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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Jan 7, 2023 5:22:26 GMT -5
Kamille followed right before Shaa, less than a step behind. It occurred her that, if Shaa needed to swing his arm around, he'd probably hit her too - but thankfully, they didn't need to witness that, as the house soon came into view. A shiver ran down her spine, as the noises of the forest - growling.werewolves, bustling bushes, dry leaves and birds - all came to a stop. This is not good, she thought to herself. The Witch approached the gate to inspect it closer. She would've busted it open just to see what happened, but she valued Shaa's input and decided to try and take an alternative route. Once again, she turned to Mischief.
"Mischief, try and see if there is somewhere else we can go in that the fence is broken or open."
Once again, Mischief cawed happily and flew away. For all his mischievous nature, it always surprised her when he actually followed orders. The raven knew when to take things seriously, and seemed interested in their adventures. Kamille often had a hard time setting the raven to find herbs, though. She turned to Shaa.
"What worries me the most is this mist. I'm not sure what it is, if it will put us to sleep, if it's corrossive, if it can make us hallucinate. Could be anything. And I don't have any spell that could dismiss it without doing some kind of damage or noise, so if our idea is to be discrete, my suggestion is: we find an alternative entrance point. These houses usually have a cellar with an entrance on the outside that is quite often much easier to break into."
It came to her mind to use a fireball changed into a mote of wind to dismiss the mysterious mist, but it wouldn't come without some kind of damage. In a matter of a few moments, Mischief was back, cawing happily.
"CAAWWW! Right here! Right here!"
And flew off again to guide them to a supposedly easier way in.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Jan 8, 2023 19:59:43 GMT -5
As the two followed the Raven around the outside of the garte, it became clear that the mist ran the width and breadth of the property. Soon enough however, the Raven perched on top of a fallen tree that had crushed a section of the iron gate. It would only be an issue now of walking along the dead tree into the property itself. Despite the size of the tree, the top could not be seen as the tree disappeared into the mist as soon as it crossed the fence line. Far off voices now could be heard coming from inside the mist.
Ummm well this looks like a pretty easy way in…Shaa picked up a nearby stone from the forest floor and lobbed it into the mist. He could hear the WOOSH of the stone but, for some reason, he did not hear it actually land on the other side. Only the lonely voices of the mist could be heard. He could not make out anything distinct, just that there was someone or some THING over on the other side of the fence. Shaa began to wonder if the fence was meant to keep people out or perhaps, meant to keep something IN.
Shaa looks over at Kamille. I’m pretty sure this is the proverbial “point of no return” Once we get inside, we are going to have to deal with…whatever..is over there. Shaa reaches out his large well calloused hand towards Kamille. I promised to keep you safe. What do you say? Into the dark we go?
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Jan 11, 2023 17:05:36 GMT -5
Walking into a thick mist, blindly, surrounding a haunted house in the middle of the werewolf forest? Excelent idea. Great idea.
"Just....... Just hold on a minute....."
Kamille squinted her eyes at the mist, as if it had just called her fat. Before she would go blindly walk into a suspicious mist like that, however, she would run a few tests. She extended her hand, and it would seem that she would randomly launch a small fireball in the house's direction; but as she was preparing the spell, the flames that twisted and turned around her hand gave way to a small tornado contained in between her hands [1]. Kamille released it directly into the mist, and...
It was pointless. Instead of dissipating, even if for a bit, the mist immediately engulfed the winds she created - and moreso, there was no noise of the landing. Voices echoed within the fog, but they couldn’t make of any word, even if at the back of their minds they found some unsettling familiarity in these voices. No doubt, it was a trap or labyrinth or trial, and they couldn’t dismiss the fog by any means, magical or not, so the only way through seemed to be.... through the mist.
"Just.... one more test...."
Hesitation flashed before her eyes, but then she stuck her hand into the fog. After the moment of anxiety fizzled out, she chuckled nervously.
"Okay, so.... it's not corrossive! We're not gonna melt there... But still, I'm guessing we should be careful... Do not let me release your hand, okay? Let's go..."
The Witch was clearly hesitant in going in, but regardless she took Shaa's hand and held it firmly. There was some feeling of safety and trust in the feel of his calloused hand around her smaller, delicate one - trustworthy hands, hands of a warrior. His bigger fingers around hers made her feel like a child, and that got a genuine chuckle out of her - only for her to realize the timing was terrible.
"I'm sorry. Let's go. I know we can make it."
She accepted his help to jump on top of the tree, and Shaa would easily hoist her up. Kamille still looked eerily suspicious of it, but as she squeezed his hand, she gave him a nod to move on, letting him take the lead to walk into the unknown whiteness ahead.
Into the mist they went.
