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Post by Story Teller: Lynn on Apr 6, 2024 15:00:23 GMT -5
Since the destruction of the Sol Stone and the chaos that erupted across the Ash Lands, things have grown ever stranger in the world of Charon. That is quite the feat as the world was already permeated with magic, mystery, and monsters. As more unexplained situations arise, there has been a growing demand for skilled adventurers to intervene so that local militias can focus on protecting the continent's major bastions of civilization. Most recently, adventurers from across Charon have been asked to respond to a growing number of odd occurrences from some of the furthest reaches of Charon. The Crown hopes that not only will these small adventuring parties discover the cause of these disturbances, but also ensure the nation’s safety from any impending threats. You find yourself standing just outside of a remote farming village, surrounded by the picturesque pastoral landscape of rural Moonglade. Moonveil forest looms just beyond the rolling hills where early spring crops have started to sprout from the soft loamy soil. The journey to get here took some time, putting your arrival just before the sun disappears beyond the horizon. What should be a peaceful evening is interrupted by a small gathering of local farmers on the central road leading through the small community. They have yet to notice your arrival, but you do overhead some of their conversation should you choose to approach. “I saw it, I tells ya,” says a decrepit dwarf with one lazy eye, a balding head, and a crooked cane gripped tight in his hand. “Walked upright it did. It ain’t natural!” Murmurs spread through the group as they speculate on what exactly the man is describing. An older elf woman props her hands on her hips and frowns at the dwarf. “Now look what you did, you got them all in a tizzy again with your nonsense. Pay this old codger no mind. Too much drinking has addled his mind.” “I ain’t had no drink, woman. Saw it clear as day on the edge of the forest!”“You can’t see two steps in front of your own patchy beard.” Expressions of worry and skepticism are mixed amongst the faces of the crowd even as they begin to disperse. The elderly dwarf and elf remain on the road, with the elf continuing to scold the dwarf for causing a fuss and making their neighbors worry. A younger lad who was sitting on a cart nearby while the adults bicker, picks up a stick to play fetch with a shaggy-haired hound. The dog looks utterly indignant at the child’s attempt to play with it, turning up its nose as if disgusted. Looking at the small elite team you have ventured here with, how do you wish to proceed? Shaa Rhunn Shitakibo Askr Mimameith
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Post by Shitakibo on Apr 6, 2024 23:53:20 GMT -5
Awoken early one morning by her companions, Taki took a moment before answering their call. She'd been spirit walking in her sleep again, spending time with her guardians and others. The abrupt interruption made everything feel hazy and slow, so she splashed some cool water across her scales before taking a moment to stretch. When she finally answered the door, she was greeted by two of her companions who rushed their explanations in a confusing jumble.
"Taki! There's a messenger, someone with the Royal Crest, says they have urgent news!"
"A Royal Courier arrived, something big is happening and they've asked an audience!"
Kamina and Rina had grown closer over the last two season, especially through the winter. The pair talked almost in sync, like twin sisters. Taki smiled and nodded her acknowledgement of the situation, patting their heads gently and making way to the Courier. They were indeed from the Royal Courts, with a fine Drake as a mount and lavish gear suited to their duities.
"Well met, I am Shitakibo, has your mount been seen to?"
"Here you are, Miss, and yes, they've had a moment's rest and a drink. My thanks for your hospitality, it's becoming something of a folk tale amongst couriers and messengers."
"I'll see to this immediately, safe travels and my thanks for the high praise."
With that, the courier spurred their Drake skyward, kicking up strong gusts as the pair headed off to the next destination. Taki took the message inside to her study, reading over the emergency request. There wasn't a lot of information provided, just a location and a pair of accompanying names. She recognized both, having gone on several adventures with Shaa in the past. Askr was someone she'd met briefly during the Drakolt Incident, but that was the extent of her understanding. She folded the letter and stored it in a lockbox in her desk, one she kept all of the Crown's missives and dispatches in alongside other sensitive documents.
Gathering her gear, the shaman strode across the courtyard with purpose. Entering the stables, she saw that Shion and Yukina were sleeping soundly, Hanehiko was already out catching some early breakfast, and Shuchu had probably fallen asleep in the workshop again. She couldn't blame the big golem, they loved tinkering almost as much as Taki loved gaining new understanding. She woke Hakaze with a gentle word, almost toppling over when the Wind Drake nuzzled into her.
"Will you kindly go fetch Cirrus? I'm going to get your barding set up while you're at it."
"A mission, Miss?"
"Indeed, one that has many unknowns, so just the three of us will be undertaking this."
"On my way."
