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Post by Lady Keyke Runi on May 31, 2023 23:05:23 GMT -5
To get here, I had to leave behind Nit. No matter how great of a guy and friend he is, he just can't make it in this forest. There are too many traps, and little things to watch out for. It also doesn't help when he can't understand the little whispers around the woods, ones of animals taunting me to step in this or that trap, fall to their whims, or even just join the others in the webs. I have spent to much time on my survival abilities that things like this are both annoying and understandably needed. Especially for the hidden criminals lurking in the shadows. I can't think of a better place for such a request to be made to me. High end criminals used to fleeing into this forest and basically living here asking me, a person known to practically commune with nature due to my skill sets, to help deal with a minor problem with the arachnids here. They couldn't give any specifics, but it seems like some of them are fighting each other more often then needed and usual for the way of life here. A...fun predicament to say the least.
On the other hand, maybe coming here won't be to bad. I look to my side as my tiny raindrop fay flies by me. Rosemary could be one of the few people who could match the needed height to just stay below any of the traps. At the very least, water is good for de-sticking things from the webs.
NPCs: Water Pixie: Rosemary
Quest Name: Gift of Gab Participants: Two or more Location: Anywhere Post Requirements: 4 post per person, 200 words per post Reward: +1 Renown Description: Most people in Charon can understand or speak even a minor amount of common, however there are random instances that pop up where a translator or interpreter is needed. You find yourself in a position where you need to help a group or set of individuals communicate with each other, as one side is unable to understand the other. This can be a business conversation, a simple ask for directions or something much more complicated. You don't even need to fully understand them yourself, just do your best!
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Post by Shitakibo on Jun 1, 2023 3:50:54 GMT -5
Taki had come to the mainland to trade some of her excess crops and spices for supplies she couldn't make or get herself. She enjoyed the reprieve, the spring had been a chaotic mess of work all over Charon and it was nice to have a few days of more mundane journeys... or at least that was what she was thinking when they'd set out. All across the land, problems were springing up like dandelions in a field after a stiff breeze and a hard rain. While enjoying a hot meal, she was approached by a stranger. The man asked for her by name, dressed in a plain merchant's suit. As he walked over, Taki noted his stride. It's cadence reminding her of a soldier, or militia, and put her on guard.
Without giving his name, he told Taki about a job in a nearby location known as Spider's Canopy, a place where a variety of arachnids enjoyed living. Supposedly there was another group butting heads with the creatures and this man was their representative. She was to meet with another translator, and the pair make their way to to a meeting about to take place. After delivering his message, and confirming she would take on the job, he disappeared into the crowd outside. Returning to her room, she grabbed her adventuring gear, and made sure her companions were settled before leaving. Only Shion was joining her on this hike, as the Prismatic Spider would be able to navigate both the situation waiting for them, and the terrain.
Trekking through the tall woods would have been pleasant, if there wasn't a small mountain of spider silk between most of the trees. With Shion's guidance, the pair made their way deeper into the wilds toward their destination. As she was nearing the destination, she saw a familiar sillouette in the distance and did her best to catch up. she slipped below some webs, then somersaulted gracefully over others to gain ground. Once she did, she called out to the familiar young lass.
"Well now, it cannot be coincidence running into you in such a place... are you also here to help with the talks?"
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Life is a game, we are the pieces and the environment is the board. Wanna play?
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Post by Lady Keyke Runi on Jun 2, 2023 0:06:41 GMT -5
The flashy entrance was both very unlike her and so like Taki to do. I felt my mouth involuntarily release a bright smile at her as I quickened my pace to reach her. As I walked forward I gave a little clap of my hands, "Indeed! Communication around here is finicky at best, and with my gear and wits, the locals thought it best for me to come and figure out the cause." I skip around the forest, doing a little bow to the direction we need to go. I release a light giggle as I spin around and slip to the side, avoiding a loose string in the air. 1 "Can't wait to work with you again! Your ability to empathize with animals is high and should not be over looked." I reach my hand out to help move over a little pothole in the ground. As we make our way to the designated grounds for the worst of the chaos, I make little small talk questions that previously went unanswered. "Pardon me, but my curiosity is at an all time high, would you mind answering so questions? Like, who's this little guy?" I point to the spider that was following and/ or guiding her in this forest.