While it was not specially cold nor moist, all of the hairs of her scruff rose when she felt this weird pressure on her ears as they dove into the whiteness. The mist was thick, seemingly muffling their steps, swirling around them lazily and unassuming. Coming and going, echoing in all directions, they could still hear voices that sounded so eerily familiar, without making out the words of it, always almost there. Their own surroundings were all white, and they could barely see an inch before them. The first moments of their walk were spent in silence, as if fearing to grab the attention of whatever lurked beyond, as if bracing themselves for what's to come. Then the realization came to her that, if there was something out there, it probably already knew of their presence... It took her a while to notice that they weren’t trying to balance off of a trunk anymore, but walking on what appeared to be grass. But they did get into by jumping on a fallen tree, right? She didn’t recall jumping off the tree once they got into the fog. Huh...
"Can you see anything, Shaa? I can’t see an inch ahead of me..."
Even her voice felt muffled, distant, nearly dissembodied while still coming from her lips. She squeezed his hand once again, the only real reassurance he was there - even his towering figure was blurred by the thick mist, and all she saw was a large person in front of her. Looking around, she squinted her eyes at the mist. Unless she was very much mistaken, amidst the whispers, sometimes she could even see some faint light traveling across the spiraling fog that engulfed them. Looking down, instead of grass, now they seemed to be walking on some kind of cobblestone pavement. The fact she didn’t even notice the change made her worried. This thing is messing with my senses, she heard a faint voice, screaming at the back of her head...
"Do you hear this, Shaa?"
"What happens... when you open a door in a house that's on fire?"
She stopped on her tracks, startled, looking around nervously.
"What? Did you hear that? Shaa?"
Her hand squeezed and pulled at Shaa's. Except his hand was less... hairy. And more delicate, with long fingers. She could tell a lot about a person from their hands, and these were hands of a scholar, with a singular, golden band. Her own hand still enveloped by his, but... instead of long fingers and pampered nails, hers was chubbier, some of the nails bitten off.
"Shaa?"
But it wasn’t Shaa's gaze that she met when she looked up. Instead, inquisitive dark blue eyes squinted at her.
"Focus, Milly. Now, what happens... when you open a door in a house that's on fire?"
The ground felt closer than before, and as she focused on her surroundings again, the general shapes swirling around got sharper and the details came into focus. The white cobblestone street, the lights hanging high above. Eclipse City was so beautiful during the festivals... So much to see, and so much to try! That was a time when the world looked so big and sparkly for her, all the colors brighter, all the walls taller.
"Milly? Do you want the candy or not?"
[1]Fireball + Elemental Master
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Jan 11, 2023 21:10:24 GMT -5
As the two walked across the fallen tree, the mist wrapped around them like a thick blanket. Shaa was a little annoyed that walking hand in hand with a beautiful woman was getting all jacked up by mystical shenanigans. As it happens, I have an excellent sense of direction, whether I can see or not. It was true. Shaa could normally navigate the trickiest mazes with no problem. He had lots of ways to perceive his surroundings without using his eyes. This would be a cake walk…or would it?
Shaa could tell they were moving in the right direction. The soft grass shuffled beneath their feet. Wait. Grass? When did they leave the log? That was strange. Shaa gently squeezed Kamille’s hand, being extra careful not to break anything. Her hand felt cold and stiff for some reason. Not like before. Shaa pulled her closer to check on her only to find he was holding a tree branch. What in the green beard of Ginma? Shaa drops the branch to the ground and holds his massive arms out to feel around. Kamille? Kamille where are you? Shaa could hear the whispering in the mist get louder. This way… come…this way…
Shaa had too many bad experiences following creepy voices in the dark. They had, to date, never ever lead to anything good or even slightly helpful. It was always some trap or beast that wanted to eat his face or other dumb thing. Shaa decided to try something else. Shaa stamps on the ground sending tremors through the earth to see who was really around. As the waves came back, Shaa was shocked to feel that perhaps hundreds of beings were surrounding him. Immediately on his guard, the whispering returns. You…must follow….must….follow….
Take the hint, I’m not coming! Shaa yells to the mist in frustration. Suddenly, he can hear a growl behind him. Who’s there? He asks, wondering if any of the werewolves have followed him. I can hear you….I know you are out there…you don’t scare me…Shaa scans his eyes back and forth, looking for the sound. In front of him, he finally sees it. No way…. Defying all reason, is a giant sandwich with four legs, like a dog, is standing in front of him. There it was. A long loaf of white bread, meat, lettuce, tomatoes, mustard and razor sharp teeth. Not believing what he is seeing, he rubs his eyes and looks again. The giant sandwich monster is still there, positioning himself for an attack. Ohh I knew I shouldn’t have ate those mushrooms…. He says to himself. This is just a dream, only a The sandwich monster jumps at him and scratches his arm. Agghh, bad sandwich! Bad bad Sandwich! The monster continues to growl and moves to the other side, ready to strike. Kamille! Where are you?!
