Darkveil City. It was one of the few large cities that Shaa the Minotaur could walk around in without people staring at him or whispering. Not exactly his kind of spot in general but he wasn’t here on vacation. He was here to deal with a problem that had been plaguing, not only the fighters guild, but every other organization on the continent. For nearly a year now, a dark presence had been invading everything. Evil dorks weren’t exactly something new but this was different it was wide spread. It was powerful. And, most surprising of all, it had something to do with the Fae.

The Fae beings of the world had always been mysterious. Despite several run ins that Shaa had personally with them, he had never seen them as anything more than just kind of annoying with their playful banter and tricks. But the Fae that had shown up as of late were not the same. They were dark…almost corrupt in some way. After some incidents he had recently, he was starting to believe these creatures were not from Charon at all but a different detention all together. Ever since Vulcadreus … did the dragon have something to do with all this?

It was a mystery for people more brains than he had. It made this horns hurt just thinking about it. It’s not that Shaa was dumb. Quite the opposite. It was more that he wasn’t really a big picture kind of Minotaur. Deal with the nonsense in front of you. That was his mojo. And that’s why he was here in Darkveil. The Fighters Guild had received a report of a creature that was murdering people in a particular neighborhood. Murders in Darkveil weren’t exactly new or surprising. And really more something for the local constabulary. But when the reports came that the creature in question was a dark shapeshifter, he knew he had to come look for himself. Had the dark Fae finally made it into the cities? He had grabbed Sarne to help him answer the question. Not only was he a capable fighter, Shaa was sure that he was just as interested in getting some answers as he was.

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Quest Name: Fear comes Alive
Participants: Exactly Two
Location: Any city or town
Post Requirements: 7 posts per person, 200 words per post
Reward: +1 Renown, 1 Mystical Archive Ticket, +2 Rare Crafting Material
Description: A powerful, malicious Fae has moved into the area around a major city, village, or social hub and has been tormenting locals. Reports of kidnappings, assaults, and even murders have been reported by those who live in the area - they claim that the creature is getting braver and braver, inching closer to civilization. These creatures are powerful, dangerous, and are popping up outside of most populated areas.

What makes these creatures truly terrifying is their ability to shapeshift, taking on forms of some of Charon's most feared beings. The Fae’s use of these creatures abilities and ability to strike fear in those who see it has made it difficult to deter. Locals are getting worried and are asking the Crown for help in quelling them. Adventurers are being asked to locate the Fae and dispose of it quickly.

Special Requirements:
The Fae monstrosity has the ability to instantly shift into a new form, gaining the abilities and features of the mimicked creature. It can, at will, assume the form of any of the listed creatures below, able to shift isolated regions of its body or completely transform. The creature will attempt to transform multiple times throughout the quest.

Can shift between:
- Incarnation of Fear
- Cephaloclops
- Chthonian
- Red Dragon
- Ziev's Sphinx

Traveling with Shaa for months now helping fill the quest given to the Fighters Guild. This one was different Shaa and Sarne had been dealing with the Fae. Sarne had his reasons to want to deal with the Fae. He still thinks it was a fae that killed part of his family. A fire burned deep inside Sarne an anger that did not go away. So hunting them was an easy decision.

But this Fae was going to be a problem The evidence of abductions, attacks, and even killings have been reported by those who live in the area. This was a rash of incidents done by creatures showing outside of most populated areas. The information Sarne and Shaa had gotten did not add up to Sarne. even with Sarne's skills as a hunter could not quite figure it out. someone even said they saw a Red Dragon. Sarne knew that they did not like this area. So Sarne thought that there could be a few Fae in the area.

Looking out into the land of ice and snow the wind was cold and the furs that Sarne wore did not help that much. Sarne turned to Shaa. "My tracking skills are some of the best. But I do not know even if I can track this killer." remarked Sarne looking at the blowing snow. "If they keep changing makes it hard. I just hope to see a rhythm to the tracks or if the Killer usese the same forms," suggested Sarne with some confidence.