1. Cat's Grace
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Post by Shitakibo on Jun 2, 2023 17:09:49 GMT -5
Looking up at the girl, the Prismatic Spider wandered closer. "I am Shion, it's nice to meet you." She said, her voice a soft, scratchy sound with a slight hiss to it. With a smirk, Taki chuckled softly. "There you have it."
She looked about the woods, noting the various spiders that crawled about on their many webs. This place was aptly named, and she understood why many people wouldn't want to visit. That was also probably for the best, since there was already such friction with the native populations.
"Shall we continue? I imagine our... employers... will not want to be kept waiting." She stated, wary of the strange circumstance this job had come to her attention. While she had little experience with organized crime, other than it's effect on an area, she had no idea that was the kind of group the man had represented. As the group made their way, they came upon a domed building that stood out among the lush natural area. Outside milled a mix of humans and large arachnids of various species. The men were all dressed in a similar fashion, but the spiders were each unique. Some were thin bodied with long, spindly legs, some looked similar to Shion's body, and others had squat, round bodies with even thinner legs that seemed barely able to support their weight.
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Dragon’s Cradle
Life is a game, we are the pieces and the environment is the board. Wanna play?
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Post by Lady Keyke Runi on Jun 3, 2023 1:40:17 GMT -5
"It is a pleasure Shion!" I give an little bow before pulling back up to meet Taki's eyes. I gave a little giggle at the emotion response to what my energy was putting out. Which was very different from the other times I had been with her. But when I compare the spectrum of things, here was less crowded and more natural compared to the crowded and energized blood lusting race. Not to mention the large spider that was casually following her around instead of the random donkeys we had been given. From this I could this zone was more familiar to her than a social group or competitions. I end my small giggle and thoughts to follow her lead, "Much agreed, lets move forward."
The forest tension became clearer and clearer from the light whispers of the creatures around us as our quick journey through the woods brought us to the meeting place. Very distinct sides and to what even this argument that was being held, even without the light chatter I hear, I could tell both sides will be stubborn and reluctant.
But simple things like that are nothing to me. After all, to even get where I am now, stubbornness is a must. I walk forward and give a small curtsy to the men here, "The name is Keyke, translator and interpreter for either side." I turn to face the variety of spiders, "That means all opinions will need to be clear enough for either side to get the full picture. But all opinions will but valued evenly." I step away from the men to give an even amount of distance between either side as a show of my true neutrality.
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Post by Shitakibo on Jun 3, 2023 4:39:08 GMT -5
After Keyke introduced herself to the parties gathered, Taki stepped forward. "I am Shitakibo, we have come to mediate your dispute as best we can." She stepped back from the group to join Keyke in a position of neutrality. The men seemed uncomfortable with her presence but begrudgingly accepted. The spider group on the other hand seemed more enthusiastic, and she was glad to have Shion along to help the two groups understand each other.
The two groups shuffled into the building, grumbling to their own members and debating amongst themselves. She followed along with Shion in tow. The iridescent spider watched both groups warily, unsure how to interact with the situation as of the moment. Taki entered beside Keyke and the pair were seated on either side of the delegations. Before either side started their presentations, a young woman and small spider walked around the table and set out refreshments for their respective sides, as well as Taki and Keyke.
"Fellow delegates, we have gathered our translators and are now prepared for the arduous task of presenting the issues from each side. Let us thank them for taking time and the journey's risk itself to be here." Said a man, who had stood up when the beverages were done being served. Taki, together with Shion, conveyed the speech to the group of spider leaders. He toasted the pair, his fellows and even the one arachnid who was aware of the custom.
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Life is a game, we are the pieces and the environment is the board. Wanna play?
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Post by Lady Keyke Runi on Jun 11, 2023 15:19:08 GMT -5
Looking down at the basic cup, I sniff at the scent. Inside held only basic water. Fitting for the naturalistic reason behind this entire meeting. I raise the cup only slightly at the toast. I only start sipping at it, and quickly lowering it at the indication of the meeting beginning. Holding it gently, I focus on the words being spoken between the parties before they even start directing the statements for us to translate to the other.
"We need that land for research! The mysterious flora could give us a breakthrough! They only need the area for living, nothing else is special about it! This will be quick."