Ground Tremors 1/2
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Jan 17, 2023 10:16:45 GMT -5
" It explodes!" her own childish voice answered. " The influx of oxygen can make the fire flare up and it goes BOOOOOM!" Each right answer was rewarded with a small smile, and her heart overflowed with joy until she grinned brightly and wide, dimples and all. Unlike her, his smiles were rare and restrained, usually contained to a small rehearsed pull of the lips that didn’t reach his icy eyes. But when he smiled to her, it was an involuntary - yet discrete - curve of the corners of the mouth, and a small wrinkle at the eyes. " And what are the signs of poisoning from the Lilac Maiden?" " Greyish discoloration of the gums, nails and sometimes a darkened ring forms around the irisis!" " That’s correct. Which candy do you want?" The festivals were a ritual for the two of them. The King could burst into flames the day prior and it wouldn't keep them from visiting Eclipse City that time of the year, when they decorated the streets with lanterns and sold all kinds of colorful trinkets, paper dragons and caramel candies. Benethuil was one of those to consider the Arcane Academy a failed institution, taking her education into his own hands. Quizzes were a part of their routine when she was younger, but it eventually came a time when she got older that he had to step back for a moment and allow someone else to take her as apprentice. And that's when the problems started to arise. " You are late." Several years later, under another's tutelage, it became harder for him to control her comings and goings. The infirmary was inconspicuous enough, but she knew he didn’t like her slip ups. She created attachments so easily.... It was only a matter of time until she got hurt. " Valatar kept me to copy some old scrolls..." she remembered how the lie came easily to her rebellious younger self, with the audacity to think she was fooling her father. " I see....." " Kamille! Where are you?" " Shaa?" " Shaa? Who's Shaa?" Who was Shaa? Why that name came into her mind? The memory was just out of reach, and she felt that if she stretched her fingers just a bit more, she would touch it. But the fog swirled around in her mind, twisting her memories. " Milly? Answer me. Who is Matthew?" Matthew? What about Shaa? The memory of Matthew is one of those that brings a sharp sting to the heart. He had been recovering so well after almost losing his arm to a monster - and they hit it off so quickly, even if it became clear soon enough she wasn't a nurse like she claimed. He didn't seem to mind to be her guinea pig, gritting his teeth everytime she approached to clean his wound, regardless. The Mater went against her father's orders and allowed her into the infirmary to learn whatever she wanted - even if that meant, ultimately, to attract the Court Wizard's rage. But it was a time when Benethuil looked much more reasonable and reserved and poised, and they all thought they could fool him. Or, at least, reason with him. That was a mistake. " Matthew is a friend," she finally answered. " Oh...? And where is Matthew now?" " Dead." With greyish discoloration to the gums and nails, discrete enough to the Mater to dismiss. Or maybe even she was afraid...? " I'm sorry about that." He wasn't. " The Mater said that if I prayed for Solaria, maybe the Gods would grant me the gift of healing, and then I could help him..." she finally confided in the only person she had left to confide. " ...........And now, Matthew is dead." The fog persisted, but it wasn't as dense as she remembered it. It didn't happen like that. Where was Shaa? " The Gods are whimsical, and while the life of a person may mean the world to us, we're but speckles of dust twirling in the wind, to their whim..." They don't care about us. We're nothing to them. Once, she had compared maddness to a fog, clouding and twisting one's thoughts, once again turning to the Gods to find a way to lift it up from her father's mind when he became unstable and prone to fits of rage. Once again, she turned to Solaria to shine his light upon them to lift that fog up and bring her father back. " But I'm sorry about all of this..." The hug had felt reassuring and warm at the time - suffocating, pressuring, containing -, even if with the corner of the eyes she saw a single Lilac Maiden in the middle of the flower arrangement on their fireplace. The Gods had failed her once again - but it never occured to her until now it wasn't her father's mind that was clouded by mists... " This is not real...." The ground shakes beneath her feet, and that she could trust - the solidity of the stone and earth. It was only for a moment, but it brought a feeling of urgency to the back of her mind. This is not real, she repeated to herself, as she was suddenly aware of a sting to her shoulder that wasn't there a moment ago. The sweet memories of her childhood brought back into a twisted patchwork of hallucinations to keep her at bay wasn't enough to avoid the feeling of dread that slithered up her spine. This isn't real...I was so wrong.