While it seemed like there wouldn't be room, somehow Hakaze had taught themselves to launch within the confines of the Stables. Taki chuckled softly at the display, finally understanding why she'd seen the odd bruises or scrapes on her companion. She wheeled a large cart out into the courtyard, and unpacked it's many parts, arranging them on the large tables for the outdoor eating area. As she was wrapping up, Hakaze returned followed by a small elemental spirit. In the early hours, they were difficult to see other than the flashes of tiny lightning bolts jumping across their surface.
Hakaze donned their custom-made armor with Taki's help, securing it's light but durable plates to various places along the drake. It had taken a good amount of work to find the right balance between protecting vitals, weight, and mobility, but the hours and effort paid off when it was needed. Preparations complete, she checked over everything at home one last time and double checked her own gear was in order before saying goodbye to Rina.
Taking to the skies had quickly become Taki's favored form of travel. Not only was it a smoother, less chaotic trip than at land or sea, it allowed for greater speed and direct paths. Getting to the outskirts of the Moonveil Forest was a short trip from her home in the Bamboo Forest to the south, so she found a small clearing near the town to set up a quick camp.
Once done, she sent Hakaze out to look for anything unusual while she made her way towards the town. After meeting up with them, they encountered a group of folks near the edge of the forest, conversing about some recent occurence. Taking the situation in, she figured this was as good a place as any to try and find a lead. Standing just over 5'3", she looked tiny next to the towering Shaa with her cerulean scales and bright crimson eyes. Beneath her cloak, her outfit was tuned to be a simple bodysuit of a deep grey color. Cirrus hovered in lazy circles above the shaman as she approached the strangers and their gossiping.
"Good evening to you all, is something troubling you?"
Bringing: All Equipment, Augments, Misc. Cirrus [Stormcloud Elemental] Hakaze [Wind Drake, Thermal Senses, Armored Banner]
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Apr 7, 2024 8:49:01 GMT -5
Shaa looked at the request from the Crown and scowled deeply. So deep in fact that since its arrival at the guild hall, it had put him in an extremely foul mood that several pieces of furniture had taken the brunt of. Me meh me me me meh me. He said in a mocking tone as he skulked about the front hall of the guild and read the letter aloud. Several members of the guild had seen him throw his mini tantrum but knew better than to bother him when he got like this. As it happened, there were very few things that got under his skin more than being told what to do by “Royalty”
In the Fighters Guild history, all the way back to its founding member Belanor, the guild and the Crown had a strained a relationship. Despite being one of the largest and most diverse guilds, the Fighter’s Guild got little to no support from the Crown. That, and the tendency for the guild to steal to fighters and captains from the royal army has always left their relationship somewhat hostile even at the best of times. It was a tradition that Shaa had no issues continuing. The Crown still supporting the official position that Minotaurs were “evil Monsters” did not help anything.
Who do these jokers think they are? He said to no one in particular. Please find your way to no name podunk ville and have fun as no named forces are eating villagers or whatever. We will sit on our Royal butts and lick crumpets while you die strange deaths, probably being turned into butterflies or what not. Mwahaha. No no no no no! Shaa continues to stomp around mocking and kicking over chairs. One of the guild pages, looking out from behind a desk, dares to ask. So, we are not going? Shaa looks back at the terrified lad and takes a deep breath. No, we are going. Well, I’m going. We have to figure out this nonsense anyway and if the Crown has a clue, we need to look into it. But, have you ever even heard of this place? The boy shakes his head. Me neither and I have traveled friggen everywhere. I don’t like it. He holds up the paper. I know one of the other people they are sending so maybe she knows something. Druid. Will be handy with the farmer types. I like her, it will be fine but this place is trouble, mark my words. Taki. It had been a minute but she was kind and trustworthy so that was a bonus. He was unsure of the other name, Askr. Had Zarius mentioned that name before? Man that kid got around. Did that mean he was an assassin type or something else? Guess he would find out.
After resetting the guild hall with the page, Shaa jammed all his stuff in his bag of the infinite, checked his two mini companions Vulcana the fire pixy. He never liked the idea of calling anything a pet so once his mini companions were good to go and he had prepped himself mentally, he said his goodbyes and took off for the meeting.
Between walking and hitching various rides, he finally makes it to the clearing as the sun starts to wane. After catching up with Taki and introducing himself to Askr, he finds his memory correct that he does know Zarius. It would be a good topic for later as the trio decides it’s best to figure out what’s going on before it got too dark.
As the three watch the conversation between the townsfolk from the distance, Shaa decides to take a different approach to the situation. The townsfolk are already on edge and having a Minotaur show up in the dark probably wasn’t going to help much. He decides to bend down low and approach the kid as, most of the time, kids aren’t old enough to hold prejudices or too young and dumb not to. The other two can handle the dwarf and lady. Bending down as low as he can, he speaks quietly to the kid. Hey kid, nice dog. You seem pretty smart. What are all the grown ups yapping about? Shaa gives a friendly grin.
