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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Apr 10, 2023 19:53:01 GMT -5
In recent months, Astrid has become more aware of the existence of a particular monster hunting guild, a special unit with many drake riders in their midst responsible for feats across Charon. Despite her interest, finding detailed information has been tricky – that is until a call to action got posted by the guild looking for new members. Fighting monsters is exactly what Astrid likes to do to help people, and her good friend Gerhart is interested too! The two of them met up in Dragon’s Cradle on the edge of Frost Gale where they’ll be looking for a creature called a Remorhaz that’s been terrorizing traders making their way across the icy tundra. In the camp at the border, Astrid and Gerhart are to meet a drake rider named Ruven, a white-haired elf in a blue tabard with a green drake named Tulie. Frost Gale isn’t Astrid’s favorite place to be, but at least she’ll be trekking out into the frozen tundra with a friend. Looking around the camp, Astrid looks around for Gerhart.
Bringing pets: Spicy Pawsage Arcus Quest Details: Quest Name: Prey or Predator Participants: Exactly two Location: Anywhere Post Requirements: 7 post per person, 150 words per post Reward: Entrance into the guild Description: Outriders are skilled trackers and hunters who spend most of their time in the wilderness, living off the land and honing their skills. They are the first line of defense when it comes to the guild, utilizing their skills to collect clues and tracks belonging to dangerous creatures. You and another will join one of these outriders as they trek through the wilderness, hunting a vicious creature. However, it seems the creature was already onto you. You must help the outrider track a creature from the Bestiary whose power level is Medium or higher. This includes locating things such as tracks or clues indicating its location. However the creature won't go without a fight, and after tracking it, you must now fight it! Help the outrider fight off and kill the creature before it claims anyone else!
Creature details: Remorhazes are massive predators that hunt beneath the ice and snow. They can burrow into the ground and have a tremor sense that reaches out to 60 feet, meaning they can pop up from below a foe, bite an enemy, swallow them whole, then burrow back beneath the ground before you know what’s happened. Abilities Crafting Material - Massive Size - Incredible Strength - Tunneling - Ambush - Powerful Bite - Cold Resistance - Fire Vulnerability - Tremor Sense - Swallow Whole
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Apr 10, 2023 21:00:34 GMT -5
In the months he had been adventuring, Gerhart had done a considerable amount of growing up but he devolved into a giddy kid when he heard about a monster hunting guild. This was the exact type of hunter he wanted to be when he started to learn how to fight. How could he not be excited?
With the help of Halcyon he was able to arrive much sooner than Astrid, though the kestrel didn't seem to pleased to be out in the cold. Next to Gerhart was another new companion, a large wolf dog that came up to his hip. The dog with its thick fur seemed far less bothered by the cold.
Just barely, Gerhart was able to reel himself in and not immediately dive on Cruven and kick off this adventure. He would patiently wait for Astrid, waving her down when he saw her coming into camp.
"You getting taller?" He grins widely at his friend as he and Thoman, the dog approach. "This should be a lot more fun than a couple of dwarves turned yeti! Have you ever heard of a...ree..mar...huz?" The ranger only barely remembered what he could barely read in the missive they were given that lead to this mission.
Pets: Halcyon Thoman
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Apr 10, 2023 22:11:01 GMT -5
Seeing Gerhart waving her down, Astrid perks up and rushes up to meet him with Spicy Pawsage and Arcus in town. “Nah, don’t think I got much taller,” she says with a snarky grin. “Maybe yer just gettin’ shorter!” It comes with a friendly laugh though. She’s excited to see him again since they tend to work well together. “Good ta see ya again, Gerhart,” Astrid continues. “I seen Cirice since we last seen each other! She taught me a new spell an’ did a bit of gushin’. Glad yer gettin’ along well.” Looking at the wolf dog at his side, Astrid gets an excited gleam in her eye. “OOOOH What a good lookin’ boy! Er… or girl. Or them. Whatever! Hellooooo pubby..!” She can’t help herself. If Thoman lets her approach, she rushes up to pet it and ruffle its fluffy jowls. Spicy Pawsage seems about as unimpressed as a hellhound can, especially in the cold weather. “A Remorhaz? I think I heard the dwarves mutterin’ about them last time I was here, but all I know is they’re another…big bug…” She sighs. Standing upright and putting her hands on her hips, Astrid looks around the camp. “Have ya seen our– Ah, that’s him. Guy with a big drake. Hard ta miss.” With that, Astrid strolls through the snow over to who is presumably Cruven, the mounted knight. His dull green drake reminds her of a creature of the swamps. Its saddle is incredibly well-made and houses a lance in a holster on the right side. “‘Scuse me, mister! Are ya Ruven perchance?” The white-haired elf turns to look at the approaching adventurers, his brilliantly polished silver armor gleaming in the sun’s white light. His face is young, appearing about the same age as Gerhart, though elven ages are deceiving. A fur-lined blue cape flares in the wind while his voice commands presence. “Ah, I am indeed! Welcome to the icy border of Frost Gale! You must be Astrid and Gerhart. Well met. When they said I’d be working with a couple of young prospects, I didn’t expect…” He motions awkwardly to the shorty. “Well, stature doesn’t matter much, just the size of your gusto. Ready to track down a Remorhaz?”
