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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Jul 24, 2023 14:12:40 GMT -5
It had been several months since the incident that had magically torn Shaa from quiet Moonveil Village halfway across the world to the Arid Mesa. He and several other adventurers had nearly lost their lives to the would be God whose ambitions, not only destroyed a planetary belief system, but almost ended everything. As the interim leader of the fighters guild, it fell to him to organize the guild against the upheavals and problems that plagued the world. It was only now that Shaa had some personal time for himself to find his missing friend.
During the fight, he, Ray and Veliky were battling a mage who had possessed some the town inhabitants with some sort of strange strain of parasitic mushroom. The mushrooms turned some of the village into violent zombie like creatures. Little did they know however, that the mage was also sporting some powerful teleportation stones. During the course of the fight, Shaa, Veliky, the mage and the mushroom zombies were violently torn across the world to the Arid Mesa where the fight would continue. To Shaa’s horror, Ray and their friend Hector were nowhere to be found. Only the badly shredded remains of the mage who ended up being caught up in the teleport. Were Ray and Hector still alive or were they victims of the teleportation spell like the mage? That mage. Shaa would kill that jerk if he weren’t already torn up into itty bits. Not to mention the fact, the town they were teleported to were still involuntarily hosting the mushroom zombies. One problem at a time.
As Shaa entered the town, it felt a lot quieter than it had since the last time he was here. Considering a chunk of the population were trying to eat brains in the Arid Mesa at the moment, it wasn’t all that surprising. Shaa thought the best place to start his search would be Hector’s house. If they had survived the blast, surely there would be some sort of clues there to where they had gone.
Shaa found the house right were he remembered it. Signs of recent repair work were everywhere. The home had been badly damaged in the attack so at least, he knew, someone was looking after it. He knocks gently on the door. An older elf woman appears. Despite her advanced years, her eleven heritage makes her strikingly beautiful. Can I help you? The woman asks kindly. Hello mam, my name is Shaa. I’m looking for Hector. Is he …here? The woman smiles. Oh no, Hector left on one of his research trips about a week ago. Not very long after “ the incident” his sister died and he became very despondent. He was determined to finish his research but the mushroom curse took priority. He took that friend of his and went back the the mushroom grove to find a cure. Friend mam? Yes, that human with one arm….
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Post by Ray Castien on Jul 25, 2023 10:44:26 GMT -5
Returning to Moonveil had been heart wrenching for Ray. He remembered the horrors of seeing the townsfolk turning on them, the feeling of helplessness as innocents approached and he had no choice but to fight them. Then a pull of strange magic that he'd resisted with Qil's help had changed the whole situation. He hadn't realized that it was a teleportation spell until the zombies and his companions disappeared in a dazzling display of magical power. The remaining misery and devastation, compounded by the lack of population, gave Moonveil the appearance of a freshly raided village. A sight he had seen countless times before and had hoped to avoid seeing again.
After tending to the wounded and helping Hector organize a recovery effort the two had said their goodbyes. Ray was to search for the spell's destination and Hector was to research the fungal zombies and ensure the town had no lasting infestation. He had never found the spell's destination, though he had wound up in the Arid Mesa and fought a god during the search.
When he made his return to the village it was at Hector's behest, he'd sent a message stating how close he was to a breakthrough in creating an antidote for the afflicted. Ray had come to provide whatever support he could in the endeavor. They had made their way to the mushroom fields in search of a critical component that had thus far proven illusive, and dangerous, to procure.
The shroom canopy was a rainbow of colors with every variety of mushroom imaginable rising up to its respective height. Some of the largest had papery thin caps that let light through like stained glass, casting various hues onto the smaller shrooms below and creating an even larger variety of sights to see. Hector led Ray through the forest via a foot trail he'd worn, likely in his research here. The ground was springy and spongy all at once as they tread above the thinly concealed mycelium that spread for miles from the forest's center.
