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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Nov 22, 2023 11:56:12 GMT -5
Shaa could feel the tension in his broad shoulders. It was the same kind of feeling he got all of the time in the fight pits right before all hell broke loose. Like all eyes were on you waiting to get your face punched in. He actually enjoyed it most of the time because it released a lot of the normal stress he felt doing all of the dumb administrative stuff he had to do in the guild. That much paperwork would make anyone want to punch something.
But admittedly he was having a hard time with this one. If he had to put a label on it, it was the level of distrust he had for Sylvari. The truth was that he did not want to distrust her. She had really been nothing but cool to him on paper which usually meant they would just be buddies and go Shaananiganizing together periodically. She even called him sir which NOBODY ever does and the level of respect was nice. His biggest problem is he didn’t know her history. A person’s history shaped who they were, their motivations. Perhaps they got into this level of danger together too quickly. How could he blame her for that? Couldn’t really. Too late for bar fights and campfire stories at this point. He would just have to deal with whatever happened. Then they could go grab a drink or something and hash it out. For now, it was time to work.
As they entered the next chamber, sure enough two more figures were standing there waiting for them. The one on the left was similar to all the other ones they had encountered so far. Tall, bulky, bandaged, rotting. But the second one looked different. He was bandaged like the rest of them but was also wearing a large ornate mitre on his head and had some sort of twisted staff in one hand. To his shock, the one on the right started to speak.
Speeva shek na la leee to ? He growled like he hadn’t said anything in a thousand years. He was obviously trying to talk to them but Shaa didn’t recognize the language at all. He kicked himself for not picking up that spell that could translate any language. Fecha ta na nekkem be ta. Ummm sorry buddy I don’t understand you. Stop eating people. The creature points at them and the other unbandaged charges at them with surprising speed. I really wouldn’t do that man. The fiend, it’s arms outstretched, reaches out and tries to strangle the large Minotaur. Shaa grabs his arms tightly and flips him over his head, slamming him roughly into the ground. Keeping hold of one of his arms, he pulls off the move he has become famous for. Pulling with all of his strength, Shaa tears the monsters arm right out of its socket. He then proceeds to use its own arm to viscously beat it until it stops moving. He tosses what is left of the arm on the pile of bandages and ancient body parts.
Wiping his sides on his hands, he turns back to the final one. If Shaa had to describe the look he was getting from him, he would call it a mix of anger and frustration. Genna pat moorah! He had been in enough fights not to need a translation for that one. The creature raises its staff and several skeletal spire vipers burst from the ground. Mooktah! The undead vipers start to go on the attack.
Iron Grip Reverse of Momentum Momentous Cleve Improvised Weapons
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"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Nov 22, 2023 12:49:49 GMT -5
Sylvari averted her eyes from Shaa's brutal display. She knew that these undead were vile creatures whose very existence was an abomination, but Shaa's savagery reminded her of other minotaurs: ones that had been enemies. Focus, Sylvi. Shaa is your partner, at least for the moment, and he is occupied at current.
As the Unbandaged in the robes began incanting, Sylvari felt a familiar red haze fall over her gaze [Mage Slayer, Sworn Enemy] as she hungered for the creature's innate magic, sensing its necromancy [Chaos Touched]. The ground rumbled moments later, as three skeletal snakes of massive size erupted from the earth. Though Sylvari desired to cut the problem off at its source and target the bountiful source of magic before her which made her mouth salivate, it seemed the snakes were raised to deal with her specifically, as they all slithered forward, lightning quick, past her companion. Shaa was zeroed in on the last undead anyway, and, given his savage dispatching of the last one, he was likely invested in finishing it with their primary target... which left Sylvari to deal with the giant snakes.
They were fast, despite their colossal size, and were upon Sylvari before she had time to formulate a plan of attack, gnashing fangs crushing potions of her armor and rendering them useless [Cuirass Hit Preventions 2/2] [Gauntlet Hit Preventions 2/2], staunchly keeping her footing despite the onslaught [Knight, Immovable Bastion]. Sylvari instinctually growled in frustration. If she was alone, she would simply summon up a pair of servants to make the fights one on one, but, given Shaa's suspicion and the extreme prejudice with which he killed the undead, that would have to be a last resort.
Hells, this situation is more than problematic. I'm still too close. My area attack would hit Shaa: not exactly a ringing endorsement for my trustworthiness. I need to create space. Sylvari called upon her icy magics to coat the soles of her feet [Frozen Feet], and sped in-between the writhing serpents, their strikes shattering her shield in the process [Shield Hit Preventions 3/3]. Flipping through the memorized tome which Shaa had given her, Sylvari found the incantation she was searching for and called up a great mass of shadowy mud behind her, slowing the serpents' pursuit [Dark Soil, Granted by Book of the Dead]. It was a desperate plan, the spell meant only to halt the progress of a single opponent, but it at least slowed the creatures enough for Sylvari to gain enough distance to make it to the end of the cavern unmolested.