Ruven color: 80b0e7 Ruven image
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Apr 11, 2023 20:27:35 GMT -5
"You seem it at least." Another little laugh, smiling brighter as she mentions Cirice. "I can imagine it, her cheeks get a really cute shade of purple-blue when she blushes, like blueberries. Anyways!"
He waves it off as Thoman wags his tail seeing the half-dwarf approach. "Hello, Astrid. Gerhart has told me you're a pretty good fighter." The dogs voice has an every so slight whatever the Charonian equivalent of Russian accent is.
"This is Thoman, named him after my dad....my real dad, not the adopted one. Found him in some pet store, most dogs hop up and bark, but he asked to get adopted, so it seemed rude."
He grins, but quickly straightens up as Ruven arrives. He looks like a real well-seasoned adventurer, put on a game face he rides a dragon after all. I mean Halcyon is cool, but a dragon?
"I am and I am." He respond to both his name and the question. "I have a bit of tracking skill if that would help, pretty good at following tracks, crazy good sense of smell too if that matters at all."
"If you can sniff out a bug in the cold, have at it." Ruven smirks and looks to Astrid for her answer.
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Apr 12, 2023 16:52:55 GMT -5
“Her cheeks did look like blueberries, didn’t they?” Astrid muses, recalling Cirice fumbling her words at the mention of Gerhart when last they met. As she reaches out to pet Thoman, it comes as a complete surprise to her that the hound speaks.
“Erm… Yer dog talks,” she says, blinking. He’s friendly at least. “Uh, it’s nice ta meetcha, Thoman. Do… Do ya shake?” Astrid somewhat jokingly offers her hand face up to shake the hound’s paw. “Asked ta be adopted, did ya?” The half-dwarf giggles. “I did the same! Dared me da ta be me da, an’ he accepted. Seems like we’ve got shared experiences, huh?”
Ruffling Thoman’s ears, she looks over at Gerhart. “Yer real da? That sounds nice.” It’s been a while since she’s wondered anything about her real dad. As far as she’s concerned, he doesn’t matter since she’s never met him. Cantio’s her real dad now.
As Ruven makes his introductions, Astrid stands as tall and proud as she can. “Aye, I’m ready! If there’s one thin’ I’m good at, it’s smashin’ bugs!”
“Good to hear it from you both,” Ruven says, a satisfied nod. “The tundra makes it hard to track them, so I’m glad you both seem to have flying mounts of your own. Can’t be part of the Winged Expeditionary Force without the wings!” He laughs at his own joke. “We’ll have a better time seeking the Remorhaz from overhead. Their abilities let them make tunnels in the ice, and it’s better to find them from the sky than with your feet.”
With a heavy hand, Ruven pats the scaly beast beside him. “This is Tulie, named after one of the great Expedition members of old, Cein’aktul. He doesn’t bite. Usually.” Then Ruven climbs up into the saddle and straps himself in. “Let’s get going. There’s a lot of ground to cover!” Tulie’s wings pump powerfully, battering the people and tents on the ground with wind as he lifts off.
Excited, Astrid looks to Gerhart. “Let’s go!” She rushes over to Arcus, scoops Spicy Pawsage into his pet pocket, and takes off after Ruven.
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Apr 13, 2023 20:09:47 GMT -5
"I was almost going to call him Dogstrid, but he said he was a boy, so I didn't think that would work." He grins as Thoman does shake, heavy pad paws thumping into Astrid's gauntlet.
When Ruven calls for them to hit the air, Gerhart smiles and whistles Halcyon over. Lacking the special pet pocket, he helps Thoman into the side saddle that was specially made for him. The kestrel takes off into the air with a few heavy wing flaps and falls into a very crude V with the others.
