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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Nov 4, 2023 19:49:07 GMT -5
It’s been a long time since Astrid thought anything about wild oozes, and she’s since even started living with an ooze. Though, she’s finding that her ooze knight best friend is certainly different than most oozes of the wild while also still retaining some of their more interesting qualities. They can be frozen, they can melt, they can eat just about anything. They’re strange creatures, and honestly, if the wild ones weren’t so acidic, she’d even consider them cuddly. That’s not the case for whatever monstrous ooze has made the massive trail of destruction through Moonglade. While traveling, she noticed the trail and went looking into it only to hear that some poor researchers were trapped in the field by the trail. Well, that’s no good, is it? What is it with researchers and getting stuck in dangerous situations? Then again, as someone who likes to learn things too, she can understand that. Apparently, another adventurer went out looking for them too, so she’s hoping to run into them. It takes some trekking through the forest, some walking along the crystalized ooze trail, some camping out, and a couple of instances of flying or walking on air, but eventually she hears the weak cries for help from exhausted researchers. “Oi! Hey!!” Astrid shouts as she approaches, waving. “Is everyone alright?!”
Quest details: Quest Name: Oozegon Trail Chapter: Three Description: A massive elder Ooze has been spotted moving through out Charon, and leaving behind a massive trail of acidic, toxic slime in its wake. Many hunters and scholars have been using this trail to track the elder creature in the attempt to study it, however there has been no luck in ding the beast so far. Unfortunately a group who was studying the Ooze have found themselves trapped in the trail of slime and are unable to get out. The trail is 20 feet wide, a foot deep and extremely acidic, beginning to eat away at their clothing. We fear the scholars will die and any information they have gathered on the Elder Ooze will vanish with them. We need you to rescue them secure their data. Requirements: - Requires at least two people (you and one other) - You must make at least 6 post to complete the mission with each post being at least 200 words - Must rescue the scholars from the slime trail - Must not get stuck and die yourself - Once you complete this mission you gain access to chapter four. (which needs to be a separate topic)
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Nov 4, 2023 20:21:47 GMT -5
A deep and abiding sigh, well beyond her years, escaped Sylvari's lips as she journeyed through the jungle, shaded from the sun's rays by the thick canopy above. Apparently, Lloyd, her irrepressible researcher employer for this mission, had been quite avid in his sending of expeditionary teams to track a giant ooze that had been traveling through Charon. What the scientist had not counted on was a migratory event, with several of the creatures from the far corners of the land moving towards a unified point.
Apparently, after her last rescue mission was successful, given the field data Sylvari had collected for him, Lloyd was able to determine the migratory patterns indicated a destination of the Marsh Flats. It also came to light that he had sent several teams out, one for each reported sighting, expecting only one of them to actually encounter the creature. For good or for ill, it seems the intrepid researcher will have more than his fair share of data.
She'd been on the hunt in the dense woods of Moonglade for the better part of a week, only recently feeling like she had finally made progress upon finding the tell-tale massive track of the creature, slightly burned into the until recently vegetated ground. As she heard the cries for help up ahead, Sylvari redoubled her pace, rushing forward to save the researchers from a fate both painful and potentially lethal. Between her magics, her frosty steed Mercy, and her little undead dragonling skeleton Noe [Necromancer, Undead Servant], Sylvari was confident that she would be able to rescue them, even if she was alone.
Her expectations were shattered, however, as she saw a short, blond-haired girl rushing to where the researchers were trapped. A child? The girl was clearly clad for adventure in her eclectically assembled set of armor and magical items, but she couldn't have been more than an early teenager. So cute...
Sylvari focused herself by shaking her head and slapping her cheeks. Focus Sylvari. She could be in danger, if she doesn't realize how the trail will ensnare her. Sylvari urged Mercy onward, moving her mare from a light trot into a gallop as she hoped to intervene before any harm befell the girl.
"Ho there, little one! Be careful, this area is dangerous!"
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Nov 4, 2023 20:37:29 GMT -5
It is very apparent that the researchers and scholars following up on Lloyd’s research are not, in fact, okay. Very narrowly, the managed to escape the crawling trail of ooze that seems to reach out and grasp at anything and everything organic in its reach. While the trail itself isn’t necessarily sentient, it does have some natural attraction to do what its original creature desires: to feed. Powered only by hunger, the goop on the ground inches toward the researchers trapped on the remnants of a partially raised patch of grass and dirt.
