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Post by Shitakibo on Nov 28, 2023 1:54:04 GMT -5
The request for assistance from Keyke had come in with a few other correspondence from various research projects. There was some sort of strange happening with a small village in the Spine, reports of villagers shambling about and digging random holes at all hours. Taki chose to travel in force for this expedition, both for the praticality and the ability to protect anyone who might stumble into the situation. Together with Hakaze and Shuchu, the trio soared over Charon's landscape. The scenery was familiar, but bore the fresh scars of Mt. Drakolt's detonation. Thankfully much of it was no longer the burning, toxic hazard it had started out as, allowing folks to make steady progress.
Dragon's Cradle came into view some hours later, it's craggy peaks and jagged landscape all too familiar to the shaman. It looked quite spectacular, especially through the dragon's eyes and the myriad of color most creatures might never see. The scars and devastation stood out against the afternoon shadows, blackened and jagged scars radiating across the weathered stone. She still remembered the heat, the intense energy of the rebirthed Vulcadreus. It seemed like it had only been hours ago, and yet a year or more behind her. She'd done all she could to help rebuild in the aftermath, though it was an effort that brought together many from all over the land.
The village came into view a short while later, Hakaze's sharp senses picking out the people below excavating land. Tucking her wings in tight, the shaman dove down closer to the ground. Rolling to one side, the trio circled the village and landed near the city on a flat of rock jutting from the face of a hill. Setting Shuchu down, Taki shifted to her normal form and directed them towards where they were to meet with Keyke. The lass wasn't terribly difficult to find, though trying to get both her companions there out of sight took some interesting pathways. Taki strolled into the secluded clearing, drake and golem in tow.
"Hello again dear friend, have you been keeping well?"
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Post by Lady Keyke Runi on Nov 28, 2023 18:38:08 GMT -5
After hearing about a little town not responding to the recent developments, Fin told me how concerns were raised for the Dryadali. They were happy that the new town was being created to help others, plus it was across the region from the tree. They fully supported it, so the group remained secure to help outside the towns. When a trade of supplies was not released from this small town, instead, based on reports others gave me, their actions remained confusing. Constantly digging holes, little to no breaks doing so, and no contact with relatives in Sky City, who asked me to check on their daughter, is one of the reasons I'm here. Another older friend spoke to me. Something interesting can be found here, but said what could be here was a secret to find out for myself. I reached out to Taki, speaking of the odd behaviors, and wished to connect again. I knew whatever was here would be exciting but powerful. I know them well enough that nothing a regular adventurer could handle was something they would direct to me. I left everyone but Rosemarry behind, knowing the rest were not stealthy. Rose could at least look ahead and deliver progress in smaller spaces. I look around to my familiar homeland and see a dragon flying up the sky; I observe it, hoping to my magic that it is just a transformed friend and not another dragon like Vulcadraus. Fire flashes in my vision, reminding me of the dream C’leena had entered. I shake my head, not letting those thoughts come forth, letting that hyper-focused curiosity flow into my mini-me. I hear a variety of steps making their way to me. My eyes snap over to see Taki with a wind drake and golem making their way over to me. My thinned lips spread to a smile as I rush around. I clutch my doll as Rose takes her seat on my bonnet. “I have indeed! You are right; it’s been too long! The last I saw you was in the fight with the dragon! How are you doing?” I giggle as I am reminded of the shenanigans that happened after. Quest Name: Mind over matter Participants: Two or more Location: Anywhere Post Requirements: 8 post per person, 250 words per post Reward: +1 Mystical Archive Ticket, +1 Chthonian Parasite Description: Reports of strange behavior from a small local hamlet or village have started to circulate, rumors of weird habits or social encounters happening to those who visit this small little village. The locals seem to be under some kind of spell or affect, acting like mindless golems. They work from sun up to sun down, just digging massive holes in random places and we really don't understand why. Heroes are being asked to visit these remote villages to investigate the source of this strange behavior.
Special Requirements: Your investigations uncover a powerful Chthonian that is taking up residence in the hamlet and has brain washed the local population. What the monster is after is still unknown, but you do know that this creature must be defeated in order to free the victims from its control. After investigating and uncovering the truth, you must kill the Chthonian.