Hector had filled him in on their first expedition into the mushrooms on the exact goal of this search. --------- "This area is a prime location for it, though it has a strange attribute that has allowed it to elud me thus far. The primary reason is that it grows...well, upon other much taller mushrooms. A sort of parasite you could say, and as I am in no way a climber I've been unable to search the canopy above for it." Hector's scholarly spiel was punctuated with a raised brow stare at Ray, who he'd seen sprout wings on at least one occasion.
"Ahh, I see." Ray glanced up at the towering mushrooms.
"What exactly am I looking for up there?" He asked with a strong awareness of his lack of mushroom knowledge.
"It will appear very similar to those that sprouted from the, umm, villagers heads..." He seemed squeamish as he finished the sentence. ---------- Since that day they had been trekking to various locations across the mushroom fields and searching the canopy above to no luck. Today was just another day, yet before Ray could take flight Qil shot a thought of apprehension into his mind.
"Seeker, a familiar energy approaches us." Qil was at once excited and hesitant, as if he doubted his senses.
"Hector, get behind me." They moved into a defensive position as Ray drew his saber and dropped halfway into his combat stance in the direction that Qil sensed the stranger's approach. The sound of mushrooms being pushed aside by something large and brash could soon be heard and Ray steeled himself for possible combat.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Jul 25, 2023 15:00:02 GMT -5
Shaa had learned a long time ago not to get his hopes up. He had always considered himself a positive person with a healthy dose of realism. Hearing a one armed friend has gone with Hector to the Mushroom grove was a pretty good indication that Ray was still alive which was great. On the other hand, Shaa had the unfortunate habit of tearing people’s arms off so there were a lot more one armed people running around then one might expect.
It didn’t take Shaa long to travel to the famous Mushroom grove. It was one of Charon natural wonders that, to this day, no one quite understood fully. The funniest part about it was that most of the researchers who tried to study it ended up so stoned that all their paperwork was gibberish. Eventually institutions stopped funding expeditions all together and the grove was left to the private explorer or unlucky (or lucky depending on your perspective) wanderer.
As Shaa made his way through the grove, he eventually picks up on a well worn path that lead further in. It oooked like one, maybe two humanoids that had been there recently. Figuring this was as good a lead as any, Shaa followed the footpath, as he got closer, he deviated from the path a bit just in case it was someone unexpected.
As he finally pushes into a clearing he finds Hector standing there dumbstruck behind Ray who was crouched down into a fighting stance. Shaa holds his hands up in mock surrender. Hey now. Who said you two Gnoll lickers could go off and cause Shenanigans without me? A Minotaur could be offended about such a slight.
Hectors eyes light up. He runs past Ray and grabs Shaa around the waist. Your ALIVE! I knew it! I could feel it in my bones you were ok. Where is Ms Veliky? Shaa hugged the slight man back and laughed. Veliky is fine. She is back running her cafe and such. I told her I would find out where you all were and let her know. Between you and me, I don’t think she would want to know if you didn’t make it.
Tears started to well up in his eyes. The incident was hard. When you all disappeared, there were still several villagers here that were infected. With no mage to control them. They went wild. We managed to subdue some of them but… a grave look comes over Hector’s face and he goes quiet. I heard about your sister in town. I’m sorry. But, I do have some good news….ish for you. A big chunk of your town is still alive. What? Hector steps back aghast.
Yeah, a bunch of them survived the teleportation and they are currently hold up in a barn that the town donated. They are still mushroom zombies of course but if you can figure out a way to fixxxx it…. We can bring them back home…. Indeed. But we should probably get a move on that. The town is not exactly super excited about having pet mushroom zombies in their barn.
We are close, so close. Ray was about to fly up there and look for samples. Shaa looks up at the high mushroom. Let’s all head up, better 3 sets of eyes than one right? Shaa looks over at Ray and smiles. I knew you made it man. You are way too tough to be taken out by an idiot like that. Besides, you can’t die on me now. We have some…unfinished business we need to take care of. Shaa raises his hands to the sky and summons a large cloud to the ground. Ummm what is that? Shaa laughs again. It’s our ride. Come on, we have a lot to catch up on.
