Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
20
Renown
Human
88 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Hadassah on Oct 19, 2023 2:27:18 GMT -5
Knowing absolutely nothing about potions, nor their cost, Hadassah could only listen to the present conversation and wait patiently. Something about all of it felt off to her, though she couldn't pinpoint the reason why. She was in a new place after all, maybe she was just imagining the sketchiness of the stand and the vendor because she was simply uncomfortable with her surroundings. That’s probably what it is.
80 solars sounded like a lot to Hadassah, but again, she’d only just arrived and was clueless when it came to purchases. If flight potions are really as rare as he claims, 80 must be quite a deal I suppose. The more Pan spoke, the more Hadassah’s stomach twisted with something like anxiety, despite her relaxed posture. If they didn’t need the potions to complete this quest, she would have moved on from this shady stand in a heartbeat. She began to wonder if all potion sellers were like this, and if so, she was starting to understand why Sylvari maybe didn’t like potions so much.
Hadassah gave Sylvari a small shrug of her shoulders. She didn’t like this place, but if flight potions really were difficult to come by, not even including affordable pricing, it seemed this would be the better option. Hadassah leaned closer to Sylvari’s ear and lowered her voice to a whisper. “If these potions are that rare, then maybe it wouldn’t be a good use of time to go hunting for better deals.” Hadassah glanced at Pan, flashing the man a weak smile. “I suppose we might as well end our search here.”
|
|
Fighter's Guild
IS OFFLINE
20
Renown
Crescent Isles
"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
793 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Oct 19, 2023 9:56:12 GMT -5
Sylvari nodded firmly and placed a comforting hand on Hadassah's back to affirm her input. Looking back to the still-smiling merchant, Sylvari sighed and fished out the requisite sum from her bag, counting it carefully before handing it over.
Pan's smile grew wider still, stacking the coins atop one another with a flourish, a showy gesture that Sylvari knew meant he was checking her count. "Wonderful, my dear, everything looks to be in order. Now," the merchant continued, as he plucked two light blue mixtures in bottles with winged caps from his shelves.
"Of course, as is standard for the alchemical businesses, Pan's Potion's can not refund a purchase once confirmed to ensure the quality of our stock. Furthermore, we accept no legal or moral liability for any discomfort, dizziness, headaches, maiming, internal bleeding, or death that may occur from consuming our locally sourced brews. By completing this purchase, you agree to store terms and accept full culpability for your purchase."
Sylvari grimaced at the salesman's words, noting with particular distaste how he got progressively quieter listing the harsher symptoms, but this too was, unfortunately standard, yet another reason Sylvari hated potions. "Yes, yes, we understand. Thank you for your service, Pan."
Pan's eyes seem to gleam with predatory excitement. "Not at all, my dear. If only half my customers were as quarter a charming as you two, why, I'd be twice as happy with my lot at least! Happy hunting!"
Sylvari wished to be anywhere but here and quickly ushered Hadassah out of the market district to an adjacent alleyway from the main quarter to begin their hunt in peace. She sighed deeply, the heavy exhalation of someone many years her senior, before looking up to give Hadassah a weak smile.
She distributed the potions between them and raised hers, mocking a tavern toast. "To our blossoming friendship." Sylvari then quickly drank the brew, knowing all too well the acrid taste and splitting headache that would follow.
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
20
Renown
Human
88 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Hadassah on Oct 19, 2023 12:01:27 GMT -5
Hadassah watched as her companion handed over the required funds to the vendor, and brought a hand to her knotted stomach. Her anxiety grew further as he handed Sylvari the blue potions and began to list off the possible side effects, to include death. Once the man finished his little speech, Hadassah slowly shifted her widened eyes to Sylvari, searching for any sort of reassurance. She couldn’t tell if the uneasiness she was feeling was because she would be venturing into unknown territory by taking the potion, or because she was genuinely afraid.