“No, we’re this close to becoming ooze food!” one of them cries, desperately clinging to a tree in the center of the grass patch.
“Ah, yeah, so ya are,” Astrid says a little too nonchalantly while she looks over the situation. "Don't worry, I'll help ya out."
The sound of approaching hooves catches her attention, and she looks over her shoulder to see someone approaching on an icy horse, their hair matching the patches of cold each hoof fall creates. That must be the other adventurer Llyod mentioned. “Oh, hiya!” Astrid says, turning around and ignoring that her boots are a meer few feet from the creeping ooze on the ground. “Are ya here ta help? Nice ta meet ya, I’m Astrid!”
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Nov 4, 2023 20:51:50 GMT -5
A confused smile appeared on the justiciar's face then, trapped between concern for the child and the researchers and the iron-clad strictures of etiquette, hammered into Sylvari over weeks at the behest of Romarii. In the end, the latter won out, if only to hurry along the conversation to where she might be able to rescue them.
"Pleased to meet you, Astrid. My name is Sylvari Dawnsage, Sylvi if you prefer. I'd ask that you be careful around the trail, it is quite caustic and prone to cause severe burns. I wouldn't want you to be hurt, dear."
Feeling bad to leave the stranded men and women out of the conversation as she spoke with the girl, Sylvari turned to face them all. "And I will rescue all of you. Please just stay calm and allow me to retrieve you. Any that have wounds I will tend to once everyone is out of harm's way."
As Sylvari was engaging in her genuine, soothing diplomacy, Noe took the opportunity to rush over and nuzzle against Astrid's boots, acting, as ever, on the hidden desires of his mistress. Mercy merely snorted and counted out the ground impatiently, picking up on her rider's anxiety.
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Nov 4, 2023 23:47:33 GMT -5
Ah, dang it, last names. Last names, Astrid! Oh, and titles! Stop forgetting those! Even if you think they’re unimportant, it matters to some people. “Ah, right, erm, Lady Astrid Stormstone a' Dragon's Cradle! But just Astrid is perfectly fine with me! Good ta meet ya, Sylvi. Are ya the one Lloyd mentioned might be out here tryna help?” That’s an obvious question, but better to ask than assume.
She turns her attention to the ooze trail not too far from her feet and inching ever closer. “I ain’t much worried about it,” she says. “Ooze goop definitely hurts, but healin’ meself ain’t much of a problem. I’ve got a potion an’ a little bit a’ magic ta heal anyone with minor burns if they got ‘em.” As familiar as Astrid is with ooze burns, she thinks better than to mention that her very best friend in the world is in fact an ooze.
When Noe rushes over and nuzzles against Astrid’s boots, Astrid fights the urge to take a step back. On one hand, cute tiny dracoling. On the other hand, undead creature. It seems friendly enough, so after stifling the initial buzz of “kill it with fire,” Astrid squats down and offers Noe a little pet on the head and a sniff of her gauntlets. “Hi, little fella,” she says gently. There are few things Astrid fears, but after her initial experience in the Villa of Lost Souls and subsequent experience with the enchanted willow that used rotten bodies for puppets, she still finds herself averse to undead. This one, however, seems alright. Cute, even.
After a little pet, Astrid stands upright again. “Right, savin’ folks!” With the wave of her hand, Astrid summons up a beautiful stormy gray pegasus with a white dapple pattern across its haunches. [1] “This is Arcus, he’ll fly folks, but best if he’s led or someone knows how ta ride him,” she explains. “An’ I can fly, maybe carry two folks with me without much issue.” She looks to the group of people and makes some attempt to count them. “I dunno how so many folks got caught up in alla this, but we’ll solve it. I’ll get some Replicants if I gotta.”
[1] Summon Mount
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Nov 5, 2023 2:43:41 GMT -5
"Ah, yes... er, wait, you know Lloyd?" What is the man doing recruiting a child to help with a rescue mission? And did she say Lady Astrid - a noble girl besides?
The small surprise at the child's professed skill with alchemy and light arcana was one that Sylvari was all too willing to swallow, if true, but the way Astrid said it with such nonchalant confidence made Sylvari's doubt hard to maintain.
Noe, on the other hand, had no such concerns about the girl's veracity, simply humming and clacking his teeth together in satisfaction at the attention given his way.
The earlier surprise from Astrid's statements gave way to true shock as the girl's claims grew more outlandish and she manifested a gorgeous stormy grey winged horse out of thin air. By the time the girl mentioned something about Replicants, Sylvari was well and truly floored and drained of any lingering expectations. She merely did her best to dip her head amicably towards her small companion who commanded much more power than what met the eye would suggest.
