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Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Dec 10, 2022 11:45:40 GMT -5
Merchants in Gazablaak had been complaining for days, ghosts and spooks in the woods were giving folks a fright. Socket made their way towards one of the many scattered villages, listening to the other travelers along the way. Already, they'd passed several people who'd supposedly been visited by this spirit or spirits. They suspected this was a more mundane occurrence, and had been approaching travelers to gather details.
The village they stopped at first was known for it's fine herbs and medicines, things that would only grow in the odd swampy soup that was the Marsh Flats. They wandered the fields and farms, noting places that had been subject to the ghastly pranks. Indeed, there were tracks, torn bits of fabric, powder from stage makeups... all the markings of a mundane explanation. As they rounded a bend, they noticed someone searching along the bank of a small creek. Probably searching for a particular medicine or herb, Socket approached nonetheless.
Not wanting to startle the young lady, they approached openly and made sure to make plenty of sound with their steps. A soft blue glow emanating from the various joints and plate seams helped dissolve any stealth they might have forgotten. Stopping across the way, they called out in a flat tone "Pardon me Miss, I'm from Gazablaak and have been sent to gather information on rumors about ghosts and spirits haunting folks in and around a few of the villages here in Hauntwood. Have you perhaps seen or heard anything yourself? Any intel would be helpful, even if it seemed unrelated."
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Dec 14, 2022 9:41:57 GMT -5
Kamille didn’t have good memories of the swamp. Between the mud, spiders and a fairly traumatic event that had her swap bodies with a hag, the swamp had been fairly cruel to her in the past and didn’t feel like it would change now. The Witch insisted on coming back, usually for herbs that only chose to grow there. But now she would try to grow them on her house if she could...
The Witch looked around, suspicious, as she approached a small creek, spotting a curious root she thought to be the one she was looking for. With cautious steps, she had barely bent over when she started to hear noises of someone approaching, jolting back up and looking around. Whatever it was that she was expecting, surely it wasn’t what she laid eyes on.
"Wha-... Who are you?"
Truly, she had wanted to ask "what are you" but held herself just in time as she realized how rude that sounded. Kamille had never seen someone like that, and as quick as she jumped back up, her suspicion melted into curiosity. After all, whatever she was, she didn’t look... aggressive? She took a moment longer to finally register what was being asked of her, and then another one to finally answer, all the while she blatantly stared at that curious being that revealed themselves before her.
"....are you telling me there are ghosts here?! I can’t believe it! This is a cursed place! This is it, I'm out! If you get wind of this forest burning down, it's on me....ghosts! I can’t even.... Ghosts?! I... don't think I have seen anything weird....... so far......"
The flutter of wings announced the arrival of a raven, that landed on the woman’s shoulder. The raven, as much as the woman, was first and foremost curious about this person before them, tilting his head as he looked them up head to toe.
"CAWW! Hello!"
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Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Dec 14, 2022 13:29:55 GMT -5
The construct raised their arms, open palms facing the startled young lady. She'd been in the swamps before but seemed to be disheartened by the latent hazards it presents. Doing their best with limited moving parts, they tried to appear as peaceful and calm as possible.
"Greetings to you as well, fine feathery friend." They quipped to the raven. "Again, these are rumors miss... the likely explanation is that there are some young rascals giving tourists and travelers a fright for their personal giggles." Socket stated evenly, a tinny synthetic sound that seemed to carry a hum like a piece of metal after being struck. Trying to calm a person down was no easy task, and it seemed as though the young lady was quick to fright of this place.
'I'm still terrible at interacting with people... I must learn to greet them first, and be less direct with questions... so many variables with social interaction require abstract understanding, it's a wonder I haven't overloaded every bit of my neural network.' They thought to themselves, and hoped that some day would be able to handle better. Curiosity and determination would see them through, and a desire to learn would be their comfort.
