Ash Rose Jackals
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Oct 4, 2022 8:47:52 GMT -5
Edward seems to be someone with aspirations of heroism. Not uncharacteristic of those living in the Kings Valley where the legacy of past kings could still be seen. Course that legacy has long since fallen to ruin over time.
Veliky on the other hand, seems to have more grounded aspirations. She's a business women first. Even when retelling a tale she was quick to the point and didn't bother with elaborating on things. Given what she says about her 'Pon', she seems to take after him a lot.
When the question of parents comes up, he contemplates how to answer. He could be pretty vague about his actual family, or he could just make details up about some random folk. Given the situation and that Edward had an ally in Darkveil, it may be best not to mention anything that would contradict his claims so far.
"My parents are simple folk living in Zeinav. They are neither adventurers nor merchants. Just simple honest folk living each day the best they can much like the majority of people of Charon. I am afraid I do not have any remarkable stories of them to share." He gives Veliky an apologetic smile.
"What of you, Edward?"
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Post by Edward Ardent on Oct 4, 2022 10:46:58 GMT -5
Edward looks down, reminiscing about his family. How his father loved him until he didn’t. How he begged for help from his siblings, yet they ignored him. “Well, my relationship with my family is a bit strained at the moment. I was disowned by my family awhile ago. They aren’t really the normal sort. They hunt monsters and demons for a living. Mostly because they think it’s their right and duty to hunt down the abnormalities of the world. Just because we are descended from an angel, who was tasked with hunting down demons and dark magic users. When that angel could no longer do that duty, we picked that burden up and continue to do her work for generations.”
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Post by Veliky on Oct 4, 2022 19:12:13 GMT -5
Veliky can understand Zarius' plight. She doesn't have much to be told about her parents, either, especially not her mother. Demon hunting, though... is that financially secure? From what she's heard of demons, they don't carry much on them, and they don't seem like a common enough occurrence for contract-work. Are they paid by taxes? No - more likely, he's nobility. Only someone born set for life could have that much time on their hands.
She feels that presence again. This time, it actually takes shape, hovering next to her and following the party, but motionless, like an idol. But, as always, only she can see or hear him; why does he bother appearing physically?
"I thought I recognized that spark. He's an Ardent child, one of the descendants of... hmm, I can't recall her name. I believe we laid siege to Hel together, that or Yomi. Either way, this man was disowned by a family of renownedly good monster killers. That can only mean that he did not meet their standards, whether in skill or virtue."
"Op en's kat maag. (Or he's like me,)" she contradicts in Halfling.
"Or he's like you," the angel retorts. He does not veil his annoyance. "Consider both possibilities before you trust a word he says."
His presence does not vanish at a specific point in time, but gradually and implaceably, like an emotion.
Veliky realizes that she's been quiet for a moment, except for her Halfling murmuring. She should say something.
"Relationship with my parents... hard to describe. Guess you could say I disowned them - one of them, at least. Either way, I don't plan on going back to my hometown. Not a loss. Place was worthless."
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Ash Rose Jackals
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Oct 4, 2022 19:42:06 GMT -5
Edward's claims were interesting. His family sounded like a bunch of self-righteous holy jerks who played judge, jury, and executioner. He had crossed paths with such folk before and he was not eager to repeat it. Edward seemed to be the black sheep though, so he likely wasn't going to pose any problem especially this time.
Veliky's momentary silence and muttering in a language he is unfamiliar with give him pause. He eyes her suspiciously out of the corner of his eye. What was she talking to? Herself? She seems to snap out of it and he glances away before she notices.
She talks about her soured relationship with her own parents. How unfortunate for them both. He was lucky it seemed. Despite where he was born, how he was raised, and his father's reputation, both his parents are very caring and treat him and his siblings very well. He couldn't imagine being disowned or disowning his family. In a world filled with disingenuous people, if you can't trust your own flesh and blood, who can you trust?
"My condolences for each of your situations. Family can be complicated." He says.
They trek on for another hour or so when a rumble runs through the cave walls. Zarius stops in his tracks.
"Please tell me someone else felt that."
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Post by Edward Ardent on Oct 10, 2022 11:15:59 GMT -5
Edward looks at Veliky, she seems unusual. Edward can see that she’s talking to herself in some kind of language. Edward is reminded of all the times his father talked to himself when speaking to his bonded celestial. Edward also does this when he speaks to his guardians, although he usually talks in his head instead of speaking out load. Edward tries to break the silence and jokingly says,“You wouldn’t happen to have a angel or demon speaking inside your head, do you?” Then Edward hears a loud rumble sounding out. Edward looks around, “I felt that too. Maybe just a sandquake?” At that moment, a large rumble sounds out and loose rocks fall down on top of the group. Then a loud roar sounds out throughout the cave tunnel.
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Post by Veliky on Oct 10, 2022 20:09:01 GMT -5
When Edward mentions the idea of an angel or demon, Veliky looks to him with a glare that seems oddly offended, as if he'd just insulted her appearance. The winged presence scoffs.
"Hmph. Yes I suppose you must remind him of someone, mustn't you?"