Whistling for Noe, who came bounding over and ran up his mistress to his customary perch on her shoulder, Sylvari merely resolved to doing her utmost for the trapped researchers, even if that happened to be comparatively little given Astrid's astonishing capability.
"I will do what I can to assist, Lady Astrid. I can also help with the healing duties once the people are out of immediate danger." Sylvari bit her lip mulling over a proper apology in her mind. "So sorry for assuming that you didn't have the situation well in hand."
A bit of scarlet flushing her cheeks, Sylvari promptly performed an about face and called upon her inner reserve of magic to summon a pass of ice over the shallow wake left by the ooze [Ice Bridge]. She marched across her created structure and began offering helping hands to the men and women scattered at various points in her reach.
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Nov 5, 2023 17:24:44 GMT -5
“Aye, I know ‘im,” Astrid says. “Seems ta have a knack fer findin’ as many folks as possible ta help with his research. Dunno why he sent a bunch a’ folks without adventurin’ skills ta go lookin’ fer whatever ooze caused alla this.” With one hand, Astrid motions to the creeping, glossy trail of slime covering the ground. “Real smart guy, but ain’t got a lot a’ common sense.”
When Noe scuttles back to his master, Astrid watches the little skeleboi with interest. Okay, he is cute. He reminds her of Leni’s baby drake, Nimbus, except… all bones.
“Hm? Oh, just Astrid, no titles necessary,” she says quickly, waving a hand dismissively. “The Count just insisted I remember it when introducin’ meself, but I ain’t all that worried about it, ya know? If yer good at healin’, that’ll be real helpful!” Astrid tilts her head slightly at the apology. “Dunno why yer apologizin’! We’re here ta work together ta help folks!”
“Then can you please get started on that?!” one of the researchers shouts desperately from the ever-shrinking island amidst a sea of ooze.
In no time at all, Sylvari manifests a bridge of ice. It’s been a long time since Astrid has seen that spell, namely since she got swallowed by a Charybdis with Blue and there was a kooky ice wizard living in its stomach with his pet kraken. “Hey! That’s a good idea! Alright, let’s do it!”
Manifesting a pair of wings [1] from beneath her cloak, Astrid grabs Arcus’ reins and takes off into the air, leading her steed to the island of trapped scientists and scholars. She helps two people up onto the pegasus and then holds the hands of two others and flies them back to safety. Meanwhile, the folks attempting to cross the ice bridge find the surface slick and difficult to walk on safely. One wrong step might send them plummeting into the river of acid below.
[1] Bat Wings [post 1/3]
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Nov 6, 2023 16:30:54 GMT -5
Fearing that some of the researchers might fall off the slick surface without additional assistance, Sylvari took additional precautions. Wanting to reserve her efforts for pulling people out of the mire, she ordered Noe to take an alternate form, an order with which the bony little dragon immediately complied [Necromancer, Undead Servant]. He dove into the earth beside the caustic trail, like a person might into water, causing the grass to ripple with an odd energy. Seconds later, a clawed hand emerged from the location followed by the arm and body of a ghoulish little skeleton, about the size of a child.
One of the researchers screamed at the event, a woman to which Sylvari immediately attended. "Be at peace, dear. My servant can merely take on different forms. No harm will come to you with either him or myself."
The woman's eyes darted wildly between the justiciar and Noe, who had since come back across the ice bridge to offer a skeletal hand, nodding gently towards her. It was the cry of one of her comrades, who stepped in a portion of the acidic pooling, which pulled her from her stupor, as the researcher reluctantly took Noe's hand. He led her across the slick surface, remarkably sure-footed with his toe claws digging into the structure.
Sylvari helped to ferry people across as well, being used to her own creations, and, in short order, the pair had collected all the stranded scientists of this little group. Sylvari looked over to where Astrid worked, to see the girl's progress.
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Nov 6, 2023 18:28:04 GMT -5
The woman’s scream startles Astrid enough that the girl nearly tosses the two people she’s carrying to safety and dives into danger mode. Luckily, she does not immediately move to react as much as her body wants to, and she looks over to see that it was a… Well, she wouldn’t call it a misunderstanding because admittedly, that might have startled her too. It is certainly odd to see the skeleton of what seems to be a child walking around when she is, in fact, a child herself.