There, she began incanting and weaving her hands in the motions of one of her more powerful spells, calling deep on the shadows within her heart to draw up her dark arcana. Purple lichlights appeared in the pure black of the justiciar's ebon eyes, and she continued her spell without a trace of emotion, holding its completion to the very last moment, even in the face of the vipers' approach. When the snakes' crushing jaws were within inches of her face, Sylvari whispered a single word that reverberated unnaturally loud throughout the cavern. "Expel."
A roiling wave of black energy pulsed out from her [Death Wave], and the explosive force battered the massive serpents as if they were no more than parchment on the wind, flinging them in all directions against the rocky walls of the cave and shattering their skeletal bodies on impact. The wave continued further, buffeting the final Unbandaged as well and launching it into Shaa's ready reach. Sylvari breathed a small sigh of relief as the wave dissipated mere feet before hitting her companion.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Nov 22, 2023 19:46:25 GMT -5
As the giant serpents emerged from the ground, they skirted past him and ran straight after Sylvari. He considered going after them for a moment but through better if it. That unbandaged was still chanting something. The spire vipers and unbandaged were bad enough. Who knows what else would show up if he let him keep going. No, it was a foot race now. Could he take out chatty hat guy before he summons something less manageable. He would just have to trust that Sylvari could handle herself long enough for him to take out the caster.
The unnerving thing about this was that Shaa didn’t know what to expect. These guys had been dead for quite awhile. Who knew what kind of forgotten arcane magic he had up his grubby sleeve? He would have to be careful with this one. Shaa picks up a stone and lobs it at the leader’s head. He doesn’t believe it will actually do any damage but it does get him to stop chanting. Sure enough, the caster dodges the rock and stares at him deeply. Meetwana cofat, Tantauris. Tantauris. Shaa remembered something from an ancient history lesson years ago by one of his adopted centaur brothers. Tantauris he was pretty sure meant, Minotaur. Yes, I am a Tantauris. The mage opens his mouth and a swarm of flies emerge and start to accost him. Ugh, really?
Your’e not the only one with magic. Shaa starts to say a special prayer. As he prays, two pyramids made of fire emerge in front of him, charring the flies. With a bit of a change, the pyramids snuff out and turn into ash, releasing a cloud of smoke the snuff out the remaining flying assailants. With a third turn, he turns the ash back into flames and sends jets of fire right at the mage. Unperturbed, the undead creature turns his staff and sends the flames in a different direction.
The mage smiles wickedly. He reaches into his own mouth and cracks off one of his own teeth. Tossing it to the ground, a skeletal hound emerges and starts growling fiercely. Umm well that’s a new one. On to round two.
Master of Ceremony
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Nov 23, 2023 20:21:18 GMT -5
Sylvari took stock of the situation before her. The remaining Unbandaged priest seemed to be in some sort of magus duel with Shaa while he summoned underlings to keep her occupied. Normally, Sylvari was not one to be moved by matters of pride, but every minute this fight dragged on increased the likelihood of severe injury for her or her companion, as well as provoking greater cause for her to use her necromancy. You think I'm only worth your lackeys, you undead fiend? Time to change your perspective.
Disregarding the skeletal hellhound summoned, Sylvari dashed forward with blinding speed toward the chanting undead [Knight, Rushing Charge], grimacing as the hound sunk its teeth into the exposed flesh of her left arm. Calling up her negative energy claws [Eldritch Claws], Sylvari leapt atop the Unbandaged like a rabid animal, scratching and clawing at its eyes. She doubted that such a maneuver would be lethal, but it would interrupt his casting and give Shaa an opening.
The hellhound kept choking up her arm, causing it to spray blood in great gouts, as Sylvari stubbornly dug into her handhold on the creature, bringing the arm with the skeletal hound down again and again on the priest like a great bludgeoning instrument. Sylvari could only imagine the feral image she conjured as the undead within her howled in pain and her arm was being shredded to ribbons with her rough motion. She leveled a desperate gaze on her minotaur partner.
"Finish this."
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Nov 24, 2023 0:36:52 GMT -5
Shaa is surprised to watch as his companion pulls, what only can be described as a seriously reckless maneuver. Electing to jump on the unbandaged creature and beat it with its own summoned creature. It was a downright Shaa thing to do. This one act clinched it for the Minotaur. They were going to be buds. And his bud was getting her arm all tore up. Nope, he wasn’t having any of that. It was time to finish this.