The outrider wasn't lying when he said it was a lot of ground to cover, without any sort of mount this expedition would have been a nightmare in every sense of the word. For now, Gerhart just counts the fact it's only the normal amount of biting wind and not a full blizzard.
The ranger keeps his eyes peeled to the ground, trying to pick up anything. It's faint, the blowing wind covers most tracks, but there looks to be a few scuttle marks tracking in different winding directions.
"CAN YOU SEE THOSE? COULD THAT BE IT OR DOES FROST GALE HAVE SOME ICE SNAKES?" Gerhart has to shout over the wind.
"THOSE ARE A GOOD START, BUT HARD TO TELL, TOO CHAOTIC TO REALLY KNOW WHAT IT WAS WITHOUT A CLOSER LOOK, LET'S KEEP FLYING."
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Apr 14, 2023 11:13:42 GMT -5
“DOGSTRID?!” Astrid exclaims. “Why the heck were ya gonna call him ‘Dogstrid’??” She can’t help laughing. Astrid has a tendency to jokingly name her replicants with different alphabetical letters, but she’s never considered herself to look much like a dog. No, that’s Wolfe’s job. She finds the side saddle made for Thoman to be kind of clever, but she’s thoroughly convinced both Spicy and Arcus would hate that.
The flight is brisk, to put things lightly. Cold winter wind bites at their faces, nips at their noses. Astrid pulls her cloak tight around her while they fly across the tundra with Ruven at the lead. It’s hard to focus on the ground with how cold she feels. When Gerhart points out the marks in the snow below, not yet swept away by the tundra winds, and Ruven agrees that they could be something, the group pauses to have a closer look before carrying on.
“What’re we lookin’ fer exactly?” Astrid calls ahead.
“Those marks back there were a decent indicator,” Ruven replies. “Remorhaz have many legs with forked feet, so they’re less slithery and more likely to leave a series of divots in the snow. Their bodies are superheated, so they tend to leave odd trails of melted snow frozen back into ice. If we can find one in their lair, we can smoke them out. Fighting them in a slippery cavern won’t be any good for any of us.”
Astrid turns her attention back to the tundra, squinting her eyes and looking out at the vast expanse before them. After a long while, they spot some snow-covered remnants of an old carriage. The broken wood is blackened and charred. Something must have caught it ablaze. The snow seems somewhat disturbed in a path leading away from it.
“What about that?” Astrid asks after they hover over it, looking at the destruction.
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Apr 15, 2023 16:40:28 GMT -5
"Cause he asked to be adopted, you said you did, plus look the resemblence is almost uncanny." He grins, fully joking. The joking does end once they are airborn, time to be a serious boy after all.
"Yeah that is at least worth checking out! Unless something else is starting random fires." Ruven calls out, pulling his mount to bank around as they start to land.
Gerhart does the same, making the slow way down back to land so they don't all crash into each other trying to land in the same spot. Thoman is able to undo the straps himself by tugging them loose with a gentle bit, hopping down to rejoin the ranger at his side. Gerhart pulls his jacket up just a bit to protect against the cold as he comes to investigate the markings.
He kneels down to look over the wreckage, both him and Thoman seeming to sniff the air for signs of anything. Ruven surveys the tracks to see where they lead to and if there were any survivors. The supplies of the cart were burnt but otherwise untouched which meant if this was a remorhaz it was hunting the people.
"I can smell them...their blood at least. West of here, I'm not sure how far."
"Impressive ability....let's hope they are alive then, though I doubt it." Ruven sighed, his tone not necessarily dismissive, but aware of the likely result they will find. A remorhaz doesn't normally play with its food and just being near it is enough to kill commoners.
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Apr 15, 2023 20:59:18 GMT -5
“Well, they won’t be alive at all if we dally around here, huh?” Astrid says after they’ve observed the wreckage. It seems like Gerhart and Ruven’s assessment makes a lot of sense, so they might as well get moving. “Should we stay on the ground? Try ta bait it out maybe?”
Ruven rubs his clean-shaven chin while he considers the idea. “It’s a risk, but it might be worth it to try. Tulie’s not too great at overland travel, and it doesn’t look like your bird is either,” he says, looking to Gerhart.
“Well, Arcus can run just fine on land,” Astrid says. “I don’t mind bein’ the bait. I can keep it focused on me an’ get away pretty easy if I hafta.”
