Welcome to the town of Grelenstaad. Although normally a peaceful, happy town, recently there has trouble. A lot of trouble. It started with goblin hordes attacking the outlying farms. Goblins, in small packs, are not unheard of, but there were large armies.
The ogres that started appearing were much more unexpected.
As were the occasional dragons.
The townspeople, although not the brightest collection of farmers, merchants, and the like, have figured out that there's something big going on. Before they let it get so bad that the town, let alone the countryside, is so far in danger that it can never be saved, they pooled their resources and put the word out for heroes.
Those of you answering the call will find notices at the various entrances into town discussing the Town Meeting tonight, where all the heroes are supposed to show and announce their plans for helping the town.
Any of you that are interested in refreshments before or after the meeting are welcome to visit any of the fine Inns and Taverns around the town. Of note is the town's favored tavern, the Drunken Dragon.
The town itself is of moderate size. Although not famous for anything in particular, it is quite good, and well supplied.
The local baron, Netseki, is a kindly gentleman. He's as saddened by what has befallen his town as anyone else. There is discussion that he may offer his own reward at the town meeting.
A stone hand ripped a notice off a walk. The figure the hand is attached to looked at the notice up close. It then looked about the village looking for a tavern to spend time in. It saw one where alot of people going in and out. With a flat male tone it spoke.
"Drunken Dragon, interesting'
The figure headed towards the tavern. It crumpled up the notice in it's had and threw it to the ground.
The Drunken Dragon was like many a tavern all across the countryside. It was full of smoke and people attempting to get away from their problems (generally by sharing those problems with other people at the tavern, while smoking up a storm in the process).
The tavern itself was famous for it's Dragon Wing Soup, a rather tasty concoction that has as much to do with Dragons as modern day Buffalo Wings have to do with buffalo. The soup itself is bade from a tasty beef broth, seasoned with 11 select herbs and spices, and slow cooked for a minimum of 6 hours, just to get the broth the right flavor and consistency.
In the corner, a small stage is setup. Currently on the stage is The Amazing Cedric, and magician of fair renown in these parts. Part of the fame is for the grand magic he does (you should ask him, one time, to do the trick with the rabbits). The other part of the fame is for the fact that Cedric is also a puppet.
One whole day in the wrong direction.
Aeo kicked himself for his stupidity as he entered the town. The people like always seemed shocked and he was fairly sure it was the horns, but the smell of sulfur might have had something to do with it. He sighed and shrugged his shoulders as he walked through the town. He heard rumors of the Baron and some great reward and he half wondered how many people were going to go rushing headlong into the danger so he could quickly sign on with them and blow some evil to giblets and sausages.
For the most part though Aeo was more interested in finding something to eat. He had some parting money his group had given him after he was forced to leave. He still couldn't figure out why the necromancer couldn't just smile, even for a second. That thought quickly left his head though as he stumbled across a building called the "Drunken Dragon". He blinked for a second and laughed the name off as one of the best names he had ever heard. He entered the building and again a few people took notice of him, nothing he wasn't used to. He took a seat near the door that was unoccupied with a small table and waited patiently for someone to show up and take his order. He hoped it would be a cute little barmaid and he smiled devilishly as the thought passed through his head.
Behind some trees next to a road just outside of town, two figures stood warily, keeping their distance. One was a fair foot taller than most men, while the other could have passed for a young giant. Neither were flesh beings. The shorter of the two seemed to have a body made up of tough, fibrous bundles that resembled thick muscle covered with composite plates making up a sort of exoskeleton. The head was mostly featureless, forged from a single plate, with another for the jaw. However, two glowing blue lights were embedded in it, signifying eyes. It, for there was no physically identifiable gender, was wearing many belts and bandoliers, filled with all manner of tools of crafting, and several completely unidentifiable ones. On its back, it had a large rucksack bulging with a variety of materials. The giant, on the other hand, seemed to have the same basic physical infrastructure as the smaller one but, (besides being larger), had plates that were thicker and less composite, and covered more of the 'muscle'. It was adorned with nothing but its own plates, and was carrying only one thing: an obscenely sized greathammer. It's light-eyes were red.
"Now remember," the smaller one started saying, in a voice that did not sound entirely natural, "follow five paces behind me. And for the love of our creator, keep your hammer away."
The larger one was silent for a moment, before it rumbled in a very deep monotone bass voice, "...Why are we here again?"
"My chisel's broken, as you well know." The smaller one seemed to huff almost indignant, despite the fact that emotions were hard to express for them. It held up a chisel that was indeed damaged. "I'm going to buy a new one."
Again, the big one paused before saying, "...Why don't you repair it yourself?"