A sudden burst of energy flowed outward - but it came as a surprise to her how deep she had to scrape from her mana reserves to find it in her the strength to cast the spell. The flames coursed through her body and instantly a screeching sound right above her shoulder made her recoil [1]. While her shape ingulfed by the flames became a lighthouse among the mist, the creature that had lodged on her shoulder to steal her mana had been hit by the fiery aura that she had finally summoned up. The illusion flickered, and instead of finding herself in her childhood home, she was in a misty field, surrounded by dozens of hungry eyes glaring through the mist that had already started to dissipate. The pain cut through her mind, bringing in the sharpness of the reality into the forefront of her perceptions once again. They were in the Werewolf Forest. She was there with Shaa. They needed to do something. The creature that attacked her reminded her of a scorpion, with a long tail that opened up in a deadly flower, with petals of sharp teeth... but she also noticed how the air around the flower buzzed with arcane residue and mana. Her mana. " They're mage hunters, Shaa! They steal our mana! Magic will be less effective on them!" The screeches of the creature that attacked her still rang in her ears, but it looked like it got injured enough to make the illusion falter for a moment. And with that, not very far from where they stood, for the first time since they entered the mist it was actually possible to spot the house they were meant to enter. [1]Inferno form
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Jan 17, 2023 13:14:02 GMT -5
Fending off blow after blow from the killer sandwich, Shaa considered just eating him to see what it would do. There of course was the possibility this was all just in his head and he would end up eating a log or something so he managed to stave off the temptation. He needed to focus on what he knew. He knew he was here. Kamille was out here somewhere as well. Based on his Terramancy from earlier, there was a bunch of other living things here as well, messing with them from the fog. But who attacks with magic fog? Whoever wants to keep everything out of that house is who. Real or not, there was something out to get them and they needed to get through this.
This is not real…came a familiar voice from the fog. Was that Kamille or the whatever they were? The giant sandwich monster made a grab for his hand. Shaa turns and kicks the sandwich hard in the loaves. It squeals a bit and retreats into the fog. Serves you right stupid….
They're mage hunters, Shaa! They steal our mana! Magic will be less effective on them!"
Shaa tries carefully to move closer to the voice in the mist. As he does, the mist parts just enough to see several scorpion flower things skitter around the ground. Shaa briefly sees a blaze of fire before it vanishes back into the moist cover of the grey mist. Was that Kamille? And what did she say those things were…mage hunters?? In Kings Valley, there is a cave of creatures known as the Hagu Morath or Magic Eaters. The cave is sealed off now but in his younger stupider days, Shaa had almost been wiped clean by a pack of Hagu. He ended up just beating them into bloody messes with a rock to survive. Not exactly elegant but it worked. These creatures are meant to attack mages, not true fighters. The mist was further evidence that they were not looking for a head on conflict. Too bad for them, Shaa didn’t need rocks anymore.
No magic, that was the key. He would show them what a fighter’s spirit could do. Shaa put his large hands together and started his breathing exercises. Closing his eyes to concentrate, he could feel all of creatures skittering around him. Back and forth on the grass. Mist or not, they could not hide from him now. With a twist of his hands, Shaa uses his soul to summon 2 hand axes made of non magical ice, one for each of his hands. Pushing himself to his center, Shaa can feel pure adrenaline rushing through his veins. His heart beating faster and faster. Then, in an instant, his charge has begun.
One by one, Shaa senses his opponents in the mist. Running at 2x his normal speed, the creatures are not nearly fast enough to evade him. Those who are not trampled under foot, get their heads and tails sliced off in quick succession. They try in vain to to throw up magical defenses only to find the soul powered axe ignores them and cleaves right through. Up and down over and over, Shaa leaves a crunchy mess in his wake.
There are only less than a dozen of the creatures left now, scattering in every direction. Nope, you don’t get away that easy. Throwing the axes sin opposite directions, Shaa causes them to explode in a deadly hail of ice shards. The rest of the creatures scream as they are skewered on the frosted blades of cold relentless death. The mist starts to dissipate and the path to the manor is now clear. Shaa can see Kamille standing not too far away. You ok?
Art of the Avalanche Adrenaline Rush 1/2 Fighters Sense Monastery Master Juggernaut
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Jan 20, 2023 7:49:46 GMT -5
As Shaa used his skills to make mashed potatoes of the enemies, the mist started to become thinner, as it became clear it was those creatures themselves that created it. Kamille had no way of handling stuff on her own if not by magic, so she was well aware that if it weren't for Shaa, she would probably be dead. The place in her shoulder where the creature attached was bloodied, and while it hurt, what made her worry even more was how much the creature got to drain her of her magic. She couldn't be sure for now, or where was that specific hunter.
Kamille put one hand to her wound, but instead of trying to contain or heal it, she seemed to pull more blood out of it, in a scarlet stream of droplets glistening and clotting on her extended palm. Her own blood took the shape of a small dagger, that looked like it was entirely made of ruby, of a deep red color and polished to a mirror. While not particularly skilled with weapons, the Witch knew the most important rule of using them: stick the enemy with the pointy end.
The sounds of Shaa's massacre surrounded her, and though the crunch of bones was sickening, it made her once again glad to be in the minotaur's company. Kamille turned in time just to be tumbled over by another one of those creatures, but this time she was prepared, and the small blade in her hand found its way between the creature's chittin armor - more by accident than by design. While barely keeping the weight of the creature off of her, her back pressed against the grass, the dagger sunk to its flesh started consuming their own vitality, at least enough to close off Kamille's own shoulder wound. Upon the approach of the minotaur, the scorpion like creature seemed to give up on its prey and jumped off, squittering away and almost taking her dagger with the pull.