Shaa All items stored open Bag of the infinite
Active Sub Classes Stalwart Disciple of Vulcadreaus
Pets Vulcana the Fire Pixy ( Tier 2)
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Post by Askr Mimameith on Apr 9, 2024 16:10:59 GMT -5
Askr is used to being told what to do.
It’s the most fundamental part of his line of work, the core of all he does; a mercenary cannot call themself a mercenary if they aren’t instructed where to point their blade, if they aren’t given guidance on where to go and what to do, tossed around through the continent by the whims of their work. He’s been sent after men and monsters alike, assigned to idle escort missions and temporary guard duties, been made to stand in the shadow of a god and dare to defy it– there are no limits, no boundaries, merely instructions, merely obedience. It is what he excels at.
So it is not particularly strange to him when he steps into the headquarters of the Ring of Cinders one rather inconsequential morning, harboring the sole intent of checking in with some of his fellow mercenaries, and immediately becomes the target of quick and simple orders–
“The Captain wants to see you.”
He’s never one to say no to a request like that.
He’s quick to slip away into the hall leading back to Captain Bleier’s office, finding the door cracked open– even just pressing his palm against it makes it creak just so, light filtering into the hall as it inches back. Askr freezes, hesitant, not wanting to intrude– but as soon as he hears the usual “come in,” he’s quick to enter as ordered.
It’s been a little while since he’s seen the Captain. It has not been for lack of interest, for lack of trying, he just… being in Darkveil has been difficult. Staying in one place has been difficult. And yet, though time has passed and they’ve only crossed in passing, Oleeae looks exactly the same as she always does– feet kicked up on the desk, flask cradled against her chest, thick black hair unkempt and hastily pinned up and away. And right on the corner of her desk sits a scroll, clearly marked with the royal seal– a scroll Oleeae has yet to stop staring at.
“It’s for you,” she mutters, tapping the wood next to where the scroll sits, the parchment loose, uncurled, clearly read through. Captain Bleier hadn’t even bothered to reseal it. “Some prissy-ass courier brought it here. Looked like he was gonna piss himself just walking through the hall.”
She speaks with the tone she uses when she pokes fun at people, the kind that beckons a laugh after her words, but she remains stern. Silent. It is… different. Different in the uncomfortable sort of way, the kind that makes Askr’s chest feel tight with something he believes must be unease. Regardless, he steps forward, picking the scroll up, eyes roving over the parchment–
“...strange… occ– occur–?”
“Strange occurrences,” Oleeae finishes for him, her voice softening considerably. “Sorry, kid. Forgot some of those words might still be a bit hard for you. Long story short, weird shit’s happening out in the world, and the Crown’s asked you and a couple others to go to Moonveil to figure it out. You’re supposed to leave as soon as possible.”
“Oh,” Askr blinks, letting the words sink in for a moment. “Okay. I should… get ready, then?”
He turns as soon as it all hits him, ready to go fetch all he’ll need for a trip to the Moonglade–
“...hold on a second.”
As soon as the words are spoken, Askr freezes, glancing back over his shoulder. Oleeae has barely moved a muscle, still holding the same position, still cradling her flask close, still looking anywhere but at him.
“Whatever’s goin’ on out there, there’s no way it’s good,” she huffs, rolling her wrist, letting the whiskey in her flask dance along the sides before she lifts it to her lips and takes a long, long swig. “But I know I can’t stop you from doing the things you want to do.”
It’s hard to read the look in her eye, hard to figure out what’s going on inside her head as she stares at the flask, stares at her desk, gaze distant and heavy with contemplation for too many lengthy, uncomfortable moments. Askr could not begin to understand what she’s thinking, what she’s feeling, but the knit of her brow and the purse of her lips feels like enough to indicate it is not good. He watches for a moment, thinking, trying to find something to say, and–
“Just be careful, Askr,” Captain Bleier sighs, scattering his thoughts to the wind. “Just be careful.”
—
The journey is, as anticipated, long– a trip from the corners of Darkveil all the way out to Moonveil Forest is no easy feat, after all–, and yet, strangely, Askr does not appear to be too far behind the companions he’s been arranged to work with. Even stranger so, he’s surprised when he recognizes them; he could not call them acquaintances, could scarcely tell a thing about either of them, but he remembers their faces.
They’d been there, back when Vulcadreus had risen– they’d fought like hell like him and everyone else had. The shaman– Taki, he thinks?– had been warm, kind, extending her compassion and magic to others in equal part, sustaining them through the worst. The minotaur, who can only be Shaa– if he remembers correctly, they’d gone after the elementals together. Shaa had been overwhelmingly powerful, skilled, protective. Both of them had been worthy of that fight, incredible allies–
Askr hopes, now, that he can measure up.