"These humans, they think the flowers are worthless to us, ha! They give us a huge amount of food! How else are we meant to bring in so many bugs and prey!"
I close my eyes for a moment and sigh, already seeing how this could go. On one side, the rare flora of this region was grand for potion masters. Due to the excessive amounts that grow here, it would be a safe assumption that none in the region has a particular use for it. My sigh transforms into a giggle at this thought, oh so happy for my purchase of this necklace. Miscommunication was the key to an info broker's ruin, one mistake I will not make. I open my eyes, they shine in calculative and watchful motions, analyzing the groups around us, ready for the official messages to convert, not planning on doing much else unless a fight breaks out.
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Post by Shitakibo on Jun 12, 2023 0:00:05 GMT -5
A few hours of debate had seemingly gone nowhere. Both sides asserted their desires, one of ancestral homes and one of research. Delegates from both sides refused to treat the others as equals, further miring the talks. Taki and Shion did their best, together with Keyke to remain impartial and simply translate the words spoken. It was a difficult task, for there were many solutions that could be found if either side were thinking of a grander cooperation between societies. Sighing heavily, the shaman refilled her cup and tried to think of a solution to the growing buzz between her eyes.
Shion excelled as a translator for the delegation on the spider's side, deftly working a bit of her own inflection and personality in her translations. The prismatic spider was pragmatic in her approach, but subtly taking the sting out of some of the human delegation's arguments. Each side wanted the land for their own purpose, though one side seemed less than willing to supplant their life and seek a new home. There were a few obvious compromises, but neither side seemed to want anything to do with sharing. Taki marveled at her companion's patience for the foolish behaviors of both sides, for her own resolve was taking a beating.
After draining about half of her cup she returned to the table, rubbing the scales between her eyes gently with one hand. If either side went to war, it would mean more pointless loss of life. Taki decided to interject her own ideas, having grown weary of the refusals by both sides.
"Perhaps, instead of arguing about the validity of your claim you should each be considering how you might accomodate the other side through cooperation and trade. This pointless argument about which side has the correct claims is getting nowhere... to claim the land as if it were your cup, or your robes... such foolishness. No one claims the earth, the land, it has existed since long before us all, and will continue to do so long after your bones are dust and your bodies are feeding the worms. ENOUGH! Work together or so help me you will all know the wrath of the spirits, and the earth."
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Post by Lady Keyke Runi on Jun 12, 2023 23:49:08 GMT -5
The conversation had run long, just as anticipated. But what really made things interesting was the moment we went for more water. Taki's big blow out was to be expected by a person who obviously prefers animals over human interactions. This leads to less complex answers to problems and much less politics. The outcome was clear as day with the annoyed one right in front of me. After her release of tension, I raised my arm and held on tight and pushed a soothing pulse that forces a calm wave through her body. 1 My tight grip keeping the pain on, to force a reaction for her to look back at me as I speak, my eyes dimly glow and pupils appear along with my voice noticeably deepening and smoothing out from my usual high and childish cracks. 2 "Calm down, cooperation is hard for each group, especially these ones." I gesture to each side, starting with the humans, "They rarely work together with their own kind, wishing to rule even over each other. That is the nature of society for humans." I bring my arm over to the spiders, ignoring the rush of words spouted at us for the previous side. My hold loosed, but my magic keeps pulsing and calming her as I speak, "These ones are more secluded in their own rights. Society for them is survival of the fittest." I lower my arm down, "The fact they wish to speak before fighting is a wonder already." I shake my head before looking back at the angered crowd. I release my hold on Taki, ending my spell, before feeling the flora around each group and raising the leaves and petals in the air, rotating my hands to have the foliage spin quickly around the group, having only the dumb ones want to touch it and cause tiny painful cuts along the parts that barely graze the barrier. 3 After a moment after each side got harmed slightly, they settled down. I stopped the swirl and lowered it back to the ground. I raise my cup in mimicry of how I did before. "I am truly neutral, meaning bias to even my own race does not exist." I calmly walk back to my position for translation. After I arrive, I simply turn and tilt my head. Only at this moment would anyone notice the faint glow dim from them. Allowing the rush of emotions to force their minds to pause and listen. "So, shall we get back to it?" My high childish voice returning to what it once was.
