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Post by Shitakibo on Feb 11, 2024 17:58:55 GMT -5
She figured this would be a good moment in the battle for one of those large scale spells to come into play. In the skies above the battlefield, rays of light parted the scattered clouds. Their luminous beams gathered form, like smoke filling hundreds of jars shaped into a floating orchestra1. At the trumpeting of a horn, this phantasmal band began to play a battle sonata which bolstered Taki and her allies. Worse, it's magic captivated the creatures assaulting the group, making it difficult for them to put up a solid defense for a few moments. It wasn't the terrain changing spectacle the shaman was often known for in battle, but this gave the group much needed time and support.
As her spell completed, she felt the sphere2 surrounding her leave the area of her guardian's aura. The spell wasn't enough to halt the creatures, and the opportunity to break their formations would soon close. Each of her limbs pulled, pushed, channeled magic into the growing bulk of earth encapsulating her. Part of what made piloting this tricky was building up even layers of sediment and stones, keeping it balanced yet sturdy. She fell into a rhythm, steering the ball in erratic patterns to try and further confusion amongst the enemies as to her goal or intent.
Now at 20 feet of thickness, she could sense the outward ripples of her own passing. There was a widening channel in the beach as the pressure of her passing increased. The Akhluts would be making their final push in moments, desperate not to give up ground to these strange humanoids. The best part of this whole plan was the surprise in store for the finale... It seemed that the shaman's goal was to break their formation before it was completed, but her erratic path was carefully inching it's way towards a different target, even as the distance between them increased. Her goal was more about keeping her attack hidden and making sure she doesn't strike any of her companions.
1: Taki's Symphony of Light: 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. [1/5, Living Aura, Spirit Shroud]
2: Rolling Stone: Encasing yourself in stone as you roll into a ball, you can begin to move much the same as a gyroscopic ball. You can move up walls of earthen make while using this ability and can perceive the area around yourself as you do so. For every post you remain in ball form you become five feet thicker, at any point you can explode the ball outwards and shoot several hundred earthen shards from yourself outwards in every direction for ten feet per turn spent in the ball.[2nd Turn, 20' thickness]
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Feb 14, 2024 21:42:28 GMT -5
Suddenly a large light began shining above them Javal couldn’t help but get distracted allowing the Elder Akhlut to land another hit as the spell took place. A wondrous collection of sounds then played coming from the light. For some reason, Javal felt filled with energy. Small cuts and bruises on his body were healed. The Elder Akhlut was dazed for a moment, his relentless barrage of blows ceased as he stood listening to the captivating sounds from above.
He took his chance, stepping forward and slashing across the wild beast’s chest, sending the Emperor Akhlut a couple of feet back. The two continued to duke it out as Javal glanced at Lady Shitakibo, her form encased in a stone ball zooming around the field in an erratic pattern. For as long as Javal had known the shaman he knew that she was always with plans. He was confident in her skill and strength and hoped that he could hold the elder Akhlut long enough to see it through.
Over with Nadia and Meryl, the two continue to bicker as they try to work together to frustrate results to bring the energetic Akhlut in front of them down who seems to be more focused on avoiding Taki.
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Post by Shitakibo on Feb 21, 2024 17:48:13 GMT -5
With the sphere1 nearly complete for her plan, the erratic motions stopped. Taki steered towards the closing gap once again, the flanking creatures pouring on speed to try and cut her off. As the heavy sphere of compacted earth bounced over the sand, it slid down a small divot and launched from the opposite side like a massive mortar. The Akhluts that had been sprinting came to a grinding halt, each one trying to brace itself for the coming impact. A palpable fear spread amongst them and for a brief moment it seemed like their doom was at hand.
A bright flash of lightning2 and the boom of thunder changed that, as sphere and shaman changed direction mid flight. All the practice paid off as she could feel the heavy orb falling towards the sea, a twenty foot earthen cannon ball, soaring over the battlefield. This was no simple projectile though, and Taki waited patiently as she felt the earth rushing up below to meet her. Now beyond the front lines and falling towards the isolated group, they responded moving about, bringing those in the middle into the fold to meet this threat. Their leader was quick on the uptake to the change, but that could only mitigate things.
About fifteen feet from the surface of the water, and well out of range of Javal & Co., Taki slammed her fists into the wall of the sphere3 and activated it's second effect. While she kept falling, the protective shell burst into hundreds of large fragments that slammed into the hastily assembled rearguard. Grunts, shouts, and all manner of pained vocalizing called out from those caught in the blast. While it wasn't strong enough to be lethal to these creatures, every one caught in the blast would remember it's blows for the coming weeks. Bruising, blisters and several of the pod stumbling about as if concussed were the last thing the shaman saw of their lines before she slammed into the ocean. While the impact drove the air from her body, it could not stop the smug expression on her face.
She knew she was no longer on her own turf, this was the ocean and it was not her home. Thankfully, gills at least made breathing an option as she sank below the waves. No matter how tough she was, hitting the water at the speed she was traveling would damage even the sturdiest warriors. She floated lazily among the waves for a moment while the stinging in her ribs subsided, and was grateful when she reached the sea floor a moment later. While it wasn't ideal, she'd rather have her feet firmly on the earth if the Akhluts recovered and came after her.
