward, yet he remained still in spite of the Fireball. He had seen it once before, though not as mighty. She was Exalted and the foremost Pyromancer; all quaked before her.
His ghoul was hurled close to the water; though not damaged and still in a Frenzy as it leaped to its knuckles and bolted towards one of the remaining Gnolls. The Gnoll braced itself on a spear as Ronaldo lept upon it, tearing into the skull itself. A shrill scream echoed into the ruins as Bellighul watched as another Gnoll, hell bent on attacking the mages, was taken out by the enviorment. A head crushed by a slab of rock.
"That was anti-climatic." Bellighul jested again, eying Kamille behind his mask.
His hand swirled with a frost hued blue, stepping forward as the final two Gnolls began remained their footing and embrarked towards them. His attack was much less spectacular. A swirl of blue energy began to sparkle, as water molecules rotated into his palm and began to freeze over. He lifted his hand, tracing the line of attack and loosed his Chromatic Blast at the one on the left and released a beam of Ice magic. It slammed into the chest of the Gnoll, shards of ice reflecting off his target as it was hurled backward.
Whilst a second beam was loosed from his other incredibly quickly; this time the Chromatic Blast launched a stream of flames at his foe. A blaze would engulf just the torso just as a spear came within a dangerous distance, yet his Spirit Guardian ripping into existence from the Ether. The flames grew twice its normal size just as the Spirit Shroud activated; turning the Fire damage into an incredible feature as an inferno nearly consumed the attacking Gnoll.
A blood curdling scream echoed. A charred form collapsing.
He turned back to Kamille and spoke, his Spirit Guardian mimicking his posture.
"Perhaps I over did that."
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Oct 4, 2022 4:49:16 GMT -5
Kamille wasn't familiar with that kind of magic, though she heard about the Spirit Guardians, watching them was an entirely different thing. All kinds of magic interested her - all walks of life were worthy. Of most of them, at least. " You'll have a hard time trying to upstage me, Lord of Ghouls, if that's what you want...", she jested back. Once all the gnolls were dealt with, Kamille stepped into the cave to assess the damage. In her time at the Court, it wasn't unusual for her Master to send her in with the hunstmen to the woods to control some pest or another, or even gather reagents of a more bloody nature. And though she never saw up close the King's hounds ripping their prey apart, she had seen her fair share of charred corpses and skinned beasts. Sometimes she wondered if Valatar was, like most men she met, averse to that kind of gore and disgusting things that came out naturally to women. Despite being soft and beautiful on the outside, the inner workings of the women's world was quite gruesome. She went to check if the slime and its creation was okay, following it as it sloshed away into a half-collapsed tunnel. "If you were looking for someone, I assume they must have got scared by all the explosions..."
She spoke a bit louder, as she was following the slime into the building, merely out of curiosity to see where it was going.
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Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Oct 4, 2022 14:18:36 GMT -5
"Certainly, I could never shadow your power Exalted of the Flames...though, perhaps I shall challenge you to a game of chess one day." He said proudly with a endearing smile beneath his mask, his ego was mighter than his wielding of dark magic. Yet, he knew Kamille could destroy him at a whim. He valued that sort of power. He craved it internally. Yet, she was remarkable kind to the Necromancer and he valued her company more than perhaps anyone on Charon. She did not despise him for his magic. His vile arts.
He looked around the chaos, his ghoul rushing to his side, blood stained and like a dog, he kneeled next to him.
"Xenophon is somewhere, I will find him soon enough." He said cryptically into the ruins.
Yet, he noticed Kamille begin to wander off, following the amorphous slimes about as to delve deeper into the ruins. It was was well past mid-day and nightfall would be approaching soon. He shook his head, a soft chuckle echoed within his mask as he jogged behind her. His gloved hand pressed lightly against her shoulder. Mischief now perched on Jacapo's head once again to the scarecrow's displeasure.
"I believe it may be best to leave the...creatures be, Raven Caller. They surely had enough of humanoids this evening, however, I was told of a tavern in the nearest village who serves incredible meat pies and strong drink. Allow me the privilege of your company this evening before we part ways."
He released his hand and whether or not she joined him, he turned around and began to head towards the tavern.
"Your curiosity, dear Kamille, astounds me." He said, holding in his laughter.
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