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Post by Javal Zarrias on Apr 30, 2023 23:34:57 GMT -5
Javal stood before the ravine confused and tried to think of a way they could get down.
“Hm, maybe I can throw myself and Shitakibo down, I’m sure we can fall because of how strong we are. Maybe we can find a waterfall around the ravine. I can perhaps create some sort of way down with my sea domain magic". Javal was then shocked as he saw Shitakibo not even listen to him or even stop running for that matter.
He yelled, “Shitakibo nooooo, god damn it don't do this to me”, he couldn’t lose another one of his friends so quickly.
“Damn it, damn it, damn it”, Javal thought to himself, “I have to get down there now but ugh there's no safe way down here”.
Javal then touches his grassed engraved sandals and suddenly large green boots appear on his feet, Javal then jumps down the ravine only about 3 feet down until his boots attach himself to the wall. Then Javal started to scale the ravine down at a slow and safe pace. It was difficult at first but with his safety boots, he was having an easier time.
As he scaled the wall of the ravine he suddenly heard a giant echo of something hitting the ground, his face suddenly went dark.
“No no no, she can’t be gone, there's no way. I’m sure that there's a perfectly reasonable explanation for all this. Maybe Shitakibo found a way down, perhaps using magic, right?”Javal thought to himself, tearing up a little bit he started to scale down a bit faster trying to get down as fast as he could.
Javal finally made his way down; he quickly fell off the wall and his rooted boots quickly transformed back into his usual sandals. He sprinted as fast as he could trying to go to the source of the earlier noise hoping against hope that Shitakibo was okay.
Javal then finds her in a brutal state alongside a bright silver glowing thing, Javal rushes over to her, “Shitakibo what happened, crap you’re in rough shape”, Javal says in a hurried tone, “Damn it I don’t have any healing abilities we need to get you patched up he says sitting next to her. Wait what’s this thing next to you”?
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Post by Shitakibo on May 1, 2023 0:54:22 GMT -5
She heard footfalls, far off echoes of movement that seemed to permeate the dreamy world. Keta stood before her, not as the glowing ball of floof that her summoned form took, but the majestic silvery furred feline of her spiritual form. The overgrown cat scooped her up gently and began to coax the life back into her limbs, into her form... the pain was immense as her nervous system started responding again.
To Javal, the spirit creature hovered over Taki in much the same way a lioness might protect her cub. As he got closer, making his fuss about her state of being, she groaned and coughed, spitting up a clumpy pinkish goo on the rocks. As he was going on about the lack of healing, the shaman managed to open one eye slowly. It wasn't easy to see the man through the brush she was entangled in, but this was a rare moment where Taki was exceptionally glad she was feeling the pain in her body. She felt an almost feverish warmth and noticed the silvery glow. She managed to laugh for about a half a breath before the pain made her head spin and she coughed painfully again for a few seconds.
"It will be slow, but apparently that's one of the myriad of abilities my guardians have... a passive healing that stitches you back together over time. This is Keta, or at least... Keta's summoned form." She finally said after another few seconds of deep breaths and trying to still her twitching body. Her senses were working, for better or worse, so she figured the brush had enjoyed the brunt of her impact. Shakily, she untangled herself from the branches carefully. Each movement was a wince of pain and a shock to her system. By the time she'd gotten loose, she looked up to the tops of the spikes.
About 30 yards away, dangling by a loose rope harness and the arrow she'd fired was the man they were after. His bright red robes flapped limply against the side of the rock. Breathing a sigh of relief, Taki huddled next to Keta.
"Looks like I made my shot, but it's best we make sure... would uh... would you mind? I need a few more minutes before I'll be able to get far I think...." Asked the shaman as she sat herself against the rock and her guardian plopped down in her lap. While she listened to his response, she also closed her eyes and concentrated on the warm feeling of growth and restoration coming from her guardian. Trying to keep her breathing to a comfortable pace, Taki tried to grasp the nature of the healing effect for herself. Perhaps, she pondered, she could tap into the magics of life herself while being effectively submerged within such a healing. Taki swayed slightly as she fell into another trance, only this time it wasn't a frantic and rushed act of desperation. She was calm, and comfortable as her battered form would allow, so she eased into the dream like state with a gentle nudge instead of battering through with brute force.
