Quest Name: Honey, someone shrunk the heroes
Participants: Two or more
Location: Anywhere
Post Requirements: 5 posts per person, 200 words per post
Reward: +1 Renown
Description: Charon has been plagued with counterfeit potions over the past few months, and the Golden Consortium doing its best to put a stop to the production of these fake elixirs. However, as one operation is put to an end, three more pop up, making it a gamble to buy potions from any source at this point. You have found yourself the victim of one of these fake potions, thinking it to be a potion or drink of some other kind. Unfortunately, it's a fake, made somewhere in a back alley by scoundrels. Instead of the potion having its intended effect, it has instead shrunk you and anyone you shared the drink with, making you the size of an ant. The effects of this potion will only last for four posts, making you normal size after its duration, however, you will have to survive in a massive world filled with giant bugs and plants all prepared to kill you. The task is simple, don't die.

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Back story:
While everyone was traveling you stopped off at a tavern at noon. The tavern does not know it had Ale mixed with the potion that the criminals were trying to get rid of. Somehow the delivery of the ale got mixed out with the delivery to the tavern. Everyone went in to get a drink and when you go to leave you see others on the road too.

Everyone felt dizzy and the world seemed to spin. when you. realize when you come around your in a difrnt land maybe world. After geting your baring you realize you are the size of an ant lucky for you everyone are standing on rises. everyone can see the one other it seems to be 200yds from you thats in your size. now the real fun begens and know one know how long this can last or even if you will get back to normal.

---

It took a moment for Sarne to focus. He could not believe that the nearby grass looked like trees the tavern was as big as a mountain. The ground shook and a pounding sound could be heard Sarne could see a Giant walking by. He could see others on little hills as well looking like they were as confused as he was. At least Sarne was not alone.

Sarne checked his equipment had shrunk with him. not that it would do any good when you are this size a flea is a threat. Not to say every insect out there could make a quick meal of him. Sarne looked around the area he thought the best thing to do would be to run to the grass but was it? Sarne did not even know what could be there. What of the others that Sarne happened to see in the same dilemma?

Sarne sighed he was wondering if he should even help them. The little voice inside of him told Sarne he must give and it was his code he lived by. Sarne shook his head and smiled. "OK," he said to himself. "Hay over there!" he motioned for the others to come over to where Sarne was. "Come over here!" Sarne yelled wondering if they could hear him.

Lo really had to stop drinking whatever someone gave them... groggy from the odd taste they'd just finished, the world seemed quite bizarre... weren't they at the tavern? What happened to the music? Why in all the world were there suddenly beings the size of mountains? Lo sighed heavily, wondering if this was another of the shadow's twisted dreamscapes. Walking about the bizarre landscape, the mage came upon a hill and proceeded to make their way to the top. Overhead, currents of air kicked up each time a comically large boot sailed by.

At the top, there were bits of the situation that began to make sense. Rumors had been spreading of mysterious potions being mixed in with various other drinks and mixes across Charon recently. Some annoyed group were out there brewing alchemical annoyances and passing them off as mundane substances. With a heavy sigh, they surveyed the area, spotting others who'd been served out of the same bottle.

"Hey over there!" someone shouted, "Come over here!" The sound carried strangely, reaching their ears as a somewhat high pitched, squeaking sound. Well, there wasn't really much else for the mage to do but see what the stranger had to say... and try not to become a grimy stain on someone's boots, or a snack for some hungry critter nibbling at crumbs that fell to the floor.

    What in the... Why was everything so big? What happened to them being taller than average? Did their height disappear in a blink? Aconites main concern was the fact they were so short now, not how they got there and how to return to normal. What had happened? All they did was go in to get some water and now they were tiny. 

    They heard tiny shouts in the distance. It was hard to make out, but seemed to be on their level. So, pushing through the grass, they made their way forwards. Everything looked odd, this small, like it was meant to be a scene out of some book. A book that had come to life. That sounded fun. Put it in a library and see who picks it up, and then let them deal with it. 