1: Rolling Stone [20' Diameter/Thickness] 2: Bullet Dash 3: Rolling Stone: Encasing yourself in stone as you roll into a ball, you can begin to move much the same as a gyroscopic ball. You can move up walls of earthen make while using this ability and can perceive the area around yourself as you do so. For every post you remain in ball form you become five feet thicker, at any point you can explode the ball outwards and shoot several hundred earthen shards from yourself outwards in every direction for ten feet per turn spent in the ball. [30' Radius AOE, Overwhelming Magic]
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Feb 24, 2024 4:09:54 GMT -5
A loud chorus of panicked squawks and anguished yells was heard all around as the Aklhuts faced Taki’s incredible technique. Javal and the rest of his group managed to avoid such a devastating attack with a majority of the damage landing squarely on their enemies at hand. Immediately the flock’s leader motions for a retreat not being stupid enough to keep going against such strong foes. The Akluhuts take heed and head back where they came from, waddling with speed away from the beach. The Emperor and young rookie Aklhuts cover them as they face down Javal and company. After trading blows with the beasts, the fellblood has learned to respect them and places his sword away seeing the last two follow their fellow island attackers.
He gives a light bow and yells, “Farewell my finned friends I hope next time you think twice about messing with people like that. I hope I can fight you guys again someday since you were so tough and strong”.
He then turns around to see how everyone else is doing, “Is everyone okay or need something”.
His team all nod their head no with him being the only one to take any real damage. Javal smiles at the notion as he looks down to see his scarred and injured body thinking of what to do next.
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Post by Shitakibo on Feb 26, 2024 19:53:00 GMT -5
Taki could sense the Akhluts' retreat, though they seemed to give the shaman a wide berth as she walked up the banks of the beach. Apparently, they weren't keen on taking any more hard lumps today so she simply gave a polite nod to their Matriarch as she and her retinue passed by. As she came striding out of the water, she looked up to see Javal in his typically battered state and shook her head.
"Are you ever going to learn that getting hit is not the goal of every fight..." There was a devious grin on her face as she pat Javal's shoulder. She let him feel the augmented strength in her limbs for a split second as she cast healing magic1 on him. She was glad to see his companions were unharmed at least, though she had a feeling that was only going to make the matter worse with time.
"We've really got to up your defensive stratagem Javal... Some day you're going to come across something that finds you to be a delightful snack... and not really have the means to say no. That is something this shaman finds upsetting friend, amongst fellow adventurers there seems to be a lack of self preservation. I'm glad we were able to drive off the Akhluts without much bloodshed, and well done all of you for your skills and teamwork. We should report in, see if anyone else has encountered a similar group or if we're the first."
She was looking forward to getting back and washing the sand and seawater off her scales, and out of her clothing. Perhaps she'd use her House Key and head home for a weekend off and to sleep in her own bed, but that seemed rude to the other expedition members who didn't have a way home.
1: Massive Healing [Spirit Shroud, Living Aura]
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Feb 27, 2024 2:46:18 GMT -5
An embarrassed shrug comes from Javal as he listens to the shaman’s gentle advice, feeling her incredibly strong grip as she proceeds to heal him back to normal. His body quickly thanks to her returned to normal the bruises, cuts, and gashes from Emperor Akhlut’s sharp fins and beak were healed as if he’d never fought. The fellblood was grateful for Taki’s skill after all if it wasn’t for her abilities he was sure that he and his group would’ve had a way harder time dealing with the aggressive beasts.
He chuckles, “Sorry Lady Shitakibo. I just can’t help it. Sometimes I get so excited to battle that I forget I should be avoiding blows. I just wanted to see how hard those troublemakers could hit and how much I could take”, he says, placing his hands behind his head.
Javal listened to Taki’s advice and took it to heart, taking a moment to digest it before speaking once more, “That is fair I mean there are so many strong creatures out there in Charon. I have to get stronger and as much as I can deal strong and heavy blows I should work on making them better. I apologize for any worry I have caused. I promise to try to be better about that in the future my friend. And of course that sounds like a great idea hopefully that won’t be the case”, and he started to head back to the main campsite to see if anybody had anything else to report.
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Post by Shitakibo on Mar 1, 2024 11:57:55 GMT -5
Taki chuckled softly at his reply and nodded, understanding the desire to test one's own limits. Along the way back, she made improvements to the improvised defenses she'd been working on. When they reached the edge of camp, it was like a small town was unfolding from inside the vessels. She was enamored by the intricate yet simple way the boats had been built for this purpose. It made perfect sense after all, you needed to build buildings and carry the wood to do so, why not make the ship out of it as well and get even more value out of your materials. She'd seen it on a smaller scale, a few of the expeditions she'd undertaken around Frost Gale ran across old ships turned up on their keels, a hollow dug below to sink their decks down to the ground. The entire boat flipped over and turned into a building. This however was some engineering wizardry, the structures and panels of the ships coming apart with ease to wander through the busy throughfare. She let out a soft, hissing whistle.