Tapping into her own spirit, and it's innate magical energies, her hands and arms began to glow. She felt Ryu overhead who had descended to watch over things. He was chanting a phrase in a strange language but it sounded pleasant to her mind. She let the arcane words roll off her tongue, like chanting a mantra, until she got the annunciation correct. The glow engulfed her body, causing another sharp popping sound as her bones seated themselves and reconnected, her bruising and muscle damage faded away as easily as morning fog on a clear, sunny day.
"You're as foolhardy and impulsive as Keta is, you know? If you weren't so studious and diligent in your work, we might not get along so well."
"Oh stop it Ryu, if that was your group of friends and they needed protecting, you'd have jumped just as quickly as she did... berating her now is a bit... foolhardy"
"you're both right in your own ways, and thank you both for your help... I'm sure there were better ways but I wasn't letting him have a chance to escape into the wilds only to harm the pilgrimage another day... besides... with your help, it seems I've discovered more than just my connection to the spirits."
Taki let out a heavy breath, then unfurled from her seat and stretched her aching body, now freshly healed. She was in awe of herself and the outcome, choosing to wait for Javal to return before pushing her limits any further.
On top of the boulder, the man was pinned by his head and the loose rope harness he'd been fussing with. Where his body had touched the Basilisk's ichor, it had swollen and turned a myriad of unsightly colors. Worst of all, his skin was splitting open from spiky protrusions and stony growths, causing the internal mess to drip onto the rock. On the floor below was a shattered stone jar, and a flattened stick, both covered in the darkened, coagulated ichor of the Basilisk.
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Post by Javal Zarrias on May 1, 2023 1:49:03 GMT -5
“Oh my god that can not be healthy”, Javal says shocked about the pink goo that Shitakibo spits out.
Javal sat across from Shitakibo looking as suddenly she was slowly but surely healing, “Try not to laugh Shitakibo it will only bring you pain, let me laugh for you”, Javal said and then started laughing very loudly and for a long time insisting to laugh for Shitakibo in her injured state.
“Wow, Shitakibo you truly are full of surprises, first your deadly combat ability and now you have magical spirit guardians”, he then turns to face Keta, “Nice to meet you, Keta”.
Javal then jumped up and sprinted over to check the remains of the pompous man as Shitakibo instructed. He checked and was horrified to see the man's head wide up and body limp and unmoving. He was pretty sure he was dead. He kicked him really quick just to make sure and then ran back to Shitakibo.
“Shitakibo he is definitely dead, I think we should be fine to head back to camp now”, Javal said.
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Post by Shitakibo on May 1, 2023 12:28:42 GMT -5
Nodding, she wiped off her clothing as best she could, tightened her quiver and walked over to the wall of the ravine.
"Let's get going then, I'll mend along the way with Keta's help. Hopefully those snazzy shoes of yours still have some magic to spare, it's a long way up." Commented the shaman, squatting and stretching her stiff legs before taking a leap up onto the rocks. Much like an insect, she sprawled out against the sheer cliff face and gripped onto it. Scaling the side, she stopped occasionally to catch her breath or adjust to the aches and pains of healing injuries. While it took a good while to reach the top, Taki had time to reflect on her choices and shower her guardians with praise and thanks.
Without them, and a whole heap of good karma spent on the poor bush that caught her fall, she would be as dead as the man on the rocks. This problem was over at least, though they would have to send word of his passing on to his family when they got back to civilization. It was another fine example of the strain such a life could put on someone, anyone, particularly the inexperienced and ill prepared. This pilgrimage was going to change everyone involved, for better or worse, just by embarking on the journey and attempting it. No wonder then, that many discouraged shamans chose not to attempt this trial. The land was harsh, the creatures hungry, and the people partaking usually were ill suited for such an undertaking.
This was no slight to her fellow shaman, but few of them were versed in the wilds to this degree, and many were either too young or too elderly to meet the bulk of the physical demand needed. Thus far, Javal and his companions had exceeded expectations, and their group was defying the normally heavy losses and upset pilgrims who abandoned the quest long before their destination.
She pulled herself up and over the edge as she reached the top her climb. Turning, she offered Javal a hand up. "If we could not do that again, I'll call this journey a smashing success." Taki chuckled, wincing slightly but grinning wide and looking amused with the situation overall. "Let's not panic the others with this story, huh? I'm sure there's been enough emotion and drama... plus, I really just want to find a river and soak my aches within." She remarked, then leaned down and scooped her spirit companion up and hugged them gently to her chest. After nuzzling the shaman back, the feline faded from view, returning to the realm of spirits. Taki smiled, gave thanks quietly, and started walking back to the convoy waiting to depart.