Shaa looks at his companion and shrugs. I don’t think we can count on anything with these things. Shapeshifters. I’m not sure if I told you or not but do you remember how I went on that Royal summons a month back? Turns out it was one of those fae things. It could shape change and all that. But it could also create portals, change into swarms of smaller creatures, create illusions, ate garbage. That last one was the weird part. It ate rotten food for some weird reason. I don’t understand how I can keep running into these things but still don’t have a good handle on them. Know what I mean?

The two eventually made it through snow to one of the side entrances to Darkveil City. A pair of guards stood sentry at the gate, carefully checking each of the people going in and coming out. Shaa wasn’t carrying any contraband per se, but he had enough magical items in his bag of the infinite to give anyone pause. The only real question was, were they just being cautious or were they looking for something or someone in particular? 

He looks at Sarne and winks. Follow my lead. They walk up to the two guards at the gate. One is short with a dark thick mustache, years of experience in his eyes. The other is taller and lanky with severe boredom in his eyes. The shorter guard looks the two up and down and says flatly. State your business. The Minotaur straightens up . Just a couple travelers looking for lodging for the night. The taller guard looks at Shaa and laughs. The stables are out back that way. The guard produces some sort of vegetable from a leather pouch at his side and tosses it at Shaa.  The Minotaur lets the veggie hit him with a plonk as it falls back onto the ground. The two guards laugh at the sight. 

Little did anyone know, that a tiny yet common conversation was happening in Shaa’s brain as the two slap happy guards continued to jeer the fighter. On one side, Shaa’s rational mind, filled with the years of education, experience and training that had made him one of the most dangerous fighters alive but also a responsible leader and overall citizen. On the other side was his natural Minotaur side that was an angry, aggressive, and violent to excess.  Do to his desire to improve Minotaur’s overall reputation in the world and live how he wanted too, he constantly struggled with this diachotomy when he had to deal with idiots.

This is dumb. Just punch these idiots and be done with it. No, they were here to catch a murderer, not get chased by the guards. They started it, make them eat their teeth. It doesn’t matter who started it, it doesn’t help the job. What about Sarne? Psssbbbttt. Sarne is fine, he would punch a guard. Yeah he would, that’s still not helpful. It would make me feel better. We don’t have time for this! Fine, fine. Play nice. If we save them later when we put the hurt on the creature, through a wall they go. Right. Right.

After collecting his thoughts, Shaa smiles broadly and a bit creepily at the guards who immediately start fingering the pommels of their swords. Haha so funny. But we are actually here investigating the recent murders in the dark quarter. You two fine gentlemen wouldn’t happen to know anything about that would you. The short guard stiffens a bit. Of course we have heard things but that place is full of scum anyway. Probably just rumors. If you feel like getting yourselves missing, be my guest. Head down that way. The guard points a crooked finger down a dark alley leading deeper into the city. Have a pleasant stayyyy. The second guard sneered. Shaa waves for Sarne to follow him towards the alley. He makes a quick mental note of the guards faces in case he ran into them again when he was less busy.

With his elbows out and hands behind his head, Sarne starts to whistle as he starts to pass the guards. Sarne turns to the guards as he passes. "Looks like you had the bull by the horns. Good choice to let go. The last guys, well we won't talk about the last guys. I just dont want to clean up the mess again," Sarne said with a wink ignoring the guard's remarks.

When they started to enter the city down a dark alley leading deeper into the city. Sarne stopped whistling. "Shaa, it was nice that I did not have to pull the nobility card. Your way is much more fun. You can talk to the guards or city parol every time," remarks Sarne with a grin. Sarne stops and looks at Shaa closer. "Wow is that a few gray hairs I see around the muzzle of yours," comments Sarne looking. "I thought you were my age, old man," says Sarne with a bit of sarcasm in his tone.

Shaa and Sarne start to walk again. The darkened alley Had crates and garbage stacked by the walls of the buildings covered in the last snow. Liquor bottles and broken glass stuck out of the snow and ice. A Rat ran against the wall on the left side of Sarne and Shaa being started by them walking by A few others watched with curious eyes as the two passed.