1. Calm Emotion 2. Become Another Person + One with the Cosmos 3. Petal Storm
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Post by Shitakibo on Jun 13, 2023 16:17:13 GMT -5
Taki felt an unusual calm overcome her as Keyke approached, then marveled at her spell for a split second before her instincts took over. With a lithe grace and the flexibility of a serpent, she dodged the razor sharp leaves and petals and danced between their biting edges. As the spell concluded she sighed and relaxed a bit, looking incredulously at Keyke for a moment before regaining her composure. She returned to the table, seeing Shion had been caught in the storm and sliced up a bit.
"Keta, if you please my dear guardian." Said the shaman, whose eyes took on a misty, ethereal glow for a moment as Keta, her feline spirit guardian manifested at her side. The room was bathed in the same soft glow as the cat stepped out of the spirit realm and enveloped everyone in her aura. Most of the group would be able to feel their wounds healing, though a few of the party only felt sluggish, weak and drained. Taki took note of who wasn't healing, instead afflicted by the aura's draining effects. Those souls were no delegates, which had been a growing concern for the shaman. Anyone so afflicted by Keta's presence held nothing but ill intent. She noticed the number of folks experiencing this were almost entirely on the side of the human delegation. Only a single spider seemed to be stricken, which was both amusing and disquieting that a group of creatures much like Shion herself would be more trusting of others than people who were supposedly representing their own organization.
She scrawled a quick note on the matter and passed it to Keyke. 'The ones who aren't healing aren't here to talk. There's only one spider I can see, but several people. This isn't the clear cut delegation we thought it to be, it's likely a farce put on by the people in an effort to remove the leadership of the spiders.'
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Post by Lady Keyke Runi on Jun 15, 2023 22:11:33 GMT -5
From my position, I could tell, even without the help of the spirit, that more malicious people were on the human side. It makes sense for one of the spiders to not be healed, as they were just threatened by magic using nature, but the sheer amount of people remaining harmed on the humans was inexcusable. Sticking to my own morals, otherwise known as business is business, I spoke up. "If you are not here to talk, leave. We know exactly who you are and who is not being forced to be here. We are the translators for a peace to be made, not the witnesses for a war declaration. We are here for one job only and will not succumb to the 'sudden' interest change." I pause glaring at the one spider and the the harmed humans. "This is your only warning leave, or face the consequences." I raised my left hand, picking up the fallen razors, and my right, to grab any object attempted to be used against me. Never would I outright start a battle, but when it happens, I will finish it. Swiftly. And. Smoothly. All it takes is a little patience and a lot of tactics.
Prepping Petal Storm and Telekinesis
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Post by Shitakibo on Jun 16, 2023 1:51:30 GMT -5
Taki rose as Keyke was speaking, Shion immediately on alert at her side along with Keta. Several human delegates all tensed, taking notice of the fact that their comrades were healing the scratches and cuts from earlier. They themselves seemed to move with a sluggish, exhausted demeanor as the effect of her guardian's aura sapped their strength and dulled their speed. An older man in the back, greyed with age and looking like they hadn't left a dinner table in weeks stepped forward. His dark suit was embroidered and tailored, a lavish pin adorned the pocket.
"You bunch of idiots, I told you not to hire mages of any kind... great... just great, we're screwed. DAMN IT!!"
"B..Boss, maybe this isn't a good idea."
"Tch, like I care what these bugs think, they're no different from roaches to be burned out of our way."
"Great."
The spiders all spread out behind Keyke and the shaman, who had gleaned the ruse long before it was meant to be revealed. Taki might not have brought her weapons, but her magic was more than enough to upend the battle if it started, and her guardians were always eager for a good fight. Taki stepped between the groups, clearing her throat before addressing the room.
"As my partner said, you have this one chance to take your ill intentions and go. Do not waste that opportunity with your incompetent and utterly ignorant way of thinking. The fact that you've come here, hired us under a false pretense to manipulate the sanctity of peace talks is enough in my eyes to exterminate you all like the roaches you loathe so much. Walk away from this situation, while your legs are still capable of anything more than being lifeless meat attached to your bodies." She spoke, her tone a vicious hissing as the magic within her body swirled and she prepared to launch an assault if the men chose to attack.