"My name is Kosoku, though most of my friends call me Socket. I apologize for giving you a fright miss, as most can plainly tell, I'm not from this place, and wasn't designed to be diplomatic or adept with social situations." Only after the statement did Socket focus their attention outward, into the surrounding area as they continued their assignment.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Dec 15, 2022 4:21:19 GMT -5
Some pranksters, you say? Well... That... Sounded a bit better. Ghosts can't be trapped on earth or set on fire but other people can. And Kamille had already found herself captivated by this Socket, as she called herself. She was trying really hard to look peaceful, and even if in any other circumstances that would've looked suspicious, Kamille thought this was honest.
Kamille had a difficult expression. For one, she wanted to leave the bog now - she actually wanted to leave as soon as she arrived - but on the other hand, she was incredibly curious about that being before her. She looked like some kind of arcane construct, but was much more elaborated and intelligent. She would want to know more about her.
"....Socket, right? Can I call you Socket? How about we do this... You're after these people right? That are making this.... pranks, I guess? Are you some kind of authority or guard here?"
Socket didn't look like it, but it didn't hurt to ask. In the end, Socket's position at the marsh was very much similar to Kamille's own position at Moonglade, of a self appointed protector with no real ties to the local government or law. They both took on the mantle on their own accord, she assumed.
"If... You say this is not real ghosts here... Maybe I could help? I can help you.... If, by the end of this, you agree to have a drink and tell me your story."
What was she doing?! She was agreeing to hunt down supposed ghosts? For her curiosity? For more than once, in that same day, Kamille came back to the thought that her curiosity would be the thing to kill her, in the end...
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Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Dec 15, 2022 17:40:07 GMT -5
"I'll answer your questions in order as best I am able. Yes, you may call me Socket, that would be fine. Yes, I'm after the cause of this ruckus, on authority from Gazablaak's leaders. You're welcome to help, though know that my goal is not to harm anyone if possible, just convince them to stop spooking travelers for their amusement. I would gladly join you after this adventure and answer whatever questions you may have, though I don't need food or drink to sustain myself." The construct answered, lowering their arms as she seemed to have calmed quite a bit.
"Do you have a preferred name miss? Does your fine, feathered friend also have a name? Lastly, would you partake of sharing more about yourself during this meal afterwards?" Socket inquired, having a bit of their own curiosity and desire for new perspectives piqued. As they were conversing, the sound of distant voices of a sort echoed through the trees. The language was aery, fluid, and one Socket didn't recognize.
Activating Fluency, Socket's 'ears' swiveled about, tracking towards the voices. It seemed to be a conversation between three beings once the conversation became intelligible.
"... running scared, like frogs stumbling into a snake's den!! Let's find another! ANOTHER!!"
"yes yes, trickies are the bestest, and the shouts of ghosts and spirits haunting the woods has spread far, the tourists have no clue!"
"Hahahahahah that last one though... he was as white as paper... we pranked them well, and hopefully the next one is even better, let's see if we can make them soil themselves mwaahahhahahaa!!"
Socket's expression changed, what little of their helm could move all seemed to draw itself up in anticipation. The construct steadied itself and began to formulate a plan. "Do you hear those sounds, the odd language they carry? It seems we might not have to search too much, as the bits I could parse point to our culprits."
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Dec 18, 2022 13:35:12 GMT -5
"Where are my manners... My name is Kamille, and the raven is called Mischief. Yes, I'd love to talk more once this matter is settled."
Apparently, this person didn't need to eat or drink? Curious. They weren't designed to be diplomatic or adept with social situations? That was a bit more ominous, for if their role wasn't a diplomatic one, she could only imagine one task such constructs could be made for...
Destruction.
But she waved such thought for now, as Socket looked pretty friendly and careful in not startling her even more. Once they started to hear other voices, however, Kamille startled and looked around, trying not to be seen with the very feeble sense of stealth she had. She was not, in any way, a discrete person, but she stopped to listen, and only spoke again when the voices were gone. It was clear a group of people was staging these frights, but from what she heard... she wasn't even positive they were adults. Handling children would require a bit more of care and restraint. A plan started to form on her head, and she started to speak in a shushed tone.
