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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Nov 15, 2023 13:29:40 GMT -5
Sylvari nodded at Shaa's words, and subsequently marveled at his art, soaring into the sky on a summoned cloud. He swelled with practiced sky arcana, above and beyond normal grasp of the spells of the domain [Chaos Touched]. Her companion hurtled through the air a short distance off, returning in fairly short order with his findings about the cave.
At Shaa's question as to her capabilities in the dark, Sylvari merely smiled, called upon the darkness to cover her eyes [Ebon Eyes], and removed her veil to display her proficiency. "Such a task won't be a problem. Come, let us take the fight to them."
Assuming that her minotaur partner would once again soar through the air on his summoned wisps of water vapor, Sylvari called upon her own icy arcana to coat the soles of her boots [Frozen Feet], as she darted off in the direction specified, her spell and years of training in heavy armor [Knight, Light as a Feather] making her sprint something unattainable for any normal person in her stead.
Mere minutes later, the pair stood beside one another, peering into the darkness of the cave before them. The drag marks were evident underneath their feet. This was where there quarry was hiding.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Nov 15, 2023 14:39:12 GMT -5
As the two stood in front of the opening of the cave, the first thing that Shaa noticed was the smell. Ughh do you smell that? Caves are not exactly flower gardens but this. Shaa sniffs the musty air again. It smells like…death. Like rotting bodies. I think you may have had the right idea not eating breakfast. Ugh. Shaa shakes his head and tries to focus on getting through the next few minutes while he adjusts to the stench. Ok let’s head on down. It’s probably as good as it’s going to get.
As they start down into the cave, it does not take long for the light from the outside to disappear behind them. As Shaa can see in the dark, he doesn’t have a problem navigating the the narrow pathway that was leading deeper and deeper underground. The further they descended, the smell that had originally assaulted them was getting stronger and stronger. The only plus side was that the cave was also getting colder as well.
The two soon come to a small landing. It is here that the Minotaur sees the first signs of human activity. The ground is littered with more pottery, torn clothes, used torches and other garbage left strewn on the floor. Shaa picks up a piece of clothing from the floor. Turning it over in his hand, it feels stiff and gritty. Dried blood. They had to be close to something.
From the landing, there were several more tunnels branching in various directions. Down one of the tunnels, Shaa can hear a faint clicking sound. It wasn’t super clear what it was but at least it was something. He motions to Sylvari to follow him as he carefully and quietly enters the tunnel, moving towards the origin of the noise.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Nov 15, 2023 14:57:55 GMT -5
Sylvari nodded grimly at her companion's assertion. She had been around death since she was a young girl, final passing becoming only more of a constant companion since her exile.
"How recent did they say the attack site we found was? This smell..." Sylvari carefully sniffs the air, seemingly unperturbed by the acrid scent. "Rot at this level takes time. Perhaps a ten-day or more. Of course, that may be an indication we have well and truly found the fiends' lair, where they store the remains of all their kills. Advanced decay would overpower lesser scents."
As the pair walked through the winding pathways burrowing into stone, narrow enough to force them to venture onwards single file, Sylvari noted the lack of remains in these initial passages. Seems the creatures wished to escape attention. The smell is a dead giveaway, though. Sylvari shook her head at the macabre unintended pun.
As she and Shaa reached a small landing, a sort of terminus for several other tunnels, they heard suspicious clicking coming from one of the paths. Shaa took point, and Sylvari was forced to oblige him, merely mentally preparing herself for combat and raising her shield pre-emptively, all-too-familiar with the horrors that would await them.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Nov 17, 2023 13:42:25 GMT -5
As the two adventurers tread carefully down the rank tunnel, the clicking sounds started to get louder and louder. He could tell that they were getting closer and that, whatever it was, was not natural. It was too loud, too irregular. Living in a cave himself, he was very familiar with the natural sounds and rhythm of living underground. Whatever this was, it was highly unnatural.
He spies a sharp corner and peeks around just enough to get an idea of what’s happening. Through the darkness, the scene is very confusing. There in an open space are two men, one laying on a large wooden table and the other standing over him. The man on the table is not moving but the other is the obvious source of the clicking sound. His arms moving back and forth near the other man. Click, click, click. Peering into the strange scene, it is difficult to make out what he’s doing exactly.
The clicking sounds come to an abrupt halt, replaced by a sound that is wet and squishy. Shaa can now see that the standing man is wrapped in bandages from head to toe. He also has some sort of ethereal glow about him. The man raises his hand up but there is some sort of mass in it. With a slight turn, the bandaged man jams the mass into his chest and moans softly. Then, more clicking. Then it finally dawns on Shaa what’s happening.
