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Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Oct 4, 2022 21:37:28 GMT -5
Kamille and Bellighul shared stories as they made their way down from the ruins of the Kingswood, taking care from both root and stone as to not stumble down the various hills. He had heard rumors of a wonderful beef and carrot pie, less luxurious than what he was used to back in Zeinav but tasty nonetheless. On the way, he had promised to purchase the meal and the drink and lodging and was delighted when Kamille agreed. They had faced a number of gnolls, without much difficulty, mainly due to the Red Queen and her superior magicks.
As they neared the small hamlet, the smoke rising from chimneys amidst thatched homes and children playing about. The Necromancer, weary of his appearance, pulled his mask from his face. His ashen hair cascading down down past his shoulders, his crimson eyes scanning the area looking for the tavern.
Dismissing his minions to the wood, a bit of rations and tea in their possession. He spotted the swinging sign called "The Black Eagle" suspended from the the wall. Pointing towards it, they wandered in.
________________ ______
It was a quiet room, a fireplace and a few tables adorned it, supporting the roof a number of strong oak pillars. It was quaint and cozy, some locals sat at the table with their drinks and pewter trays, cooked chicken and a few other dishes about them. He was used to the hustling merchants and the vendors of Zeinav City shouting their wares. This was in strict contrast. Bellighul made his way to the bartender, a strong man and inquired.
"I've heard of a meat pie made here that is absolutely astounding...I'd take two platters and two fine meads."
"Well...you are out of luck sir." The man, washing a large mug said plainly.
Bellighul was befuddled, he had promised much and wanted more of an explanation. "What do you mean? Has it been sold out?"
The man looked up puzzled. "No, we simply cannot access the cellar." He continued to wash another mug. As if a bit annoyed.
"Well...is it locked?" The Tomb King said, his hands on the bar and staring deeply at the bartender.
"An ooze has been held up there for several days, we are out of wine, ale, mead and flour. Only fresh chicken and fowl and a few turnips now."
The thought of alcohol being not available was horrifying to the Lord of Ghouls, he had survived on yak meat and fermented milk for days before but the thought of strong drink was preposterous. He turned to Kamille, who may have been listening to the conversation. Knowing that once ooze was mentioned it would reinvoke her curiosity and he would have to traverse into the cellar. He was out of wine, dirty and without a tea pot. Today would be a long day.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Oct 5, 2022 10:07:30 GMT -5
Their way back to the tavern was without any disturbances, and amongst the stories traded, Kamille mentioned once more growing up surrounded by nobles, and yet didn’t give more details to it. They watched the sunset as they approached the village, and even in the absence of the sun and light, Kamille's presence by itself was enough to ward off the cold winds. She gave Bellighul a sideways smile as he took off his mask as they approached.
It was a simple tavern in the middle of nowhere, nothing too fancy. This didn’t bother her at all, as she was fairly agreeable, understandable and easy to please. She agreed to Bellighul's invitation to some comfort food and rest, with a slight hint of appreciation showing in a shy smile - it's been a long time since someone last provided for her, as the more usual was for her to provide for someone else. It was a nice change.
There was a bit of staring from the regulars, since those people were not used to their figures. Unlike what happened back at Moonveil village, where everyone knew her and barely looked her way twice, she felt a handful of eyes following her and the Lord of Ghouls to the counter, where such horrible news were given: There was no ale! She choked on a laugh, but the development was quite interesting...
"An ooze?"
At this point, Bellighul was already familiar with her damned curiosity. She stepped forward.
"Could we take a look at it? Perhaps we can solve this issue in a...... delicate way."
The last part of the sentence was said at the same time Kamille shot sideways glance to Bellighul. Certainly, given she was previously tasked with learning more about oozes, she would prefer not to hurt it during the mission. Which only made things harder...
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Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Oct 8, 2022 12:30:52 GMT -5
"Delicate...indeed." Bellighul seemed to sulk, his handsome face marred by a frown that he could not hide. He turned to the bartender, eybrow lifted momentarily.
"I imagine there will be a reward for this endeavor, good sir?"
"No, only if ye want something to drink, I cannot go on like this for much longer...tried to hit it with a broom and it melted the damn thing." Bellighul's eyes darting at him as if this was a joke at his expense. Bellighul was glamourous and charming, but had little effect on this one. A deep sigh resonated, as he sluggishly made his way towards an old wooden door nearby and placed his hand on the handle. Though he did not open it immediately, he lifted his head upwards and towards his friend.