While essentially not that much hurt, and the only wound she sustained more or less healed, Kamille looked shook. She rose to her feet and shook her head, her breath still coming out in sharp exhales that made her lungs hurt. Turning around, she saw the giant minotaur close and felt relief wash over her. He was okay, they were okay, they could do it. And the path that lead to the entrance of the manor was clear. She took a moment to take in the destruction and bloodied puddles that the fighter had left during his rampage.
"That was..... Impressive. I wish I could've seen your techniques but the mist..."
The mist was receding, but there were still a few monsters left that could possibly cover the field in mist once again. She would want to study those creatures, should they get a chance at it on their way out. For now, they needed to make a run for it.
"We can handle the rest on our way out! Let's head to the manor, Shaa!"
Kamille ran for Shaa, and once again grabbed his hand to pull him towards the manor, running for it. Which was... cute, since she possibly needed at least two or three strides to accompany one of Shaa's large steps.
[1]Crimson armaments
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Jan 20, 2023 9:08:13 GMT -5
As Shaa got a better view of the carnage on the manor lawn, he got a clear appreciation of the now disheveled creatures that had assailed them. Yeah, these guys are pretty freaky. But, you get what you pay for right? Fighters Guild Services: We kill horrible things dead… He laughs low and awkwardly. This was why Shaa was not in charge of the guild’s marketing campaigns. As he pulled closer, he notices the blood on Kamille’s shoulder. Oh whoops, did one of those little goblin sniffers get to you? Ugh, that’s embarrassing…for me. Hang on. Shaa pulls out some gauze and sticky paper from a small med kit and covers the wound on Kamille’s shoulder. There ya go, good as new.
At Kamille’s suggestion, Shaa takes her hand and they take off across the lawn to the front porch of the manor. Shaa could hear the mist creatures scattering as they approached. Apparently they had finally learned their lesson, even if it was the hard way. They will seriously think twice about messing with them again, at least that’s what Shaa hoped. Even if they found something cool in the manor, the pair would still need to get out again. If they were carrying a highly magical item on the way out, these magic eaters might get ideas again, so they would need to be careful when the exited. Shaa thought about the crunchy noise they made as he trampled them which, in turn, reminded him of baked goods. With that, Shaa had an errant thought about wanting a cookie as the two stepped up onto the porch. Umm cookie. Realizing that he might have said that aloud, he clears his throat and quickly changes the subject. Aherm, yes. Here we are on the porch and nothing is trying to eat or slay us or whatever, hazah! The feelings of awkwardness and personal idiocy were almost overwhelming. What was wrong with him today?
Shaa walks up to the stained glass manor door. In the glass relief, there is an image of a dragon and a phoenix fighting in the air. His eyes may be playing tricks on him but he could have sworn that he saw them moving. He cautiously reaches out to the brass door knob and taps it on top several times to see if anything happened. When nothing did, he tried to open the door and, to his surprise, it was unlocked and easily swung inward. Of course it was unlocked. Shaa said somewhat skeptically. Please walk right inside my magical death house. We don’t lock our doors because the death monsters on the lawn don’t try to come in. This was way too easy. Shaa looks over at Kamille. Ladies first? He chuckled awkwardly again and shook his head. Just kidding, come on, we will go in together. Shaa held out his hand again as he peered through the open front door into the dark of the hallway beyond.
Small Med Kit
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Jan 20, 2023 10:37:40 GMT -5
The mist had started to fade, but it left a sour aftertaste for her. Half memories, half delusions, how much she could trust her perceptions? No. She firmly shook her head. There was no time for that. They needed to focus on the task at hand. It turns out the old farts she left behind were right about being worried: where there was magical treasures, there were mage hunters. She would have to sheepishly give them a clap and a half for insisting on the involvement of a member of the Fighter's Guild. Kamille looked surprised to see Shaa's worry about her shoulder. Pain was a part of a woman's life as much as a fighter's, so as much as it troubled her, the wound was nearly all closed because of her bloody dagger. Still, she wouldn't push him away, and just allowed him to take care of the remaining wound she sustained. Kamille even found it... cute. And sweet, for this big muscly minotaur who just trampled over a dozen or more creatures just a moment ago, leaving a massacre in his wake... To try and carefully tend to her wound. It was no wonder she heard all good things about Shaa. His uncharacteristic and seemingly random remark about cookies made her tilt her head and raise an eyebrow, clearly confused about it. Was he hungry? She might've brought something with her... But she soon turned her attention to the door before them. Once again she found that the mist may still be trying to mess with her perceptions, so she squinted her eyes at the glass image on the door. Curious....... Well, on that front, Kamille agreed with Shaa. " Yes..... Welcome to my house of horrors.... Last time I was welcomed like this into a house like this, there was a vampire waiting for me........" And that surely didn't end like she expected. She blushed furiously at the memory, shaking her head vigorously. Once again, she accepted the minotaur's hand as they both stepped into the house. First thing she noticed was the smell of old things, dust and mould - much the expected from an old house. Then, in a fright that nearly had her soul leave her body, a flutter of wings behind them announced that Mischief was joining them into the house. The bird was, more or less, smart: he waited out of reach while they both hallucinated and fought, and approached only when the danger seemed to be gone. Once inside the house, while the faint light coming from the entrance still bathed the nearby objects, the raven promptly found a candlestick on top of a small table on the hall. " Bloody bird...... If you don't kill me of fright, nothing will...." Kamille walked over the candlestick, lighting it up with a snap of her fingers [1]. Then, with a small chuckle, she seemed to remind herself of something, using the light of the candles to find something on her purse. With the candlestick in one hand, she rumaged her things only for a moment, and then turned to Shaa once again, offering him.... a cookie. "I thought you might be hungry. Take this."