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Post by Javal Zarrias on May 8, 2023 22:36:28 GMT -5
Javal sprinted back to where Shitakibo was recovering, he tried to help her up but it seemed like her spirit Keta had her covered. The trio then walked over to the wall of the ravine ready to climb up it and get back to the traveling caravan.
“Yes, let's get ourselves back as soon as we can. My shoes should be able to bring us all the way up”, Javal says, still a bit worried for Shitakibo.
Javal taps his forest-themed sandals and they suddenly transform into a pair of sturdy rooted boots he then jumps at the wall as quickly as he can. He starts climbing on his own until his feet start to stick to the walls. Soon his feet were firmly planted on the wall and plants firmly attached him to the wall as he walked up the wall. He tried his best to help Shitakibo in case she fell or needed help. It was a long way up and it was going to be a little while until they made it. Thankfully it seemed like they had a decent time limit until the caravan started moving, at least Javal thought so. While they were making their way up Javal tried to lighten the mood from the very tense and dangerous tone it was before. He tried singing, asking questions, and just generally trying to cheer up and distract Shitakibo from what had happened.
Soon after the duo’s arduous journey up the ravine, they were finally up the wall Javal was a bit stuck the rooted boots although great for getting up the wall were hard to get off without falling horribly to his death, He was relieved to see Shitakibo get over the edge and give him a hand up which he graciously accepted. Soon he firmly planted his foot on the floor and his former rooted boots formed back to his regular forestry sandals.
“Yes, it appears all things considered a dead man, splattered basilisk remains, and overcoming a storm I think we’ve done a pretty good job so far all things considered”, Javal says laughing a bit relieved to be back on solid ground.
“Yeah let’s keep all of this to ourselves, the silent heroes are the most heroic after all keeping everyone safe without panic. Let’s get you back to the caravan for you to rest”, the two then arrived back to the sight of the caravan everybody seemed still lazing around mingling among each other although some people seemed ready to go already.
Nadia then runs to meet them, “Where have you two been are you guys okay”, Nadia says in a hushed worried tone,
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Post by Shitakibo on May 9, 2023 1:47:41 GMT -5
Relieved to be back at the caravan, Taki felt as fresh as the moment she'd bolted off. The group was gathering up to start traveling once again, bustling about and securing anything loose for the journey ahead. Somehow, this journey was proving to be a string of trying moments and they were only so far into the wild lands ahead. She waved to Nadia and the other security members, and checked in with the rest of the group.
Packing her tent and gear, she sighed softly and stretched her aching joints to clear them of the stiffness of rapid healing. Having brushed with death more times in a few days than the rest of her life up to now, she was glad for this few minutes of peace and mundane routine. Each day seemed both distant and glaringly short, at the forefront of her mind yet improbably long ago. There was much to reflect on, if she planned to grow and understand the gift that was her life.
Driven by the events, she resolved to keep going. There was still an incredible journey ahead and lots of folks that would need help along the way. All manner of surpises and trials lie ahead, and she hoped there wouldn't be another grievous incident... would do all she could to prevent it...
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Post by Javal Zarrias on May 23, 2023 22:54:21 GMT -5
After the injured duo walked back into camp and talked to his team about what had happened Shitakibo left to rest and get her things ready to depart. He told his staff to wake him up when it was time to depart and headed to his sand lot. Usually, Javal was filled with enthusiasm but right now he was tired from impending doom and danger and wanted to rest even for a little bit. Javal stood in front of his sand lot and raised his hands conjuring the sand to mold and shape into a wonderful two story sandcastle house. He jogged to his abode slammed the makeshift sand door and crashed into his hard bed made out of sand. After sleeping for what seemed to be hours he was quickly woken up by getting his arm gnawed at by his loyal black steed Asleipmir. The lazy steed just neighed lowly and trotted outside the sandcastle.
He jumped up from his bed and ran outside to begin moving out, as he ran out the entire sandcastle broke down and was destroyed.
He yelled, “Let’s get moving people, it's go time”, as he ran around helping people finish packing up for departure. Soon everyone was ready to depart. Javal shouted, “Drakon in your positions”, and ran to the front to his own position.