The Minotaurs heart starts to race. Shaa had spent the vast majority of his life fighting for all sorts of reasons. To stay alive, because he was ordered to, because some dude was drunk, for fame in the fight pits. In all that fighting, there was a certain understanding between combatants, a mutual respect that lives were being put on the line. Lines that were never crossed. Even Gnolls in their cannibalistic practices had a standard. But not the undead. They had no respect for anyone or anything. The only thing they knew, was the hunger. And this guy, was an organ snatcher. And he needed to go down.
He looks back at the woman and nods. It was time to stop skulking around and deal with this.
He steps out into the small cavern and breaks a stalactite off of the ceiling. The wrapped man looks up and starts to growl at the oncoming Minotaur. As he gets closer, Shaa can see that several organs have already been removed. Ok creepy, let’s dance. Before the creature can move, Shaa reaches into his bag pulling out an item and a pair of mysterious dice.
pePs2UVD
Bulls Strength Loaded Dice Yasakas Summer beach Bag 1 1 - 2: Bottle of Sand A lovely and unbroken bottle full of sand; it seems to be corked tightly, and cannot be opened unless shattered. Upon doing so, the spilled sand will bring forth a golem; this golem, shaped like a sandcastle, can cast one instance of Rumbling Tremors. It cannot speak and will collapse after taking damage; but will otherwise be present for two posts. This golem can follow basic instructions, and fit through any surface where a single grain of sand could.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Nov 17, 2023 14:28:01 GMT -5
Sylvari peered in after Shaa, bearing witness to the grisly scene. It was to be expected, given the nature of the hunt, but such actions were still abhorrent and justice demanded recompense. Sylvari unslung her warhammer as Shaa advanced and took stock of the situation.
The close walls of the tunnels meant this fight would limit much of Sylvari's magical utility. She had surmised that Shaa was a skilled fighter, and failing any other tactical options, was forced to rely on him and her strength of arms alone. She moved forward alongside her partner, letting out a battle cry to bolster their spirits and strengthen their blows [Knight, Battle Cry], before diving in to combat the unholy creature.
It was a way to provoke the lesser of two evils. Closing with the creature risked its desiccating touch, that could drain water inside the bodies of its victims. Sylvari hoped that her cursed blood would provide some manner of resistance to this maneuver, making her more confident in her decision, but the other reason she engaged the thing in melee was more poignant.
Unbandaged had the ability to conjure sandstorms, problematic enough in the open air, but nearly positively lethal here in an enclosed space. If the creature was able to call upon the sandy winds, it would blind her and Shaa, rendering them much less able to defend themselves. She thus descended upon the undead in an effort to keep it from effectively casting.
Sylvari was a fierce combatant with combat skill born of years of experience, but that only made the engagement possible, as the undead moved with unnatural alacrity. It was a battle of attrition, for Sylvari knew that even one touch from the enemy may leave her down for the count. She was able to get a hit in amidst the struggle, the creature howling in pain as the mighty warhammer crackled with frost and light [Spell Blade, Arcane Soul] [Celestial, Angelic Light].
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Nov 18, 2023 0:47:06 GMT -5
Bolstered by his companions war cry, even in the darkness they are able to attack the fiend in tandem. The creature, strengthened by his recent feeding on the organs of his victim, is able to keep them both at bay with startling speed and agility. Shaa was glad that there was only one of these things in the room but knew that probably wouldn’t last for long. Finally, Sylvari manages to smash it in the chest, staggering it.
Using the stalactite to keep it off balance and it’s fetid hands at a distance, Shaa takes his Bottle of Sand and smashes it roughly to the floor with a crash. As it breaks open, a golem of sand emerges and grows. Grab it! Shaa commands the mindless fighter. He figures that it as it’s made of Sand, none of the undead fiends abilities should be able to effect it. The golem, who looks like a sand castle with arms and legs, grabs the creature, holding it in place. With the ghastly creature wrangled, Shaa manages to swing the impromptu club at his knees, crumpling them and knocking the man eater to the ground.
With the golem still holding tight, Shaa brings the club hard down on the creatures face. Another smash and the creatures body goes rigid. He walks over and kicks the body to see if was still moving. When he feel confident the creature is down for good, he plants the stalactite in the chest and looks at Sylvari. Well that’s one. Good work. He kicks him again for good measure and gets a better look around the cavern.