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Post by Shitakibo on Nov 30, 2023 8:30:19 GMT -5
Taki gives Keyke a sly smirk at her giggling before embracing her in a gentle hug for a moment. "I've been well enough, keeping busy and running all manner of errands for the Mage's Guild... for some of Charon's most learned mages and scholars, they sure are a skittish bunch. Enough about me, what has kept you busy since our dance with a living volcano?" The shaman replies softly but jovially, glad to see Keyke well. Hakaze watched the pair from over Taki's shoulder, the Drake's keen senses memorizing the pair as allies. Shuchu watched towards the village, something the shaman had adjusted ahead of time to help the golem not be an emerald green target in the muted lands of the Cradle. It worked, mostly, though some vibrant structure couldn't be hidden or removed. Instead, the shaman ensured it couldn't be viewed from the front or most of the side, only when you crossed the boundary of their shoulders and beyond would the bright materials stand out.
"Forgive me, there's been a lot happening in the realm of growth and training... The big drake is Hakaze, don't mind if he's a bit overprotective at first... and my lovely magical friend is Shuchu, which is a part of a juicy new field of research we should dig into when we have a free moment." Explained the shaman, who had been lost in thought thinking about designs and mechanisms to try for the golem. The Formulae Arcanum was a fascinating subject, but they were here to ensure the safety of a town and it's denizens. The proximity of the meeting place had been close enough for the shaman to follow the movements of a few outlying groups. Their shuffling gait reminded her of the shambling dead, stiff and uncoordinated as if the puppeteer wasn't sure what a person moved like. Very peculiar indeed, not to mention the lack of spiritual presence... normally Taki would have been able to see or sense them milling about, even glean tidbits of the condition of the area... but the place was eerily still.
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Post by Lady Keyke Runi on Dec 22, 2023 23:57:42 GMT -5
The hug was something almost foreign to me now. With everyone I've met so far, their energies having them bounce when they hug, a tight squeeze to saver the feeling of hugging me, or even just receiving little head pats from those that are socially awkward are my normal. The last time I received a hug this gentle was long ago with one of my tutors, the last one to hug me was Serena back before her last night of work. My eyes blink away my memories, face slightly reddening at the realization of how much that dream has affected me. I quickly leave my realization as I take in Taki's question. "I've been good, sounds like the mage's guild is running you thin." I then realize something a little different with Taki, extra arms.
I glance down as my smile brightens at seeing them. "That's so cool!" I reach and grab one of the arms, flipping a hand to show it's palm to me. "You didn't mention anything about getting extra arms! How'd you get them? How well do they work with your magic? How strong are they compared to your normal ones?" I could feel myself vibrating with questions upon question over the new appendages. I take a breath as I try to calm down, my hand on my chest as I couldn't pry the smile from my face. "I've been doing a lot of little things. Mainly trying to deal with the aftermath of the battle. I was able to care for the dude who flew into the dragon's breath. Arashi is nice and all, but boy can he be stupid." I tap my finger to my cheek as I try to not mention the dream I had when C'leena and Nephale came over. "I've also done a few minor jobs here and there for a few of my contacts, need to get more favors for the future and all that." I do a little jazz hands, "That about does it, welcome to my latest job!"
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Post by Shitakibo on Dec 23, 2023 14:37:42 GMT -5
Taki chuckled softly at her friend's musings, her curiosity about the latest changes to the shaman's body.
"How is something I'm still figuring out but it has to do with my connection to the spirit realm. They are another set of arms, equal to the others and just as capable. I do believe I am approaching the idea of 'enough hands' for a given task. Ahh yes... Arashi... interesting fellow, glad his feet are still carrying him forward. The situation before us is quite the interesting dilemma, but we'll make sure the town is free of this malady somehow." She noticed Keyke's thoughtful look, as if she were leaving out some juicy tidbit. Truth be told, Taki had a few of those up her sleeve as well... She might not begrudge her friend for their profession, but she was keenly aware one must be careful what they say to an info broker.