Once Sylvari led them away from the market, she began to feel slightly more at ease. She was by no means excited to take the potion, but at least that was one task completed. Now it was just to take the potions and get to the more difficult part of the quest. If this potion didn’t kill her, she would pay Sylvari back for it. That was the least she could do, considering Sylvari offered to teach her a few things once this was all over. A twinge of excitement replaced some of her fear at the thought.
Hadassah returned Sylvari’s smile and sighed in anticipation as she raised her bottle. “To our friendship.” Hadassah hesitated for a moment, watching as Sylvari drank her potion before squeezing her eyes shut and doing the same. Her mind screamed at her as she waited for the list of side effects to develop. Discomfort, pain, headaches, maiming, bleeding, death. Maybe even in that order.
|
|
Fighter's Guild
IS OFFLINE
20
Renown
Crescent Isles
"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
793 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Oct 19, 2023 13:26:20 GMT -5
Sylvari fought the urge to scrunch up her face in disgust as she quickly drained the bottle. Apparently, to her delicate vampire diet, potions were counted as 'mortal food' and, thus, carried the accompanying ashy taste that made her want to vomit. This was even discounting the customary dizziness and migraines she experienced upon consuming elixirs, a side effect that unfortunately carried on even to her new undead state.
Still, she could sense Hadassah's palpable apprehension, and so Sylvari kept a brave face on for the sake of her friend. For a few seconds, there was only the dreadful anticipation of the potions' effects as Sylvari looked at Hadassah with a pained smile. Then came the dreadful dizziness, much more powerful than Sylvari had ever experienced. She stumbled over to a wall of the alley and leaned against it: her one point of solid contact as the world swirled endlessly about her. The potion bottle she clutched in her right hand was released to the accompanying sound of shattering glass.
It felt like hours of endless revolutions, but in reality a few dozen seconds passed before Sylvari was able to reopen her eyes. She looked over in wonder, seeing massive glass shards to her right. The buildings around her seemed impossibly tall, and as she sat in a space between two cobblestones, Sylvari noted they came to her midsection. She had shrunk down to the size of a locust.
Godsdamned potions.
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
20
Renown
Human
88 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Hadassah on Oct 20, 2023 3:48:35 GMT -5
It didn’t take long for Hadassah to feel the onset of a headache along with the familiar feeling of dizziness. She cracked her eyes open, just to make sure she still could, and immediately regretted it as the world spun around her and the light amplified the painful beating drums in her head. She cursed under her breath as she squeezed her eyes shut once more and shifted her weight against the alley wall, her palms pressing against the stone. You’re okay, you’re okay, you’re okay, she kept repeating to herself. As long as she could still feel her body, she was alive, and that was enough, despite the pain. “I’m just going to sit down for a moment, Sylvi,” Hadassah breathed softly, allowing herself to slide down the wall to sit on the cool ground.
After a few moments, the headache began to subside, and her equilibrium returned. With a relieved sigh, she opened her eyes and rubbed them gently. “I think I understand now why you don’t like potions,” Hadassah chuckled lightly and lifted her head. Her heart skipped a beat as her eyes finally focused to reveal giant cobblestones and towering walls that didn’t match her memory of the alley from just moments ago. Hadassah looked around frantically before finding Sylvari, much further away from her than she remembered. “What happened?” Hadassah knew very well what was happening, but she could hardly believe it. They had been duped.
|
|
Fighter's Guild
IS OFFLINE
20
Renown
Crescent Isles
"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
793 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Oct 20, 2023 10:27:59 GMT -5
Sylvari quickly leapt to her feet, stretching to test her body's capabilities. She breathed a sigh of relief to find that the only thing affected was her stature; her muscles and limbs functioned just fine, with no loss of fine motor control. Only, ha, what a joke. Sylvari quickly rushed over to Hadassah to ensure she was also otherwise unaffected.
"It seems the potions we received were a fraudulent batch. I've heard rumblings about counterfeit potions from my contacts within the city, but I didn't think such vendors would be so brazen to sell such faulty goods in the market square."
