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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Dec 15, 2022 9:16:31 GMT -5
And Shaa thought that the poisonous swamp spiders were bad. These guys were down right annoying and there didn’t seem to be an end to them. They had to have a leader or queen or something. Maybe they were mercs hired by the slaad? Ughh a slaad with organizational skills. There’s a thought. As Shaa continued to swat away the frog men, he is suddenly surrounded by water that is starting to gather around him. He turns to see the Slaad chanting in his direction.
This was not the first time Shaa had seen the water prison spell. He had been at a party several years ago where a hyrdromancer used water prison on him for fun in an ale house. The idea was to see if he could drink his way out of prison. In theory, it should have been a really neat party trick. The problem is that when you get alcohol in you eyes and various other parts, it immediately stops being fun and gets the caster a fist shaped black eye…for some reason.
Shaa summoned a large swirling cloud of dirt and dust to form around his body. As it mixed with the water, big globs of mud started falling all around him, being too heavy to form into the full prison. Didn’t see that coming did you wart face? You like magic? Here try this. He turns and summons a giant vertical wall in front of him. Slogging a bit in the mud, Shaa pushes the wall over, landing solidly on top of the slaad with a SPLAT and giving Shaa something a bit more sturdy to stand on. He hauls himself onto the fallen wall and tries to shake off the mud with only moderate success.
Looking over at Astrid, she seems to be having just about as much fun as he is. This isn’t getting us anywhere. We need to get the package out of here. Shaa looks over at the boat and the box which seem ok for the moment. Something from the side catches his eye. One of the frog men is running at them with some sort of barrel on his back. On the top of the barrel, there is a fire…no wait..a lit fuse.
Earth Aura Stone Wall Force of Nature
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Dec 16, 2022 21:52:20 GMT -5
Contrary to appearances, Astrid is not having a good time. Most of her fights have not been again such an onslaught of enemies. Last time she faced this many foes, she had a whole team of BlixtbotsTM behind her. She and Shaa are great fighters, but this is a bit overwhelming. Looking over her shoulder, she sees the minotaur looking her way after smashing the Slaad. The half-dwarf doesn't like to run from a fight, but maybe that's their best bet to get out of here safely and with the cargo intact.
Blue blood splatters across her face as she bashes a Kuatoa away. "Maybe we should get movin'?" she calls back to Shaa. "Is the boat ready ta go??" Spicy Pawsage lets out a gout of flame, then she and the hellhound start moving toward the boat. "Actually, I don't care if it's ready ta go, we should get outta here!"
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Dec 17, 2022 14:27:51 GMT -5
Shaa grabbed one of the Kuatoa by the feet and used it as a flail against the ones behind it. I agree. Beating these guys into the floor is getting us nowhere. I thought taking out that Slaad would have bothered them WHACK but apparently not.
As the Kuatoa with the barrel on its back got closer, understanding jolted mind. Oh #$& no! Shaa threw the fighter in his hand as hard as he could toward the barreled frog man. As they collided, there was a bright flash and a shockwave that flooded the field. Shaa felt an enormous wave of pressure rush over him. Though the wave didn’t knock him over, his ears were ringing from the blast and he felt very disoriented.
Shaa stumbled awkwardly towards the boat, the ground seemingly teetering as he went. He could tell he was getting closer to the boat, but he was not in a good way. His eyes were stinging as he makes it to the side. He couldn’t tell if Astrid was there or not. Get Astrid in the boat! Shaa shouted as he hauled himself in the boat, dropping out of consciousness. The boatman called after Astrid. We are good! Haul butt!
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Dec 20, 2022 2:10:28 GMT -5
The shockwave nearly knocks Astrid down, but the bright flash of light is nothing compared to the shock and sound of being struck by lightning. Spicy Pawsage nearly freaks out and runs away, but she grabs the dog by the scruff and shoves him into the boat. Then she clambers in behind just as the boat makes it to the water and their ferryman blasts air behind the boat, sending them rocketing off into the swamp and away from the massacre of fish people on the tiny patch of dry land.