In the back, a second pathway can be seen creeping into the vast cavern. Being the only pathway left, the road is clear. He said there were 6 of them right? It’s gonna pretty dicey from here on out. We were lucky it was just one. If we want to get out of this intact, we might need to change up our tactics….
Improvised Weapons used glass bottle - turn 1 of 2
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Nov 18, 2023 16:05:57 GMT -5
Sylvari righted herself, standing fully from her fighting stance. She was relieved that her partner was so capable. I don't know how long I could have kept that up without my necromancy, and I'm not particularly keen on testing my cursed nature immunity theory.
Sylvari smiled at Shaa. "Thank you for your timely intervention, my friend. And I concur, especially if all the passageways are as narrow as this one, it doesn't leave us much room for maneuverability. If they attack in greater numbers..." Sylvari shuddered at the thought. She had been humbled by Shaa's kindness and understanding, and she had given him her oath besides. She knew not to take this threat lightly and would place herself in danger before she allowed him to come to harm.
To that end, she quieted her mind and focused on the physical part of herself, all that which was not touched by magic. A wave of purple cascaded over her hands as she placed them on Shaa, the glow transferring over and covering his body with a faint resonance as it faded to a deep purple cocoon, just over his skin [Black Shield].
"There, that should protect you against their touch, so you don't have to worry about close combat." She smiled up at him, her conscience finally easing as she had been able to give him a selfless gift.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Nov 19, 2023 11:05:53 GMT -5
Shaa shudders a bit as the wave of protection washes over him. Really? That’s awesome. In truth, I am much more of an unarmed fighter. It’s come up less and less as I have developed lotus other skills to cover my gaps. But sometimes, I miss just punching dudes in the face, ya know what I mean. The Minotaur chuckles quietly as he can. Or maybe not, I won’t make any assumptions.
Shaa walked over to the dead body on the table. The cuts were clean. Not like an animal eating flesh but organs removed with almost surgical precision. These were no mindless zombies. They were organ stealers for sure. Dang it. This explained why the attack on the caravan looked the way it did. They weren’t killing people, they were harvesting them. Ugh.
Shaa peered at Sylvari in the darkness. Well, I think I have a solid understanding now of the deal. These guys are organ eaters and they are not going to stop until someone stops them. That someones in this case would be us. Now, I’m not a musical fellow by any means but I do consider myself something of an artist. Maybe it’s the Minotaur in me, but my art is… chaos and destruction. It’s not pretty but it is what it is. Shaa cracks his knuckles a bit.
Now normally, I can’t really go all out because of cities and other innocentish bystanders and city guards and fines and whatever. But here, down in a hole where everyone else is dead or undead and nobody cares if something gets wrecked or not, those things aren’t an issue. Just a buncha undead Gnoll sniffers that need to be put out, down, under, whatever. So my dear, you are about to witness something that very few people have and lived to tell about it. You are about to see what happens when I truly don’t hold back. Shaa considers his words for a moment. Well maybe 90%. Don’t worry, I promised to keep you safe and I will keep that promise. All you have to do is be mindful one of those things don’t sneak by and try to eat your heart or something. And, because I’m not selfish, I will give you some audience participation moments, keep an eye out.
Shaa bows and says with a funny tone. Welcome my dear. To Shaa Rhunn’s “Symphony of Destruction”
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Nov 20, 2023 14:43:20 GMT -5
Sylvari brought an armored hand to cover her mouth and suppress her giggles at her companion's sudden and unexpected theatricality. She thought it a bit macabre to be laughing in this coven of mutilating undeath, so quickly brought herself under control before leveling a serious gaze at Shaa and nodding firmly.
"Understood, Lord Shaa. I will avoid getting in your way unless you need my assistance. My protection spell should last a few minutes, so let's see if we can't find the rest before it expires."
Sylvari turned and began striding back through the slim passageways to the crossroads, keenly aware of the fading magic protecting her companion. Figuring it best to quickly search all the available hideaways rather than waste time determining which one they should go to next, Sylvari turned to the next crevice and turned down it. As her heavy metal boots clipped sharply against the rocky floor, she thought to herself.
If Shaa is truly able to handle himself so spectacularly, perhaps I won't have to resort to necromancy. He seemed suspicious enough of me without the need for THAT conversation. I will remain vigilant and assist where needed. With any luck, the others will be scattered through the cavern, and we can quickly dispatch them like the first.