Wind shuffling trash into corners, people coughing talking in low voices in the alley. Ice cold wind blowing with the snow moving in circles as the wind blew. Snow crunching under Sarne's boots and Shaa's hoofs. Fost was on everything that the two saw. This was not the best part of the city but when you walk with a 8-foot Minotaur Sarne has been found as a good deterrent.

The echoing of screams pierces the normal sounds of the alleyway. In the distance, people run in different directions down other alleys and streets. A few seem to be on their knees crying.

“Well that didn’t take very long.” Shaa thought to himself as the darkened snowy streets were disturbed by some unseen being. He notices a couple on their knees in the frigid way, one seemed to be weeping heavily. It was times like this that Shaa wished he had a more gentle companion to help with the hysterical. There were very few situations in the world where adding a Minotaur to the mixed caused anyone to calm down. The approached the couple slowly as not to alarm them.

In as quiet a voice as he can muster, he asks the non crying person. Ummm hey, are you guys ok? What happened? The man was obviously too distracted by whatever was going on to notice a Minotaur was the one questioning him. It’s funny how what you can miss when you are caught up in your own nonsense.

It’s Kellah, the baker’s daughter. She’s over there in the alley…in pieces.. My wife found her. It’s her but… who would do something like this? She’s a local you…aggghhhh! The man looks up and his eyes turn into saucers, realizing (finally) who was speaking. Did you….did you do this? Shaa tries really hard not to be offended but he had kind of become famous for de-limbing people so he couldn’t exactly complain. Especially because this guy didn’t know that. He was just being somewhat justifiably judgmental. Mostly. Excuse me! We just got here, you can ask the two goons at the gate. We are actually here from the fighters guild because you all had been reporting problems.

The man’s face softened a bit and his sobbing companion had managed to calm down to a soggy whimper. Oh , I’m sorry, we are just upset. The girl, she was so young. Used to deliver us rolls every morning. Just so…young. Shaa looks over at Sarne and motions down the alley with his head. If it was close, maybe they could find a trail and end this thing quick. In the mean time, Shaa needed to talk to the woman to see what exactly it was that she saw.

When Shaa looked at Sarne and motioned down the alley with his head. Sarne walked down the alley it was not hard to find the girl. She was beside some boxes almost out of sight but her boots were sticking out. Sarne seeing the young girl stirred up a lot of emotions in Sarne. Anger is one of them. Children and young kids were a weak spot for Sarne and now this.

Sarne sighed. [1] He opened a pocket and pulled out some tools. He looked over the area and saw some tracks it was a good boot print almost too good. He then looked over the girl. She had a piece of her forehead missing about 2" around. Weird marks on her face and hair missing like tentacles grabbed onto The girl's head and then something bit her. Looking into the hole in her head The girl's brain had been sucked out or it looked that way.

But here pail skin said more like her life was sucked out. Sarne's training as a hunter told him something was wrong. He was no expert on every monster out here but it did look like a Mind Flayer attack. [2] Sarne looked back at the boot prints on the ground He stood back to his feet then started to fallow the boot tracks back out by Shaa. Then they disappeared.

"Shaa looks like a Mind Flayer attacks one individual man-size. About two hours ago. All the markings add up but some of the injuries do not. She had a portion of her forehead missing roughly 2" around. Weird marks on her face and hair missing. Like tentacles grabbed onto her," reported Sarne almost questioning himself. "Also looked like her life was sucked out and her brain matter was missing. Never seen anything like that before," explained Sarne in a low voice and detail.



[1] Investigation

SPOILER: Click to show

Investigation Kit A collection of the necessary tools for any investigations, its use over time while searching will generate information on the scene. During the first post of use, the user gathers information from a specific area that reveals the number of individuals, their weight, and their height over the last few hours. During the second post of use, the direction of travel, track details (shoes, paws, etc), and general movement (did a fight occur, do they have a limp, etc) are all revealed to the hunter. During the third post of use, cloth fragments, hair/fur particles, and other such physical particles that would be relevant to the scene are discovered.