With enough time to get her bearings again, the frazzled Astrid looks back at the carnage they left. "What the heck were they doin' with gunpowder in a swamp??" she shouts over the wind. "They're fish men! If that barrel got wet, it wouldn't have exploded! Don't they know the first thin' about-"
There's another explosion back where they came from. Then another. And another. More, smaller explosions, and a few gouts of fire in different directions.
"What the heck is goin' on?!"
The explosion set off a chain reaction. With all the gasses and methane in the swamp, the air itself is damp but surprisingly flammable. And thus... more chaos.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Dec 20, 2022 8:54:05 GMT -5
Passing in and out of consciousness in the boat, Shaa has the oddest feeling like he was floating and sinking at the same time. He got scattered flashes of what happened back on the tiny mud island. The frog men. Astrid. The dog. The slaad. Water. The light… That light was so bright. That force was so much. If Shaa wasn’t so sturdy, he was sure that pressure would have blown him to so many pieces like the unfortunate frog man attached to the barrel. He would be picking frog pieces out of his fur for days.
Shaa’s thoughts turned to their cargo that was remarkably still unscathed despite the ware and tear put on their well beaten bodies. Just what was in this thing? Normally he wouldn’t care at all, job is a job. Considering everything that they had gone through however, he couldn’t help but wonder if it was worth it. Moreover, there was someone out there willing to throw a significant amount of resources to get at it.
Shaa could feel the breeze of the boat washing over his fur as they cruised over the water. He thinks that they are going fast but can’t quite tell from laying at the bottom of the boat like a big hairy lump. He knew he needed to get up but he really didn’t want to. Everything hurt when he moved so he just didn’t want to move. Just a couple more minutes…. The boat suddenly jolts to the side as if they hit something. Or as if something hit them. Shaa can hear voices but they sound far away. What’s happening? He …
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Dec 20, 2022 22:54:27 GMT -5
The world seems to rumble around the boat as it races through the swamp, skipping over dry patches, snapping branches and bushes, and through all this somehow managing not to break the patch they just put on. Astrid keeps hold of Charles and Spicy Pawsage to keep them from falling out. She herself is kind of pressed under a bush and taking quite a beating from the bouncing of the boat. The air is hot and the force of the explosions only cause them to go faster.
Things seem to settle, and Astrid finally gets enough of her bearings to see Shaa himself is looking not so good, and she clambers up to look at him. "Shaa? Shaa? Are ya-"
The boat lurches to the side suddenly, nearly knocking Astrid out, but she manages not to fall out. The boat goes airborne as a massive alligator, four times larger than a normal alligator, throws its head out of the water, enraged. Its sleep has been disturbed, and what their boatman thought was a log was actually its snout. With a few adjustments to the gust of wind pushing the boat, they manage not to land too harshly and speed across the water until things finally calm down. They make such headway that it takes no time at all to reach the west side of the Marsh Flats.
Finally on solid land again, Astrid uses her Medical Kit to help patch Shaa up, and the two of them share a few laughs over the ridiculousness of the situations they've been in because of this dang package. Whatever is inside must be fairly valuable if people are going to such lengths to retrieve it. Now all that sits between them and their destination is the Luna Valley. Considering most of the creatures of Moonglade stick to the forests, they might have an easier time traveling. Plus they're not too far from some of the villages where they can secure safer passage.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Dec 21, 2022 8:48:44 GMT -5
It had nearly been a full day since Astrid and Shaa had left the swamp and started slowly making their way through Luna Valley. The day had thus far been uneventful at least compared to everything else on their trip. Through meditation and several therapies Shaa had mostly recovered from the blast although he still found occasional fish bits that needed plucking. The day was looking calm. It appeared that they had nearly reached the end of their very long journey.
It was towards dusk that the spotted them. A large caravan was approaching with armed solders and several wagons. It took them no time at all to intercept the little band.
As the caravan stopped, a large fighter in full mele gear approached them. Hail Shaa, looks like our seer finally was able to scry your location. The name is Wylun. And this is for you. Wylun hands over a parchment sealed with the seal of their employer. Breaking the seal, a couple of sparks fly out and harmlessly fizzle. Had anyone else other than the intended recipient tried to open it, it would have destroyed the paper and injured the would be reader. Shaa read the terse note.