Sure the timing was not the best.... But what best way to lift morale than to eat a cookie before exploring a possibly haunting and murdering house? [1]Spark
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Jan 20, 2023 12:13:38 GMT -5
Vampires. Shaa had a complicated history with vampires. He had actually very recently released one from an ancient prison named Mubashir. He promised he was actually a good vampire and imprisoned wrongly. The jury was still out on that one so Shaa thought it best not to mention it to anyone in the meantime. Vampires hunh? He hedged. Pretty rough. I doubt there are any here though, surrounded by werewolves and all. Let’s just hope that whoever was here is dead and is planning to stay that way for the foreseeable future. Using his night vision, Shaa can see the house clearly even though there was very little natural light coming in. Only through the door and some shuttered windows throughout. Suddenly he can hear the flapping behind him.
As Kamille’s bird enters the house, it’s wings brush up some errant dirt and dust as it aligns itself on a nearby candle stick. So nice of you to join us bird…when all of the dangers over. As Shaa continues to scan the room, he is surprised and pleased when Kamille offers him a cookie. A little embarrassed about what probably prompted the unexpected generosity, it didn’t last long as he was actually pretty hungry. Taking the delicate treat in his hand, he smiles This is very kind, thank y… Before he can even finish, a small grey flash passes on the top of his hand. The cookie has vanished. You have got to be kidding me.
Looking around the room again, he spots a small grey mouse in the corner munching on his cookie. The scene would have been adorable if it wasn’t for his dark history of snack ruination. Give that back you little thieving rat bastard! Shaa charges after the mouse who immediately scurries away from him towards a flight of stairs leading downward. Give it! The small cookie laden creature hops down the stairs with Shaa close behind. Just as he passes the doorway, the door to the stairs slams shut behind him. He had just broken the cardinal rule of guarding people. Would the idiocy never cease?
Shaa turns back up the stairs and punches the door so hard it should have obliterated it. To his surprise, the door didn’t budge without so much as a mark to indicate the Minotaurs assault. Magic door, of course you are. He leans his head sadly against the door and pounds on it with his head in frustration. Kamiiilllleee….Can you hear me? BANG BANG BANG goes his head on the door. KKAAAMMMIIILLLLEEEE Ugh, he was so getting fired for this. He can already see the write up for this little adventure. I lost one of the most famous mages in Tyvat because I was chasing a mouse with a cookie. People have been leaving half eaten cookies at my office door all day. GIN BANG MAS BANG BEARD! BANG BANG BANG. This little tantrum was getting him nowhere fast. His only option was to go down the stairs to see if there was another way out.
KAMILLE! I DONT KNOW IF YOU CAN HEAR ME OR NOT BUT THE DOOR IS NO GOOD. GOING TO FIND A WAY UP. HANG ON. Hearing no reply, he heads reluctantly down the stairs to see what else is waiting for him.
Night Vision Eyes
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Jan 23, 2023 8:11:56 GMT -5
Kamille's history with vampires possibly went diametrically opposite to Shaa's, so she prefered not to dwell on the subject while she still had time to flee the conversation with grace. Other than that, she agreed with him.
"Dead or alive, the arcane still lingers in this house... Not sure if it's better or worse, though..."
The Witch wouldn't comment how it felt like a huge mistake on Mischief's judgement to read the situation as "free of danger" at that point, but she was glad to have another pair of eyes in the house at that moment, even if the raven was bound to do his own thing in the end. She was busy trying to find the cookie and offering it to Shaa when... her eyes widened in surprise, as a gray flash of fur darts in front of her, and all of a sudden... the cookie is gone!
From all the weird things she expected to happen that day, that was certainly not one of them.....
And for a moment she found it cute how Shaa got so worked up over a cookie, going as far as chasing the mouse that snatched it off of his hands. She snickered softly.
"Don't worry, Shaa, it's okay... I guess I have ano-"
Barely the words came out, and a door shut behind the minotaur. With a loud gasp, Kamille ran towards the door, trying the doorknob first. She stepped back when Shaa started to pound on it with such force she knew if it was a matter of strength, the door would not stand a chance. And still, like many things on that house, she assumed it would not be as straightforward as they wished. Kamille yelled back at Shaa, his words strangely muffled for being separated by just a thin layer of wood like that.