"Well then, that's pretty clever... build the town out of the boats you used to sail across. I imagine that saved at least one ship's worth of just cargo, perhaps more." She followed Javal and company back to the ship serving as the temporary town hall, watching the workers turn boats on a beach into a new settlement. She was glad they didn't have to fight a more desperate battle with the Akhluts, and that they could be driven off before reaching the new settlement.
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Mar 27, 2024 14:14:05 GMT -5
Javal looked on as Taki improved the defenses she’d set up, he was not too good with any technical know-how. His heart jumped for joy as he saw the vessels filled with life and cheered. Something about it was so familiar and made him happy. His time as a pirate made such scenes of comradery and warmth that made him reminisce fondly. This expedition was different for him, unlike the last one he had with Lady Shitakibo which he felt like a bit of an outsider considering all the spiritual and shaman things that occurred this was like home. The sounds of laughter and alcohol being clinked together were something that made him feel like he had returned 3 years ago in time. Everyone was mingling together and enjoying their time from the Fighter’s Guild folk, and merchants, to Mages Guild people, everyone was joined in the merriment.
Before he could walk up the ramp to join in on the fun he felt his coat get tucked as he turned around and saw Nadia with an irritated look, “My liege come we must follow Lady Taki no time for idle fun”.
He shook his head focusing back on the task at hand and apologized following Taki once more towards looking at the ships. He wasn’t much of a craftsman but he knew just how much work and passion went into every single ship. Each one had been given attention and care and without them, no one in the expedition would be here. He truly respected the carpenters. Mages, and all the other workers who helped made this trip happen. He then led the group into the makeshift town hall and saw that unlike the other boats there seemed to be yelling and arguing inside filled with the expedition’s leaders. He prepared himself for the stress of bureaucracy that most recent trips all had as of late.
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Post by Shitakibo on Mar 29, 2024 14:06:30 GMT -5
Taki stood beside Javal and company patiently for several minutes, listening to the group of leaders drone on about petty disagreements. The guilds, along with most of the rest of Charon's commerce and industry, poured their time and resources into this endeavor. Months of preparation, years of work and planning, and they were squabbling like schoolyard bullies over who was the meanest... The shaman shook her head in disappointment, pushing her cloak from her arms and crossing them over each other across her chest. They were enraptured by their conversation, lost in a pointless struggle over things that had already been given plans. Frustrated, she lifted one lean, muscular leg and slammed it into the floor. While she was careful to hit a spot where the joists overlapped, the entire building complained as the floor thrummed with the force.
"That is quite enough, from the lot of you. All that you are complaining about here and now has been decided, and I for one will not stand for it. This expedition does not have time for your childish squabbling, your words should have found audience long before you stepped onto one of the ships. Just minutes ago, the beach head was nearly overrun by a pod of Emperor Akhults... After carefully driving off such dangerous creatures, this is what we return to?"
The shaman glared at the now staring and startled group, daring any single one to protest. When the collective embarrassment finally settled in she continued.
"Things of this nature are going to continue happening, as you are not safely behind your walls in your cozy castles. Countless people are risking their lives, savings, reputations and well being on those in this room conducting themselves as respectable leaders and adults... See that you do so, going forward, or seek out someone who will."
Taki said no more, she turned and walked to the corner of the room with the various members staring agape at the strange Orochi. She had set the stage for Javal and company, but this was not her theater... This kind of nonsense was why she kept herself far from Noble society and the spotlight, and it was best they kept themselves from her. Perhaps in time she would find a way to be a part of that world, but experience was not in her favor.
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Apr 8, 2024 1:47:53 GMT -5
Javal and his friends settled down at the table and began the true difficult monster of this expedition, adventure bureaucracy. It was an intense battle that seemed to fly past the fellblood as he listened trying to take everyone’s words into mind. However, that seemed more and more difficult as everyone tried to talk over each other. Mindless dribble about who deserved what and how one specific group should take this, this, and that. It honestly made Javal a little stressed and confused as he sat twiddling his thumbs barely able to keep up with conversation. It was only when his reliable friend Taki slammed her leg on the floor that his focus cleared as he listened to her wise words of wisdom.
He intently paid attention a smirk of pride appearing as he nodded along agreeing with everything as she finished he rose from his seat and exclaimed, “YEAH WHAT SHE SAID” and pumped his fist into the air.
It wasn’t Javal who continued after Shitakibo but his loyal retainer Nadia who spoke up after years of being raised among nobles had taught her how to navigate such tedious political situations well, “What Lady Shitakibo said is completely right and true there is no time to bicker and argue about who gets what. We are all here for the better of our homes and the expansion of our people. It's as simple as that. As dangerous as this may be, remember what you’re doing this for, for the future. As a businessperson, you must be ready to sacrifice your time and money to see greater profits in the future. We can handle and discuss matters of payment and division at a later date when this expedition is over and we are all in our nice comfortable abodes. Until then we are a team, a team who is here under one banner as explorers of Charon”.
It was then again as she finished that Javal got up and yelled, “YEAH WHAT SHE SAID”, before the two made their way out of the ship leaving the expedition leaders fairly taken aback by the young woman’s words.
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