The smaller one put its hand down. If it could have sighed, it probably would have. "You know why we are here, brother."
"Humor me again."
"Our father, bless his soul, created us. He never imagined us as monsters. I find it difficult to believe that there are no others in this world who think the same. If we can find as many as possible, we should. Besides, what if we actually find a home? A place where we can settle down and be accepted for who we are, rather than what we are?"
"...We don't really need that."
"But wouldn't it be nice to have?"
The large one was silent for a few moments longer this time, before speaking up again. "...What's to guarantee that this town won't attack us on sight, or eventually drive us out, like all others have before?"
"We haven't visited that many towns. We've also traveled the farthest distance since the last town. I'm certain that they wouldn't even try to send out stories of a very large thing with a hammer that, in retaliation, walks through the door of everyone who shot an arrow or jabbed a sword at it this far out. That really was quite unnecessary. I don't know where you got the idea to suddenly do that."
"I felt like it. They deserved it."
The smaller one shook his head. "If someone happens to shoot an arrow at us as we approach, we will turn around, and walk away. Understand?"
"...Very well."
"Put your hammer away..."
"I don't like to-"
"Put it away."
The large one hesitated, then, with a somehow disgruntled air, hooked its greathammer to his back.
"Good. Now, let us see what the people of this town are like..."
Leading the way, the small one (but still notably large in comparison to a normal person) walked out from behind the trees, and directly onto the road leading straight to the town. The larger one rumbled behind. They walked directly towards the town, with a steady and (as much as possible for large beings sculpted from heavy materials) calm demeanor, in an attempt to be as unaggressive as possible, hoping that they could talk to the inhabitants without being immediately attacked, and stay for a comfortable rest time before being asked to leave for being too 'different'.
For those just entering town, a small caravan of street performers have taken up residence in the town square, singing, dancing, selling odd wares (or rather putrid looking sausages in buns).
Off to the side stands a single mime, quiet and unobtrusive. The mime looks as though she has managed to get herself quite firmly stuck in a box, and yet cannot seem to remember just how it is she gets back out.
-----
Inside the Drunken Dragon, Gussy, the barkeep, has opened up the bar for happy hour. 2 shilling draughts, 5 shilling house-brewed ale.
Gretta, the serving wench, has been around to take orders.
The figure walked in and found a seat over in the corner by themselves. He didn't order anything when the serving girl came over. He just stared around the room.
"Just need a place to sit and wait"
Surprisingly to both, the two large figures managed to approach the town unchallenged. As they walked past the "Well-come to Grelenstaad" sign, they saw in the center of the town there was a traveling circus with which most people were focused on. While the big one couldn't have cared less about the antics, the smaller one was quite intrigued. He had not seen anything like this before, and he wished to know more about it. Off to the side, there was a person in a very strange striped costume and white face, making odd gestures. It approached and then, still being comparatively tall, knelt down to the woman.
"Excuse me," The composite humanoid said in a voice that resonated a little around the street, and sure to turn a few heads to notice the newcomers (though they would probably take a fright at the giant-sized thing), "What is this event?"
Aeo was pleased. The serving girl was definitely pretty, at least in the country girl sense. He smiled as he ordered a small plate of jerky and a glass of water. Then he continued to watch her as she walked off. Now all he had to do was wait and maybe try and make a few friends. Unfortunately he would have to entertain himself until such a thing happened, so he pulled out a gold coin and flipped it for a while, seeing how many times he could get heads over tails.
From the stage:
"Now, my assistant Paul here, if he'd be so kind... yes, now, as you will see, Paul has nothing up his sleeve... whoa, watch it there, Paul, I said nothing up your sleeves. No need to get frisky with me.
"Excellent, so, now, that we know Paul is not rigged for this event, I shall now conjure up the box of water that Paul will place me in."
A faint blue light slowly builds around Cedric's hands, and then, it condenses on stage into a large box, 8ft by 8ft of water, glassed on all sides.
"Now, Paul, please open the box. Splash a couple of the people up front with the water so they know it's real."
There's some grumbling from the front of the room.
"Good, now, please invite someone on stage to inspect the box..."
Paul looks out into the audience for a volunteer.
Aeo had barely been paying attention to the magic show when he heard call for a volunteer. Aeo quickly raised his hand with a childish and innocent. "Pick me!" accompanying it.
In a corner of the Drunken Dragon, a monkey appears, and scampers across to Gretta to give her a note, along with 13 shillings, then scampers back into the corner, where Bocks is making a fair imitation of a table.
The note reads:
QuoteFour draughts, and one house ale for the pretentious prat.