The expeditioner looks the kid up and down then exchanges a look with Gerhart and shrugs. “Sounds fine to me. You knew the risks when you signed up for this trip.” Then he climbs back into his saddle
“Sure did!” the girl says with a grin. “Rushin’ that way then! Let’s get goin’!” Astrid kicks Arcus into gear, racing across the snowy tundra at full speed while Ruven and Gerhart get back into the air to follow from above. With any luck, the Remorhaz will sense the tremors of Arcus’ hoofbeats and emerge for a fight!
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Apr 15, 2023 23:14:34 GMT -5
"Actually, Hal, you take to the sky with them, I'll stay down here." He smiles and pats the kestrel's chest with the back of his hand. "We have a bond so he can relay messages just in my head, this way we can all stay in contact. Plus it'll be good if one of us stays on the ground."
"Just don't get lost." Ruven gives a gruff laugh before taking back off into the sky with Halcyon not too far behind.
Gerhart and Thoman start to run, obviously not quite as fast as a horse, but they aren't much further behind. The ranger had a lot of stamina thanks to being a hyperactive himbo and also spending years traveling around on foot. He keeps a nose to the air trying to follow the scent of blood on the path. This was another reason he wanted to stay low, he knew he would lose it if he went to high.
He pulls in a deeper breath and skids to a stop, alerting Halcyon telepathically before calling out to Astrid, "Hold up....something's strange....the scent is just gone...and look the tracks."
As the ranger points out, the tracks seem to just stop where they are like the remorhaz teleported away. Before the group can fully start to investigate, the snowdune ahead them starts to hiss and melt as a large centipede like creature bursts out chittering and screaming as it descends on Astrid.
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Apr 15, 2023 23:49:12 GMT -5
Well, that’s what Astrid gets for volunteering to be bait. Arcus whinnies in a panic as the Remorhaz bursts forth from the snow, steam erupting from its body as the snow sublimates. The pegasus trips over its own feet, falling forward and tumbling to the ground, taking Astrid with him. The girl’s surprised yelp is cut short by the collapse.
With a screech, the Remorhaz descends upon Astrid and Arcus. Suddenly, large, glowing red chains frothing with fire magic burst forth from the snow and wrap around the arthropod, searing its body and trapping it in place. The creature screeches in pain, reeling back and attempting to free itself of the restraints, ripping and tearing itself against them.
This gives Astrid and her mount time to get away. The girl quickly frees herself of the saddle and sends the pegasus on its way before rushing to get some distance near Gerhart.
“That was scary,” she says lightheartedly though she’s breathless.
“What the hells is that magic?!” Ruven shouts from above, descending on Tulie’s back, lance poised and ready. It’s unlike anything he’s ever seen before, but if the creature is stuck, he’s going to make full use of it.
“It’s trapped fer a moment, let’s take advantage!” Astrid shouts, readying herself up by pulling out both her hammers. Each of them spark with electricity, though the frost emanating from them both won’t do much in this fight.
“Sounds good to me!” the elf calls. Tulie lets out a mighty roar, and the two of them descend upon the trapped Remorhaz.
Scern’s God Killer - Remorhaz trapped for 2 rounds and takes fire damage, cannot move or attack Ruven - has knight and charger prestige classes, exalted polearm, animal handling, armor
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Apr 16, 2023 19:39:52 GMT -5
The remorhaz cries and thrashes against the chains, the fire burning into its cold outer carapce. It may be restrained, but the thrashing is still dangerous. Ruven and Tulie have to barrel roll to dodge around the tail as he lands a slash across its back on the flyby.
As the pair start to get some altitude and turn back for another pass, Halcyon dives to let his talons rake across the back of the worm as well. Gerhart charges in[1] using an extra bit of speed to close the distance and catch up.
The ranger steps of pads of air to give him a little bit of extra height as he runs, wings sprouting from his back to lift him up the few more feet he needs.[2,3] Once high enough in the air he tucks the wings and dives down hitting the remorhaz across the cheeks with both blades, wind and lightning energy sparking off of each one.[4,5]
"Hell yeah kids, get in there!" Ruven calls out from above as he circles back, his words giving them a bit more strength and resolve.[1]
The remorhaz was certainly hurting and angry, but at the moment it looked like they had only managed to piss it off.