"Socket... What if... we gave them the taste of their own medicine? I can make objects fly, and I assume Mischief can make some haunting sounds... Mischief? What do you think?"
The raven proped on her shoulder started to happily dance up and down, clearly agitaded at the idea. He was a smart bird, and certainly didn't earn his name for nothing...
"And then... I assume you can take these people to the authorities to handle them and see what could be done of them... What do you think?"
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Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Dec 18, 2022 16:56:47 GMT -5
A plan was forming to their mind now, with Kamille and Mischief's help, it would be fairly simple to pull off. Socket, being a construct with Sky magic, could act as the 'ghost', flying around over their heads and casting an eerie glow to hide their nature. In the meantime, the pair could make things fly around the woods and create 'disembodied' sounds and voices. Socket looked to Kamille, whom they felt an odd sense of comfort in speaking to and began to explain their ideas.
"I'm versed in the magic of Sky's domain, and could use that magic to hover and zoom around erratically. In the meantime, Mischief could use their talents to make a ghastly, disembodied voice that seemed to follow them from behind. Lastly, we fling harmless distractions all around 'til they run off towards home. I'll follow them back home, and let their families know what's been going on, and report their names and the incident to the authority. Most likely though, the fright they'll be given will be enough to make the group stop and deter others from doing the same."
The plan seemed to their reckoning to be the best outcome for all involved. No lasting harm to anyone, the pranking stopped, and a strong lesson to the youngsters that there are very real consequences to their actions. They gave Kamille a moment to deliberate the plan, and tried to keep tabs on the voices and the direction they were moving in. Approaching the meadow seemed to be their current direction, but the pair still had some time before the group made the clearing.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Dec 20, 2022 10:11:52 GMT -5
This arcane construct, this Socket, kept her intrigued. Socket was very different from other creations she had seen before, even if at a surface level everything fit. The sorf of emotionless speech, the protocols.... Still, something kept scratching at the back of her mind of how unusual she was. For a start, that didn’t seem to belong to one of her protocols, and yet here she was, devising creative plans and taking the initiative. Kamille was deeply intrigued by this construct.... And while she didn’t have any ties to the swamp except rage and hatred, Socket seemed to have a more pleasant connection to it. It would do her good to have some friends in a place like that, she wondered. Yes, certainly they could scare some naughty children.... Mischief was already excited enough, dancing up and down her shoulder. Kamille would have to do her best to keep herself hidden, but she wondered the distraction around them hopefully would be enough. " I'm not very good at keeping myself hidden, if that wasn't obvious enough. But we can try that, and I can do a bunch of stuff from a distance. I'm sure Mischief will agree with doing it." The raven, more eager than the both of them, seemed to think that this was his cue, for he took flight and flew towards the voices. This prompted Kamille to shoot Socket a concerned look. They have barely prepared! " .......take your position, I assume?!?!?" Mischief, as a good raven, didn’t earn his name just because. Whether he already did it before or just was smart enough to know what they wanted - which was.... unlikely - hid among the trees leaves where he could spot the group of tricksters. From the depths of his tiny bird brain, he came up with a sound that seemed haunting enough: a deep, gurgling sound left his break, randomly cut by a high pitched cackle.
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Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Dec 20, 2022 12:44:13 GMT -5
"That is indeed a frightful sound." They remarked, using Step of the Wind and Gust Thrust in combination, they streaked off through the trees on all fours, a dazzling electric glow gave the construct the appearance of an elemental spirit. They made no sound as they moved through the air, using Cat's Grace and Silent Step in tandem to navigate the swamp without a sound. Vaulting a small creek, they caught the first glimpse of the group, looking to set up another prank along the road.
The silence was broken by the electric crackle of lightning and a rush of wind, Socket ended the gap between themselves and their quarry with Bullet Dash, sailing over the heads of the pranksters. As one, the group looked up, saw a glowing beast running through the trees without touching anything, and bolted in the opposite direction. Conveniently, this was towards the clearing where Kamille and Mischief were.