"Kamille, I beseech thee, if we satisify you curiousity and remove this creature quickly...carry me to the stables tonight for long night of wine and merrimaking is ahead."
The door was drawn open, it was ill fitting thus the bottom of the door scraped along the stone floor.
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_____
As the pair descended the wooden steps, the air was damp and somewhat acidic, a slight tinge on the nose made it unpleasing upon the senses. The cellar was rather expansive, filled with all manners of wooden crates and barrels. It was dark, a strange noise stirred in the far corner, a disgusting sound to the Necromancer. Slurping and sloshing assailed his ears. He was a not accustomed to adventuring and the luxuries he attempted to bring about with him often broke or were misplaced, now he found himself in a cellar with the powerful Pyromancer.
"How do you want to go about this...you will find me a bit useless in this matter."
Though, for a split second, Bellighul's judgement lapsed and he picked up a ceramic bowl and lazily hurled it towards the source of the sound.
A cacaphony of maddening sounds began to race towards them, as the ooze had been furious and was prepared to lash out at them.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Oct 10, 2022 8:42:20 GMT -5
Kamille wouldn’t have asked for a reward, even if in the end, as she saw it, she was going to be rewarded with the friendship of the tavern owner. She put a hand to Bellighul's arm, reassuring.
"A bit of ale and your friendship is good enough. I hope this will get your business back on track if we solve this."
Then, she turned to Bellighul, talking in a hushed whisper.
"I'll even allow you to beat me at chess. If you help me with this, I'll indulge in whatever you want."
With that said, they were led to the cellar. There wasn’t much to be seen, but rather to be heard. In her mind, she knew the kind of face Bellighul would be making, and the thought made her choke on a chuckle. But much to her surprise, he also did something she didn’t expect: he threw something at the source of the noise, and instantly she knew the ooze would throw itself at them. Kamille quickly pulled Bellighul by the arm, away from the door, closing it shut before them and holding for a moment. Just as expected, they heard the ooze's sloshing and impact against the closed door. An acidic smell rose, as the door started to be slightly digested by the ooze. But either if the ooze lost interest or deemeed the door not tasty enough, they would hear it sloosh away from it once more.
Kamille breathed with relief, shooting Bellighul a dissaproving glance.
"I have an idea, and you can help. There is a root here that is known for making some extremely unpleasant fumes when burned. Certainly, I hope that unpleasant enough to scare away any kind of creature. Even an ooze. And while you're at that, I'll dig a passageway, a tunnel, for the ooze to escape through it and reach the woods nearby. I'll connect the tunnel with the cellar, and when the ooze finds it, it'll run away! How about that?"
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Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Oct 10, 2022 13:00:17 GMT -5
The smell of sulphur and an acidic gurgling sound began to escape from the wooden door, as it's matter was being slowly digested by the sheer substance the ooze was composed of. Bellighul, was more than displeased at the notion this creature had been hampering his relaxation and indulgence on strong drink. Though, he could sense Kamille was a bit cross with him, he after all was just nearly engulfed by an ooze had it not been for her. Yet, the promises Kamille had made him hung in his mind, his beautiful face hinted a smile as he turned to her after she proposed a method of ridding the creature.
"If such a herb exists, then it may well work." He still braced the door with both hands. The Necromancer continued. "If I must face the beast alone and not destroy it...then I hope it does anyway. Let us gather this."
Bellighul, before exiting the tavern, pushed a large table in front of the door for the time being. As he walked across the floor he seemed to give the bartender a nod which was only met with a strange glare. The owner seemed to not care for him much, but this was a trend he was well aquainted with.
___________ _____
Not long after, Bellighul had assisted Kamille in the gathering a plant he had heard of before. Mandrake blooms. He knew of the root's properties prior to the Pyromancer's short lessons. It was used in alchemy to be sure, but the root was also a powerful ingredient in a number of Dark Domain heresies. Funerary rituals and those concerning the treatment of various undead were common practices. Thus, with the blooms bundled in twine, he pushed the door out of the way and made his descent down the stairs; careful as black acidic muck still lingered as the ooze's substance still digested the wooden stairs.
His black boots crept quietly, a lit shard of wood in his other hand as he began to torch the herbs.
The darkness of the cellar seemed too quiet, the strange noises too silent. He motioned the smoke of the mandrake through the air, trying to cover a nook or some manner of hiding place.