"SHAA! I'LL SEE IF I CAN FIND A WAY TO GO DOWN THERE! HOLD ON!"
There must be another way down the stairs, as she knew those houses are often slightly mirrored. With the candlestick on one hand, she looked around as she tried to discern her surroundings. The darkness was so thick it seemed like it prevented the feeble light of her candle to reach further, shedding light only on a small area surrounding her. Either way, she walked over to the opposite side of the mansion where, sure enough, she found another door. As she reached to the knob.... the door opened on its own accord, sending chills down her spine.
".....................Yeah. Totally not suspicious at all."
Kamille hesitated. While she wanted to meet Shaa, it was clear "the house" also wanted her to go downstairs. She put one foot on the first step, and the light from her candlestick flickered.
".....Nope. Not today, no. I'm gon-AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
Whatever she was going to do, it certainly didn't involve rolling down the stairs, as the first step seemed to roll out of from beneath her. The Witch painfully rolled down the steps, her screams echoing through the main hall, as the door casually, slowly closed behind her.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Jan 23, 2023 10:00:01 GMT -5
Shaa could hear the soft CLOP CLOP of his hooves against the wood of the stairs as he slowly descended. Being rash is what got him stuck down here in the first place and, say what you will, He learned from his mistakes. The passage down was a bit small for him. The sides of the old walls gently scraped against his shoulders as he continued downward. The cookie disappointingly nowhere to be seen.
When he reached the bottom of the staircase, he found himself in some sort of strange hallway. The hall was taller than him barely with a red carpeting on the floors as well as the hall itself. The ceiling was lined with hanging lights whose illumination source eluded him upon examination. The strangest thing about the hallway was that it seemed longer than it should have for a house this size. Were they underground or was this more magical mischief? From the other end of the hall, he could hear some music playing. The song was one he didn’t recognize but it sounded old and with several different instruments. What in the world was down there?
He started moving quickly down the mysterious hallway with trepidation. As he started, things seemed normal at first. The music seemed to be growing louder as he went further down. After several minutes, Shaa noticed something was off. The further he went down the hall the louder the music became however he didn’t seem any closer to the end of the hall. Looking backwards, the staircase he just came from had vanished, replaced by an equally infinite hallway. The music could also now be heard from both directions. What is this? He said aloud. I don’t know, but it’s super annoying. Turning back the other way, Shaa is shocked to see himself standing further down the hall.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Jan 27, 2023 11:35:15 GMT -5
Kamille was not a warrior or a fighter in any and all aspects of the words, nor did she have any physical capability despite dancing - dammit, she learned the Blink spell so she could skip the stairs to her house and teleport to the front door!
The stairs were a worthy opponent, and in one swipe, she plumeted into the darkness, painfully hitting every step she could on her way down. It was by sheer dumb luck that she didn’t break anything, though she waa sure to have collected a good amount of bruises by now. Once the world stopped spinning and hitting her, she took a moment longer to realise the ground stood still. That was good. Yes, good.
Grunting and whining, the Witch stood up, taking a moment to take a deep breath and recover a few of her remaining marbles. Her head hurt, but the scene around her came into focus. And she was.....
Was that a wine cellar?
Oh... oh well, there were worst places to be, for sure. It was a huge wine cellar, with just one corridor, so huge....... she couldn’t see the end of it. Kamille was familiar with such space bending properties of magic, since she used it on her house. This made her think she could have a big wine cellar like that....
No. Focus. This house wants to kill you.
...
Might as well have a drink, right?
Kamille started to walk, the walls on both sides of her filled with bottles and caskets. For such an old house, everything looked quite put together and clean, without a thick layer of dust or cobwebs she would expect. The soft light that came from the oil lamps on the ceiling cast a warm, soft light every couple of meters. Beneath her feet, the earth, and beyond the endless shelves of wine, the walls and ceiling were of cold, plain stone. Once she started to pay attention to the labels on the bottles, one in particular caught her attention, and she reached for it. It was a rare one, she knew it to be worth.... a lot of solars.
It took her some time to realise there was someone spying on her, an eye looking out from the hole of her bottle of wine.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Jan 27, 2023 12:53:21 GMT -5
Shaa was having a hard time processing what he was seeing. The never ending hallway was bad enough but know he was talking to a version of himself. What in the world was this place? It didn’t seem to want to kick them out, but keep them here. Shaa thought back to the researchers who came here and never returned. Could they still be here somewhere, their corpses decaying in an endless puzzle of madness?