There was another question that had been brewing in the shaman's mind as well, though this conversation didn't seem like a good place to address it. Taki's insight around Keyke often nagged that there was more to her friend than she appeared, which tracked pretty steadily with what she'd experienced. The feeling was incessant though, like an itch that just couldn't be reached... There was more to the story and it pestered her curiosity each time they met up. It was good they had been keeping busy, which would also mean Keyke was staying well informed about the happenings at large. Taki sighed softly, hoping they might find time during this adventure or the next for a good conversation.
"Shall we get started? This oddness won't make itself go away sadly..."
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Post by Lady Keyke Runi on Dec 28, 2023 21:28:35 GMT -5
I nod my head at the statement, before giving a light but dramatic sigh as I smack the back of my hand to my forehead. "Ha, don't I know that a bit to well. So many problems would b fixed if that was the case." I stick my tongue out with a smile before standing straight up again. "I've gotten to listen in on some of the conversations in the town, but had to quickly get out before a chance of being spotted by anyone or anything. Voices for even the children are monotone and short, it's every odd." I gesture my hand for Taki to follow me, "I'll show you the way I came from. It can fit your friends as well." The way we go has high coverings on the sides but no sky coverings. It was wide back alleys built from poor community management. Showing the lack of experience of the people who thought of making a new town simply because another major one was popping up for the refugees from the Ashlands. Architecture was everywhere where they think it could help and be convenient, making a maze out of houses and yet still being able to label each of the streets. But it allowed for smooth travel without to much pressure on sneakiness. We only needed to stay quiet, to which I made sure that I double checked everything before finding a house with an open door for us to find a good place in. Inside was basic furniture like tables, chairs, but the main part of why I came in here was the window on the opposite side, open to listen to the streets. "Here's to the max that I've traveled." I speak in my mind.1
1. Message
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Post by Shitakibo on Jan 3, 2024 14:41:11 GMT -5
Before they left the woods, Taki gave Hakaze instructions to keep a watch on the village from above. The wind drake stepped out into a clearing before launching into the sky to keep vigil. While they were far from the largest or toughest amongst the stables of W.E.F. Drakes, Hakaze's keen senses and sharp reflexes were invaluable to Taki and her work. She and Shuchu followed Keyke into the town, through back streets and side alleys that kept out of the main thoroughfare. The shaman did her best to observe the people's movements when she could see them between buildings. It was peculiar, as if someone had hijacked their minds and given them a set of commands the way she might an Animate Construct.
Slipping inside the building, Taki instructed Shuchu to wait in the alleyway behind the place. This served to ensure they could egress if needed, and keep the big shiny golem out of sight for now. Taking stock of the situation, the shaman walked over to the window, sticking to the shadows off one side while she peered out into the street for a better view. Keyke's voice whispered in her mind 'Here's to the max that I've traveled.' Taki nodded as she watched the movements of those few folks out in the night. They all seemed to be gathering in one of the larger buildings near the center of town.
Stepping away from the window, she walked out to her golem and had them lightly tap the ground again to expand the range of her Geomagnetic Sense. The gentle shockwave passed through the ground and lit up the town to her mind's eye once again. Now that she had a better idea of the layout of town, she could tell this building was the same one with the oddness beneath it. Walking back inside, she returned to Keyke after scrawling a note on a slip of paper from her robes.
'The building where folks are gathering is likely where we'll find the cause of this strangeness... also, I've been meaning to ask for some time now... Just how old are you young lady?'
Handing the note to her, she waited for her friend to respond again.
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Post by Lady Keyke Runi on Jan 6, 2024 1:33:44 GMT -5
I watch the area as Taki walks away, Watching the odd movements. My eyes lock onto a specific house, clues from letters from my contact come to mind, and I smile. I heard Taki walking back, and I quickly shifted away from the windows to join her and read the note a smile growing on my face as I felt something akin to a click happen in the back of my mind, flooding my mind with a calmer sense and a easier connection to my focus. I take a deep breath as I feel the mental barrier there falls to the question. Looking back up to Taki, my eyes glow, but in their pupil-less depths, there is a spinning vortex of magic circles. I blink and it all goes away. I grin and speak mentally once more, but this time, the voice is a deep smooth woman's voice. It gives a low and light chuckle before speaking, "It's no secret, I'm twenty."