Cloud Waltzing
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Post by Ray Castien on Jul 26, 2023 9:54:52 GMT -5
As the minotaur stepped out into the open Ray's eyes widened and he simply released his sword which promptly sheathed itself at his waste. Qil laughed slyly, happy that his attempt to put Ray on high alert had succeeded.
"Thank the Wanderer... I hadn't doubted you'd live but I was afraid they'd popped you down into hell or something with that spell." Ray's body relaxed and he walked over and gave Shaa a one armed hug and a pat on the back.
The sight of Shaa brought some normalcy back to the state of things. So much had been up in the air and constant change had plagued not only his journeys but the world itself as of late. An old friend he'd known for most of his adventuring career was the sort of stabilizer he needed about now. He'd had to give Qil a talking to for making him think something dangerous was coming. The unfinished business he mentioned, Ray was certain would pertain to the cult, there was a particular loose end he could think of there...
Shaa's statement that the villagers lived brought even more hope and purpose to their current search, finding the mushrooms would save not only the few remaining sufferers in town but possibly allow the whole lot to come home to their kin. The wanderer truly had a way of timing things, when he'd almost given up hope assistance had been guided to him.
The cloud descending to offer them a ride was no surprise with Shaa around, Ray was more surprise he hadn't just raised the ground they stood upon to the canopies height. He hopped on the cold, pillowy mass and set his eyes towards the sky as it began to rise.
"Besides this business of saving the villagers from a life of fungal servitude, we've got a lot of catching up to do. What in the world happened after that portal took you all? I know I've been hard to find as well, though I searched for you all after the event I couldn't manage to catch up to either of you without getting caught up in some distraction or another."
Hector was apprehensive of their rising height as he explained the sample they needed to Shaa. His voice only quivering a time or two as the cloud's form shifted slightly and his balance wobbled. Soon enough Shaa had been filled in and they found themselves staring over what appeared to be a field of multicolored umbrellas. Each round cap protruded just slightly above or below those around it, the sun shined readily onto them and enhanced the effect by highlighting the strange textures of each variety as well.
"We'll have to return here after all of this is taken care of. The fields have never been studied from above, I can already see a pattern of sorts..." Hector's eyes lit with interest at the sight of it all.
Ray took to a side of the cloud and glance out over the fields, squinting and doing his best to spot the mushroom they were after. It felt like looking for a needle in a haystack.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Jul 26, 2023 15:44:21 GMT -5
Shaa sighed and shook his head. Ugh so much happed after we were teleported. We ended up scattered all over this town in the Arid Mesa. The zombies were there, busted up this tea party that was happening. Met this lizard guy named Xalmann who helped us get into this old temple. He ended up joining the fighters guild which was cool. I also ended up cutting off his arm so he kind of hates me at the moment. That’s a different story though.
Shaa went on and told about the temple and being shot into space. He was surprised to learn that Ray had had a similar experience and was sad that he had missed him. You were there? Ugh there were so many people, we must have just missed each other. Man. As the two caught up and Shaa told him about all his training and growth in Elementalism, it seemed just like old times. Shaa was grateful to be hanging out with one of his oldest adventuring buddies, far away from the paperwork of the guild hall. This was Shaa’s time and he was going to enjoy it.
He looked at Hector who was staring at the mushrooms below. Don’t worry Hector. I know EXACTLY what these things look like, up close and very personally. Let’s fly closer to the mushroom tops to get a better look. Shaa directed the cloud to skim the tops of the tallest mushrooms and work in a spiral pattern lower and lower until they ran into something. Shaa was impressed at the variety of mushrooms that they found but there was still no sign of the purple parasitic spores they were looking for. Hector are you sure they are up here? If they are parasites, shouldn’t they be down where, you know, things that they can parasite off of live? You know, on the ground?