Giving chase, the automaton kept on the group's heels, corralling them into the clearing much like hunting with a group. Their panic and swift escape saw bits of the costumed disguises torn away, revealing the culprits. Three adolescents made for the other side of the clearing hounded by Socket and the disembodied cries of Mischief. Free of the shady underbrush, Socket could see their clothing was tattered and patchwork, their skin was caked with dust and dirt, and they looked gaunt.
Orphans, A Kobold, Lizardfolk and Tiefling, 3 young boys who'd not seen a decent meal or bath in too long. The automaton understood it too well, having been on both sides themselves in the past. From their vantage point above, they spotted Kamille, making a pass at the lads any time one tried to wander too close. Mostly they circled the clearing, darting in and out of the brush for dramatic effect before swooping by. The construct dove and pounced, making a spectacle that was easy to follow and allow Kamille to improvise easily with.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Dec 22, 2022 15:18:24 GMT -5
Mischief was probably having too much fun with that, flying softly between the trees and starting his cackling noise once again. Kamille's scruf hairs stood up as she remembered the hag that had found her in that very swamp. If she didn’t know all of that was staged, she would've probably burned the whole swamp down.
Kamille remained at the distance, knowing full well she wasn’t the stealthy kind. But even in a distance, between the leaves and trunks, she could see the people responsible for that whole mess: they were young and mistreated, probably never wore a good pair of shoes in their life. While she still would've wanted to follow with the plan regardless, she also understood their situation. Once the noises began, they first faced it with a good deal of disbelief, but once Socket came, the panic really set in.
Kamille watched as Socket embodied the haunting, while Mischief had his fun doing the noises. The arcane construct intrigued her greatly, moving flawlessly between the trees, so swift as to be confused by an apparition. The Witch herself would probably be foled should she be on their place - and once again she felt a chill run up her spine. Shaking it off, Kamille knelt, putting one hand to the ground and focusing. The ground shook slightly, and the earth receeded just a bit behind one of the boys, only enough to make him trip and fall [1]. Then, she waved her hand and several stones and sticks around the clearing started to float, shooting from one side of the clearing to the other [2].
The boys panicked, their disguises completely forgotten by then. One of them, the lizardfolk, who also happened to be the bigger among them, seemed to have found his courage when his friend tiefling fell. He grabbed a stick and held it like one would hold a sword. He looked around frantically, his eyes shot out in fear, but wouldn’t leave the side of his friends regardless.
"I know you're out derr! Come an' get me!"
[1] Mold Earth [2] Telekinesis
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Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Dec 22, 2022 20:49:48 GMT -5
Swooping into the clearing, Socket tweaked their vocals to create an electrical static that broke the sound of their voice to make it seem like several overlapping, disjointed sources that radiated from their vicinity. Pulling up to hover outside the Lizardfolk's reach, the construct called down the trio.
"You who have disturbed the peace of this place, have drawn the ire of the spirits that rest in these woods... Go BACK!! Begone from the Hauntwood, before the fury before you becomes the consequences that so many others have befallen... Tell your mothers and fathers of your deeds, tell all those who would seek to follow... Warn them of the spirits of the wood, and that trifling with their affairs will be met with swift retribution!!"
The boys fell into a panic, and Socket emphasized the totality of the warning by casting a quick Gust Thrust, upending the Tiefling's footing and plopping them face first into the swampy muck. As the trio scrambled up to make their way out of the woods, the automaton followed them from the clearing for a few moments to discern their direction of travel.
"Friggin' spooks... Friggin' haunted woods... Why'd I let you two stone melons get me caught up in this?"
"Who cares!! Run you fool, I want to be home... I want to be warm... I'm out!!"
"Tch... spirits of the wood... bet they couldn't do anything more if they tried... I coulda taken the lot of em..."
The boys sulked, following the path back to Gazablaak. Socket returned shortly after making sure they'd get home safely to check on Kamille and thank both her and Mischief for their help. They turned their glow down, but not off, letting it softly peek through the spaces in their panels. Stepping lightly across the ground, they bounded into the clearing like an overgrown mechanical cat and came sliding to a halt nearby.