    Aconite finally pushed into a little group of people, gathered around someone. They squinted quizzically. Seriously? This many people turned short? Aconite grunted and shoved their way through to the front. It earned them a few glares as they appeared through the tiny crowd, and a particularly mean one from someone who's boot was stomped on. Well, sucks for them then. Aconite folded their arms and stared at the person, awaiting more words. 

Sarne was taken back by how many were affected. There were more than he thought or saw as a small group gathering. Two instantly stuck out to Sarne. He was used to leading people it came naturally to him even with all that had happened to him and now he still had the instinct to call everyone to him.

the first person pushed his way to the front something told Sarne this could be trouble. The person is a tall and thin man with oddly long limbs. Long coal-black hair falls to his shoulders. Having stormy blue eyes, walking with confidence and grace. The person's bones can be seen easily, giving a sharper appearance. The skin is a light gray with white freckles. Wearing dark clothing, usually black or dark green pants, and a muted earth-tone wool shirt. A silver headband with a moonstone gem in it that wraps around the head. Black fingerless gloves with hands look strong and bony.

The second and only Dragonborn there stood out and could not miss the Dragonborn. Sarne could only hope that the Dragonborn would not make trouble either it did look fierce.

The Dragonborn Standing in the crowd was over five and a half feet tall, with a gaunt appearance and sharp, bony features. Its ebon-black scales are streaked with green, while a pair of horns curl forward from the sides of its head. Crested with a flexible fin and sharp spines. It wears a plain black robe tied with a patchwork leather sash. In its hands a simple staff of dark stained Willow wood.

With the other simple folk standing there and no one else standing out Sarne looked at the ground shook his head then back at each person. "I don't think is some kind of joke. I am not even sure how it happened but my best guess is and probably obvious to you we got shrunk." the man said with confidence.

The man they see has soft features like an elf with a husky build. You can tell he is a nobleman in the way he presents himself, his armor, and his clothing. His piercing green eyes shine in the light. He stands almost 6 feet. His dirty blond hair is neat and well-kept. His skin is slightly tan showing the time he spent in the wilderness. His armor has a crest that could be seen on his front and back, A large tree with two wolf heads on each side pointing at the tree with three stars above it. With a black sword in the background pointing down with a holy rune over it and a fire rune under it.

"I am Sarne Sequoia of Grey Stone Keep, I plan to keep all of us alive until we can find out what happened and how to fix it" Suggested Sarne with a small smile. "what say all of you?" Sarne asked.

(action) A Holy sigil
effect: radiates with calming and relaxing energy, filling allies with hope. This sigil is effective against undead creatures and deals extra damage to evil-aligned people. allies of this sigil owner come to trust and respect the user while those who were struck now cower in the weapon's presence.

Something about the elven noble's declaration gave Lo pause. This situation was going to be no simple task and the obstacles ahead would be beyond numerous. The man then activated some sort of magic, causing a strange calm to wash over the crowd... well, almost. Lo felt a needling pain across their body, recoiling from the sensation as they slipped away beyond the crowd. Something compelled them to get at least as far away as it took for the stinging to stop.

After finding a place to hide, Lo cursed and muttered to themselves for a few minutes... what the hell was that? Why had they suddenly felt so much pain, or been afraid of the man who seemed to want to gather the group and protect them. Bizarre... but it was no matter, the mage need only find a safe place to wait out the effect, and hope their luck held out long enough to not encounter something hungry and mindless... though that also could potentially work to their advantage... They'd recently been making an effort to refine some of their magic, and could breathe life into a dead thing for a time if need be.

With that idea pinging around in their head, it wasn't long before Lo came up with a potentially gruesome plan. They slipped out from the hiding spot and went in search of the group again. It wasn't difficult to spot a gathering of folks, but Lo did their best to stay unnoticed and far enough away that the painful sensation didn't return. Now all the mage need do was have patience and let the natural world go about it's most natural processes... leading to a whole plethora of new research materials to help further their knowledge.