1. Rushing Charge 2. Step of the Wind 3. Blue Dragon Wings 4. Guillotine Drop 5. Spell Blade Weapons - Wind and Lightning
1. Battle Cry
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Apr 16, 2023 20:50:08 GMT -5
Gerhart’s drop from above deals a significant amount of damage to the Remorhaz, cracking its carapace and releasing a spray of heat into the air. Getting too close to the giant angry centipede is a risk that might result in burns, which seems a bit odd as the flames from the red hot chains seem to sear into it especially effectively.
Astrid releases Spicy Pawsage from the pet pocket, and the hell hound bark viciously before charging in to attack. Avoiding the thrashing main body, the canine releases a gout of fire at the Remorhaz’s legs, melting the snow around it and causing the legs to fall through, throwing the creature off balance. The carapace glows red hot, and the creature shrieks as the muscles in its legs are boiled by the heat.
With the Remorhaz still trapped in place, Astrid rushes forward, sending a charge of electricity into her battle hammer. She dodges under the flailing legs of the Remorhaz, electricity sparking off her body until it seems to consume her. In a flash, Astrid herself seems to be made of lightning, her body glowing a bright blue as arcs of electricity crackle off her form. For every leg she strikes with her hammers, she at least tries to touch others, sending powerful waves of electricity through the creature. Each physical strike is enhanced by Ruven’s battle cry, and the creature pulls hard against the chains.
The spell holding the Remorhaz won’t last much longer, so Ruven clangs on his armor. “Up here, big guy! Come look at the snack in the sky!!” He successfully draws its attention, a magical bond that keeps it from unwavering. The moment the big bug can get free, it’s going to try to strike at the man flying above.
Pet Pocket Spicy Pawsage - fire breath Charged Object Electrical Surge - 1 charge Full Elemental Manifestation Relentless Challenge - Ruven against Remorhaz
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Apr 16, 2023 21:28:33 GMT -5
With the ambush thoroughly averted, it seems the remorhaz doesn't have many more fighting options. Even when that fails, usually its prodigious size will help keep it any fight but being trapped and assaulted by several skilled adventurers leaves it with few options.
Gerhart spins his blades with a flourish, moving them as if extensions of himself.[1] He steps in among the thrashing legs, the movements of his blades easily cutting through the legs of it as they wildly try to just find purchase on anything. The wind on his duelist's sword makes the cuts even deeper and the lightning sheathing his guardian blade leaves stinging wounds behind. It is far from the powerful force of lightning that Astrid can do, but Gerhart has clearly picked up a thing or two from his friend.
When the chains finally fade, the remorhaz does coil up and try to spring upwards and clip Ruven and Tuile as he dives in for another slash and pass. Their bond seems far beyond what Gerhart and Halcyon have, it gives the ranger a goal to work towards. The outrider pulls Tuile to the side just a bit, the teeth clipping his shoulder.
The wound is worth the risk as the drake tackles the remorhaz into the ground, holding it firm against the ice as it sizzles around them.[1] "Go on kids, kill it off, we can hold it here for a moment!"
1. Blade Dance
1. Savage Pin
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Apr 17, 2023 20:48:58 GMT -5
Despite the searing heat from the Remorhaz’s body, Tulie’s bond with Ruven allows the drake to ignore the pain and keep the big bug downed. Ruven drives his lance into cracks in its shell while it flails and struggles. The drake uses its talons to keep the length of the creature pinned down.
Fully enveloped in lightning, Astrid looks at Gerhart with a confident grin. She darts under its thrashing legs then gathers her strength and slams her hammer into its soft underside, releasing the charge in her hammers and sending a paralyzing force through its body. It screeches in pain. Now numbed and unable to thrash its lower half, Astrid takes advantage and leaps up onto the Remorhaz’s back.
Each step she takes along its lengthy body pulses lightning into the creature. Then she zips into the air over the arthropod’s head, raising her hammers over her own head, and bringing them both down in a powerful smash that crushes the Remorhaz’s head. Bug brains explode out across the snow, painting the landscape with a certain greenish viscera. With a rough landing, Astrid’s electric body tumbles through the snow, and she just lays there, heaving a few deep breaths.
Ruven’s face displays a grin while Tulie tears at the Remorhaz’s body as the last throes of life leave it. The drake lets out a victorious roar, its maw covered in blood before it goes in for another snack of hot bug. “Well, that was pretty smoothly done,” the flying knight says.
Static Synapse - used 1 charge to partial stun for 1 post Elemental Manifestation - spicy touches Bullet Dash Anvil Smash [1/topic]
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