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Post by Shitakibo on May 27, 2023 17:50:55 GMT -5
Taki rested in her tent, meditating mostly after the ordeal. Her connection to the realm of spirits felt different, easier to tap into. This came at the cost of clarity, the spirit world's presence overlapped far more than it had previously with the living world. She did her best to commune with her guardians, while adjusting to the change and growth of her spiritual connection. There was a great deal to process, learn and discover, which made her grateful that she wasn't on security detail.
She heard the camp gathering and packed her gear to begin the journey once again. They'd spent too much time tucked into this rock, and putting miles between now and their destination sounded like a pleasantly mundane day compared to the chaos of the last few. She looked forward to the road ahead and time with her own thoughts, as well as conversing wtih the other shamans of the caravan.
"Good day Javal, Nadia and crew. The weather seems to have given us a break as well. I'll be around if anyone needs my help, so don't hesitate to ask."
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Post by Javal Zarrias on May 29, 2023 3:10:48 GMT -5
As his company was getting into their positions they spotted Shitakibo make their way to greet them. Asleipmir neighbors a hello, Bootsamon tips his hat, and Nadia politely greets her with a smile and a hello.
Javal smiles and happily says, “I’m glad to see you in good shape Shitakibo especially since our previous run-in with that pompous fellow left us in dire straits. As for help, would you mind staying close to the front in case anything happens? Apologies if that asks too much of you. I find myself relying on your wisdom a lot on this mission since I am inexperienced in the ways of the spirits. It seems no matter how hard I try we always seem to run into danger for some odd reason. Perhaps the universe itself wishes to challenge our pilgrimage, however, I shall try my best to fight back and succeed at making this pilgrimage a great one for everyone what a thought” Javal ponders out loud, “Well now let’s get a move on everybody's positions”, and then the rest of the crew go into their positions ready to guard the pilgrimage against any harm to its head.
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Post by Shitakibo on May 29, 2023 18:00:46 GMT -5
"That I can do, though I may disappear on occasion to check on the others. Overall, I won't be far." She said, taking up a flanking position as the caravan started rolling over the stony path through the Spine. The sun was bright, the clouds were sparse overhead as the wagons rolled down the road. It was a fine day for travel, at least for now. Altogether it was a pleasant relief, even if the weather turned sour again later on in the afternoon. Pools of standing water let off little whisps of steam as the heat of the day started to evaporate them.
Every couple of hours, Taki would peel off and make her way through the traveling group to check on the others. Mostly she was visiting with the elders and making sure everyone was holding up well. A few folks struggled with heavily laden packs and sore bodies, but the day's travel was pleasant and steady overall. The road wound it's way through the mountainous terrain, which would prompt Taki to look at their progress when they crested a high point. She marveled at the staggering distance as the day wore on, amazed at how much the group could achieve when they weren't fighting with storms or monstrous creatures.
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Post by Javal Zarrias on May 30, 2023 23:25:43 GMT -5
“Thanks again Lady Shitakibo for your help. It is okay if you disappear. It is understandable and respectable that you are checking on the people. I would do that if possible but alas I need to keep watch up front to keep an eye on any danger that comes by”, Javal says happily.
Javal then focused his position to face the road ahead, keeping a decently paced stride. Everything so far seemed fairly good. They were getting good weather, the road was decently made, and the group had plenty of light left before night hit. After a little bit, it began raining which wasn’t the worst thing especially due to the heat but it sure was an interesting aspect of nature to see. The group had made great progress, especially against the mountainous terrain until it finally hit night time which meant that the group had to stop and make camp for the night.
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Post by Shitakibo on May 31, 2023 22:55:39 GMT -5
Taki set her tent, helped others settle in for the evening and had a meal. She missed the greens and blues of her bamboo cottage, the wonderful aromas of her garden. While there was some life here, it was miles and miles of dreary sameness along the spine. It was impressive in it's scale and magnificent in it's own way, but it was also sparse with vegetation and wildlife that would call it home. No birds chirping about in the morning sun, or myriads of creatures roaming the brush. A few hardy creatures called this place home, capable of adapting to the lack of resources, heat and limited fresh water.