As she rounded a corner in the corridor, Sylvari sighed, looking at the hungry, slightly wrapped eyes of three more of the wretched creatures. Or not. She cleared the passageway to make room for Shaa and adopted a fighting stance.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Nov 20, 2023 16:00:28 GMT -5
As they turned the corner, finding three more of the wrapped fiend, Shaa turns and smiles at Sylvari the way a mischievous child smiles when you catch them doing something inappropriate. Still putting on airs, he announces loudly. A trio of toothy troublemakers is it? I call this piece “ The wheel in the sky” Turning to the three, he calls out. My dear sirs. You have been aroused from your slumber which, in fairness would make most people pretty cranky. I a, very sorry but, no matter the circumstances, you can’t go around eating people in this day and age. It’s pretty rude….and gross. So my dear lady and I are here to put you cranky folk back down for your naps. May whatever malevolence brought you round, see fit, to now keep you down. Shaa whispers to Sylvari. Cover your ears for a sec.
The Minotaur inhales deeply and let’s out a gigantic roar that echos through the caverns. Several bats fly around chaotically at the noise as well as a several other cave creatures. Blood starts pumping in Shaa’s veins as his rage starts to build in his body. As the course of magic and adrenaline rush through him, his body grows and expands until he is now a 12 foot mass of muscle, bone and fur. His opponents in sight, Shaa charges at them with incredible speed. Now under the influence of the infamous Berzerker rage, he was a murderous machine on a mission. But Shaa was no ordinary mindless rage monster. Shaa had studied and trained for years to hone his skills to the point of using the power of the Berzerker without the disadvantage of being mindless. He could still use all of his skills and magic with insane destructive power behind it.
Just before reaching the unbandaged, Shaa leaps into the air and performs a horizontal cart wheel known as ‘The Wheel” This move allows him to hit all three fiends in succession. As he touches them, they all burst into flames. Combined with the force of his charge and the skill of the wheel, the unbandaged creatures blow apart into flaming pieces across the cavern. Shaa lands a little roughly but tries to play it off as being a graceful dancer. ( about as graceful as a bull in a China shop) He holds up his hand and two stone pillars emerge from the ground. They then starting gathering the still flaming body parts into a pile. Shaa dances clumsily next to them and summons a small wall. With a flourish, he pushes over the small wall and smashes the burning body parts flat with the exception of a single flaming skull.
Shaa looks at Sylvari and makes a motion to her to get ready to swing her hammer. When he thinks she’s ready, he kicks the flaming skull in a high arc, to where it will land in front of her. If she caught the message and hit the skull, it would be an awesome finish.
Berzerker Rage- Tempered with Stalwart Subclass - Rampaging Juggernaut
- Sweeping Fury
- Intimidating Presence
Conflagration The Wheel Summon Wall Animate Stone
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Nov 20, 2023 18:34:51 GMT -5
The flickering wisps of purple protection finally dissipated as Shaa finished off the Unbandaged. Sylvari gave a little sigh of relief. Seeing her enlarged, raging partner, she felt a little useless in comparison, glad at least to be able to provide some small measure of protection.
The flaming skull he tosses her way at the end almost seems like a consolation prize, as if a parent who has done all the work providing some menial task to an insistent child. Despite her feelings on the matter, Sylvari dutifully obliged, swinging her hammer to meet the flying skull mid-air to a shower of embers, frost shards, and sparks of light. Better to be present and not needed than required and not here. At the very least, Shaa seems to be enjoying himself.
Sylvari's lips quirked upwards into a small smile, watching her companion. "Impressively done, Lord Shaa. I would advise we rest a moment while my spell recharges to ensure safety in fighting the remaining two fiends, but in all honesty, the three of them didn't get close to hitting you. It is humbling to see the peaks of mountains I've yet to climb. I thank you for this demonstration of the chasms I must cross."
Sylvari bowed low to express her appreciation.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Nov 20, 2023 22:12:14 GMT -5
He shook his head. You don’t give yourself enough credit. They may not have touched me directly, but I most certainly touched them, your spell came in quite handy protecting me from a counter attack. Granted they were not expecting an attack like that but the undead shouldn’t be underestimated. Especially these guys. Shaa started scratching himself a bit. Sorry, my rage still has me a bit keyed up. I’m fine , but I agree, I just need a minute.
The big Minotaur breathed deep and released the rage in his body. As he did so, his shrunk back to his still very large 7 1/2 ft frame. As he did, the fatigue from using so many of the same spells and abilities in succession took an immediate toll. Agghh art is pain but as artists, we must press on.