Shaa. You were taking too long. Please follow Wylun who will escort you to one of my estates. No further delays will be tolerated. J.
Shaa turned the paper over a couple times. They had already started loading the box up into one of the sturdier looking wagons. Delays? We have been attacked and harassed at every turn over this thing. I’m sure what he means is, Thank you for keeping my stupid box in one piece, your the best.
Wylun looks at him with a cocked eye brow. What attacked you? Trolls? Lizard men? Shaa hesitated a moment. Well no. Mostly goblins and Kuatoa. The short frog guys? I am sure the goblins and tiny frog people were super harrowing. Wylun smirked as they finished preparing for departure. Shaa was miffed. It wasn’t like that! There were mobs of them! And a hydra and explosives… Wylun just rolled his eyes. Come on, you can tell me about it on the way. I will even try not laughing at you too much. Shaa could tell he was getting worked up so elected just to climb into the back of one of the wagons. He motions to Astrid to join him.
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Dec 22, 2022 23:50:10 GMT -5
After everything they've been through for this stupid delivery, for this guy to be so rude to Shaa and ignore her entirely, Astrid also looks super miffed. How dare this man show up and act holier than thou? What if this is just a ruse to get them to let their guard down and take the crate? At this point, does she even care? Shaa seems to know him, so at least there's that. Doesn't excuse the man's behavior though.
Astrid climbs into the cart with Shaa, helping Spicy and Charles in. Before she sits down, she shoots Wylun the nastiest stare a twelve year old can muster. How rude. How dare he. Finally, she sits with a huff and crosses her arms. "I sure hope we don't get attacked by another hydra or slaad or band of kuatoa with explosives or goblins ridin' on bulettes. Sure would be a shame if that happened since we obviously can't handle alla that fer our employer or nothin'. Nope, we just super incapable, ain't we Shaa? Needin' ta be rescued by regular lookin' guards with a fancy cart."
She's never been this sassy before. No one has ever deserved it this much.
The ride to Eclipse City is boring and filled with condescending adults who can't even trust the people they hired to do this job. She hates every moment of it.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Dec 23, 2022 8:58:48 GMT -5
Shaa turns to Astrid who had been questioning after and shooting daggery stares at Wylun. Who, Wylun? Yeah I know him. He always introduces himself like that. I mean, you recognized him too right? How could you not recognize a giant ASS walking around in a field.
I heard that… came Wylun’s voice from the drivers seat of the wagon. I hope so…ass. Shaa did know the capable fighter as one of the captains in their employer’s guard. A mercenary with a reputation for destruction almost as widespread as Shaa’s, one could say they ran in similar circles. Just not always on the same side.
The rest of the trip remained calm and uneventful. Soon, they were pulling up to the well kept and green grounds of an ostentatious mansion. As they pull up to the giant double doors, they start disembarking from the wagons while more servants pile out of the house to help with the unloading. Shaa helps Astrid and Spicey Pawsage down from the wagon and onto the immaculate lawn of their employer.
Wylan waves at them. This way, you need to report in. Try not to get dirt on the carpet. Me na na na ne nah. mumbles Shaa mockingly as the two head into the house. Wylun stops just short of the giant doors and looks at Astrid disapprovingly. Animals need to stay outside. Shaa looks at her. You can come in with with us or stay out here with your buddies. Personally I would rather you come in with me to meet with our employer. It would be…
NON SENSE! Came a loud voice from the foyer. Wylun bows his head as a man in a long silk robe approaches the group with arms open wide. Wylun, why are you being so inhospitable? The road has has dulled your sense of propriety. As you say, sir. Shaa Rhunn my furry friend, it has been much too long. Much too long. Not since the uhhh… The incident with the miners..sir. He interjected. Ahhh yes, the miners! That’s right! A man who gets things done is what I asked for in my commission. You got things done alright…just a little slowly. The fancy man playfully pokes Shaa in the ribs and scrapes his finger. Ahh, I always forget how sturdy you are. The man turns to Astrid. And who is this Fire Cracker? Greetings child. I am J. Ruben Handleswight esquire. But please, just call me J. All the blah blah was my father. He points to a giant portrait of a man hanging in the entryway. But we aren’t so pretentious are we? Haha! Jay extends a hand with several jeweled rings to Astrid.