He muttered to himself. "I have faced devils and horrible manifestations...but this is the most unpleasant."
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Oct 11, 2022 10:00:26 GMT -5
Kamille felt Bellighul's resistance and disgust for the mission, but still noted he obliged and moved forward with the plan. She showed him the root, that by itself already had a strong smell, without the need of burning it. The fumes that would arrise from it would certainly be unpleasant.
She also took upon herself to "dig" the tunnel as she said she would. Of course, what she meant by that was to use her magic. Not only fire, but earth also moved acording to her will, and while it took some time to shape a small canal that would lead to the forest, she was satisfied with the outcome. With the help of the tavern owner, he pointed her where she could open the connection between her tunnel and the cellar, so she wouldn’t be damaging much his property and still allow for an easy way out for the goo. That was the last part done. Once again, she turned to Bellighul with a pleading expression.
"Please, do your best not to hurt it. It would make me very happy. If you need any help inside, I'll be just outside the tavern. Once I hear the ooze inside the tunnel, or if you could just warn me when it happens, I'll block the passageway so it won't be able to go back into the tavern. But please.... don’t hurt it."
Everything in its place, with Bellighul on his way to set the nasty root inside the cellar, Kamille stood out and paid attention, trying to listen in to everything happening inside.
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Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Oct 12, 2022 1:52:04 GMT -5
"Ooze, I command you to reveal yourself." Bellighul announced, though always dramatic he had little idea of the level of sentience of the creature. Did it possess reason? Perhaps, he thought if he spoke with authority his presence would frighten it enough to evade him. "I am the Lord of Ghouls, turn from me and cower." His robes bellowed strangely, shadows seeming to leap from his person. His eyes glew a bright red, fear would be his tactics.
To no avail.
A horrible sloushing sound echoed to his right, coming down a support beam with haste. His free hand braced against a crate whilst the other still bore the smoking mandrake blooms. The faint light coming from the tunnel, a fresh breeze mingling with the acrid scent, gave him little insight. Suddenly, a psuedopod launched forward, striking the shelf nearby. It's acidic substance lingering as the wood began to turn black and hiss. A second attack nearly struck him, able to leap out of the way and over a small table. The Lord of Ghouls crashed on the dirt floor below, the mandrake flinging onto the ground beside him.
An immediate reaction summoned a purple energy in his hand as he rolled to his feet, his robes covered in filth. Yet, the Pyromancer's words hung in his ears and he stayed his aggression. The ooze moved towards him from beneath the table when he shouted.
"Kamille! By the Dark Maiden!" His words travelling through the tunnel outside.
Unfortunately, his task was simple yet, he was being cornered. Another pseudopod launched at him in the dim light, striking his leg, his robes above disintergrating as his pallid flesh grew red and summoned a strong pain.
To maintain some distance, he utilized the Blink spell and teleported towards the tunnel further.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Oct 12, 2022 6:19:59 GMT -5
Kamille choked on a chuckle when she heard Bellighul trying to intimidate the ooze into showing up. She doubted the ooze had such comprehension of their environment, but certainly it was something nice to ask Lloyd when she returned to see him. She was already learning so much! About oozes....
Then a shout woke her up from her daydream, and she turned once again to try and listen to whatever was happening down there. She heard noises of shelves turning, the muffled sound of things hitting the floor, and Bellighul's feet running around. She could almost see him running, his robes fluttering behind him. With a contained smile, her only regret was that she was not there to see it happening.
She was positive he could handle the ooze on his own, despite his disgust, but even so when she spoke up, a hint of worry was evident.
"Quickly! Lure it to enter the tunnel! And tell me when it goes through, so I can close it!"
She considered whether she should turn around and enter the cellar through the door to help Bellighul, but decided it was best to wait for her opportunity to seal away the tunnel.
"Is everything alright?!"
Mischief flew over to where the tunnel opened into the forest. The raven peaked inside the dark tunnel, curios, cawing into it. His caws started to echo all the way through the tunnel, until it reached the hole inside the cellar.
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Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Oct 13, 2022 12:39:18 GMT -5
"Everything is fine Exalted, not to worry." He said loudly, as he used a chair to interpose between himself and the rather rabid ooze. Its tentacle like pseudopod struck again, that same tar like ichor filling the air with its putrid scent. The acid of this one was milder than Bellighul thought, yet the burn on his leg still pulsed in pain.