The introductions between them are brief, cursory, the sort of thing he’s come to expect from mercenary missions– the fight matters more than the man, in the end. Regardless, it is… comforting to be beside two people he knows are capable. Strong. Two people with confidence and charisma that clearly excels his own, it seems, as both of them divert and go to talk to some of the people in the village they’ve come up on.
Ah. Talking. A skill that is not fighting, and thusly a skill Askr… lacks.
Regardless, he must try– and so as Taki steps up to speak to the two lingering in the road, and as Shaa goes off to talk to a child, Askr elects to slip off to the side, approaching one of the stragglers from the quickly-dispersing crowd, not wanting to let any potential bit of information slip away.
“Pardon me,” he says. “What was that man… talking about? Something walking upright? Who is he?”
Bringing:
- Yr (Dancing Chain)
Passive Abilities:
- 3/3 Hit Preventions (Spirit Guardian/Dancing Chain) - Cat's Grace - Space Pocket
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Post by Story Teller: Lynn on Apr 11, 2024 20:09:01 GMT -5
The elven woman gives Taki a glance over head to toe. “Oh, don’t mind him, dear. He can’t put his pants on frontwise half the time. You’re clearly not from around here, so take it from me that you can just chalk his nonsensical drivel up to old age.” The elf pats Taki on the shoulder before stooping down along the side of the road and picking up what looks like a bucket filled with water, but when she lifts it, it moves as if there’s nothing in it. Even when it sloshes and water falls out of it onto the ground…the ground remains dry. The elderly dwarf lingers, watching the elf walk away and the crowd disperse. He then turns his attention to Taki, meeting her eyes directly. “You got an air of arcanum hangin’ about you. I used to be a mage, so I know when strange magic is about. The townsfolk don’t see what I see even when it’s right in front of their faces, and then they go actin’ all strange like that,” he gestures towards another farmer putting some tools in a wheelbarrow, but the tools just fall through the wheelbarrow as if it isn’t even there. The farmer looks mildly confused but continues to try and put the tool in the wheelbarrow. “Weird things been happenin’ in that forest, I just know it. Maybe you can figure this out. My old bones can’t handle anymore adventurin’.” Meanwhile, the young boy keeps waving the stick in front of the dog which shows zero interest in humoring the kid. He looks up as Shaa’s shadow looms over them. Their eyes go wide in wonderment. “Woaaaah! Yer real huge, mister! Ol’ Man Gourd says one of Mister Phil’s woolfuls was actin’ real weird. A woolful walkin’ upright ain’t that weird anyway. Yer walkin’ upright an’ yer a cowman!” The dog lets out a long, exasperated sigh. One of the dispersing farmers pauses as Askr approaches them. They give the young man a curious look but otherwise aren’t too perturbed by a traveler passing through. Slung over the man’s shoulder is a satchel filled with freshly picked carrots. “Ah, pay no mind to ol’ Gourdon there,” he waves dismissively. “He lives on the edge of town and swears he sees all sorts of weird creatures moving through the trees. This time he’s saying one of his neighbor’s woolfuls stood up on two legs in front of him and then walked off into the forest.” The man then takes a bite out of one of the carrots in his satchel. It makes an odd noise, more like the sound a stick would make while splintering. He then offers one to Askr. “Want a carrot?” Shaa Rhunn Shitakibo Askr Mimameith
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Post by Shitakibo on Apr 12, 2024 5:38:51 GMT -5
"Would you be so kind as to share these strange happenings? At least those you know of? It could prove helpful in resolving this quicker."
Taki watched the strange happenings, but did her best to keep the recognition from her features. Askr Mimameith and Shaa Rhunn were getting responses from others, though she could only hear their muffled voices. Looking up for a moment, she spots a cloud high above as it lazily rode the currents of wind. Gathering her concentration for a moment, her vision faded for a moment. Clearing away like fog before the sun, she viewed the area from the cloud's height 1. It took her a moment more to orient herself to the terrain and the drastic shift in perspective. Once she'd gotten her bearings, she located herself and the group to ready herself for the next step. Gathering her focus, she gently tapped her tail against the ground. She did her best to make it seem like a natural habit as she awaited the man's reply, while the vibrations traveled through the area 2. From above and below, the shaman's senses spread out around her. She caught sight of Hakaze for a brief moment as the drake passed behind one cloud's cover and turned to search another area. Cirrus floated above her on their own bobbing, swaying path. From here, it reminded Taki of watching a patch of seaweeds bouncing in the wash near the shore. She kept scanning the area, hoping between the earth and sky there would be some clue to be had.