Hector shook his head. That’s what I thought too at first. But these things were magically enchanted. Making zombies wasn’t their original function. If they were, we probably would have seen ore of them before this. Hector looked back down across the mushroom canopy. They are up here..somewhere THERE! Look! Hector points out a large green mushroom who’s top had sunken in and filled with brackish water. Several birds were around the pool drinking. Hector, that mushroom is green…and kinda smelly. I don’t think.. Hector wags his finger. No no, look at the birds…THE BIRDS! Shaa squinted at the birds around the pool. They looked like normal birds until he saw them. Several were covered with a familiar purple mushroom. Oh, hope someone brought a net.
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Post by Ray Castien on Jul 27, 2023 14:20:37 GMT -5
Ray had asked the same question on the parasitic shrooms early on in the search. Hector had given some heavily scientific answer on the preference for migratory species as carriers due to the wider spread of spores. He hadn't mentioned birds specifically, Ray was honestly amazed to see something as normal as a bird in a place like this. Well, they used to be normal at least.
The birds' eyes were glazed over, their beaks oozed an odd reddish substance, and the mushrooms covered them. Shaa was right to wonder how they could catch birds. Ray imagined they'd be sluggish like the townsfolk were, but even then they were still birds...
"Hector, how many of these things do we need? Please say one." Ray took a deep breath as the realization that he was likely the only one who could spout wings among them.
"Yes, one should do, we just need a sample to distill an antidote from without the enchantment effecting the spores that infected the villagers spoiling it. A small amount goes a long way with things like that you know."
Ray did know that much. He'd helped to create antidotes for various things at his temple. Catching birds though, he did not know about. But, he could improvise...
"I have an idea." Ray took off his cloak, and allowed Qil's power to manifest enough that his second blade and arm appeared. The two swords rose up and hovered in front of him.
He tied a corner of his cloak to the handle of a sword so that two ends of the cloak were attached to their respective handles. He then took the remaining corners in his own hands.He looked to Shaa and Hector and gave a smile before sprouting wings of pale gold scales and launching himself into the air towards the birds. Just as he got close the birds spotted him and moved to take flight, at the same moment Qil's power flooded out and Ray grew to giant sized proportions, his cloak and blades growing as well. The massive wings sent gusts out with each beat causing the nearby mushroom caps to sway and bend as he flew.
Now only feet from the birds the giant swords floated quickly over them, blotting the sky out above and wrapping back just over the mushroom's cap. Ray did the same on the opposite side encasing the birds in an enormous blanket of sorts. The swords and his arms met in the middle and the swords flowed about the cloak tying it into a knot as Ray held the mass of birds in place. He fluttered in place like this for a moment more as he untied the blades' handles and hoisted the wriggling bag over to the cloud where his friends waited. Of all things he imagined his divine powers would manage, catching birds was by far the most bizarre.
"Seeker, if only your mind were as sharp in other matters as it was in snatching birds. I'd likely have a far less frequent need to admonish you." Qil's tone was sarcastic, a hint of laughter escaping between words. Ray ignored the heckling spirit.
"There ya go. one sack of mushroom covered birds." His booming voice, enhanced by his current size, echoed through the air as he held the sack out in triumph.
Abilities used - Living Weapon, Beacon of Light(wings), Belt of Giant Size
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Aug 10, 2023 16:51:50 GMT -5
With mushroom covered birds in tow, the trio head back to town so that Hector can finish his research into an antedate for the infected townsfolk. Days go by but with help from other interested mages, alchemists and botanists, finally a break through is made. One of the captured townspeople is brought in to give the first live test. The townsman, an elf by the name of Skyann, was a young man. He was smart and an avid hunter. Several members of the town felt that if anyone would have been willing to volunteer, it would have been him.
Skyann is tied down to some posts in the middle of the town square. Shaa and Ray are standing with Hector and the towns mayor as well as some other mages preparing for the attempt. Hector is sweating profusely.
What if it doesn’t work? Hector moans. What if it just makes him worse or even kills him? I couldn’t….I just…. Shaa puts a big hand on his shoulder. Look. We have been force feeding these guys for the last couple days. We have run out of time. This is us throwing a last minute rescue line, no one will blame you if it doesn’t work. Tears welled up in the elve’s eyes. But…it has to. Shaa nods in agreement. Yeah…ir has to.
