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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Jun 20, 2024 19:39:14 GMT -5
Rena sighs, trilling softly and cracking her neck as she scans the sands with silver eyes, idly rubbing the ring on her finger and smiling. It’s been some time since Beak had given her the thing, some time since she’d brought the last of her offspring into the world they’d been denied for so long…the crow lets out a contented trill as she returns her attention to her children, all six - six!!! - of whom are racing around the sands, giggling and chirping and shrieking as they chase after each other in an impromptu a game of tag. The two youngest each bear a peculiar pendant around their necks, each a small sphere of hand-forged metal with strange symbols engraved upon their tiny surfaces…these are their Ashkeepers, forged by their father on the day that they’d hatched as part of a rite to induct the hatchlings into the Ibekki tribe, of which Beak had previously been the last… Rena trills softly, smiling a little wider at the thought of her girlfriend before shaking her head in an effort to clear her thoughts, those silver eyes lifting from her children to her bondmates, and finally she turns to regard the figure approaching the little murder from over a nearby dune… Speaking of her bondmates, the two spirits are currently pacing a perimeter, eyes of amber and cobalt gently shining as the specter of smoke and the wraith of ink circle around their family...well, most of their family. Their datemate is off on her own contract, likely struggling to keep herself focused on the job much as they themselves are...a thought for later. They'll be done with this job soon enough, and once they've got their pay they'll be back home within the week...and with any luck, they'll meet Beak there, or on the way there...a thought for later. For now, they've got a job to do...
Quest Name: King Crab Participants: Two or more Location: Zeinav Oasis Post Requirements: 6 posts per person, 200 words per post Reward: +1 Renown, Choice of 2 Common crafting materials Description: A particularly large Paradise Crab has taken control of the Oasis, bullying out other male crabs in the attempt to dominate the area. This has caused both the larger crab and most other males in the area to become hostile, not only with each other but to travelers seeking refuge from the desert. They are becoming a hazard and something must be done. The crab population is important to the Oasis, so removing the large, aggressive male is not only for the benefit of the travelers but also the crab population. Go in, brave the horde of angry crabs, and defeat the aggressor.
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Post by Shitakibo on Jun 20, 2024 20:38:58 GMT -5
After her recent run in with a shapeshifting Fae, and meeting Marion the hopeful elf, Taki had spent a few days resting in a nearby town. At night, she would put on a small performance at the inn. Often drawing a lively crowd, the owners were glad for the extra coin and made sure the Orochi had privacy when desired. She was approached on the third day of her stay, while taking a meal in the hall. A young apprentice from one of the local guilds, he brought her a message about trouble stirring around the Oasis again.
She'd studied some of it's ecology before, so she was able to parse why the job was urgent. If the local population of Paradise Crab were in a frenzy, acting aggresively towards travelers and merchants, it was only a matter of time before the situation escalated. Accepting the job, Taki made sure the apprentice had a decent meal and a few moments to rest before returning. She let the innkeeper know she would be out for at least the better part of a day, potentially longer.
Departing the town, she trekked across the blazing desert once again. The letter noted there would be another party involved, but wasn't specific as to whom. Knowing there was likely going to be some physicality to the task at hand, Taki took the time to stretch and warm up. As the Orochi came bounding over the sands, drifting from one dune to the next like a floating mirage, she spotted a familiar set of feathery outlines in the distance. Chuckling ever so softly to herself, she circled around while keeping down in the valleys out of sight.
With a quick and quiet hop, Taki landed gracefully at the top of a tall dune. Standing atop the sandy hill, she brought her lower hands together as the upper swept out to the side. A clear, chiming tone rang out from a pair of silver bells dangling from the gleaming bangles on each wrist.
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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Jun 21, 2024 11:59:40 GMT -5
The sound of Taki’s bells rings out across the desert sands and the murder falls still, nine pairs of eyes in various shining colors turning to search for the source…and then those shining eyes zero in on the figure standing atop that dune. A beat passes. And then another. And then the elder and middle twins are scrambling across the sand, letting out flurries of excited chirps as they slam into the orochi at something akin to mach fifteen - “Aunt Taki!!” “It’s been so long!!” - and then Whistle and Loci and Wind and Wind are grabbing onto Taki’s hands, tugging her along toward their amused parents and the confused youngest twins…notably, the copper eyed skeleton seems to shrink in on herself at the seeming stranger's approach, her living twin stepping in front of her, eyes of shining brass both curious and wary…
Rena smiles softly as she watches her elder children pull their aunt along the sands, though her silver eyes immediately zero in on various discrepancies the moment the orochi is close enough for the differences to register…
…Bell and Nev rejoin their bondmate, eyes of amber and cobalt watching the children fondly…and then Nev chirps happily and scoops the youngest twins into their arms, nuzzling and nibbling at them as they nestle into the wraith’s grasp, both of them relaxing heavily and letting out happy trills…
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Post by Shitakibo on Jun 21, 2024 19:13:40 GMT -5
Chuckling softly, she leans down and accepts the little ones' exhuberant affections. As they start to drag her down the dunes toward the rest of the waiting group, she scoops the quartet of little crows in her arms and glides elegantly over the sands. Giggling and wide eyed, they cling to her arms as she dances across the dunes. Instead of stopping, she carried the gathered momentum into a long, twisting jump that carried all five overhead in a graceful arc.