"Aborrent creature...I beg thee flee, if I had my way you would be incinerated. It is only the Raven Caller keeping you ali..." His final word cut off as the ooze struck the top of his hand. He winced in pain and muted a strong yell as he clenched his teeth. His skin hissed as theyknuckles turned red and began to blister immediately. The blow to bare skin was much more severe.
His eyes illuminated and he tossed the chair down sharply, sending fragments and shards of wood across the dirt floor.
"FINE!" He belted out. He darted to the side quickly and became parallel with the tunnel opening. His hand still shaking in pain, he curled his hands mimicking a dragon's claw and lifted it almost strenuously as the dirt floor between the Necromancer and the Ooze quickly rumbled. A Death Wall was summoned, a fearsome mound of skeletal forms composing the barricade between them. The horrid structure, bone arms gesturing and contorting within, forcing the ooze back as they attempted to rend it.
The ooze, although not sentient enough to deduce, was seemingly guided backward and began to ascend the tunnel slowly.
Bellighul, furious and in a bit of agony, stomped off towards the cellar wall and combed the cobwebs and dust for a label he considered worthy of his refined palette. Then, as he rummaged through, a familiar bottle in a black wax was found. Zeinavian Port; a fortified wine meant for small glassware and sipping more like a brandy. Yet, the Lord of Ghouls tore at the wax with his burned hand and pulled out the cork.
Driving several large mouthfuls as his Death Wall slowly crumbled away into a heap of bones.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Oct 13, 2022 19:06:22 GMT -5
....should she be worried? She heard some troubling noises inside.
"Bellighul? Do you need help?"
The hairs of her scruff stood up at the weaving of a spell from the dark domain, and she feared - not for the necromancer, mind you - but for the ooze. Kamille knew he could smash them with a swipe of the hand and a dark spell, but she preferred not to. After a bit more of fumbling, she finally heard the squishing noises of the ooze going through the tunnel and following along it, for a moment atracted to the cawing of Mischief on the other side. Once it went through it, she used her Mold Earth spell to close the tunnel. Calling Mischief back to her, after a moment more she witnessed, at the distance, the ooze getting out to the other end of the tunnel and dissappearing into the woods.
Success!
The Pyromancer ran back to the tavern to met with the Necromancer and wrap up the mission, and hopefully receive some wine and a meal from the innkeeper for their help.
"Bellighul! It worked! It worked just as we-Bellighul?"
Her excitement vanished as she saw his wounds. As apologetic as she could get, she quickly urged him back to the tavern, and made him sit in a chair. One of her pouches was promptly spread on the table, and Bellighul could recognize it as a medical kit. Bandages, needles, ointments... everything she would need. Kamille became kinda bossy as she told - not asked - Bellighul how to behave and let her see the wound of his leg, putting his foot on a stool. She clearly had done it multiple times before.
As she cleaned his wound and applied an ointment with a soothing effect, she couldn't help but let a small smile slide across her face.
"Thank you.... For... Not hurting the creature...."
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Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Oct 16, 2022 18:56:46 GMT -5
His wounds were not severe, but incredibly painful, though strongly dulled by his intake of strong drink as he marched up the stairs. Seeing Kamille happy, even for a brief moment, made him smile. Though, her glee subsided as he witnessed his burns, he tried to lighten the mood as he bossed him about into a chair.
"It only hurts when I think about." He jested, his hand the worst of it, blistered and bright red. He looked at the wound, it was not the first time he had been hurt against a monster. Yet, Kamille tending to him reminded him of thier first meeting. He was used to being pampered and fawned over. After all, he had servants and was incredibly wealthy. Yet, this was different. The tenderness. The intent. He propped his leg onto the chair as she began to bind his wounds and salve them. The tavern owner emerged from the cellar, delighted the creature was no long a nuisance. Yet, Kamille's face was far more interesting, as he gazed at the curve of her jaw, her sapphire eyes focused on his own repair.
Two foaming mugs of ale were sat on the table as she continued. His voice, thankful but a bit intoxicating.
"Don't blame yourself...the beast was in a rage." Bellighul mused. "To see you so excited was worth the scars."
Regarding not harming the creature, he spoke softly. "I fear that I had thought about it...it would have been far easier to destroy it. Yet, I have learned the easiest path isn't always the correct one."
He rose his now bandaged hand in the air and gazed down at the bound leg, it reminded him of when he awoke in the tomb so many months ago. But, full of mire, he rose the mug towards Kamille and spoke again.
"To a hard days work, Exalted. May we adventure together soon."
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