In truth, the results leading up to the experiment were encouraging.The concoction that they had come up with was an ingenious combination of fungicide and anti magic enchantments with a bit of healing potion. It had fully healed the last 4 birds that they had tried it on. Of course, the previous batches had caused the heads of the other birds to explode violently so there were mixed feelings all around.
Hector walked towards Mushroom Skyann with a hand pumped spray canister he had designed for distance delivery. When everyone was ready, Hector took a deep breath and spayed the mushroom zombie right in his face. The next several moments were quiet torture for all who had decided to watch. The zombie, at first, seemed unaffected by the spray. Was it working? Elves were a lot bigger than birds so it may take longer, it was anyone’s guess. After a minute or two, people started murmuring to one another. What went wrong.
Suddenly the zombie stops and then starts to twitch and spasm violently. The audience makes a break for distance. If he exploded, the bits could infect another block of the town that they could not afford to lose. After convulsing for several minutes, the zombies body finally goes still. No explosions, not yet anyway. Hector is the fist to get close to him to inspect. Be careful man, Shaa warns. He could still go kablooey ya know. But Hector needs to know. Was it over? We’re the infected done for, had he failed. The zombie starts to move and turns towards Hector, muttering a single word. Waaa..aaa. Water……
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Post by Ray Castien on Aug 11, 2023 19:58:30 GMT -5
The experiments on birds had been nasty. So nasty that Ray had given the elf ample room as the antidote was administered to him. He had his hopes up, even more so when the initial reaction wasn't a violent explosion. Though, nothing was not exactly promising...
The elf moved again after a moment, giving Ray cause to prepare to restrain the man if need be for another dose. He felt it though, the returning of the man's conscious, through some strange influence of Qil's presence. The celestial's feeling of relief was strong enough that Ray relaxed before the man even spoke to ask for water. As the words left his mouth Ray jumped into action, there would be time for praise later.
"You, get water for him quickly. You, find some light food that he can eat and bring it here. Skyann, don't try to get up, we'll make sure you're taken care of. Here, let me prop you up." His voice was authoritative and forceful with the first commands, then gentle and kind as he addressed the elf.
Ray helped to gently move Skyann, taking away his binds and moving him to a sitting position against a nearby wall. There he began to inspect the mushrooms that clung to the elf's skin. After removing those that didn't fall free with a small knife, Ray placed a hand on the elf as he drank from the water jug brought to him and allowed healing magic to flow freely. The elf's eyebrows rose, then relaxed as the warmth filled him and the remaining wounds on his skin closed smoothly.
"There, he should make a full recovery, now we just need to do this to the rest of them..." Ray took a deep breath, the effort was refreshing to him, a rare chance to see those beyond the help of medicine being brought back by the efforts of the good intentioned.
"By the Wanderer Hector, you're a genius! To so quickly create a new antidote for a magically mutated mushroom is a true feat. My temple would welcome you with open arms."
"Ahaha, thank you but I'm at home here and once the rest are back I'll be even more attached to the place." Hector smiled at the thought.
"I'll send word to my acolytes, they'll help you to administer the cure to the rest here and take an envoy back to the Arid Mesa to cure the rest. We'll escort them back here even...if you can find us a boat..."
After the rest of the details were arranged Ray turned to Shaa, still in anticipation for the 'unfinished business' to be discussed in more detail.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Aug 12, 2023 0:55:18 GMT -5
Shaa sat down in the soft grass, breathing a sigh of relief. He had believed in Hector but years of fighting had always taught him to prepare for the worst. They were lucky this time, that the worst did not come to pass. He could only imagine what this place would look like several months from now when everyone would be back home. He could also imagine a very weird party in the arid Mesa when their mushroom zombie infestation came to an abrupt and welcome end.