Don’t think about it too much, she tells herself.
In tandem with Arcus, each trip back from the shrinking island totes four people, and she opts to take the people who are the least crazy about holding the hand of an undead.
“H-Hey,” one of the scholars calls out. “Is that moving faster than earlier?” With a shaking hand, he points to the glossy ooze crawling toward the rescuees with more voracity than before. A tendril of slimy, viscous goo even reaches up toward those crossing just overhead on the bridge of ice. It’s almost as if it has a mind of its own and knows that if the bridge were to, say, suddenly disappear, it would have a meal even closer at hand.
“Uh, Miss Sylvari, ya might wanna–”
“WATCH OUT!” shrieks a woman in a full blown panic before Astrid can even finish her warning.
Bat Wings [post 2/3]
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Nov 6, 2023 18:44:18 GMT -5
Sylvari already had her eye on the rapidly animating goo and was nearly finished with her invocation by the time the tendril began reaching towards her bridge. "Arise," The justiciar commanded, in a whisper that carried far further than it should.
A sword, edged with roiling black flame, emerged from the ground beside where the tendril launched and came down across its length, bisecting the violent pseudopod. An instant later, the ground burst forth with a massive amalgamation of bones and flesh in the vague approximation of a humanoid form [Summon Undead Hulk].
Gods, I was hoping I wouldn't have to call on another servant. The poor people were startled enough by Noe, and Lady Astrid doesn't seem particularly fond of the lifeless either.
Nevertheless, now was not the time to lament what might have been; people were still in danger, and now screaming at the situation that had turned into an approximation of a Black Harvest festival. Sylvari could explain everything later.
"Noe!" the armor-clad woman called out. Her little skeletal ghoul seemed to understand immediately, scooping up the gentleman he was guiding with unnerving strength and rushing across the remainder of the bridge. Sylvari likewise scooped up another couple individuals, tucking one under each arm after tossing aside her weapon and shield to grab them. She thundered across her created structure as her undead servant waged a losing battle below, its unholy swings finding little purchase, while getting blasted apart by the gouts of acid in return.
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Nov 6, 2023 19:44:16 GMT -5
There isn’t much time to think before things descend into chaos. What people are rescued do nothing to help the situation besides flee, and the ones who aren’t choose to risk it all with the ice bridge rather than wait for help. Somehow what should have been a very calm rescue has become a panicked disaster.
Much of the ooze trail starts to coalesce into a singular form, and it becomes apparent that the river wasn’t getting larger, it was simply all collecting together. A wave of goo rises to strike the ice bridge, shaking the structure and dropping people to their knees only for them to slide back down with fits of terrorized screams.
Astrid drops the two people she has and quickly manifests enough magic to create five duplicates, aptly named Bstrid through Fstrid, all of which with the same wings she currently has.[1] The swarm of children dive down toward the last scholars, each of them scooping them up in one arm. There’s less time to react than trying to catch people falling after a dragon god exploded, but there’s less distance to cover her.
Then Astrid dives down to the ooze amalgam and whips her hammer in a wide arc. What follows is a blisteringly cold wind that starts to freeze the surface ooze and slow its movement.[1] She looks at Sylvari and shouts, “If ya have anymore icy magic, oozes are real susceptible ta extreme temperatures!”
Bat Wings [post 3/3] [1] Replicant [2] Frost Flash
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Nov 6, 2023 20:01:53 GMT -5
As Sylvari deposited her final passenger, she whirled around to see six different Astrids. Illusions? Cloned constructs? Sylvari shook her head to clear away the frivolous thoughts: there were more important things to worry about, like the fact that her trusty warhammer ever-swirling with icy magics was too far away to reasonably grab. A pained grimace spread across Sylvari's face. Only one option then.
"Please, everyone, Lady Astrid, clear away for a moment!" Sylvari waited for as long as she dared for compliance before enacting her plan. Without any excess speech or motion [Winter Crown], aside from jumping down into the ravine, the icy arcana within Sylvari swelled, as the ambient temperature took a nosedive and snow began to fall through the shaded canopy [Sheer Cold]. The ambient moisture in the air was slowly crystalizing into small shards of ice, significantly slowing the ooze and hardening its viscous exterior into something less pliable.
"It should be more receptive to physical strikes! Now if you'd be so kind to fend it off for a moment as I grab my weapon!" Sylvari leveled the directive at her tiny companion, or rather companions, at this point, noting the six children soaring through the air. Drawing on her years of martial training, Sylvari focused her mind to exceed her physical limits, dashing like a shock of lightning across the battlefield to her hammer [Knight, Rushing Charge], shoulder checking into the main body of the ooze along the way.