    Aconite subtly rolled their eyes at the first statement. Yeah dude, I think thats obvious. This whole thing was making them more irritable than usual, and as Sarne Sequoia finished his next statement Aconite turned and shoved their way back through the crowd to the edges. The person who had their boot stomped on before got another extra stomp. 

    Staying near the edges, close enough to hear anything else, Aconite had a quick glance around. Most were listening carefully to the man, while a few others were either making their way over to the group or standing around in a confused daze. They spotted the dragonborn off to the side, who seemed to be either indifferent or curious about this whole thing. Aconite frowned at them for a moment, before glancing over their shoulder to see a group exiting the nearby tavern. 

    The group was rowdy and loud, stomping their way away from the building and laughing cheerily. It sent thunderous booms across the crowd, and shook the ground under them. Aconite, and lots of others, started scrambling to not fall. Aconite failed miserably and immediately fell. They smacked to the ground with a grunt, before pushing themselves back up. With a few grumbles, they dusted themselves off and smoothed their hair down. 

    Aconite looked around as the loud group was walking away, their laughter filling the air like cracks of lightning. Most had recovered themselves and got back up, while a few were still struggling to get up with the crowd. Finally, the group had totally left, and there was quiet for a moment as everyone finished getting back up. 

Not a dumb man Sarne managed to stay on his feet. He was disappointed that some moved away to the back of the little group that had formed. He thought for a minute knowing they needed cover and get out of the road before a horse came by and stepped on them. Sarne thought looking up well not rain that good.

When everyone was stable again Sane looked at everyone "Let get out of the road the last thing we need is a horse or wagon to come by and crush us. It did not take long Sarne knew where to go but who would follow him or even care to? Turning and spotting a good place to walk to. Sarne started to walk in that direction. looking to see if anyone followed. Some of the crowd started to fallow others just stood things looking overwhelmed and frightened.

Sarne was at a loss at what to do other than get some type of cover it is hard to fight off hundred-foot giants with toothpicks. What if a big bug shows how do they fight that? Sarne could feel a small rumbling coming it felt like marching men not like the giants something else was coming.

Sarne started to prepare for the worst he placed his hand on his sword and stopped in place.

Lo was surprised it had taken this long for such a group to be noticed. For their size, they were quite loud and had drawn some less than pleasant attention. From the tree-like grass, a trio of ant Soldiers came skittering into view. While it had been somewhat expected, their size and appearance from this perspective were terrifying. Sharp, powerful mandibles and flailing antennae accompanied many lensed eyes that seemed to look everywhere at once. Thick armor of a deep brown, almost black hue encased their bodies as they stalked about on powerful, spiked legs.

Lo moved off to the flank as he noticed their approach. Oblivious to what was coming for the moment, the mage could feel the gaze of the tome's shadow upon them. They didn't need to look to know it's horrid grin, or understand that the maddened ideas running through their mind were not fully their own. Shaking off the feeling as best they could, the anticipation of carnage and death was like dangling a well made steak in front of a starving beast.

The man, along with a few others stopped and began looking around as the first signs of the ants began to reach them. It wouldn't be long now... a few more moments and the reality of this nightmare would fall upon them with hungry, instinctual mouths and a basal urge to destroy anything that wasn't a part of their colony.

    Oh my gods can this get any worse? Aconite groaned with frustration as the ants came charging into view. They quickly reached for their dagger, before realizing how ineffective it'd be against these giant things. Unless they could get under them and stab them, something else would need to work. Aconite reached for their bladed whip, grabbing the handle of it. They strode forwards towards the approaching ants and stopped about 10 feet away, before lashing out with the whip. It struck one of the ants legs, and the ants turned towards Aconite. Maybe this wasn't the best idea after all. Too late for rethinking choices now, though, as they were charging towards Aconite. 