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Dec 24, 2022 0:49:23 GMT -5
The ostentatious man certainly makes an impression. He's gaudy and nicer than the grumpy Wylun, so Astrid thinks she likes him more. While some knights might wear their hearts on their sleeves, J wears his wealth. It's a little off-putting, coming from a background living in squalor or in the streets. People like J rarely gave her a second glance if she wasn't useful. She wonders if this situation is the same.
Of course, Astrid doesn't look like a child of squalor. Sure, her armor is mismatched, but she's well kitted out for a twelve-year-old mercenary, and she has a hellhound and BlixtbotTM Type-I Pawn Model as her loyal companions. These companions were both gifts, but it would be hard to tell that. After all, Platinum Corp can be protective of their products and in whose hands they fall.
Still, she's happy to shake someone's hand, so she reaches out and takes J's hand with a grip as firm as Shaa's. An intrusive thought tells her to crush or crack his rings. She bats that aside. "The firecracker's name is Astrid Stormstone, mister," she says in a friendly voice. "Thanks fer allowin' me dog in. He'll be on his best behavior, I can promise ya that. Our trip was a bit rough, but we made it in one piece all the same. So did yer box. Shaa carried it himself fer a long leg of the journey when our first transport got spooked by an attack. Seems a lotta folks wanna get their hands on whatever's in this crate."
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Dec 24, 2022 12:15:26 GMT -5
J stoops down to meet Astrid at eye level. He opens a broad smile and goes wide eyed and unblinking. He stares at her smiling like they are the only two people in the room. Yes of course Miss Stormstone! I would do anything for my friends. And we are good friends now, aren’t we? He chuckles a bit, stands back up and walks over to the box, motioning for Astrid to follow him over, still not breaking eye contact. You must be curious what’s in this box, right? I mean, you went through so much to bring it here. Surely, the thought had crossed your mind to look. J examines the box, passing his hands over the top, humming something to himself. Nope, no breaks. Look at you girl, so young and yet a consummate professional. Good….very good. Such professionalism deserves a reward don’t you think?
J snaps his fingers at Wylun. Dagger. He says flatly. Wylun walks over and hands J a large dagger from the leather scabbard on his side. J takes the dagger with surprising deftness, still not breaking eye contact with Astrid, twirling it around in his fingers as if it weighed nothing. There was definitely more to this man than his casual demeanor let on. Any guesses Miss Stormstone? What could it be? Let’s find out. With a quick and sharp movement, J jams the dagger into the corner of the lids lip, prying it open on one side. He quickly does the same with all four corners, finally flipping off the lid with a clank on the stone cold floor. J flips the dagger back to Wylun who grabs it midair, returning it to his scabbard in the same motion. The top of the box is full of some sort of dry grass.
With an even wider smile, J takes both hands and clumps up the grass tossing it to the other side of the box. With two fingers, he pulls out a small parcel wrapped in paper, tossing it to Astrid. He takes out indenticle parcels and tosses them to Shaa and Wylun, pulling out another for himself. Unwrapping it, it shows a multicolored ball, about the size of a marble. He pops it in his mouth and smiles with a snort. Sour.
Shaa looks at his parcel and opens it, revealing a deep purple ball. Eating it, it’s sweet to the taste. Candy? You are telling me I almost got my self blown back to the abyss for a snack run? J looked over at Shaa, his smile dissipating somewhat. Don’t be daft man, this was no mere…what did you call it? “ Snack Run”? Wylun laughed off to the side but J held up a hand and he fell quiet. You were carrying more than that. Come. J grabs more parcels from the box, winks at Astrid and motions for the group to follow him down the large hallway.
They eventually find themselves walking into a spacious study. Around the study are open boxes just like they one they had brought in. Some were filled with Knick knacks. Others pottery and glass. One appeared to just be rocks. Only one of the boxes is still closed.