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Post by Lady Keyke Runi on Jun 16, 2023 11:50:42 GMT -5
And attack they did, the one who specifically called us out on being mages was in for a treat. When they rushed forward, I wasted no time, in an instant the field was back up in high gear, swirling more powerfully than before. This caused much more minor cuts to befall the others, but some didn't care. A range archer shot at us, but the moment it passed through my field, I yanked it with my magic, slowing it down to a stop in mid air. I rotated it to face the way it came and flicked my wrist, sending it back with higher force. The idiot held up the short bow they had used and it broke on impact from the arrow, showing me that that bow had an enchantment for shrapnel. I could tell some of the men closing in had skills in frontal assault, but the unexpected is what is best in any fight. I click my heels together, releasing a pair of blades under my shoes.1 I twist gracefully and speedily kick them, causing a deep slice in one of their abdomens, before pushing around them and jumping onto another's head, also cutting that open slightly. After my duel attack, I shift my skates to turn and fact them, not long applying telekinesis, but activating petal storm in both hands, increasing the power to spread even further. "We warned you." My voice holding a sadistic glee inside at the fighting.
1. Ice Skates
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Post by Shitakibo on Jun 16, 2023 13:33:46 GMT -5
Geomagnetic Sense gave Taki the initiative in this situation. As the men began their assault, the shaman's magic came to a crescendo. From behind their group, a pair of heavy, broad golems burst forth from below the floor. The first slammed it's heavy arms into the archer as his shot was rebounded right into his gut. The man crumpled under the force as the second golem went pounding it's feet into the thick of battle. A man wheeled as the others started to react, trying to bury his axe in the construct. His blade struck the magical form square in it's chest, but he was far too slow to realize the trap this presented. The golem wrapped it's arms about the offender and crushed him to it's body, falling on top of him with a loud wet crunching. Shouts from the fore and Keyke's assault increased the confusion.
Keta stood off to the side of the room, enhancing the pair's magics while draining the speed, force and energy from their opposition. The golems wreaked havoc on the backline while Keyke's Petal Storm and strange magical shoe-blades cut deep lashes into them. Delegates from the spider's side all clamored out the windows and up into the rafters out of the way, save the one that had been effected earlier. The female spider caught a man with a pair of nasty curved daggers in a netting made of web before driving her long, curling fangs into the crook of his neck. He shouted and began to spasm violently, binding himself even further in the net web. Taki noticed her wounds began healing as she darted to her next target, a man trying to wind a windlass with a winch. Taki's golems waded into the thick of battle, battering poor souls and tossing them aside before converging on the leader of the group.
"HEEELLLPPPP MEEE!!" He shouted as the golems pressed in from both sides, locking their arms to each other and slowly squeezing the bulbous fool between them. His shouts turned into a thick, soupy gurgling before he met the inevitable end awaiting him. The remaining men were caught in Keyke's spell and cut off from the exit by Taki's golems and the hissing spider behind. Those men who hadn't joined the attack were dumbstruck by the swift and decisive actions of the trio, unable to get their minds or bodies to cooperate and unwilling to join the fray.
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Post by Lady Keyke Runi on Jun 19, 2023 19:53:27 GMT -5
With the crunch of the leader between the golems, I let out a gleeful giggle from the joyous quick deaths and cries of agony over what could be considered a about fifty deep paper cuts, per person, if not more. Ending the spell once more, I clap my hands to bring the attention back to me, fear laced in their eyes at the quick deaths and hideous slow agonizing bleed out of the ones on the floor. I stand straight and pose, holding my hands together and tilting my head slightly. While I was the one to cause most of the bleeding and was frontal about my assault, not a single speck of blood was laced on me, showing experience in more than just this altercation.
With ease in my steps, I walk through a path separating the humans and the spiders, a line laced with blood and patches of blood slightly freezing over as my steps glide over with my ice skates. I do a little spin, once more joining Taki... the team at the base area for us. I look to both sides before speaking, my maniac glee dissipated, "Let us try this one more time, I am Keyke, translator for altercations between groups for a peace treaty under the spider canopy. If neither side wishes to relinquish to the other's immediate wants, please leave and summon us another day for a proper talk." The final word holding the anger and bloodthirsty glee from my attack. I give a little curtsy as I watch many leave, as the area only allowed for so many to leave at once.
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