    They jumped out of the way right as the ants barreled through where they were, who screeched to a halt to turn back to the spiderfolk. People were scattering and running from the area, while others stood in terror. "Hey, idiots!" Aconite yelled at them. "Move and find someplace else thats not right in the way!" That shook most of them out and made them scatter, following a large group fleeing away from the scene. A few seemed determined to stay there and watch, which made Aconite scowl. Not long, though, as the ants charged again. Aconite lashed their whip around wildly, still not totally used to using it. It was a decent enough way to get the ants back a bit, though. 

    Aconite took a couple steps back as the ants recovered and prepared to charge again. Why the hell are these things so determined? Like they're being controlled or something, I swear. Aconite scowled again and just missed getting free of the charging path as an ant grabbed their leg and hit them onto the ground. Their legs dug into Aconite with spikes, as Aconite struggled to put away their whip and reach for their dagger. The ants surrounded them as the rest of the people still hovering around fled quickly. 

    One ant grabbed Aconites arm that was reaching for their dagger and flung them out of the other ants grasp, tossing them around before throwing them away. Aconite landed with a grunt and a thud, rolling away as the ants followed. Their jaws snapped as they moved forwards, Aconite struggling to regain their bearings and get back up. 

    As Aconite finally stood up, legs unstable, the ants got to them and prepared to attack again. Some grass was tangled around their leg, and as Aconite struggled to free it one of the ants grabbed them and yanked them into the air, tossing them up into the sky and making them hit the ground with another pained grunt. They tried to get back up, but an ant stepped over them and grabbed their body in its pincers. It crushed down, trying to squish Aconite as they flailed around, dagger in hand. The dagger connected to one of the ants, but just barely and only seemed to infuriate it more. This was looking just great. 

Seeing the Ants Sarne let out a sigh. Sarne and others there just could not catch a brake. There were so far only three and not the whole lot of them. The dark-haired pushy boy seems to have no fear and attacks the ants. Sarne admiered him for that. Now people were starting to scatter and run. Which to Sane was a bad idea. Sarne thought the Ants just did not know who to go after first.

"Don't run!" yelled Sarne. He had no idea what would attract the ants other than Sarne knew from experience that they liked sweets. He had lost a pie or two to the ants in the past. Ants knew when bad weather was coming and never fought a giant ant before.

one of the ants longed at one of the common folks that ran he was grabbed by its massive manacles and crushed in its grip. The man's screams ended quickly as he caught up blood and his body went limp. The ants shook the body a few more times acting as if to see if it was dead.

Sarne could not stand by any longer Action was needed. he drew his sword now what could he do he wondered if some of his wards of magic would even work. He rushed forward at the center Ant making his presence known. He spoke a few words as the Sigil glowed gold in color. Sarne stood defiant in front of the ants. With his sword and parrying dagger at the ready.

[Action]
Looming Fear
The range of your banner's aura has now increased, having a 20-foot diameter range with you and your sigil at its center. The power of your name has also increased, allowing you to activate your fear twice per topic, and its effects now last for two posts instead of one.

Lo (and the Tome Shadow) watched with grim satisfaction as one of the runners got snapped up and crushed. Watching from a safe distance, the mage wondered what the gaudy man's plan was standing there with his blade drawn. Was he trying to fight these things like one might fight bandits or enemy warriors? Shaking his head, he stepped around the corner and leveled his staff at the ant that had pinned someone else. At least someone in the group understood that there was no quarter to be found in the minds of ants, no sympathy or emotion... just the needs of the hive and biochemical signals directing every action...

A sickly blast of dark energy lashed out from the tip of their staff, crackling with purple lightning as it punched through the eye of the targeted ant. Ichor rained down as the creature reared and thrashed from the sudden injury. Truly horrifying was how it's cohorts responded, descending upon the wounded ant with the same vicious tenacity they'd fallen upon the people. Mandibles shattered it's exoskeleton as the others pulled it apart like living machines processing another pile of scraps. This potion had best wear off fast or they were in serious trouble...

Wheeling about in unison, the remaining pair let out wild clicks and a noxious cloud of some kind from their abdomens, which hissed and popped as it splattered against anything organic and began to eat away at it.