Sylvari thought of Pan, too smooth a salesman to be genuine, surely. But then, he had used space domain arcana to read her. The flash of recognition in his eyes must have revealed her true nature. Sylvari hoped that her presence was intimidating enough to ward off such intentional scams. She perked her head up and looked to Hadassah.
"Addie, Pan said he had 'locally sourced' the potions, which is why he was able to pass along such a discount. It may just be my gut, but I hesitate to think he was aware of the fraud. He should have inspected the goods, to be sure, but even if he was at fault, he's protected himself from at least legal repercussions."
Sylvari sighed, the cacophonous sound of the market magnified many times over to her now-tiny ears. "Potions wear off eventually; we just have to stay safe until then-"
Sylvari's statement was cut of by the sound of approaching children, running together and playing with a small ball: normally an endearing sight, but the group was on a direct collision path with the pair. Thinking quickly, Sylvari scooped up Hadassah in both arms and prepared to bolt. "Hold on!"
[Frozen Feet] She coated the soles of her boots with icy magic and began skating forward to create distance, hopping at intervals to stay on top of the raised cobblestones.
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
20
Renown
Human
88 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Hadassah on Oct 20, 2023 11:22:30 GMT -5
How cruel luck seemed to be to Hadassah. On the same day she found a new friend and also got shrunk by her very first potion. What are the odds? Hadassah stood up and did a visual sweep of her body, making sure everything was in its right place, which they were. But not the right size, she grumbled to herself. She just knew something was off about that potion stand. She wouldn’t go so far as to say she actually did know something, but the whole situation made her sick to her stomach. As she listened to Sylvari give her a run-down of the situation, she began to wish she’d trusted her gut after all. Then again, perhaps they would have run into the same issue trying to find the potion elsewhere if counterfeits were going around.
Hadassah huffed and placed a hand on her hip as she replayed the vendor’s speech in her head. It frustrated her greatly that he’d legally protected himself with just a couple words. Her blood boiled at that fact, but she sealed her lips to avoid saying a few phrases that need not be repeated.
“That doesn’t sound very good.” Hadassah whispered as the children and their death ball approached them. Before she could even think of doing anything, a surprised yelp left her throat as she felt Sylvari’s armored arms lift her up. Hadassah quickly wrapped her arms around Sylvari’s neck and locked her hands together on impulse to keep from falling. Her eyes widened in amazement as they began to skate away from the playing children. Hadassah snickered to herself, realizing how silly she must look in this position.
Hadassah craned her neck a tad to look over Sylvari’s shoulder and watched as the distance grew between them and the little giants. “Good call, Sylvi!”
|
|
Fighter's Guild
IS OFFLINE
20
Renown
Crescent Isles
"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
793 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Oct 20, 2023 12:17:33 GMT -5
Sylvari skidded to a halt as she rounded a corner and pressed against the wall. The children thundered passed in their play, and she huffed a sigh of relief. Realizing she still held Hadassah, who was clutching her neck tightly, a faint rosy blush came over Sylvari's features, as she set her friend down.
"Sorry about the sudden intrusion, Addie." Realizing her hair had gone wild in their mad dash, Sylvari pulled out a brush from her bag to tease out the tangles as she looked around. Luckily, she had the wherewithal to journey away from the crowded market square, where the multitude of ignorant footsteps would have spelled sure doom, but as she looked at the labyrinth of towering alleyways, seeming all-the-more dark from her new miniscule perspective, Sylvari was hit with a feeling of being overwhelmed.
As if the feelings of anxiety weren't enough, the gods saw fit to test Sylvari and her new friend further, as a stray cat began stalking towards the pair with purposeful, predatory steps.
Sylvari had always loved cats, and animals of all types more generally, but as she looked to the approaching feline, there was only the cold shock of fear running through her body. Images of cats toying with, torturing, their prey, which before seemed so cute and innocent, were all Sylvari could think of.