Then comes the rumbling: a far more pressing issue than a contextless quip. Veliky isn't familiar with earthquakes - they were exceedingly rare in her village. One more new experience to add to the rest. And then, the echo of primal rage fills the complex, as if the world itself is crying for blood.
...But then it subsides, leaving only trepidation and questions.
"Zarius," Veliky asks with a juxtaposing calmness, "you said that wizard killed the dragon, didn't you?"
She gazes down, into the dark.
"You know what? Don't answer that. Doesn't matter. Keep moving. Probably just sounds louder than it really is[1]. Acoustics. Whatever it is, I'm willing to bet it's less dangerous than the sandstorm."
Veliky has no evidence to support this theory, nor does she possess much knowledge of acoustics at all. But she sure as hell sounds confident.
1. Smooth Talking
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Ash Rose Jackals
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Oct 11, 2022 10:34:48 GMT -5
Zarius shields his head with his arms as the debris rains down on them. Nothing too big but enough to make one nervous about surrounded by so much heavy rock that could shift at any moment. "I will admit, that story I just made up on the spot." It would be a crazy coincidence if he had been correct about the dragon part. Crazy indeed. Veliky sounds pretty confident. Hopefully she had the skills to back it up. Her constructs at least appeared to have some weaponry among them. Not much good it would be if the cavern collapsed on them. Zarius moves forward with the group cautiously as they descend through the darkness. There is no more shaking and the roar does not ring out a second time. Maybe whatever it was had already moved on. If only they were so lucky. They eventually come across a widening of the tunnel that opens up into a massive chamber with stalactites and stalagmites decorating the whole chamber. There was a trickle of a stream at the bottom, perhaps originating from an underground spring somewhere deeper underground. It was an impressive naturally formed structure, but there was something about it that set off all of the tiefling's alarm bells. There was an off-putting smell that hangs in the still air of the massive chamber. A scent that had hints of decay. "Maybe we should turn back and wait out the sandstorm instead." Zarius suggests, then his eyes catch movement across the chamber and a low rumbling growl echoes between the pillars of stone. The creature is large and heavyset, moving between the stone pillars by grasping their surface with its short stubby claws. Its skin is a pale and layered with subtle scaling. The wings extend back from its forelimbs and its tail ends in a flat spade. Large sightless eyes adorn the almost fishlike head and rows of polypores extend out from its neck. It swings its head around, but does not seem to see them or hear them. It pauses in its approach and presses its weight down on its feet, waiting.
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Post by Edward Ardent on Oct 11, 2022 12:30:20 GMT -5
Edward looks at the other two, “Seems to be trouble. Want to run out into the sandstorm or should we stay an fight? Haven’t tangled with a dragon before. Though it seems to be deformed in some way. Can your bodyguards fight off that thing, Veliky? How about you, Zarius? You don’t seem to have a weapon.”
While Edward was talking, the dragon shifts its weight and jumps from the pillars at the group. Edward sighs and summons a dark blue mist from his hand. The mist flies out of his hand towards the dragon and surrounds it. The mist forms into a swarm of ravens that peck and claw at the hide of the dragon. The dragon is distracted from trying to lunge at the group as it tries to bite and claw at the spirit ravens.
Edward looks at the dragon, “Seems like I’ve brought us a moment or two. Stay, flee into the sandstorm, or we can flee deeper into the tunnels so we can reach the other side safely.”
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Post by Veliky on Oct 11, 2022 13:49:15 GMT -5
Is that what a dragon looks like? It's much more piscine and... ugly than she'd imagined. Much smaller, too. The stories made them out to be majestic, their tyrannical presence sending peasants fleeing in terror. To be certain, this creature is repulsive, but not in that way. As well, it seems a bit duller than the cunning overlords the tales spoke of. All considered, it shouldn't be much of a challenge.
"Yes, we can fight. Fisher, draw its attention from the front while Rook and Bishop take out its forelegs."
The three bots chirp in unison before charging forth in a cacophonous harmony of hisses and clanks. It isn't difficult for them to get within range, as the creature is preoccupied with the futile task of swatting ravens, though Bishop only narrowly avoids a heavy stomp. Rook slashes at one of the forelegs while Bishop stabs a bolt into the other. Simultaneously, lightning surges from the weapons into the creature's legs; it flops down onto its face as both limbs are instantly paralyzed[1].
With the bastard dragon immobilized, Fisher jabs a trident into its face. But it's a shallow wound, as most trifurcated injuries are, serving only to enrage the beast. It gurgles and lurches back before spewing forth a blast of pressurized sand that instantly erodes Fisher's tin hull to nothingness. The bot's steel endoskeleton - all that remains - falls to the ground, a terrible omen of what might happen if a person is caught within the same blast.
The trident remains lodged lazily in the beast's leathery face and it's unable to move effectively, but this doesn't stop it from craning its neck to snap at the other attackers and the pestering ravens that now claw at its back. The adage of cornered animals, it appears, holds true. Veliky groans and crosses her arms.
"That was a new model. Not a good test-run."
Not wanting to be peeled apart herself, she vanishes from sight[2], undetectable.