He looked at his doppelgänger skeptically and started to move towards him. As he did so, the double turned and walked to meet him. Who are you? Shaa asked with a definite tone. I’m you. You can’t be me, I’m me. The double didn’t seem too concerned about talking to himself. Sue I can. I am me because I am. Me being me doesn’t mean you can’t be you too. Shaa’s head was starting to throb. Ok me. If you are me, you shouldn’t have any issue with helping me or us get out of here. I wouldn’t and if you are really me, you shouldn’t either. The double considered the argument. So you are making the assumption that if you would do something, I would as well because I am you. Interesting. Well? After a moment, the doubles face starts to contort. No, I don’t think so. Shaa backs up a bit and watches as his doubles jaw unhinges displaying rows of razor sharp teeth. A giant tongue emerges from the back of its throat along with a deep growl. The hell???
The giant mouth rushes at Shaa ready to swallow the Minotaur whole. But he was ready for him. As the mouth tries to bite him, Shaa gives him a one two punch to the teeth. Several rows of teeth shatter, sending the beast back on its heels.Yeah, you may look like me and talk like me but there is only one of me. You messed with the wrong Minotaur buddy. The monster growls and lashes his giant tongue out at Shaa, wrapping it around his arm, attempting to draw him in. Shaa digs his hooves into the ancient carpet and fights against the pull. With his other hand, a set of dark energy claws burst from his knuckles. He uses the claws to slash his way through the pink flesh of the tongue and free his arm. The beast screams at the attack, spraying blood from his injured tongue all over the hallway.
As the blood sprays across the hall, the image off the hallway starts to shimmer. It’s not really a hallway? As Shaa sees the reality of his situation, he is aghast. He is in some sort of a cavern and ankle deep in some sort if viscus gel. Along the walls of the cavern are a series of vines stretching the length of the cavern. Several of the vines are wrapped around Shaa’s legs. The realization hits him that he has actually not been moving anywhere, held back by the vines. Shaa slashes the vines off of his legs and steps towards his flailing double. A mimic? I thought you guys were supposed to look like treasure chests and stuff. The mangled beast squirms on the ground. Re…ductive. Shaa leaves the beast where it is and heads towards the back of the cavern where he can see a small wooden door.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Jan 31, 2023 18:26:19 GMT -5
The hairs of her scruff stood up, making her jerk back uncomfortably, suddenly rubbing her arm as if cold. Kamille had the feeling she was being watched, but the silence in the room pressed against her eardrums in an uncomfortable way. All she could hear was her own breath and footsteps as she looked around. Once again she looked to the bottle of wine. Looked... normal? She couldn't be certain. Kamille started to walk again. This is a trap, the thought kept nagging at her. This is definitely a trap... As she kept walking, without a slight change in her surroundings, she started to pay closer attention to the details of the room, feeling the adventure of the day already taking its toll on her body. Kamille rubbed her eyes, with a bottle of wine still on her hand. That was quite an impressive bend on space that was happening right there, only in one direction...... wait a minute.............. Her steps suddenly came to a halt. Everything around her was exactly the same. Except... Except for that single hole on the endless wall of barrels and bottles around her. A single hole, for a single bottle - the one right in her hand. Didn't... didn't she walk away from that already? She rubbed her temples, realizing her thoughts were a bit more scrambled than before. That was... a familiar feeling. And the magic that permeated the room was not the same magic that she used in her house. A sudden sense of urgency made her heart start to race, pumping her blood to try and push away the fog that started to cloud her thoughts. Fog. That's where she felt that before, that thought-scrambling feeling: when the mage-hunters were draining her mana. Was the room draining her mana? How? She looked around and saw nothing! Unless... Unless that was an illusion too! That was not space-bending magic, that was an illusion! She needed to do something fast! She's been walking in circles the past couple of minutes! She needed to dispell that illusion........ A faint noise to her side made her look, and it came from the hole the bottle she got left on the shelf of wine bottles. Almost fearfully, Kamille slowly bent over to see... She blinked. Something blinked back at her. And then she jolted back as a slimy, undead hand shot out from the wine shelf, trying to reach out to her. In an almost instinctive way, she released the spell that had entered her mind the last few seconds: with somewhat of a target, she Counterspelled it, hoping it would work [1]. The room started to spin around her in a confusion of lights and horrible moans and gurgling sounds, and when she opened her eyes again, the wine cellar was gone. Instead, she was in some sort of basement, with water hitting her mid thigh. Something locked her in place from underwater, some kind of sticky vines that certainly were the things draining her mana once again. And before her, she gasped loudly as a slimy undead arm that tried to grab her ended in a toothy apparition with several arms, all handing from weird angles. It was hard to see the edges of the form before her - if it had a defined physical form, that is - before another vine pulled her by the arms and into the water. The splash nearly took the remaining air out of her lungs. This thing didn't want to kill her quickly, not before draining all of her mana, but it would be much easier to do so if she passed out under the water. Think, think fast! You can't pass out! Her thoughts ran past without a coherent line, and she was starting to panic. No, don't panic! You'll drown!. Something simple. Quick! Something that requires very little magic, something... She reached to her satchel to her two rooks, hoping she had enough magic to reanimate them.
[1]Counterspell
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