Shaa pulls out a leather flask and down the contents. He immediately regains his energy and shakes a bit. Whooo nice. Ready for round two. Nice hit, by the way. I am glad you are enjoying the show. I know that I am. I am a little sad there are only two more of these things. But the sooner we get done, the sooner I can buy you a drink and I can get back to somewhere a bit more green. Shaa looks at the flask and frowns a bit. I’m sorry but there is only enough for one hit, otherwise I’d share. Thinking a bit, he pulls another item and the mysterious dice from his bag. Here, take this. Your’e a dark magic user right? Use this and you might learn something. Call it “ The shows gift bag.” Shaa hands Sylvari a magical copy of the book of the dead.
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Flask of Feijoada: Loaded Dice 13 - 14: Book of the Dead This book depicts a series of traditional funerary rites from your nation of origin. Using the Book of the Dead, you may cast one non-exalted/non-mastery dark domain spell.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Nov 21, 2023 10:40:01 GMT -5
Sylvari waved a hand to ward off Shaa's apologies. "Not at all. You took the active role in this engagement. I am not sad to have played a considerably smaller part. As you stated, seemingly insignificant preparations can have a pronounced effect on the outcome of battle."
Sylvari looked down at the leather-bound tome Shaa handed her, running a practiced hand over the cover depicting death and decay. She wasn't sure if she should grimace or chuckle. Back before she knew how to channel her innate cursed energy, she had utilized a copy of this very book to pave her foray into the darker arts. Now, however, when she could easily call multiple hulking undead servants and unleash waves of darkness to clear entire rooms, feats that would confound most dark arcana users in the world, the small magical tome seemed almost paltry, like a gift given to a child.
Even so, Sylvari had been fairly close-lipped about her true skill with her partner, and she couldn't fault him for wanting to include her. She admired his generosity and his compassion for she who was by all available account a novice, playing at hero in her massive darkened plate.
"Thank you for the tool, Lord Shaa. I shall endeavor to use it wisely. My protection magic should be about recharged now, if you'd like to hunt down the others."
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Nov 21, 2023 15:44:47 GMT -5
Shaa watched carefully as he handed over the magical tome. As it was created through a magical item itself, it was only a temporary gift but, in this case, it was something a bit more. Although she was polite enough accepting the gift, he could tell she was not at all excited about it. If she was a novice user, she should be jumping out of her socks to either lean something new or use a current spell at no cost to her mana. But this woman, couldn’t care less. The only reason for that was she was a master or even exalted user of dark magic. And that, given their current situation, was a problem.
Taking out the unbandaged was dangerous for sure but it still didn’t answer the bigger question. Where did these things come from? They were some pretty high level undead running around all of the sudden. And not by accident. Shaa considered the time line. Undead show up, start eating people. Adventurers come to help including one mysterious woman using master level or higher dark magic. She elects to go with a complete stranger to investigate. What is more likely? Shaa just happened to run into a handy dark magic user? Or that the dark magic user was the mastermind of this whole thing and leading him to where he would never be found again.
The question was eating him. She was hiding something from him to be sure, the question was what.
Great, ready to go when you are. The plan was simple. Act like a show off as an excuse to not depend on her as much as possible. If she was the master mind here, he was about to take out the last two minions so she would have to make a move. If she did, he would be ready for it. There is another tunnel over there, let’s see if we can wrap this up. Staying on his guard, Shaa moves into the tunnel ahead of them. There is a small light and some shuffling noises, getting closer as they walked.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Nov 21, 2023 17:32:52 GMT -5
Sylvari felt the gaze of her companion on her hands and face as she accepted the tome, practiced neutrality governing the grace of her motion even as his eyes narrowed in suspicion. She did not wish to fight him, but she could tell he was curious about her veiled skillset and intentions. It was a practical, commendable attitude to have, but it presented a problem for her at this moment. Her mission dictated that justice be unimpeded, and she, as its instrument, would have to defend herself if attacked. She didn't want to kill Shaa, perhaps even doubted if she could, but honor demanded nothing less than her full power if he decided to attack her.
It's not quite so dire as that, yet, Sylvi. Smile and nod. Be inoffensive and unassuming. Don't show you are on your guard. Sylvari smiled demurely at the minotaur's proclamation and dipped her head in assent. She raised up a hand, coated in a familiar energy to press against the valley between his back muscles, transferring the magical protection to her partner [Black Shield].
"But of course. After you, Lord Shaa." Her words and gesture were unnecessary, as Shaa moved forward ahead of her eagerly. Sylvari would always choose caution over pride, and having a potential enemy at the front, rather than one's back, was not an advantage she would shirk.
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