I glance back outside as I speak in my adult voice mentally again, "It makes sense for the people to crowd around a place, especially in a new forming of some kind of society, meaning that we will need to remove them from the area in case something there is more threatening than a basic object." I nod as I think of ideas, "We'll need distractions, something to keep them there but not harm them in case a fight happens." I flick my wrist as I continue, "In these parts, it's not uncommon for some kind of monster to hide in the middle of the forming areas, hence why people normally don't leave the main cities." I tilt my head as I look up to Taki, humor flowing in my dimmed golden eyes.
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Post by Shitakibo on Jan 11, 2024 3:20:04 GMT -5
The shaman raised one brow and gave the girl a hard stare... 20... that was unexpected. She shook the thoughts aside and sighed softly, there'd be time for dealing with that later. She noticed the oddness swirling in her eyes as well, adding it to her list of questions for later. She considered what types of distractions she had in her toolkit, knowing many were quite the spectacle... but also deadly... They needed a different sort of distraction though, as wiping out the town wasn't an option... an idea formed in the shaman's mind, giving rise to a sly smile.
"I think I can come up with a big enough distraction to let us slip by... it won't last forever, but it should slow them enough to let us pass. Whatever is affecting their mind will likely be turned on us as well, do you have some means of shielding yourself from the effect or should I share mine?"
She replied quietly, watching the movements outside. Part of her wanted to drag out the responsible party kicking and screaming, but there were too many unknowns. Another idea presented itself, though it would require a subject...
"Before we start the festivities, I'm pretty sure I could pluck a stray from the street so we can investigate this phenomenon closer." She said, slipping out of the window and into the shadows. Her outfit changed, flowing like liquid over her body and enshrouding all but her eyes in an inky black fabric that pressed tight to her features but left ample room to move freely. Like an enormous, monstrous spider, she crawled over the building's exterior and onto the roof. It didn't take long to spot a stray resident moving a box from an alleyway away from prying eyes. She caught sight of Hakaze overhead, banking her way, but waved them off to their patrols for the time being. It wasn't difficult for the shaman to subdue the strange person and quietly drag them back to the small house where Keyke and crew were waiting. She'd bound them with a length of rope and carried them in through the alley where Shuchu was standing guard.
She lay the person on the floor, nodding to the others.
"Let's see what we can find out..."
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Post by Lady Keyke Runi on Feb 12, 2024 18:35:25 GMT -5
I tilt my head to Taki as I think over everything. My lips parse as I think it over. "It depends on how it's controlling these people. If it's through memories, I'm completely safe, if those people see illusions on their own, then that just something that I can break through. Even charm or fear based spell can barely work around my mind. If it purely body control, however, I would be out of luck." I shrug, thinking over the variety of different ways I've read over control as a subject to magic. I begin to mumble out bit of my thoughts as I reflect the versions, "Perhaps it could be, no the people would need glossy eyes, sleep wal, single or multiple? Need a closer inspection."
I look up to Taki's idea and smile, "Sounds perfect! I can analyze how they react... as long as it doesn't have an automatic alert for when the person get pulled out of the base movements." I watch Taki leave before looking out the door we came in through. I watch the people them swiftly run past before hopping up some stacked cases of boxes and barrels. I grin as I quickly summon a small pouch and place it right below the top. I have no qualms against using force for escape if we end up needing it, so might as well have a back up plan. I rush back to the house a few minutes before Taki returns, after all, kidnapping anything or anyone discreetly takes much more time than dropping a little trinket for later. I grin at the person brought back and skip over and begin testing my theories on the type of magic control.