1. Enchanting Sigil 2. Invisibility
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Ash Rose Jackals
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Oct 11, 2022 21:47:49 GMT -5
Either this was a wild coincidence, or Zarius' story willed this thing into being. Either way, it looked hungry and they looked like a walking buffet.
Zarius wastes no time and runs past Veliky as she turns invisible and then past Edward towards the creature. He parkours off of one of the stone pillars then lands on the trident to try and drive it deeper into the creature's head.[1,2]
The deep dragon thrashes in pain and tries to throw Zarius off, its jaws snapping with an awful steel trap sound. He uses the momentum of the flailing creature to launch himself straight up into the air where he grabs onto a stalactite above it. Somehow his grip is strong enough to hold onto it and he starts pulling himself up the side of the stone formation.[3]
He looks down at Edward. "Weapons just slow me down, friend. I think we are fighting this creature."
Injured, unable to move, and with its breath attack still building back up, the deep dragon roars at the foes it could not see with its blind eyes.
There is another noise in the cavern, like the sound of grinding stone. Suddenly, the stalagmite nearest to Edward moves and a pair of whip-like appendages lash out at him. The stone parts to reveal this was not some naturally formed cave feature, but actually a creature with a gaping toothy maw.
[1] Surface Scaling [2] Cats Grace [3] Iron Grip
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Post by Edward Ardent on Oct 21, 2022 23:17:28 GMT -5
Edward admires this tiefling’s display of acrobatics and follows up Zarius’s attack by rushing at the dragon. He tosses up two stone gargoyles up in the air and the grow in size as they travel through the air. Edward commands them, “Onyx, Obsidian, keep the dragon distracted.” The gargoyles fly to both of the sides of the dragon and strike at its sides in a pincer attack.
Edward jumps up at the dragon while positioning his staff above his head before slamming it downwards, slamming its head to the ground. Edward then raises his hand to summon more blue mist that waft around the dragon and infiltrates its body. The dragon tries to swipe at Edward but the mist seems to drain it of its energy and Edward dodges out of the way of the swing due to its exhaustion.
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Post by Veliky on Oct 22, 2022 22:11:38 GMT -5
Immobilized and incapacitated, the dragon is utterly helpless. Its neck raises weakly, only to be sliced clean through by Rook's sword. The beast's blood is a viscous, olive-green that smells heavily of vinegar, yet doesn't appear to be acidic. Veliky half expects it to continue thrashing post-decapitation - she's seen weirder, by now - and is pleasantly surprised when it goes still. Just a natural beast, albeit a gross one.
"All units, report: unknown enemy neutralized."
Yet the sounds of battle have not subsided. The chorus that remains draws her gaze upward with concern, to the yet-stranger entity ready to wrap its tendrils around Zarius.
"Eyes up!" she shouts, pointing at the rockish monster. "Shoot the thing that looks like stalactite! But don't hit Zarius!"
The Bishop unit follows her finger and takes a step back, as firing directly upward with a crossbow would be a task. But, as it moves, a small stalactite suddenly detaches itself and falls toward the bot! It's fortunate to have already been looking upward; it's body clacks and rattles as it rolls out of its path.
But as the stalactite hits the ground, it makes an awful squelching noise. Like the tendriled thing assailing Zarius, this isn't a rock at all. In fact, now that it's lying on its side, one can see a single, orange eye and a toothy maw on its 'face.' It's... surprisingly unthreatening for a subterranean monster. In fact, its disgruntled expression could be considered amusing.
But there's no time for that. Another tite falls toward Bishop, but Rook is able to slice it out of the air - though tough, it isn't as so as the stone it resembles.
Finally, with a moment of proverbial breath, Bishop crouches, aims up, and fires a bolt into the rocky hide of the anomaly. It lets out a strange, nasal squeal. It's a resilient beast, but the pain and shock[1] make for a precious, momentary distraction.
1. Enchanting Sigil
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Ash Rose Jackals
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Oct 28, 2022 18:22:58 GMT -5
Zarius glances down and sees the dragon is dispatched. It's a long enough distraction for him to be too slow to avoid the tendril that lashes out from the larger moving stalactite within striking distance of him. He feels it wrap around his ribs and try to rip him off the stalactite he is clinging to. He wraps his legs around the stone formation and locks his ankles together as it reels him back.
It's a comical sight with the tiefling being suspended horizontally between the real stalactite and the monstrous one. He tries to rip the tendril off but he can't get much leverage on it. He looks back and down at the others as a few smaller pieces fall to the ground.
"A little help!"
Bishop's bolt strikes the creature and its hold on the stone ceiling weakens. Zarius grimaces as it pulls back on him in its pain throws and his grip with his legs slips loose. He falls and swings from the tendrils, his body weight tearing the creature free and causing it to fall to the floor below it. Zarius hits the ground clumsily and skids across the cavern floor.
"Ow..."
He tries to push himself up when the tendrils tighten again and yank him back towards the creature as it recovers from the fall with anger and frustration. The tiefling struggles to grab onto anything as he's reeled in. The creature's singular eye focuses on him and it opens its mouth revealing rows of needle-like teeth.
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