Landing with practiced and silent strength, Taki grinned as she leaned down and teased the little crows in her arms with her muzzle before setting them down gently.
"Hello to you too, I see we're all excited and full of energy today. Rena, Bell, I hope you're both well."
Bowing with her hands folded, Taki took a moment to introduce herself to those she'd not met before.
"Good day and well met, my name is Shitakibo, or as you've no doubt heard, Taki to my friends and family."
It was clear that the Blackfeathers had been doing well in the intervening time since their last outing. She hoped that went for Hanehiko as well, though as mellow and easy to care for as she could be it was reasonable to think so. While she'd stopped by briefly following the incident to make the arrangements, there hadn't been time for much of an explanation... not to mention what the former shaman had been up to in the mean time. This close, it was readily apparent to Rena, Bell, and Nev that Taki's spiritual presence and connection had diminished. Before now, she was like a quiet catastrophe, a force of nature barely contained beneath her skin.
Standing amongst them, it was like she could vanish from reality at a given moment. No longer was the Orochi carrying the expectations and blessings of the spirits, only the burden of her own failings and determination to continue on. Whatever had happened, the consequences were dire. For someone so loved by the spirits to be so thoroughly shunned... Behind Taki's joyous smile, there was a haunted sadness of unfathomable depth.
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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Jun 22, 2024 1:54:13 GMT -5
Nev smiles softly, bobbing their head and trilling softly, “...Quothe Nevermore. Friends and family call me Nev. And these little gremlins-” the wraith gently nuzzles the twins cradled in their arms, eliciting soft giggles, “are Somber Hum and Morning Chimes,” the copper eyed skeleton perks up first, then the brass eyed chick, both watching Taki intently from their places snuggled up in their Bab’sk’s embrace…
The elder and middle chicks chirp happily as they nestle into Taki’s arms, gently nuzzling into the orochi’s scales as they curl up against each other…
Bell chirps happily, stepping forward and pressing against Nev’s side, letting out a soft coo as he gently nibbles at the inky wraith’s feathers and nuzzles the youngest twins…
Rena smiles softly as she approaches, silver eyes…shining…oh. Oh, no, she doesn’t have eyes anymore, does she? Just empty sockets filled with that same unnatural shadow that the skelechicks sport, illuminated by twin rings of gentle silver light. The other notable thing is the ring on her finger, adorned with dull scales that seem to have been taken from some sort of lizard before being embedded into the metal of the ring, “...’s good t’ see ye again, Taki. Hanehiko says she misses you”
…if Taki has any spiritual senses remaining, the Blackfeather matriarch feels…different from before. Like the spark of warmth and life in her soul has been replaced by something dark and cold and hungry…
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Post by Shitakibo on Jun 26, 2024 3:00:58 GMT -5
"It's wonderful to meet the three of you, and I will definitely stop by soon as long as you're all okay with that."
Feeling the little ones getting cozy, she looks at Rena and Bell.
"Have I started something here?"
Taki chuckles softly, shifting her shoulders to carry the extra weight more comfortably. Now that she was closer to the group, she could sense a change in the Matriarch. Immediately she was reminded of Nikivec, and a flash of recognition crossed her face for a moment. However it had happened, she hoped they would have a chance to catch up about it later. She found it a bit disheartening that she was unable to notice such a change without such proximity. There was little surprise to the change, as the Blackfeathers demonstrated from the beginning a familiarity with spiritual and necromantic magic.
All that mattered was their happiness, the ability to live freely and without persecution. For now, there was a task to be tended which would hopefully include new experiences. Lessons had been intense in the intervening weeks, and Taki was eager to see just how much her body remembered. While those skills were not as much as grand spectacle, there was an ethereal rhythm and grace her body hadn't known before. As if sensing the Orochi's thoughts, a gentle chiming rings out from the pair of silver bells on her bangles.
"Have you all discussed a plan of action yet? If so, how might I help? If not, should we take a moment to do so?"
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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Jun 26, 2024 4:20:46 GMT -5
Rena tilts her head slightly, trilling thoughtfully as she considers the question for a moment before bobbing her head, “...we were waitin’ for ye t’ show up before goin’ in. that said, I figure a fairly simple plan should work nicely; a few minutes o’ scoutin’ to figure out what we’re workin’ with. Wind an’ I will shoot for the eyes ‘n joints t’ try an’ make it easier t’ take down while the melee fighters rush it…” she idly rubs the scaled ring as she speaks, a fond smile in the ruffling of the feathers around her beak…
Chimes giggles as she nestles into her Bab’sk’s arms, “...gonna smack it with my hammer…” the brass eyed fledgling lets out a happy trill as Nev softly nibbles at her forehead, wriggling a little and trilling softly as she settles in.