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Post by Shitakibo on Feb 14, 2024 0:16:34 GMT -5
The shaman kept careful watch on the town's movements while Keyke set about examining and extracting information. Outside the folk droned about as if nothing had changed, moving about in basic and predictable pattern. The town's oddness already was unsettling, but the lack of spiritual presence was even more troubling. The townspeople were being held prisoner by some powerful force, either spell or ability, that in turn suppressed even the gentle wake of their souls. It was a peculiar sensation, taunting her instincts as her senses perceived them as something closer to undead than the living. She took a deep breath and prepared to enact her distraction when Keyke was finished.
She watched her friend's examination with as much attention as she could afford to spare. While she could sense magic and it's castings, often she had difficulty understanding the spells of others. Perhaps she could pick up on some of what the lass was capable of, or ask her about it after their adventures were over. Splitting attention between tasks was disrupting her preparations, so she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her spirit and magic stirred, spreading out into the earth like roots of a great tree. Many of the branches spread through the town and moved about with the people of the town, not directly beneath them but following closely.
"Whenever you're prepared to make our move, I'm ready to provide our distraction and clear our path forward." Her voice was calm, but also held this haunting ethereal quality as her eyes glowed softly with a spiritual glow.
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Post by Lady Keyke Runi on Apr 2, 2024 20:48:52 GMT -5
As I poke and prod at the person, I keep an eye on my curiosity as to make sure to not push further than what this situation would ethically allow me. By waving my hands in front of their eyes, I get basic reaction of blinking that there is some basic reaction abilities. I poke their hand, no reaction, then poke their wrist, to which it turned up. I made note and did the likes all around the body, snapping as I walked around, humming at some points and doing various forms of greetings, which only local greetings from Dragon's Cradle were recognized. I turn to Taki and smile, "I'm ready and I've got a good idea of what is happening here."
I gesture to the person as I continue, "It's not a body control, as reactions are too immediate for that. It's a highly likely factor that this magic is simply limiting their forms of thoughts as it focuses on controlling them through memories, as greetings and local customs from around here were the only things responded to." I wince at the implications, "That means, as long as we don't trigger a memory of a monster or a fight, we should be good. Though, it would be best to stay out of the sight of guards, as they might attack any intruders who are not a part of this mini society." I glance around at the people outside and take in how they were walking and glanced at Taki to hear her plans to find the cause of this conundrum. Having gotten so used to her looks that I don't notice that she could possibly trigger such thoughts by walking around.
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Post by Shitakibo on Apr 3, 2024 3:20:24 GMT -5
"Allow me to illuminate the path forward, and liven the atmosphere just a touch."
Taki spoke a word in the Orochi tongue and called her serpentine Guardian 1. Nodding to each other, the shaman's magic filled the room with a cyan glow began to spread out over the town. Over the next few moments, the misty magic gathered into thicker clouds and began to take shape above the building where the town was gathering. An orchestra of bright instruments formed overhead 2, and started playing a haunting yet peaceful tune over the area. The townsfolk stopped their meandering and looked to the sky, some part of the spell's music calling to their dormant minds and bidding their attention. Almost as one, they gathered under the glimmering concert of magic in small groups. "Ryu, stay with Shuchu for now, and be alert." "I'll see to it, Taki." "Once more unto the breach, eh?" The shaman quipped as she vaulted out the window with the grace of a feline 3. It didn't take long for her to bound across the small square and alongside one wall of the building. She could sense the layout going below the earth better, and waited for an opportune moment to meld into the flickering shadows. Once inside, she moved through the storeroom turned barracks with a perturbed look. Whoever was behind this cared nothing for the town they were harming or it's people, reminding her of the conditions poachers would keep trapped animals in before selling them to some bloated noble. With renewed vigor, she crept through the building and made her way to the large door leading down to the cellar. There, she awaited Keyke to pick her own path in amidst the distraction, hoping it would also protect the citizens from any retaliation with it's rejuvenating melody.
1: Spirit Guardian 2: Symphony of Light [Spirit Shroud, 1/5 Duration] Calling upon the strongest of Light spirits, the caster conjures a mystical concert over an area. These instruments play a battle sonata, curing allies of conditions and minor wounds. Enemies who hear the song are stunned to silence, unable to cast spells or use abilities for one post. Covers a large area for 5 posts, can only be used once per topic. 3: Cat's Grace
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