[2]Tracker Extraordinaire

SPOILER: Click to show

On top of the Hunter’s Investigation Kit, they have a collection of heightened physical and innate senses. Physical senses such as smell, touch, hearing sight, and taste. Innate senses like, a perfect sense of direction, the feeling that something seems off or misplaced, and other such subconscious communications. This allows the hunter to pick up on clues or tracks that would otherwise be hidden.

Ugh. A damn Chthonian. Sarne was right, that was odd. He had run into his fair share of Mind Flayers and this was way too obvious for those guys. All the ones he had run into didn’t do their own dirty work, were not obvious. Definitely didn’t leave bodies in the middle of the street to be discovered. And they weren’t brain eaters, they were mind controllers. Hard to control a brain with a chunk taken out of it. Something didn’t feel right.

Is it possible that there is more than one thing responsible for this? They needed more information. Shaa turned to the weeping woman directly. Look, I know this is hard. But what did you see? Did you see the attacker. The woman turned to him, red eyed and puffy faced , sniffing hard to try and get things together. No, no I don’t know. The woman was shaking. Shaa couldn’t tell if it was from the cold or the trauma of it, maybe a little bit of both. I…I just went outside. There were a pair of red eyes staring at me from the darkness. They… were huge. I couldn’t move…and then..they were gone. When I could move again, I stepped around the corner. THATS where I saw….saw her….. The terrified woman breaks down again and her husband wraps his arms around her shoulders. It’s not here anymore, she’s had enough. If you two are really from the guild, then do your jobs and find that thing, whatever it is. We…we just can’t take anymore.

Shaa stands up to his full hight and gives the couple a brief nod and starts walking towards the alley. They were right. Whatever it was needed to be dealt with and fast. Or that poor girl would not be the only victim. It doest take long to get to the remains. People have already covered her with a blanket and were making preparations to get her off of the cold streets. Several of the townsfolk were giving them side glances as they worked. Not a good day to me a monster around here. He keeps walking past the body, looking for any other signs that may lead them. Not finding anything more than Sarne did, he carefully considers their next move.

From the side, a young man in his 20’s motions to them. Over here, you should see this. Shaa looks at Sarne and nods, following the young man into a small apothecary.

Sarne looked at the weeping woman and her husband and smiled. "Calm yourselves, We are here to help and get to the bottom of all of this. Here is some coin go get something hot to drink or soup and rest." instructed Sarne with a warm smile. Sarne tried to look over the outside area of the body there were too many answered questions. Even the prints in the area made no sense.

Sarne listened to Shaa and what he was thinking still looking around. Sarne stopped and suddenly looked up at the roofs. "Dam..." he mumbled he had hoped that the monster had maybe left by the rooftop. But there were no tracks on the rooftops.

Seeing a young man in his 20s step out of a building and motion to them. Shaa started to follow him. Following the young man into a little apothecary. There were two others dead there A man and a woman that is what Sarne could tell they were covered with a blanket. Other tools and medicines are in the back room. But things looked in order.

Darkvill was a small city built in the last few decades by clans and families looking to separate themselves from the world. The city was left alone and allowed to have its own governess. It is mainly known for its black market and under-the-table dealings. With the local smugglers. All of this crossed Sarne's mind. He wondered if there was a criminal element to all this.

Following the man and Shaa. Sarne stood by the door waiting for the man and looking the room over.

Passives:
Holy Avenger

SPOILER: Click to show

The pact has been completed, you have fused with the celestial inside you, allowing it control over your body. You may now gain any physical appearance changes, looking like the celestial for as long as you wish. The presence of light will often take over at random times, choosing to remain in control to combat evil. In addition to all of your physical damage dealing Light damage, all of your spells are now affected, allowing any of your damaging spells to deal Light damage in addition to its other damage types. Your Light damage from either spells or attacks also ignores resistance and immunity, preventing anyone from negating your Light damage.

Celestial Strength Tattoo: (Bulls Strength)

Always Watching:

SPOILER: Click to show

Not only does nothing get passed you, but you are also now able to react to someone attempting to strike or harm you from a hidden location. You gain a hit prevention against that attack.