"Addie... Get ready to defend yourself." She stepped in front of Hadassah with shield raised.
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
20
Renown
Human
88 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Hadassah on Oct 20, 2023 13:48:22 GMT -5
Hadassah’s arms stiffened as they finally came to a halt and narrowly avoided the children as they passed. For a moment, she remained still as her mind processed the whole event. As Sylvari finally set her down, Hadassah’s cheeks flushed at the realization that she had almost completely forgotten she was being held.
“Not a problem.” Hadassah cleared her throat and gently yanked the wooden sticks holding her hair, allowing a multitude of dark strands to cascade down her back. “Thank you for the save. I’m not quite sure what I would have done there.” Realistically, she probably would have tried to run for it and her lack of cardio training would have finally caught up to her, but she didn’t want to think about that now. Now was the time to figure out what they were going to do next.
Wrapping her hair around her fist, she carefully slipped the two sticks back into the mass to hold it together in a semi-neat bun. “Maybe we could find shelter somewhere until the potion wears off,” Hadassah thought out loud, glancing back at Sylvari who seemed distracted by something. Following her gaze, Hadassah recognized the fierce eyes of a cat stalking prey, and her heart sank. “You must be joking.”
As Sylvari stepped in front of her, Hadassah raised her fists to her cheekbones and dragged her dominant foot behind her, prepared to either strike or defend. She rolled her shoulders in an attempt to release the tension, but she was fully aware of her inexperience with sparring giant cats. “This should be fun,” she muttered as the feline stalked closer.
|
|
Fighter's Guild
IS OFFLINE
20
Renown
Crescent Isles
"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
793 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Oct 20, 2023 15:14:01 GMT -5
Sylvari threw a glance over her shoulder at her young compatriot. "Just stay behind me and get in strikes where you can, Addie. Remember who's wearing the armor," she added with a smile, as she hefted her mighty warhammer, already swirling with frosty magics [Spell Blade, Arcane Soul].
Sylvari stepped forward, forcibly evening out her breathing as she moved, settling into a combat frame of mind. She let out twin shouts, [Knight, Challenging Mark] one to capture the cat's attention and keep it focused on her, rather than her much less armored partner, [Knight, Battle Cry] and a second to bolster Hadassah's strength of arms, calling her to glory and more devastating blows.
This burst of activity was enough to make the cat pounce, a fury in its eyes showing it only had its sight set for the armored woman. Sylvari brought up her shield to block the blow, [Knight, Immovable Bastion] miraculously unmoved despite the massive size differential [Shield 1/3 Hit Preventions].
In retaliation, Sylvari leapt into the air, [Knight, Light as a Feather] much more nimbly than one ought to be able to in her walking fortress of protection, and brought the hammer down hard on the cat's nose, knocking it to the ground and briefly stunning it.
"Now, Addie! The enemy's dazed!"
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
20
Renown
Human
88 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Hadassah on Oct 20, 2023 17:35:47 GMT -5
Hadassah grunted in agreement at Sylvari’s order. As she fought, Hadassah remained vigilant, both watching her friend, and keeping her eyes open for opportunities to strike. Where Sylvari moved, Hadassah followed as closely as a shadow, pivoting with weightlessness and grace on her feet to keep behind her. At Sylvari’s inspirational battle cry, Hadassah instantly felt enhanced strength throughout her arms and knuckles. Hadassah drew in a controlled breath as every drop of fear melted from her body, even as the enemy pounced onto Sylvari’s powerful shield. Hadassah smirked subtly as her companion leapt into the air, slamming the cat to the ground. Hadassah quickly stepped forward at Sylvari’s call. Without hesitation, Hadassah reeled back, activating every muscle in her arm as she drove her fist forward, making solid contact with the cat’s nose before drawing her second fist back. She breathed out and propelled her fist up and under the creature’s chin in a sharp uppercut that might have otherwise sent it flying, if not for her shrunken size. She grunted at the power and effort and shook her hands out, stepping back behind Sylvari and resuming her defensive position. She hoped her strikes, along with the beating from her companion, would be enough to show the creature that they were not prey.