"Now that was a good prank!! Well done to you both for your help, especially Mischief.... the color was drained right out of their bodies when stuff started flying around... Tripping them up was a nice touch as well! Was that Earth Domain magic?"
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Dec 26, 2022 19:01:38 GMT -5
A chill ran up her spine as Socket made their voice sound like multiple voices. Surely they were good at it - and if what they told her was right and these kinds of situations weren’t written in their protocols, sure they were able to learn and adapt rather quickly. The Witch wondered where they came from...
Kamille could hear some of what the boys were cursing as they made their way back to the village, stumbling and fumbling some more. She would probably want to have a stern talk to the person responsible for them, even if her interest was not on their punishment: she wanted to know how they were being taken care of, and what prompted the pranks. Mischief came back from between the trees, looking awfully proud of his own achievement. Kamille squinted her eyes at the bird.
"I don’t remember ever teaching you that........"
The raven gurgled with delight. Socket approached soon after, and Kamille turned to them, without doing much to avoid glancing up and down while distractedly answering the question.
"Yes, that was Earth domain magic... You come from the village, right? I hope the boys won't be severely punished... Maybe I could come by just to talk to the people responsible for them, once everyone has cooled down... What you did there was great. I guess they won't be pulling up this kind of pranks again anytime soon... Did you say you come from this place? Were you.... born here?"
Kamille wasn’t sure how to address an arcane construct that looked so... human. So adaptable.
Interesting...
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Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Dec 26, 2022 21:02:21 GMT -5
"I'm a citizen of Gazablaak, yes... though that isn't where I was built. The boys won't be punished too harshly, but they'll have extra chores or something of the like to make it up to folks. I was created in another place, another... realm beyond the space and time of this one. I'd be happy to talk more about this somewhere a bit more... presentable perhaps?"
Socket understood curiosity, and had questions of their own. First, finding somewhere that wasn't the mired clearing would make things warmer. Second, there would be a measure of privacy and perhaps even a meal for their companions. Turning about, the construct strode towards town. Let actions speak for themselves was a constant thought in their mind, and pondered for a moment making the choice more interesting. With a bit of consideration, they concluded enough excitement had taken place for one day.
The inn was easy to find, following the main road right past it's large, hand carved sign. Socket walked in and greeted the innkeeper. "A room for the night please, and a menu would be great." "Ahh, having another meeting? I'll be right back Socket." "Indeed, curiosity never sleeps, so neither do I." A moment later, they came back with a key, and a folded piece of light colored leather. Inside, the menu was written on a slate, and the opposite side had a slate and chalk to write out your order. Between these was an overlapping, padded base that separated the rolled menu.
They took a seat on the bench near the entrance and waited to see if Kamille would follow along.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Dec 29, 2022 9:22:26 GMT -5
With Mischief perched on her shoulder once more, Kamille didn’t seem to see anything wrong in following Socket back to the village. It has been enough adventures for the day, indeed, and even if she didn’t find the plant she was looking for, at least she got to meet this arcane construct that had intrigued her so much and that had made the trip through the swamp much more bearable.
"Oh? I have met people before who said they came from different planes of existance or different worlds...... What is it like where you came from, if you don’t mind me asking? What is it called?"
Socket seemed receptive and patient enough, which probably was a mistake on her end, since the Witch didn’t stop shooting her down with questions and iddle chattering from the marsh to the inn. There was a sigh of relief once they set foot on the more solid ground of the inn, and Kamille did seem to appreciate Socket's willingness in answering her questions. For herself, Kamille asked for a simple stew with bread and cheese and some ale, following Socket to their table near the entrance.
"Do you eat? How do you keep yourself up? I'm sorry if I'm being nosy, it's just... I have never seen anyone like you before." The arcane constructs Kamille had seen through her life were wildly different to Socket, with much more........ rigid protocols.
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