Hum watches Taki with eye lights of shining copper, the youngest skeleton’s head slightly tilted as she trills curiously and murmurs, “...not as bright as Big Sis Wind said…” she idly toys with the star of twisted wire hung about the vertebrae of her neck as she watches her aunt…
...the other children squirm in Taki's arms, wriggling free and chirping excitedly - Taki manages to catch something about wondering if crab tastes like spider? - as they set about preparing for the coming fight...
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Post by Shitakibo on Jun 27, 2024 20:25:51 GMT -5
Leaning down to turn the little ones loose, Taki takes a deep breath at Hum's reminder of her situation. Still fresh on her mind, she does all she can to push the memories aside and focus. The comments about the taste of crab give her a giggle, knowing that when prepared properly it was a delectable ingredient or main course for many dishes.
"That sounds like a fine plan, I'll fill in as needed. If this crab is as big as the rumors and reports have painted it to be, we'll have enough shellfish to feed a small army. I'm looking forward to comparing the taste of a desert, fresh water crab to those we catch around the Isles."
Even if it turned out not to be some colossal behemoth, Paradise Crab was said to be a delicacy worth enjoying at least once in life. Hopefully after this was done, they could enjoy a meal and a chance to discuss life since their last adventure. Though it would be a difficult endeavor, Taki felt it would be alright to trust Rena and her family with the story. Hum had already noticed, and it likely hadn't escaped the notice of the others. Adjusting had already been an exhaustive experience, one the Orochi was still processing in the rare moments of free time between training and work.
This would be a good chance to gauge her progress, and see how she could fit in with a larger group. While finding opportunity to coordinate with another or small group was common in most lines of work, larger scale tactics were rarely considered or trained. Even the guilds had limited resources to train members in larger scale battles or scenarios, reserving such knowledge almost exclusively to military organizations. Even the group she'd recently joined rarely worked in groups larger than four individuals, though they typically did not take on operations of such scale.
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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Jun 28, 2024 21:37:56 GMT -5
So it is that the group enters the oasis proper, the children grouped up behind their parents, who in turn form a rough spearhead at the front of the group. The lich smiles softly, a flick of her fingers sending two little black motes shooting out ahead, each quickly expanding into a silhouette1 of roiling, hungry black as they advance, the apparitions not even stopping as an onyx shard appears in the hands of each…
…and across the oasis, a massive paradise crab rests under the shade of a large coconut tree, the horse sized crustacean munching on the flesh of a coconut, the husks of the same scattered about in front of it…it doesn’t seem to have noticed the intruders yet…
…Rena’s summoned apparitions circle around one side, the children around the other, and Rena and her bondmates beeline straight ahead, even the loudest of the children producing only a soft crunching of sand under avian feet, while Rena herself makes no noise as she walks, a strangely gleaming flight feather in one hand and a slender, elegantly curved bayonet the size of a shortsword in the other, both blades crackling with frost as she creeps closer…
…Wind and Wind, meanwhile, keep their distance, the golden eyed fledgling cracking his neck and lining up a shot with the elbow on one of the crab’s arms…
1 - Summon: Major Minion
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Post by Shitakibo on Jul 3, 2024 6:09:20 GMT -5
Following the group, they were able to find the area of the Oasis in question with relative ease. Crabs of varying size all skittered about the area, but avoided getting close to a part of the shore. Some clamored up the trunks of trees, plucking large coconuts and peeling them apart with their pinces. One particularly large carapace wandered not far from the shore, swinging armored claws into the tree trunks to knock their delicacies loose. It wasn't difficult to see why this hulking crustacean didn't attempt climbing even the larger trees, even the sand and dirt seemed to complain about it's immensity.
Rena and family moved swiftly, efficiently, and with practiced ease into a coordinated flanking attack. With Wind and Wind on overwatch, her shadowy minions and the chicks flanking, and Rena herself holding center with her bondmates, Taki had only a few moments to ponder her own positioning before ruthless efficiency clashed with natural brutality. Two options presented themselves: Firstly, she could take up a second ranged position and offer long range support from afar with Wind and Wind. Second, She could take a position behind the creature, opposite Rena, Bell and Nev. Each had merits, though one offered greater flexibility to respond to a situation.
Gliding across the dunes like a mirage, the dancer readied herself for the assault to begin. In a position to support the attacking group or defend her niece and nephew if the crabby crustacean broke through their lines. She pulled a curved blade with a large ring handle from her pack, and a few needles from a pocket in her robe. Checking everyone's relative positions and rate of movement, she took aim and launched a needle1 with tremendous velocity. Cutting through the air, it soared up over the battlefield in an ascending arc that carried it well above and behind the Paradise Crab. As the needle started to stall, it tipped over and began to fall back towards the crab at a steep angle.
One thick, twisted needle became dozens of small, vicious projectiles that rained down on it's thick carapace. While most tinged and bounced harmlessly, a handful wormed their way into soft tissues and joints. Thick, bluish purple ichor highlighted the creature's otherwise sandy colored shell, making it's soft points contrast vibrantly against the desert backdrop.
1: Hydra Blood Needles 1/40 [True Hunter]
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