    Aconite wriggled free and stumbled away just before they were crushed in the ants jaws. They turned away to focus on other things, and Aconite saw the gas starting to eat away at things. Self preservation finally kicked in and they started to run off in the direction of the others who had fled. Might as well try to stay with a group. Speedily getting out of there seemed easy, as the ants were attacking some others. That'd be fine. Probably. 

    They saw a small group looking lost, so they turned to that direction. "Hey! Where'd everyone else go?" Aconite called, grabbing the attention of that group. Most of them shrugged and someone called back to Aconite. "Don't know! Everyone just kinda ran." With a scowl, Aconite picked up the pace and went towards the group. 

    With Aconite, the groups total went up to twelve. There were still plenty of others to go round up, making this more difficult than needed. "Alright then. Twelve of us and many others. We're gonna go find everyone, regroup, and let someone else deal with everyone." A few nods and 'alrights' were given to them, which Aconite took and started to herd the people towards a random direction. 

    The group picked up a few others as they wandered around, making sure to steer clear of where the ants were. It was going pretty smoothly, grabbing lost and confused people to add to the group. Almost too smoothly, but Aconite didn't worry about that. Why bother getting upset about a gift? Even if this wasn't a gift but a huge problem, Aconite wasn't about to complain about having no problems appearing again. 

Sarne felt like he was taking on armored knights on horseback except the horses could eat people. When Sarne lets his presence know it seems to startle the ants at first they back up a few steps. Then they seem to get mad. "Maybe that was not a good idea they don't frighten easily. Sarne's sword and Dagger burst into flames the heat was intense.

Sarne stepped forward reading his blades. One of the ants tested Sarne it leaped forward trying to grab Sarne in its mandibles. there was a loud ringing noise when he struck the ant's mandibles song took advantage of this and went for a weak spot in the neck of the ant.

Suddenly Sarne moved to one side of the head of the ant his sword and dagger moved with a mix of hard, linear lines, then into soft, circular motions. Then both hard and soft, both straight-line and circular movements. striking the ant repeatedly in the weak part of the neck. goo starts to stray out as the ant's head starts to shake back and forth it appears the head was almost halfway severed off. The ant stumbled to the side and fell to the ground thrashing about dying.

[Action]

[Cyran's Haunting Blade] 

A technique best utilized by fighters who have honed their speed and precision to deliver quick, deep incisions in a target’s vulnerable spots. When a fighter uses this technique, their speed allows them to deliver a whirlwind of attacks that deal double the damage of normal attacks. Within the time it takes to make one attack, you are able to deliver three attacks that all deal double damage. At the end of this strike (regardless if the attacks hit or not) You use your speed and agility to disengage from the enemy, allowing you to retreat without your opponent being able to attack you as you flee. This can be used twice per topic.

Lo turned away from the battle, having watched most of the others fleeing save this lone man. He'd managed to dispatch another Soldier Ant, but that wasn't really important to the mage. Slipping from cover to cover, they skulked through the environment in search of the group. They could feel the Tome Shadow grinning in their mind, eager for carnage and death... eager to inflict pain upon the living and subjugation on the dead.

It wasn't long until they spotted a few people rounding a bend, headed into the grass presumably in search of others. Stalking the group proved to be difficult to the mage, and more than once was sure they'd be made. Too many eyes, too many ears in a small area to observe anything out of place. With a scoff, they broke off the pursuit and started back towards the man.

About half way back, the world began spinning, shimmering strangely before Lo's eyes. They blinked and things seemed smaller, less of a danger and more a nuisance. Quickly, they ran out into the open, now about the size of a large insect or small rodent. Each step saw them grow a bit closer to their original size, until moments later they were back to normal. Looking around, they could see the potion was beginning to wear off for everyone who'd been dosed. Without hesitation, they slipped into a dark alleyway and vanished from town. Not keen on being pursued or questioned when others came forward about the incident, the fugitive mage disappeared into the festering underbelly of the world once more... plunged into another bout of madness by the darkness digging at their psyche.