Spell Blade: Arcane Soul, Arcane Focus, One with the Blade, Always There, and Sharing Essence.

Stalwart Armor

SPOILER: Click to show

You are comfortable with your armor, basically living in it at this point. Your armor has become an extension of your own body. Because of this you no longer feel the effects of armor, moving normally and as nimble as someone without armor. Your armor also now ignores effects that would attempt to bypass armor. If a spell or ability would cause an enemy to ignore your armor for any reason, that effect is now negated.

Sub Classes: Fighter's Guild Stalwart

Magicians Secret:

SPOILER: Click to show

Nothing can get passed the Hunter's ability to sense their surroundings now. You are able to sense any hidden object, person, or living creature, regardless of how they are hidden. You will get a mental ping of the exact location of where something is trying to be hidden from you, and can even sense things that are magically hidden, such as by spells or abilities. You can sense invisible enemies or detect things covered up by magic.

Welcome to the Jungle:

SPOILER: Click to show

Now a master of your craft, all of your creations no longer take an action, letting you create up to three different combinations in a single post while also doing other things. Additionally, you have learned the inner workings of trap creation, able to locate and even disarm other traps. Your movements no longer trigger systems that are hidden like traps and can be disarmed by you without being triggered.

Overwhelming Might:

SPOILER: Click to show

Stalwarts are physically impressive beings of massive might and prowess, and it shows in the weapons they wield. As long as this subclass is active you can wield any two-handed weapon or a shield in one hand, weapons and shields have all of the benefits of being heavy without being slower to use. This allows you to wield a double-handed weapon with one single hand, or even duel wield double-handed weapons.

Unwavering Virtue:

SPOILER: Click to show

The celestial has instilled its sense of honor within in, building your resolve and strengthening your will. You can no longer be effected by spells or skills that would attempt to force you to do anything against your will. You cannot be turned against allies, forced to flee or even injure someone you wish not to injure. You have become a bastion of goodness that no one or nothing can influence you otherwise.

One with the Shadows:

SPOILER: Click to show

You are always aware of any form of shadow or body of darkness in the immediate area, able to passively sense where these shadows are and what is creating the shadow. In addition you can manipulate your own shadow, changing its size, shape and even removing it altogether. While within a shadow you have the effects of the spell Shadow hiding active at all times, but can now move and interact with objects without breaking the effect.

Shadow Sight

SPOILER: Click to show

While inside of a shadow created by you or another object, you can see perfectly, your vision not hindered by the darkness. You can also see others who would attempt to conceal themselves in the shadows or darkness. You can see the outline of others who are within the shadow or darkness as if you could see them in the daylight however this does not apply to magical means from spells or abilities.

NPCs

SPOILER: Click to show

Nordic, Dwarf, Male, Stealth (Master): Invisibility, Silent Step, Blade (Novice): Battle Ax X2 Captain's Badge.
Naesala, Half-Elf Female, Stealth (Master): Invisibility, Silent Step, Blade (Novice): Dagger, long sword.
Vamir, Elf, Male, Stealth (Master): Invisibility, Silent Step Marksmen (Novice): Long Bow.
Unicorn (Euros) Armored Banner armor has two hit preventions
Lightning Pixie (Violet) Cast (Lightning Bolt)

While Sarne waited just outside the small shop, Shaa bent down to examine the bodies that lay on the floor in a haphazard pile. Despite its size, the shop seemed fairly well stocked with the normal odds and ends of such a place. There were shelves full of various liquids. Boxes full of leaves and strange smelling powders. All of the normal trappings other than the obvious corpses on the floor. Shaa looks up at the young man. Did you know them? He shakes his head in the negative and holds up a small vile. Not really. I got a referral to come here for some medication. They were like this when I got here. I was going to call the guards but then I heard you said you were from the Fighters Guild. That’s right. Yeah, I trust you. My village was saved from Gnoll’s by you guys a couple years back. Really where was that. The man shifts in his feet a bit. Little place, you wouldn’t know it. You’d be surprised.