|
|
Fighter's Guild
IS OFFLINE
20
Renown
Crescent Isles
"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
793 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Oct 20, 2023 18:59:46 GMT -5
The cat continued its onslaught, hissing in irritation at Hadassah's powerful blows, but still targeting Sylvari alone for the power of her challenge. The cat's fury was made manifest as a barrage of blows fell upon Sylvari in rapid succession, demonstrating what fierce predators even common pets could be [Cuirass 2/2 Hit Preventions] [Shield 3/3 Hit Preventions] [Gauntlets 2/2 Hit Preventions] [Greaves 1/2 Hit Preventions].
With her armor nearly sundered to the point of uselessness, Sylvari clicked her tongue in annoyance. She was hoping to be able to dodge more of the feline's blows, but apparently the phrase 'cat-like' was not hyperbole. Gods, looks like I don't have the luxury of holding back anymore. Addie's too close for my dark pulse, but the wall should do.
A pronounced frown was evident on Sylvari's face as she began contorting her arms in strange ways as she appeared to be wrenching up an invisible object with all her might. She had hoped to hide her dark powers from Hadassah a little longer, at least. Sylvari liked to think she had presented a noble and friendly demeanor that would soften the blow of the eventual revelation of her nature, but with needing to reveal the arcana of her bloodline so soon, she was worried her new friend would think less of her. Worse still, she might run in fear: it wouldn't be the first time.
Still dire circumstances called for a response in kind. Sylvari wrenched up her hands heavenward, as the ground beneath them began to rumble, the cobblestones near them cracking audibly. [Death Wall] A mass of writhing skeletons rose up between the two women and the cat, as tall as any of the nearby buildings, spanning the whole alleyway. Sylvari gasped in shock, having assumed her magics would be similarly sized as her stature and armor were. Apparently, the potions' hold did not affect the magics within, as a full-sized wall of the undead erupted in the thankfully empty space.
Sylvari's eyes grew wide with panic as the emerging wall ripped up the stone pathway, sending rock shrapnel their direction. She looked over to her friend, right in the pathway of the showering gravel. "Addie, get down!"
She was going to be too slow. Hells. If I was alone, I could just make my body mist to avoid the damage. No, Addie needs me. I will protect her with all my might. Sylvari got low in a sprinter's stance as she charged over to Hadassah, [Knight, Rushing Charge] closing the distance to her new friend in an instant to tackle her down. She covered her head with her hands as she pressed her body over Hadassah's, hoping to spare her from the massive stones falling from the sky.
Sylvari grimaced as she felt the rocks tear into her, cutting through her armor like a blade through water, wounding her heavily.
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
20
Renown
Human
88 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Hadassah on Oct 21, 2023 6:26:42 GMT -5
Hadassah could do nothing but watch as the giant cat battered her new friend. She felt utterly useless without any armor or weapons, her fists seemed inadequate in their current situation. Had she known she would have been facing a giant cat today, she would have prepared herself and trained a little more, but who could know such things? Though it was embarrassing to think about, she was glad she dropped out of her own plan and volunteered to help Sylvari on this damned quest. She worried if she’d taken the task upon herself, as she might have eventually, she would have been dead or dying by now.
Keeping her position behind Sylvari, Hadassah’s focus shifted to her companion as her arms began to contort and twist as if she were trying to conjure up something. What kind of magic is this? Hadassah wondered, noting Sylvari’s prominent frown. Hadassah looked around her feet as she suddenly felt the ground rumble beneath them and stumbled backwards as a wall of living skeletons shot up from the cobblestones, blocking her view of the cat. Her fists weakly fell to her sides, her curiosity getting the best of her. She watched in awe and dismay as the wall continued to tower above her as far up as the buildings and alley walls around them.