Shaa watched as a small black bug with wings crawled along the rough ground in front of him. Watching the tranquility of the scene helped to calm his mind a bit. The small insects biggest problem was a large stick or a bird. It just lived it’s little bug life, made little bug kids and called it good. He envied the simplicity of it all, knowing such purity would never be his life. Shaa moves a small stone out of the bugs way with his finger and lays flat on the grass, stretching his back. He can hear small pops in his vertebrae as he rolls off to the side a bit.
He takes a selfish moment to revel in the victory. Most of the people here were just happy they were getting their townsfolk back. And Shaa was too no doubt. But he was happy for other reasons too. Beating this thing was a big middle finger to the stupid cultists that caused this mess in the first place and that made him smile. Of course the mage who had attacked the town was long since ripped up into tiny pieces of space and time so he had already paid his price. But he was just a stooge. No, the real culprit was still out there. The cultist that Shaa and Ray had come to know as Bart.
If Shaa had known back then the pain and suffering the wiley cultist would cause him, he would have snapped his stupid neck right then and there in that janky supply store. But how could he have possibly known? Back then, Bart was just another idiot chasing a relic long lost to the centuries. An irritating speed bump on the road of Shaa’s endless wandering. But it didn’t turn out that way. He had, on more than one occasion, actually tried to kill him and his friends and nearly succeeded. He was the perpetual thorn in Shaa’s butt. But not for much longer. This incident had just reconfirmed for the burly fighter that Bart needed to be dealt with, once and for all.
Shaa watched as Ray finished his business and walked over. He sits with with a small grunt and looks at Ray with determination in his eyes. Thanks for taking care of that. He says with a smile. You know I’m no cleric and that kind of thing is best left to the experts. Shaa plucks a small blade of green grass by his foot and turns it over in his fingers, crushing it slightly. He can feel the gritty residue of the liquid run down his fingers. You understand what I mean though don’t you? We need to leave this to them and take care of the source of this and all the other nonsense. It’s time Ray, it’s time we take out that cultist once and for all.
Shaa stood up from the grass and wiped grass on his hands on his sides. I want to be clear here, that’s what’s happening. Some might consider this “murder” or whatever but that guy is not going to stop until we are both very dead. And he does not care who he hurts along the way. Shaa gestures to the empty town with his hand. So it’s not really murder per se, more “preemptive self defense” Shaa knew that his personal perspective on killing people didn’t exactly fit with the common philosophy. He had absolutely zero issue with pulling off that jerks head and kicking it down a hole somewhere. But Ray was reformed. Neither of them were the same as they were back then. How do you feel about that?
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Post by Ray Castien on Aug 12, 2023 10:15:46 GMT -5
Hearing Shaa's proposition he knew he was correct, Bart had more than earned a death penalty through his actions. But, hadn't Ray as well... Hadn't he killed likely as many people in cold blood as Bart for an even lesser reason? He had never really been able to reconcile that part of himself, the bloodlust. It had never gone away, even with Qil's presence, he'd only ever managed to redirect it towards The Wanderer's purposes. What would The Wanderer, what would Qil, think of him seeking a man out for the express purpose of killing him. Executioner was nowhere in the Wanderer's journal, though Ray had acted as one in the moment many times. The only reason he struggled was the truth of Shaa's words, Bart would kill again.
"I don't see a point in sugar coating it. It's murder, we kill people. We do it for a good reason most of the time, usually to keep from being killed or to keep someone else from being killed. This is different, its walking into a hornets nest and claiming self defense when you swat them." Ray let out a long sigh, squeezing the pommel of his saber in his hand tightly and looking towards the sky.
"Seeker, our purpose and destiny is not slaughter. My last host was led astray by such thoughts and justifications. Do not let your soul fall casualty to retribution." Qil's voice was serious, pleading even.
What would he say if someone had been sent after him all those years ago. The Wanderer would disapprove, not of defense or rescue, but of hunting another to kill them. Ray would have told the person sent to kill him to do so, he realized. He had wished many times in his earlier journey that someone had killed him before he committed the atrocities he had. In time though he understood that his past was not all that defined him, he had the chance to write the rest of his story, those that died did not. Who was he to steal the chance of another to change their story's ending...