The young man walks over to the counter and opens a small brown box, lined with an orange colored paper. He fill his vile and places a cork back in the top. Looking at Shaa nervously, he stutters. It’s not like they are going to miss it now. Shaa was way too much of a pragmatist to argue but the act did seem a bit in bad taste as the bodies of the shop keepers where still laying on the floor. I won’t say anything if you don’t. Take the medicine but that’s all. They might have kids or family or something that will miss it. The young man relaxes a bit and nod in agreement.

He turns his focus back to the bodies. They looked young as well, a waste. It’s an awful scene and similar to the one they just left. But there is something off about it. Maybe it was the weirdness of the shop or the situation, but something in this place just didn’t quite fit. He looks back at Sarne standing outside. Maybe they should go get the guards. Bodies were starting to pile up and this was getting out of hand. He was just having a hard time with this whole thing. What was it? He looks closer at the feet of the woman. She wore a pair of well worn red leather boots that had a bit of snow on them. The man wore black shoes which were dry and well kept. Men and women having different shoes wasn’t odd. What was it? Then it dawns on him. The woman….literally has two left feet. A chill runs down his back and the young man notices the reaction.

Is something wrong? He asks inquisitively. Shaa whispers to him in a low voice. Get out of the shop. Just walk slowly. It will be ok. I don’t understand, what’s happening? Nothings happening. Just shut up and slowly walk out of the shop. We need to talk to you OUT SIDE. He isn’t positive, but he is pretty sure he sees the woman’s corpse shift a bit. Damn. 

Shaa leaps at the young man, tackling him flat to the ground. As he does so, the corpse of the woman stands upright, her face starting to twist and contort into something horrific. Shaa knows he only has moments. He quickly stands up and throws the man over the counter, diving head first after him. The sound from the woman picks up, sounding something like a wounded animal, screaming at them. He takes a risk and peeks over the counter. The woman is gone and an Incarnation of Fear is standing to replace her.

Listening to Shaa and the shop owner's conversation, Sarne looked for anything that stood out. He looked back into the alley and wondered if whoever killed the girl could not have just disappeared. He looked at the ground in the alley and listened to Shaa talk. Sarne could imagine in his head how things happened. Part by part, Sarne broke it down, thinking about the evidence he knew.

Looking again at the rooftops, Sarne saw the light snow, which showed no signs of someone on the roof. The light snow reflected off the snow in a rainbow of crystal colors. In the mountains here, it was hot in the summer and cold in the winter, with the wind chilling anyone unprepared for it. Even Sarne, a seasoned adventurer, could feel the cold breeze on his face, sending a shiver across his body.

Sarne turned when he heard something screaming, a high-pitched screech that made him wince. His eyes widened when he saw the women, and then an Incarnation of Fear stood as it contorted. People in the alley looked and then ran at the sound of the Incarnation of Fear high-pitched screech. Sarne thought the sound was like nails on a chalkboard sound.

Sarne was getting ready to charge in against his better judgment. Then, the Incarnation of Fear saw Sarne throw up the blanket as it turned for the door. Sarne's sight was blocked, but Sarne's senses still knew where the Incarnation of Fear was. It still did nothing for Sarne, his reaction to stop the body thrown at him by the Incarnation of Fear. Sarne tried to block with his arms but was thrown into the ally wall and fell with the blanket and body on top of him.

In the blink of an eye, the Incarnation of Fear was gone. There was some commotion on the street nearby as people ran. The sound of the guards coming and people now looked out their windows. Sarne pushed the smelly body and smelly blanket off of himself. "Of all the dumb things to happen, I will never live this one down," commented Sarne, trying to stand and brash himself off.

Shaa watched as the Incarnation of Fear grabbed the real corpse on the ground. What in the world was it doing? With a quick flick, it hurled the body outside the shop into Sarne who was covering behind a blanket. As the body smashes into him, the Incarnation sneers at him and floats outside and over the rooftops. What in the hell was that? Cried the young man from behind the counter. He sat on the floor with his legs crossed, shaking. You, my friend, just ran into one of the rarest and most dangerous creatures in Charon..and you survived. Good on ya. You can tell your grandkids but I would leave the part out about peeing yourself. But what..what. Incarnation of Fear..probably. That’s what it was if anyone asks. It might not be? 