“What is-” Hadassah's thought was interrupted by Sylvari’s shout, snapping her focus to the shower of rock and rubble. Her eyes widened at the realization that she was in the direct path of the shower and she quickly brought her arms up around her head to protect her face and cranium before impact. Everything went blurry as she felt her body collide with something hard as she was tackled to the ground. Her body went rigid before she registered that it was Sylvari pressing against her, shielding her from the incoming rocks. Sylvi, no, she prayed her friend’s armor would be enough to keep her alive as the sound of falling stones and pebbles filled her ears. She watched her friend in horror as she lay powerless beneath her. Hang in there, Sylvi.
|
|
Fighter's Guild
IS OFFLINE
20
Renown
Crescent Isles
"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
793 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Oct 21, 2023 14:26:29 GMT -5
Once the shower of stones had stopped, Sylvari gingerly crawled off Hadassah, noting the sounds of the skeletal wall in the background. With a wave of her hand, she dispelled the mass of undead, their groaning fading instantly as they crumbled to dust and blew away on the wind.
The swirling feeling inside Sylvari returned, and after the requisite period of firmly gripping the ground to root herself against the revolutions, she noted that both she and Hadassah had returned to normal size. Sylvari gave Hadassah a pained smile.
"At least the effects were short-lived. How do you fare, Addie? Were you hurt?" As Sylvari looked over to her friend in concern, she didn't notice the pain raising within her own body. As she turned to adjust her seating, Hadassah could see the back of Sylvari's armor was shredded, pock-marked with gaping crevices where the rocks had found purchase and seeping with red from the tender flesh underneath.
Sylvari felt a wave of nausea rise up in her, the internal bleeding caused by the trauma having caught up to her. She leaned over and began retching blood onto the cobblestones. Hadassah could see pronounced ivory fangs stained red with Sylvari's own blood, as her body forced itself to expel the evidence of her accumulated wounds.
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
20
Renown
Human
88 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Hadassah on Oct 22, 2023 11:46:42 GMT -5
Hadassah lifted her head as Sylvari moved off of her, rubbing her eyes in disbelief as the wall of wriggling bones suddenly became dust and floated away at Sylvari’s command. Hadassah cleared her mind with a shake of her head and quickly sat up, her eyes searching her friend for signs of injury. Hadassah brought her hand to her forehead and closed her eyes as a similar dizziness and headache from before returned. She winced in pain, but was thankful when it went away, seeming not nearly as intense as before. “ I’m just fine, Sylvi,” Hadassah quickly said, ignoring that they were now their normal size, only wishing to make sure her friend, and now savior, was well. Before she could part her dry lips to ask if Sylvari was alright, her breath caught in her throat as she came to notice the shredded armor and bleeding flesh that remained on her friend’s back. She covered her gasp with her palm and quickly blinked away the water that began to well up in her eyes. “ Gods, Sylvi, we need to get you help right now.” Panic filled her eyes as she felt around herself, eventually finding her pack of medical supplies neatly tied to her side. She rummaged around the pack, grabbing ointment and bandages before hurrying over to Sylvari as she retched. She couldn’t help but notice Sylvari’s evident fangs as she continued to vomit, but she pushed her questions and assumptions out of her head. Hadassah took in a shaken breath, looking at Sylvari’s blood on the cobblestone. So much blood. “ I have some supplies, I’m going to get you cleaned up and then I’m going to find you a healer, just stay with me.” Hadassah reached out and held Sylvari’s hand, giving it a gentle and reassuring squeeze. Gripping the cap of the ointment with her teeth, she swiftly opened it and poured the liquid onto Sylvari’s back, spitting the cap away from them. Setting the empty bottle on the ground, Hadassah circled her fingers gracefully around it as fresh, clear water replaced the empty space. She searched her medical kit once more, taking clean gauze from it, and poured some water onto the cloth before gently cleaning the blood from Sylvari's skin.
|
|