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Nov 10, 2023 16:17:48 GMT -5
Oh thank the gods Sylvari has more potent ice magic. It works perfectly, and while the air is absolutely frigid, the ooze slows down. That makes it brittle. With a grin, Astrid spins her massive war hammer as if it weighs nothing[1,2] and pulls out her smaller, silver battle hammer that also has an icy cold coming from its surface[3]. Now is the perfect opportunity to smash this thing to pieces.
Just don’t think about it too much. It isn’t Blue Raspberry.
Seeing the speed that Sylvari moves, Astrid matches her energy just as her wings give out. “YEAH! GET IT!” She cries.[4] Then Astrid lands on the ground then dashes forward in a blur[4], bringing both of her hammers in contact with the ooze’s surface. Together, the two of them deal a devastating blow, shattering the ooze into thousands of pieces that rain down like a shower of sparkles.
Astrid looks over at the researchers from her place standing in a patch of ground where all organic matter was eaten away, leaving a barren path along the ground now sprinkled with glassy ooze pieces. “Oi, if ya wanna collect bits ta put in glass jars, now’s a good time. Get it while it's cold!”
[1] Spell Blade - One with the blade [2] War hammer - pale ice enchantment, heavy enchantment, has lightning from spellblade [3] battle hammer - ice rune, silvered enchantment [4] knight - battle cry [5] knight - rushing charge
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Nov 10, 2023 17:42:24 GMT -5
Sylvari heaved a sigh of relief, and a glance of amazement, as Lady Astrid dismantled the creature with the little extra push from her arcana. She retrieved her hammer and slung it onto its place on her back as she reached out and consumed the ambient necrotic essence of her hulking servant to heal the minor cuts and wounds she had accrued during the struggle, dispelling the creature [Necromancer, Consume Essence].
As Noe dove into the ground and reemerges in his little dragon form, Sylvari walked over to her small companion with a grateful smile on her face.
"A most impressive combat, Lady Astrid. I daresay that would have been a difficult fight on my own, trying to make sure the civilians were unharmed. You have my sincere gratitude." Sylvari gave a nod and elegant bow to punctuate her statement, as Noe took advantage of his mistress' lowered profile to leap atop her shoulder.
"Now, all that remains is escorting the good researchers back to safety and we can be done with this whole mess."
"Uh, not quite ma'am," one of the scientists began in a quivering voice, obviously still shaken from the encounter. "M-mr Lloyd was quite adamant that we needed to research the Great Ooze proper, not just its trail, or fragmented shards. Um, we've charted its likely path to the Marsh Flats. Would you please pacify it for us, so that we can complete our research?"
Sylvari sighed and looked to Astrid. "Well, Lady Astrid, would you be so inclined? I would be honored to fight alongside you again, especially against a greater foe." As she waited for an answer from the small noble, she adopted a confused look and mentioned in an aside to the researcher who had spoken up. "Make certain that the good Lloyd compensates you appropriately with hazard pay."
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Nov 10, 2023 17:57:50 GMT -5
Ah, it’s satisfying when things go smoothly. Astrid drops her war hammer with the haft sticking straight up. Its weight leaves a small crater in the dirt, and she hooks her battle hammer in her belt before dusting her hands off. “Aye, ya did great too,” she says, smiling at Sylvari. “Made quick work a’ that with yer ice magic. Would’ve been a lot tougher without it. Ever been inside an ooze? Don’t recommend it.”
When she glances away then looks back, she sees Sylvari bowing and gets an awkward expression. “Erm, that ain’t necessary, miss,” she says. “All the fancy stuff, I mean. I’m just a kid. Title ain’t that important ta me, just doin’ the right thin’.”
And speaking of, the researchers pipe up about some big elder ooze or whatever. “I don’t mind. Figured there’d be somethin’ else ta do,” Astrid says, losing the awkwardness in favor of a smile.
“We can follow the trail on the ground!” one of the Replicants shouts, pointing where it leads further east towards the Flats.
“Aye! Let’s race there!” another one shouts. Suddenly the gaggle of Astrids take off running along the path, one of them having commandeered Arcus and racing ahead of the rest of them.
“Hey, wait on me, I’m the original!!” Without waiting on Sylvari, Astrid rushes off after her replicants toward their next adventure.
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