"I can hunt him with you... I can fight him and defend you, but I cannot kill him. He should be captured, given the chance and the push to change. However hard it is to think he can, for both of us..." Ray's eyes were downcast, he moved his grip from the saber's pommel to the Wanderer's Journal, relaxing slightly.
"If I kill him, I don't think I'll come out the same." He spoke in a hushed voice, staring sharply into Shaa's eyes.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Aug 12, 2023 17:26:06 GMT -5
Captured? Are you kidding me? This was the same argument he kept having with people over and over again. Some people belonged in jail, no question. Lock them up, throw away the key. Let them rot. But Shaa firmly believed that some people were way too dangerous, too influential to be left alive. I can’t even count the number of reasons that’s a bad idea. He’s a friggen cultist! He goes to prison, he just sends one of his minions after us like Mushroom boy. He would probably like it better in prison because people like us couldn’t get to him. Not to mention, it’s not like we have any evidence he’s part of the group kidnapping people or plotting for the Sol Stone or any the other dozen crappy things he’s done. No offense to the Royalty but they do not care about this guy, not one bit.
Shaa starts pacing around, getting all riled up. Not that Bart would even allow that. Oh no, not him. You know what he would do? He would get arrested for like, a day, and then he would gather up all of his other little cultist buddies in the prison and use one of those stupid blink stones to bust them all out! Yeah! That’s what he would friggen do. And he would probably summon some demons to go find some babies to eat just because he’s a twisted bastard. Yup! Then he would wave at us while we are trying to save the babies and blink away to some bungalow somewhere to find more sharpened sticks to shove up our collective asses!
Shaa starts punching the air and kicking at nothing. He knows he’s having a tantrum like a little kid but he is so frustrated, he is having a hard time composing himself. Hector notices the scene and walks over to figure out what’s going on. Ummm hey guys is everything ok? Yes Hector! Everything is friggen fantastic! I’m just here practicing my celebration dance! He says, his words dripping with sarcasm. Hmmm yes I noticed that. I think one of the Nannie’s has a spare pacifier over there if you want to borrow one. Shaa spits at Hector’s feet accidentally releasing a bit of fire magic and burning a small patch of grass. Hector looks at him and smiles. Feel better now do you? The big Minotaur folds his arms and sticks his tongue out at him. Noooooo. But in truth, he did. He wasn’t really mad at Hector or Ray. He was mad at himself that it had gotten this far and he hadn’t stopped him. He needed to end this.
Shaa waves his hand at Ray. I’m sorry…I…don’t get it but I respect you enough to accept your opinion on it…no matter what I personally think about it. If it comes down to it, and it will, I will take care of it. But I want you to be there. We owe it to all the people he’s hurt since his escape. Shaa wondered what ever happened to that Mephit? Hector pats him on the shoulder. It’s a moot point my friend. How would you even find him? It’s not like these cultists advertise or anything. Shaa’s eyes brighten up. Hector! You are a genius! Hector smiles and shrugs. Well today I am at least but…why do you think so? Shaa pulls out a shard of the blink stone that he had recovered from his unexpected trip to the Arid Mesa. Barts flunky may have inadvertently given us the key to finding him.
Hector shakes his head. Don’t you remember what I told you? There are parent blink stones and child blink stones. This was obviously a child stone and only a piece of one. It can’t take you anywhere. No it can’t, but there is someone I know that might be able to tell us where the parent is! Hector looked doubtful. You would have to know a pretty powerful mage to pull off something like that. I agree. It’s a good thing I am the interim captain of the fighters guild. I have an open invitation to see the captain of the mages guild and, as it so happens, he owes me a favor…..