1: Cloud Gazing Your connection to the realm of air is so strong that you can see through the very clouds themselves. This allows you to scry or gaze upon an area that is under cloud coverage, be it natural or magical. 2: Geomagnetic Sense A constant passive effect, an Elementalist has constant awareness of what moves on the ground through continuous magical energy pulses that provide a general understanding, and when focusing on a specific area that has been pulsed within its large area range can tell exactly how many and how much each of the creatures/beings weigh and move within the area as long as they are touching a solid surface that makes contact with the ground. Companions Wind Drake [Hakaze] Stormcloud Servant [Cirrus]
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Apr 12, 2024 7:50:15 GMT -5
Shaa looks at the young boy and does everything in his power to not be offended of the boy equating him to an animal and a cow all in the same breath. With a moment to collect himself, he continues his inquiry. Well you know kid, animals are full of surprises. Say, can you tell us where this Mr. Phil is? I sure would like to talk to him about his Woolful. Did you know, that I even saw the rainbow colored Woolful once. It was from a distance and I had been drinking but I saw it. Some say the rainbow ones are Ginma himself. Pretty cool.
As he continues to chew the fat with the boy, his mind starts thinking about the seriously annoyed dog. It didn’t seem to be aggressive, just more put out at the boy’s failed attempts to play with it. What dog does not like the undivided attention of a simpleton child? Then an idea hits him like a brick the face. Not long ago at the Nomad Stone, there were other strange events happening. For him, he had been temporarily changed into a horse for a bit. He was still him, just a horse. Shaa looks at the dog and wonders. Was this even a dog at all?
Say kid, is this your dog? Might want to knock it off with the stick, dogs can be real funny about that kind of thing. Turning to the dog with a serious look, he talks to it quietly. You look like a dog to us but is there someone else in there? Tap your paw on the ground twice and bark if you are not really a dog.
While waiting for the dog’s reaction to his inquiry, he starts feeling more anxious that they have just stepped foot into more Fae nonsense. This was getting out of hand. Despite his utmost respect for the Dragon, the ancient creature apparently opened a door for other things to make his already complicated life even more complicated. Personally he had no problem with the world getting back to nature but the idea of nature getting out of control was terrifying. He need to confirm his suspicions with his teammates and get some more information.
Using his geosenses, he reaches out and starts to check all of the people around them. Specifically how much they weighed. If something was just an illusion, it would not weigh anything at all or would be vastly different from what it appeared. Shaa had a lot of experience with this and felt confident in his ability to do this with a high degree of accuracy. The boy, the dog, the villagers. Who was real and who, if any of them, was not what they appeared to be. While he was at it , he also cast furtive side glances looking for the strange flowers. But his main focus, was waiting on the dogs possible confirmation that they were royally screwed. Vulcana pops out from behind his horns. You are thinking the same thing as me aren’t you? Take a quick look around but keep close.
Shaa- Current Status Normal (2 HP)
All items stored in Bag of the infinite
Sub Classes Stalwart - Iron Skin (1 HP)
Disciple of Vulcadreaus
Pets Vulcana the Fire Pixy ( Tier 2)
Active Spells/Abilities Geomagnetic Sense- Constant Passive, currently focused on visual area Fighters Sense- Passive Spirit Guardian (Spirit 1- 4 HP Spirit 2- 4 HP)
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Post by Askr Mimameith on Apr 14, 2024 11:41:06 GMT -5
One of the later lessons Askr was given was to be sparing with his trust. It was a lesson hard-learned, one refined by error after error after error, a gradual process of honing the natural skepticism that already lurked beneath the obedience that shaped his identity– a lesson that has proved its use time and time again. He has learned not to trust the things he hears as soon as he hears them, learned not to trust that people have the best intentions, learned not to trust that even the kindest people cannot bare their fangs in the sickest ways imaginable; and so when the farmer offers him a carrot, he cannot help but be reluctant to accept. He wonders, briefly, a little selfishly, if his skepticism might make Zarius at least a little bit proud of him, if he was here. If he was anywhere. “...no thank you,” he says, voice as monotonous as ever, mimicking the excuses he's heard from Caedes and Zarius before. “I am… not hungry. I ate something before this. Before getting here, I mean. Thank you.”Askr briefly glances over his shoulder, assessing how Taki and Shaa’s approaches to the townsfolk are going– it’s difficult to tell what they’re doing and how successful they’re being in it all, but he can only assume they have a plan and they are carrying it out smoothly. All he can do is continue to collect information.
“...a woolful on… its hind legs?” he muses aloud. Askr may not know much about farmland or livestock beyond what Leandros taught him about horses, but he's fairly confident they aren't supposed to walk on two legs. “Is there… a reason no one takes him seriously? What if it’s true?”