Shaa walks out of the shop to check on Sarne. He’s ok for the most part but the unexpected encounter has left him a bit rattled. It was about a year ago that Shaa had a run in with an Incarnation of Fear in an abandoned dungeon and he had never been the same. Looking over at Sarne, he has already picked himself up off of the ground, looking flustered.

Shaa looks the fighter over. You ok? He asks. You were lucky that you didn’t come inside. I would hate to think what would happen if he tried to go through you. He takes a deep breath and looks at the trail left behind by the creature. I didn’t know incarnations could even do that. Ran into one like a year back. Dropped basically a building on its head but I’m still not convinced that finished it. Man those things suck. 

Shaa got closer to whisper to Sarne. Bro, did you feel it or really, not feel it? Don’t get me wrong, that thing was freaky but..it didn’t feel like an incarnation of fear. I could move freely. Not to mention, they typically don’t kill people. They terrify them so they can eat their fear. But high body counts? This whole thing stinks!

Sarne was thinking about what Shaa said to him. He rubbed the back of his head. "It was just that. Most of the time, I faced something like an Incarnation of Fear my Celestial blood tends to show." Sarne answered. "You know me, undead and evil, I was born to fight such things. I did not feel that from the Incarnation of Fear." Sarne said, looking now at the roof and then the room.

"I know we are hunting a shape changer, and I can follow it now. I know its markings, for the most part. It does have a smell to it, but I can not place it. It's off from what I expected, other than the smell of the dead. [1] All my senses know something familiar about it, but I can not place the scent." Sarne said to Shaa. Sarne sighed, "let's go Standing here will not get us any closer," commented Sarne as he moved.

Sarne did his best to get in the tail of their mysterious creature. Sarne sniffed death in the air as people watched the two move around town, alleyways, streets, and even a few buildings. The mysterious creature seemed one step ahead of them but had not killed anyone. The mysterious creature had no time with Sarne and Shaa on its trail. Sarne stopped and chuckled, then looked at the sky, then Shaa. " Shaa, did you notice the mysterious creature has been leading us in circles?" commented Sarne. "This is not the undead. Something more cunning than that." added Sarne as the thought.

Sarne thought, looking at the growing. "OK, back to the first building after the apothecary, the small tavern where I would hide, " he suggested, sounding a bit angry and frustrated. Sarne backtracked to the Traven and waited no time, just walking in. People stopped to look at the two, most of them with some fear in their eyes. The place got very quiet when Sarne put his finger to his mouth in a request for silence. They all just stared at Sarne. [2] Sarne closed his eyes. "Shaa back store room," whispered Sarne to Shaa with a sly grin. "It is waiting for us, shal we." offered Sarne, still with a grin.



[1]Intuitive Bloodhound
[2] Always Watching

It was waiting for them. Thus far, they had caught the, whatever it was, by surprise. What would it have in store for them, knowing what was coming. This thing was able to mimic one of the most dangerous creatures in the world. It wasn’t as powerful as the real thing but still. It was here, in a town, killing people with impunity. It wasn’t even doing something primal like eating their bones or something. It was just..murdering for no good reason. Really no time for the guards. They needed to deal with this thing here and now.

Shaa looks at Sarne and nods in agreement. Yup, they are going in. Why is it every time they hung out, the creatures were always super nasty? Bet you wish it was a just one of those giant bird things, remember that? Ha. As Shaa moved closer to the back, the other patrons immediately scattered giving them plenty of room. He walks over as quietly as he can and puts an ear up to the door. He doest hear anything per se but there is definitely something moving around. He can feel it in his bones. Shaa holds up his fingers in a countdown. 3…2…1…

The Minotaur slowly opens the door. When the door is open a bit, a single eyes snakes through the opening and looks straight at him. The eye is large and yellow, with intelligence and menace emanating from its cornea. It takes him a moment but he reacts by kicking the door shut. The eye shakes in anger and the door beyond starts shaking violently. Several more patrons who saw what was happening scream and rush outside in a panic. Shaa himself grabs a random bar glass and throws it at the eye. It was a temporary delay, but this thing was about to go south fast.