Thankfully there were small creeks and other flows that ran along the trail. It kept her going in the dry, dusty air. It made her fine scales feel gritty and stiff, and she would kick up a great plume of dirt when she'd wash in a lake or a deep enough river. She walked out into the starlight, to a waning moon overhead and found a quiet rock away from the group to meditate.
Under the stars, she reached out with her senses and her own spirit. Wispy, ethereal forms swam in her mind as she slipped into a trance. Among them were her guardians, who she spent her time talking to and learning about. Each time she did, it became a little easier. It still felt like a dream, something surreal, that she would be blessed with guardian spirits. What that entailed, they weren't sure, but she kept up her practice diligently. Some day...
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Jun 1, 2023 2:06:36 GMT -5
Javal helped people get settled for the night and then went over to the middle of camp where the group had set a giant campfire. Javal sat staring at the flames thinking on the journey so far his introspection was interrupted by his friend Bootsamon tapping him on the shoulder. Javal turned around to face him.
“Hey boss me, Nadia, and Asleipmir worked on these fish skewers for the people with no food here have one”, he then gave the fellblood two fish skewers and turned to leave, “See ya boss I have to pass these out make sure everybody gets fed”.
Javal smiled, he was happy his crew kept busy and managed to help out the pilgrimage in a vital way. He roasted his skewers and ate them slowly and just continued staring at the fire.
“I have to become stronger”, Javal thought to himself, “I thought I was finished with my training but it seems I have grown too comfortable where I was. I have to rebegin my training and double the intensity, not triple it”.
Javal then threw his skewers into the campfire to give it more wood and made his way with his katana into a secluded place he saw when the camp made its way here.
It was a small grassfield area well lit by the moonlight. Javal took off his red coat and hung it on a nearby tree. Javal then began practicing sword slashes with his sheathed blade.
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Post by Shitakibo on Jun 9, 2023 23:47:20 GMT -5
As the moon drifted higher into the night sky, Taki unfurled from her meditation. Making her way back towards camp, she noticed Javal training and smiled slightly. Respecting his effort, she slipped by without a sound so as not to disturb the gentleman's focus. When she arrived back at camp, she took a swig of water and curled up in her hammock for the evening. Sleep claimed her quickly, exhaustion from the day's travel as well as the events leading up to it drawing her into a deep slumber.
While she slept, a deep and vivid dream filled her unconscious mind. An odd, garden like landscape appeared with twisting trees of unusual color and form. As she strolled through the wild and unusual foliage, her instincts told her she was not alone. Daring not draw the ire of the denizens of such a place, she walked out into the open and watched as best she could. Moments later, a pair of creatures strolled from the swaying, iridescent grass.
Serpentine, covered in dark scales with a metallic sheen and with a pair of orange slitted eyes, the first creature reminded her of tales of a river dragon as a youngling. The second was a feline roughly tiger sized, with a sharper, longer snout and silvery white fur that flowed along it's body. Bright cyan eyes stared back from the cat like being as the pair moved closer.
"Miss"
"Welcome to our garden, Shitakibo"
"This place, this is the spirit realm?"
"A fragment, yes"
"It's our home, as far as we're aware"
"Interesting, it's beautiful and incredibly surreal"
"It is similar for us, being on your side of the veil"
"To walk in the world of flesh is...bizarre Miss"
The conversation stretched on, each sharing something about themselves, and asking things to learn of the others. Taki awoke unsure whether she felt renewed or exhausted by the dream, or perhaps a mix of both. She stretched and began her morning routine once she'd warmed up in the rising sun.
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Jun 11, 2023 0:54:01 GMT -5
Javal swung his sword for hours and hours on end he was exhausted past the point of tired but he pushed through. He wanted to get stronger and the only way to do that was to double on triple his training from before. Eventually he fell asleep at the clearing only to be taken to his group’s tent by his trusted steed Asleipmir who was watching the whole time. The horse was a lazy bastard who rarely listened to orders but under his stern demeanor the horse cared for his owner and was proud to see him train. Javal fell asleep and then awoke to his nightmare steed next to his ear.
“Agh I’m up, I’m up”, he said holding his hands over his ears, he then hopped on Asleipmir and galloped away for the nearest food. For all the training he did a couple hours ago he was really hungry.
He lined up aside a family of druid halflings who were giving out food for their fellow travelers.
Javal was lucky enough to get some cut and diced potatoes with a heaping cup of stew. He sat down on a log and started eating his food happily.
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