Pets:
Yr (Dancing Chain)
Passive Abilities:
- 3/3 Hit Preventions - Cat's Grace - Space Pocket
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Post by Story Teller: Lynn on Apr 16, 2024 21:39:22 GMT -5
The old dwarf grunts and shifts his weight from one leg to another. “Things move about all strange-like. Even the trees,” he gestures back towards the thick tree line beyond the quaint little farmsteads. “I used to walk in the forest, had a nice little trail that led to a flower patch not that far from here. Trail ain’t there anymore. Neither is the flower patch.” His tone and his expression grow tired. He rubs his face and the back of his neck. “Round that time, people started hearing things. Children giggling in homes that ain’t got no kids. Then one of the townsfolk went missing.” The old man rests his weathered hands back on the head of his cane. He watches Taki as she glances at the sky then taps her tail on the ground. It’s unclear if he knows exactly what she’s up to as his weary gaze drifts from her to he surrounding town. “These are hard-workin’, simple folk. It’s frustratin’ knowin’ somethin’ is messin’ with them and be too old to do anythin’ about it." He looks back at a Taki. "You youngun’s are strangers, but if you help them, you'll have this old man's gratitude for what it's worth." From the vantage of the sky, Taki would be able to verify the man’s claims that there is no visible path or clearing in the nearby forest. There is something odd about the forest though. It's much more dense than is normal for the region, and there are even some trees further in that appear to have a purplish hue. As far as can be recalled, the Moonveil Forest is not known for having any purple trees. Meanwhile, the child Shaa is talking to kicks a loose pebble down the road as they give up on trying to get the dog's attention. “Mr. Phil’s not ‘round right now. Dad says he probably went to visit his family in the city, so we been watchin' over his woolfuls for him,” the kid explains while swinging the stick around like sword. He looks back at the dog as Shaa asks about it. “Nah," he says with a dismissive shrug. "It’s just a stray that showed up one day. Was chasin' ‘round Mr. Phil’s flock it was. I’m tryin’ ta train it to leave them alone.” The dog rolls its eyes at the child's words and lies down with its head resting on its front paws. When Shaa addressed the dog directly, the dog’s ear perks up. Without any hesitation, it taps the ground twice with its paw before barking with a sense of urgency as it jumps to its feet and its tail wags. "Woah! I think he likes ya, mister!"Extending their combined senses into the earth itself, Shaa and Taki's joint effort reveals that most of the town is as it seems, with one large exception. The herd of woolfuls penned near the forest's edge can be clearly seen with the naked eye, yet that area is completely still with no detected vibrations even in the slightest. Odd considering the woolfuls are clearly moving about and grazing. With Askr and the odd carrot farmer, the man picks at some splinters of carrot left between his teeth before putting the ‘vegetable’ back in his satchel. “Ah, can’t blame you. They’re oddly woody, admittedly. That's what I get for buying the cheap seeds this year.”Despite the pain from the fibres jammed between his teeth, the man is pretty jovial and laughs at Askr's musing. “Yeah, imagine that! Just walking around like it thinks its a person." The man's jovial tone does shift a bit and he looks a bit awkward as he lowers his voice. “I mean, he’s getting up there in age, and that’s saying something since he’s a dwarf. He used to be in the Mage's Guild. Wouldn’t be surprised if casting fancy explosions all over the place rattled his brain more than once.” He rubs the back of his neck. “I mean, if it’s true then I guess we’ll all owe him an apology. Anyway, I got to get back to my chores. Nice meeting you and safe travels!” With that, the man hefts up his satchel higher on his shoulder before walking down one of the paths leading to one of the houses more in the center part of the small rural village. As he leaves, one of the carrots falls out of his bag and onto the ground not that far from where the conversation took place. Shaa Rhunn Shitakibo Askr Mimameith
You have 72 hours to respond to this topic! Please make sure to review the Action System rules and the Dungeon-specific Action System and Wound System rules.THE ACTION SYSTEM IS CURRENTLY NOT ACTIVE.
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Post by Shitakibo on Apr 17, 2024 8:37:12 GMT -5
She listened to the wizened Dwarf's recalling, nodding at the end as she considered the situation at hand a moment. Between the strangeness of the trees, the woolful's seeming conflicted presence and the oddness of the various folk, Taki felt she was caught up in a play of some kind. The almost comical nature reminded her of the tricks Kamina often played around the house, but with a much more serious and peculiar flair.
"We'll do what we can kind Ser, I appreciate the information."
Taki bowed politely and headed towards the strange pen of woolfuls, Cirrus1 bobbing along overhead lazily. She hoped the others would follow at some point, so they might have a more private discussion. Along the way, she kept scanning23 the area and watching for any alerts from Hakaze4 circling above. Try as she might, she wasn't able to get much contact from the local spirits. She found that most unusual of all, adding it to an ever growing list of questions as to what was happening in the village... and across the continent as a whole. She'd been wrapped up in several other projects over the earlier parts of spring, so she'd not encountered the other happenings personally.