While the mage was distracted by being beaten on, Shaa grabs the creature gruffly by the face. With a moments concentration, the Minotaur piles on spiritual power and infuses it with pure light energy. Focusing it all into one powerful burst, Shaa releases the beam point blank into the undead clerics face. When the blast is over, it leaves a smoking hole where it’s face used to be.
With the caster finally put to rest, all of its summons including the hound crumple into piles of bone on the floor of the cave. He manages to reach out and grab Sylvari before she falls with the collapse of her ride. Haha hey I know I said audience participation but that was extra. He looks down at her mangled arm and winces. Here, let me see that. He pulls out a small medical bag to stem the major bleeding. It’s not a permanent fix but it will keep you together until we get you to a healer. With us finishing the job, you can even pay for it. He laughs a bit and kicks some left over bones. Come on, let’s get out of here. You can ride on the cloud. Shaa offers a hand to help exit the cave.
Art of the Soul Tranquility- Light Power Small Med Kit
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Nov 24, 2023 19:55:30 GMT -5
Sylvari instinctually sighed with relief when Shaa dispatched the Unbandaged, feeling the skeletal hellhound fall to pieces around her mangled arm. As Shaa began to treat her wound with bandages, she said nothing though she knew it would avail her naught. She didn't care to raise the minotaur suspicion again after apparently earning his respect. Were she alone, she would simply steal ambient necrotic energy from her servants to full restore herself, but it was a riskier proposition in the company of others: particularly ones so capable and vengeful.
Gods, I need a drink.
The dark thirst within Sylvari breast rose up in a clamor as if to remind her the only other way to mend her ravaged body: stealing the arcane vitae of others. The justiciar bit back a grimace as she thought of her prospects. She had a few willing drinking partners within Zeinav City itself, but they were admittedly a little too far to reasonably justify a journey to her companion, especially in her state. This left her only option being to rely on the kindness of local strangers: a feat she didn't think reasonable to replicate twice in as many days. Honestly, she needed to bid farewell to Shaa while it would still be a fond one, so she could tend to herself.
"I'm certain once we're out of this den of death, I'll feel notably better."
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Nov 25, 2023 19:42:12 GMT -5
Shaa just laughs at the comment. What? You don’t want to build a nice summer home down here with all the ancient corpses? If you say so. The two make their way back up through the tunnels confirming there were no more undead that could cause any problems. Shaa managed to find a large sack and collected any left over body parts to do a proper burial later. He wasn’t able to save anyone, the least he could do is make sure no one became a vengeful spirit.
After making it back to the camp, they find Fahl and explain the events of the last couple days. He listens carefully and sends messengers to inform the families and investigate the cave further. It looks like that wraps things up for now. I’m sure the caravaners will be happy to hear those things are gone. But, this kind of thing does happen. If we have further problems, I hope we can contact you. Shaa folds his arms a bit. You know the channel to the guild. I can’t garuntee it will be me personally, but we have lots of capable fighters that can get you squared away. Please transfer the funds for this job. Of course. Says Fahl flatly as he turns to Sylvari.
So it sounds like you could handle yourself. Here’s your cut. Fahl hands her a leather pouch full of currency. Of course you are welcome to stay, there is always more work. If not now, the invitation is open, just let me know. If you will excuse me, I have to meet with the families. With that, Fahl turns and leaves the tent. That’s my queue. I have to get back to the guild and report. Might have to take a rain check on that drink. You going to be ok?
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Nov 26, 2023 22:46:26 GMT -5
Sylvari had forgone her normal attempts to haggle down the reward, not feeling it necessary to be paid for what her oath mandated her to do, as she was feeling lightheaded from the blood loss. She became aware that Shaa was speaking to her only a few seconds after what would be expected.
"Oh... yes. I thank you for your concern. I will go and take care of this," Sylvari intoned, lifting up her bandaged arm, stained dark red with blood. I just have to get away and then I can find some blood. I might have to use one of my emergency vials. You're so close, Sylvi. Seal the deal and send Shaa on his way.
"I was honored to work with you, Lord Shaa. I look forward to the day we can meet again, but I know that you likely have a busy schedule, so I shall take my leave. Short roads and good fortune on your travels."
Sylvari dipped her head quickly and beat a hasty retreat, dashing to a nearby alley and collapsing against the wall. She fumbled with the drawstrings of her bag with clumsy fingers as the world swirled about her. Blessedly, she was able to drain a vial's contents without spilling or breaking the container, and the sustenance was enough for her to begin healing and clear her head. She would refill her stock and her appetite at Zeinav City. The justiciar headed out into the sandy wilderness, glad to have avoided disaster at the hands of wretched undead or her fervent partner.
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