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Fighter's Guild
IS OFFLINE
48
Renown
Half Human - Half Moon Elf
Ray Castien, my character https://talesofcharon.proboards.com/thread/660/ray-castien-character-page
426 POSTS & 0 LIKES
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Post by Ray Castien on Aug 14, 2023 9:31:19 GMT -5
Ray was taken aback. He'd heard Shaa angry before and seen the minotaur's wrath come into play with their enemies countless times. Never had he imagined he could infuriate his friend so much by suggesting they not seek to kill Bart, he thought for a moment how awful it could have been if Shaa and himself had faced one other while he was still a bandit... Not that he deserved mercy in that time of his life, but hadn't that been what Qil wanted to instill in him, that he had deserved it. As much of Ray wanted to kill Bart as let him live, the same way he thought his past actions unforgiveable yet sought redemption constantly. It was a question with no right answer, two terrible choices and you just had to hope you make the right one...
"Shaa, calm yourself, what we do with him is up to us, captured and given a chance to change doesn't mean left to do what he wills in some prison. I know he's an evil bastard who'd slaughter a cart full of orphan children for the chance at power. I know change isn't likely. I've not a clue where to take the fool, what to do with him, just that I. Can't. Kill. Him." Ray tried to keep his voice calm but wound up yelling in turn, his emotions flooding out and Qil's influence leaking through his gaps in composure. His eyes now glowed with white fire and pale golden scales crept from his right shoulder up and across part of his face.
As Hector came over to break up the tension Ray realized how out of sorts he had gotten and took a moment to compose himself, saying a prayer to the Wanderer inside his own head and letting Qil's energy relax him. As Shaa calmed and the conversation continued he was more understanding, only requesting that Ray be there alongside him during the fight. It hurt to think he imagined he would let him go alone, it was both their duties to stop Bart.
"Of course I'll be there alongside you. I'll do all I can to find him, defeat him, and bring him to justice. He won't get away this time..." Ray's eyes gave off a hint of fire once more as the memory of Bart's evils returned.
Hearing Shaa's plan to meet with the Mage's Guild Ray was confident that they would be able to at least get closer to finding Bart. He'd dealt with the Mage Guild on a few occations, if anyone was able to trace the blink stone's source and send them to it, it would be them.
"Sounds like a plan, let's head out then. You've got everything under control here I trust, Hector?" Ray looked back to the group of scholars and mages working on curing villagers and preparing supplies for further antidotes.
"Yes, everyone's quite motivated already but I'll make sure things are seen through to the end. You'll both have to come visit when everyone's back safe." He answered with a warm smile, looking more relaxed and happy than he had since Ray had first arrived.
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Fighter's Guild
IS OFFLINE
24
Renown
King’s Valley
1,119 POSTS & 0 LIKES
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Aug 15, 2023 21:13:39 GMT -5
The two adventurers said their goodbyes to the villagers and started to make their way to the mysterious mages guild on an island just north of them. In preparation for the trip, Shaa had sent word to Sor'Aidien, the dean of the mages guild, that they were on their way. He had decided not to include any details as to the nature of their visit only that he and a guest would be coming under the guise of boring inter guild politics. He did not want to run the risk of Bart finding out what they were up to and ditching the stone before he had a chance to try their plan.
The two had made their way to the coast and had charted a boat that would take them to the island. In truth, Shaa had lots of ways to get to the island but he wanted to avoid being flashy or conspicuous as possible. Stealth was going to be the key here. If they could catch him by surprise, it would be their one chance to snag him before he escaped…again. But that was the problem. He always seemed to be one step ahead of them, always just out of reach. This might very be their only chance to close the gap.
The trip had been mostly quiet. Shaa looked over the bow of the medium sized trawler, the waves slapping up against the side. For a land being, he seemed to have spent a crazy amount of time on the sea this year. From being eaten by a giant fish to all of the trips he had taken to Sol City and the Guild. Any more and he was going to grow flippers. He would buy his own boat if he still didn’t owe on replacing that stupid ballista ironically destroyed because of an attack from the mages guild. Maybe he could get them to chip in.
As Shaa stared at the water, a large dark shape catches his attention. There were a lot of mysterious creatures out in the sea. Most not all that friendly. Shaa looks over to Ray. Hey Ray, come look at this.
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