Only through rumors and scant reports had anything been reaching the public, making this encounter all the more mysterious. Were these a part of the changes that Vulcadreus spoke of? In their sundering, had they opened some gateway to more serious threats? Taki didn't like this sequence of events unfolding, nor did she care for the ham fisted way the Crown was throwing adventurers at some unknown and potentially greater crisis.
1: Stormcloud Servant 2: Cloud Gazing 3: Geomagnetic Sense 4: Wind Drake [Thermal Senses, Armored Banner]
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Apr 17, 2024 11:51:34 GMT -5
The taps and barks were the confirmation that Shaa needed. This dog was no dog at all but a person who had been transformed. Shaa’s eyes light up a bit in understanding. Ok I hear you. He says still speaking to the dog. Are you…Mr Phil? Did this happen to you when you went into the forest? This was too many questions for a being relegated to simple answers. Bark once if you are Mr Phil. Then, if you can, can you show us where you got transformed into a dog?
Vulcana returns to him apparently with no new information. Whatever was happening, was happening in that forest. That much was clear. But it seemed incredibly risky to go tromping through there with no guide and knowing it was under some sort of enchantment. What was worse, none of them even had a way of breaking an enchantment so there was a chance they wouldn’t be any better off than the townsfolk. None of whom even thought this was weird. Purple trees, illusions, transformations. There was a missing piece to this puzzle, he could feel it. At least the town was real.
Shaa whistles over to his companions to join him so he can ask if they want to share what they have found. He watches one of the townsfolk Askr was interviewing walk away, a bundle of carrots on his back. One of the carrots fall to the ground but in an odd kind of way according to his senses. Shaa makes a note himself that he probably shouldn’t eat or drink anything while they are here. Who knows what mind boggled the villagers.
unsure if he caught his teammates attention, Shaa turns back to the boy. You said you and your dad were helping Mr Phil. What’re is your dad now?
Waiting for answers from the dog and boy, he reaches his hand into his bag of the infinite and draws out a pair of sketchy looking dice. Dice in hand, reaches in again and pulls out something he hopes can help. wyvqbg_2
Shaa- Current Status Normal (2 HP)
All items stored in Bag of the infinite
Loaded Dice Rolled 4 and 13 Gained: Candy Apples (2)
Sub Classes Stalwart - Iron Skin (1 HP)
Disciple of Vulcadreaus
Pets Vulcana the Fire Pixy ( Tier 2)
Active Spells/Abilities Geomagnetic Sense- Constant Passive, currently focused on visual area Fighters Sense- Passive Spirit Guardian (Spirit 1- 4 HP Spirit 2- 4 HP)
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Post by Askr Mimameith on Apr 18, 2024 14:03:35 GMT -5
Something is definitely odd about the farmer’s carrots. It’s clear in the way the man picks at his teeth, in the strange noise it had made earlier, in the way the farmer speaks about his crop; there’s more oddities at play here than merely what the old man had been raving about. A woolful on two legs is an immediate strangeness, something recognizably wrong– this is more subtle, a smaller thing that can be justified away. The weirdness is plain to see, but it hasn’t ventured so far out of bounds that the farmer recognizes it as anything unnatural. Askr can’t help but find it… troubling, to say the least. Just how many things around them are not as they seem? How… aware are the people around them of these things– can they trust these people? Are they playing along with something? What is part of the illusion, and just who has been swept up in it? It’s… a lot to consider. Regardless, he has learned better than to stay silent when someone offers him courtesy. “...it was nice meeting you too, sir,” Askr says, giving a short nod. “Thank you. Good luck with your chores. And… and your crops.”He watches for a long moment as the man starts off down one of the paths, gold eyes fixed on the way he moves, tracing every movement like a bird of prey– and he immediately hones in on one of the carrots as it falls from the man’s bag. Askr glances up, waiting to see if the man notices, but it does not seem as though he does– and so he steps up, kneels down, and picks it up, turning it over in his gloved hand before decisively wandering over to where Taki stands. “...Miss Taki,” he says, voice as flat as ever. “This carrot isn’t a carrot. I– ah… I think it is a stick? It looks like a carrot, but… I think it has an illusion on it. That’s what I mean.”