J looks at Astrid again. Let me explain young Miss. In my world, very few things hold any real value anymore. What has value when you have everything, when you want for nothing? You come from poverty do you not? Do not think that I hold it against you, I do not. I actually envy you. Not for your lack, but I envy the joy you FEEL in satisfying your want. I can see that this surprises you. Let me explain.
Let us suppose you have not eaten in 3 days. After 3 days, I offer you a gold coin or a sandwich. Which has more value? You know as well as I that in the world, most would take gold over a sandwich…that is unless…one is starving. The value of the sandwich changed because of your lack. It is with me, when you have everything, I no longer feel the lack so it is hard for me to truly value most anything.
But there is one thing that ALWAYS has value. SECRETS! Yes, because only you and you alone have them they are priceless. And that my dear is what you brought me today. Not some box of treats…but a secret. J holds his hands out to the open boxes. You see, while you were bringing me your box, I had 9 identical boxes all coming here from all over Charon. My enemies had no idea which box had…what we will call a prize of worldly value…so they were forced to attack them all. Because they had to split their forces, their attacks were weak, increasing the likelihood of success for my little venture. My…secret.
Judge me if you will little one but here I sit victorious and my enemies thwarted. And you were a part of that. J gives a small bow. One parting piece of advice. A secret is only a secret until you share it. J ushers them out of the study, the last box still unopened.
J looks at Shaa on the way out. Nice seeing you again. Payment will be sent via the usual methods. My best to you and your boss, wherever she is. Shaa grimaces at the reminder. With a final look at Astrid, J smiles and waves. Safe travels young Miss. Keep your friend out of trouble. With that, they find themselves back on the lawn.
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Dec 24, 2022 16:03:21 GMT -5
While J goes on about his presumptuous monologue, Astrid tries to pay attention, but honestly about halfway through, her eyes start to glaze over. He's using all of this flowery language and pretending he's a genius because he spent a lot of money and endangered extra people all to ensure one thing of some apparent value made it to his mansion. J says all of this to say "I just used you," and Astrid doesn't really appreciate it. She hears the whirring of Charles' gears behind her and quickly looks over her shoulder with a threatening look. Now is not the time for his comments.
Finally, the man is done, and Astrid gives a sugar-sweet but disingenuous smile as she turns around and leaves with Shaa. Avasha above, she could not wait to get out of that situation. On the lawn, she looks around to make sure no one is paying them any great attention, then she lets out a loud, despondent, exhausted groan. Then she whips herself back up to a proper stance, having wiped any frustration from her face, and looks at Shaa.
"Welp! That sucked, and it would've been a lot more fun ta look back on if we hadn't been used like a coupla potato mashers," she says with the most cheerful of voices. "I don't think I'm gonna do any more work fer that guy. Ever." Shaking her head, she crosses her arms. Then her head shakes more and more, and the irritation bubbles up again. "Nope. Never again."
With another sigh, she looks at the minotaur. "Wanna head back ta the guild hall an' tell everyone 'bout the crazy stuff we ran inta?"
Today has been an excellent lesson about capitalism for the half-dwarf. A perfect way to set the stage for the things in her future.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Dec 24, 2022 20:33:34 GMT -5
Shaa looked over at Astrid and let out a long sigh. I hear you, I really do. You just have to keep something in mind. The guild works on commission. It’s how we keep things going. The man we just left happens to contribute A LOT. You will see it a lot in our business. Working with people who are…sometimes not the best. It can be a necessary evil I suppose. But at the end of the day you have to sometimes make a judgment call. Shaa stops for a moment to look back at the mansion. An ally today could be an enemy tomorrow. The main thing is that, no matter what happens, I have got your back, and you have mine. That is how we survive. Not money, not weapons, the members of the guild are what keep us strong and on top. Nothing is more important. Shaa squeezes a small trinket in his pouch. He looks off in the distance and gets far eyed, speaking quietly. I’ve got you…I swear I’ve got you.
Shaking his head a bit, Shaa claps Astrid on the back and smiles. That was some good work out there kid. Come on, the muffin is on me.
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