Taking a flanking position next to Shaa, [1] Sarne had his shield and sword ready. Sarne's celestial features started to show. His blond hair turned silver and shined like metal. His complexion turned tan-colored with a lustrous skin tone. Sarne's eyes changed to a piercing gold. This happened to Sarne without his control, which meant he was in trouble, whatever was behind that door. "large bird?" Sarne questions, "ah... the Emperor Akhlut I wish, no something else is behind door number 1." Sarne Joked, thinking, why is it with Shaa? Something big and ugly shows up, he thought.

Shaa signaled to go through the door. Shaa was first something Sarne was not angry about. The door opened, and Sarne's sight was blocked little by Shea's size. Sarne was part of what was inside the room. The large yellow eye looked at them both. It Looked menacing and angry. The large eye paused, then slamed the door on Shaa and Sarne.

Sarne glanced at the rest of the people who ran and looked back at Shaa. "You need to work on your people skills," Sarne joked with a grin. "You always attract the strangest rivals, or am I unlucky? That looked like a Cephaloclops," said Sarne, looking like he had just seen a ghost. "By the way, magic does not work on the Cephaloclops. This is going to be a long day," commented Sarne.

As the door broke, Sarne took a deep breath and brought his shield up. [2]Sarne pushed in front of Shaa and placed his sword before his shield. He was getting the monster's attention with an instant flash of light from his sword. Sarne's shield kept Shaa and Sarne from being blinded.  The large eye screamed in pain, blinking. Sarne wondered if something was off about this. [3] Sarne pushed in, slamming his shield against the large eye. The shield spikes pierced the eye, causing minimal damage as the light burned through.

The eye pushed back and then bit down on the shield. Sarne struggled with the large eye, which was moving and shaking the shield, trying to take it away.


[1] (Passive) Holy Avenger
[2] Sword Arcane Focus spell Solar Flare
You give off an instant flash of light from your body, illuminating the area around you. This light is extremely bright and will attempt to blind anyone who is looking in your direction. If anyone sees this flash, they will be unable to see for the next two posts, their vision being filled with white light.
[3] Shield bash or strike.

At least it’s not boring! Shaa yells over the din of battle. First it was an incarnation of fear and now a friggen Beholder? He had to give the thing credit, it certainly went big. Shaa considered the implications that this being, whatever it was, must have encountered all of these creatures in order to copy them so well. If that was the case. If this thing encountered beasts like this and survived, they might be in serious trouble. 

He feels the jolt as the beast bares down hard on Sarne’s Shield in an attempt to eat it or them or both. This was too close of quarters. Sarne’s quick thinking had protected them for now, but chances were, it would only be a temporary respite. He looks around the bard for something to use a weapon. With nothing obvious near them, Shaa grabs a couple mugs of ale and throws them over the shield, dousing the creature. More annoyed an injured, the Beholder thrusts towards in an attempt to overwhelm the two. Shaa feints to the side just far enough to get a line on him. Breathing out a pillar of flame, the ale ignites and lights the fiend ablaze. Rrrraaarrrrrr!

Sarne move! There is a clear path to a door leading to an open court yard. He was pretty sure he had pissed it off enough that it would follow. He makes a break for the door, reaching into a pouch at his side. Come in, come on , COME ON!

JjGc_WSJ

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Drake Gland- Flame
Yakesa’s Summmer Beach Bag:
11:11 - 12: Glass Canteen
You pull a glass water canteen from the bag; this canteen seems to be full of pure, crystalline water. Upon opening the water bottle, the contents will erupt forth, summoning the water elemental which lives inside. This water elemental will remain for three posts, with the ability to use its own body as if it was a water whip spell; it will vanish after three posts, or upon being hit with a lightning spe