Pets:
Yr (Dancing Chain)
Passive Abilities:
- 3/3 Hit Preventions - Cat's Grace - Space Pocket
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Post by Story Teller: Lynn on Apr 19, 2024 14:11:23 GMT -5
The old man nods and goes back to idly watching the townsfolk going about their day like nothing is wrong. As Taki approaches the penned woolfuls, the animals pay her no mind and just continue to “graze”. It’s odd though, there are still no vibrations detectable from their pawing and gnawing. Taki would also notice that there’s new growth of plants around the interior of the pen. With a herd this size, one would expect the relatively small pen to be pretty barren of any new grass. Looking towards the back fence of the pen, the Moonveil forest looms ominously, its thick canopy making it look oddly dark for being mid-day. For a brief moment, the way that the shadows fall and the branches twist makes it look like a pair of empty eye sockets staring back at her. Meanwhile, the dog barks once more in response to Shaa’s questioning. The dog then gives a nod and runs off towards Taki, the penned woolfuls, and the small farmhouse next to it. The boy looks mildly disappointed that the dog runs off, but his attention turns back to Shaa as he’s asked a question. “He’s over there,” the boy says, pointing towards the man struggling to put things in a wheelbarrow. The items he places in it just end up falling to the ground no matter how many times he picks them up and puts them back in. Meanwhile, picking up the “carrot”, Askr would immediately note that its surface feels rough through the leather of his glove and it doesn’t feel as plump as it appears. The color of the root’s flesh is also very intense, making it look very appetizing and hard to resist taking a bite out of. Showing the odd carrot to Taki, it does just look like a very hearty vegetable that would be great in a stew or pan-roasted. Shaa Rhunn Shitakibo Askr Mimameith
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Post by Shitakibo on Apr 21, 2024 13:17:29 GMT -5
Turning the proffered 'carrot' over, Taki noted it's strange texture and enticing color. It was just as strange as the rest of this situation, and the more she tried to put this bizarre puzzle together, the more it made little sense. There were powerful illusions and charms at play, and they would need to sheer that veil to find the truth within. "You're most likely right Askr, and a strong one at that... Even here in my hand, some part of my mind wants me to take a bite for myself. These grazing woolful... they're not actually grazing. No step, or grazing makes even the tiniest vibrations... and the woods themselves are the strangest part of all. Whoever is orchestrating this production is also likely observing us, and doing all they can to keep their own plans from being discovered."
Taki does her best to keep her voice down, though she can't help some of the hissing and sharp accent of her kind. With Hakaze 1 and Cirrus 2 circling above, far and near respectively, she dismisses the scrying effect to free some of her concentration. Taking a step away from Askr and facing out into the shadowed wood, she focuses on the area that appeared to be watching them in return. Her hands come together for a moment, in something alike to a prayer as the shaman gives a gentle coaxing with her magic to the winds 3. It takes a moment, but a sweeping gust of wind passes through the ensorcelled forest. As it passes, Taki begins to learn more about the area as the shifting currents and pressures tell the tale of it's passing.
1: Wind Drake [Armored Banner, Thermal Senses] 2: Stormcloud Servant 3: Read the Winds You cause one single heavy gust of wind to blow through the area, blowing through everything and eventually hitting you. Once the gust of wind collides with your person, you get a mental reading of the environment in the direction the gust of wind had come from. This allows you to know how many living creatures are in that direction, both on the earth and in the air. You get a sense of how many creatures and their size.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Apr 21, 2024 17:45:51 GMT -5
The bark of the dog confirmed Shaa’s suspicions about its true nature. It was in fact the Wooflul rancher. A man who had kept his mind but lost his body to the strange machinations of the changing world around them. Shaa pat the kid gently on the had and followed after the dog. The dog seemed to be heading towards his companions. As they had both opted to ignore him signaling them to come over, he resigned himself to the fact that , as per usual, he was on his own. He shakes his head slightly as he jogs out to keep up with the dog, stuffing the apples back in his bag for later.
As he jogs over p, he takes a sideways view of the purple trees in the forest. They were trees to be sure but just looked oddly out of place. Like a puzzle with a piece that doesn’t quite fit. He stops following the dog for a moment to take a look at the closest purple tree. Careful not to touch anything, he examines the bark, the leaves, the roots and the area around, noting anything that looks odd. Having committed the details to memory, he catches back up to the dog and to his companions.
As he approaches them, they seem to be closely considering one of the carrots from the merchant. He looks at the thing skeptically. Ummm I really wouldn’t try to eat that. At best, it’s a janky carrot. I am much more interested in the dog that, by the way, it’s actually the rancher that’s been transformed into a dog. Kind of an important detail. And he wants to show us something. You all coming or what?
Shaa- Current Status Normal (2 HP)
All items stored in Bag of the infinite
New Items Gained: Candy Apples (2)
Sub Classes Stalwart - Iron Skin (1 HP)
Disciple of Vulcadreaus
Pets Vulcana the Fire Pixy ( Tier 2)
Active Spells/Abilities Geomagnetic Sense- Constant Passive, currently focused on visual area Fighters Sense- Passive Spirit Guardian (Spirit 1- 4 HP Spirit 2- 4 HP)
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