When Gretta returns with the drinks, five monkeys pop up and grab one each, then vanish inside the box again. The next time anyone looks, Bocks isn't there any more.
* * * *
While the smaller humanoid next looked to his left, there was a nondescript box sitting there as if it'd been there forever. The dust piled up around the bottom indicated that it had been there for a while, which was somewhat contradicted by the five monkeys sitting on the top drinking beer from glasses that hadn't completely been covered in condensation yet...
The five monkeys chattered to each other, and watched the mime artist carefully. They chattered some more, then one of them dropped back inside the box for a moment, then poked his head out and chattered something authoritative at the others. The others sighed, then handed their drinks back in. The one in the middle vanished again, then popped out, and all five of them swarmed over to the mime.
Under the somewhat bemused gaze of the humanoid, they build a quick pyramid, then throw the top monkey on top of the (non-existent) box the mime is trapped in, where he stands, running his hands around the edge of the box, looking for the opening. Meanwhile, the other four spread out around the box, running hands up and down the walls, and wrapping their hands around the corners. As they do so, they chatter to each other, and in fairly short order they are all gathered around the far side of the box, jamming their fingers into the corner, and screaming at each other as they pull their fingers out and jump up and down about getting them crushed.
Eventually, one of them screams at another one, and the other one wanders back to the box, drops inside, and comes back out with a crowbar. He drags it over to the group, and they argue for a while over which of them gets to hold the crowbar. After they settle this (2001 AD style), the one who lost stood back rubbing his head, whilst the winner carefully stuck the crowbar into the edge of the mime box. He took his hands off it, and spat on them, then launched himself at the crowbar - which promptly spun free and smacked him in the back of the head, sending him sprawling, much to the amusement of the loser behind him.
Some more disagreement went on for a bit...
"Ah, excellent, sir." Cedric says to Aeo. "Nice to see a strapping young lad show an interesting the thaumaturgical arts."
Cedric motions Aeo up on stage. "Now, if you would please, inspect the box and tell those in the audience if there's anything amiss."
The smaller, but still large composite figure looked around when the costumed person didn't respond, and was surprised to see an ordinary wooden box near him. How did that get there? Even more surprising was when it opened up and a group of small (seeming ridiculouly tiny to both large composite figues, especially the giant) chittering primate creatures emerged. They then proceeded to interact with the costumed woman, in a way that seemed to indicate that she was trapped in an invisible cage or box. While doing this, the chittering things frequently squabbled. After unsucessfully attempting to use a crowbar to pry open the invisible cage, they degenrated into another squabble.
The figure with the tools and rucksack was utterly at a loss for words. Never in his life had he ever witnessed a spectacle like this. He turned his attention to the box, and after a moment, reached out to touch it (he had to to crouch and bend very much, as he was still tall, than the box was fairly low to the ground). When he did, he suddenly pulled back, as if stung. The box was filled to the brim with magic!
"What is this?" He said to no one in particular.
The metal giant simply stood in the back the whole time, statue-like.
The mime sits, watching the monkeys with an air of amusement.
Aeo quickly shot from his seat to the stage. He looked over the box carefully and laughed at it in amusement. He really wanted to see the trick now since he couldn't spot any direct way for the trick to work.
"Looks good to me." Aeo said as he returned to his seat.
"Excellent. Now, if everyone is the audience is ready...?"
Although Aeo, and some others, are paying attention tot he act, most have not been bothered to look up from the conversation. Cedric slapps his "hands" together, causing a wave a silence to drift through the room.
"As I said, if everyone in the audience is ready, we shall being. Paul, if you would."
Paul brings out a ladder, one handed, and places is next to the box. He takes each of Cedric's "hands" and ties them together with a bit of twine. He then climbs the ladder, and drops Cedric neatly into the water, whereupon he sinks down to the bottom of the box. Paul then climbs back down, and stands, nervously, watching the act.
After a few moments, those watching can detect a faint shimmer of energy playing along the water. Cedric suddenly shoots to the top of the box, and floats there, near the top, making imperceptible motions around the sloshing water. The box bursts forth, and, those with a good view, can see Cedric float to the edge. Paul then rushes to the top of the box, and puts the puppet back on.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," Cedric says, out of breath, "Please, please, as daring as that stunt may be, you may now applaud." The room remains silent, splint between those who wonder how it was Paul was able to float the puppet and then break the box open all without making a single motion, and between those who wonder just how death-defying it is for a puppet to survive being dropped in water.
It had been a long day filled with travel, investigation and wild fowl chases. Aire had spent the better part of the day examining the farmsteads and interviewing the outlying townspeople. She had not turned up much more then was already general knowledge, and as such rode back to town.
A meeting was supposedly happening at the Drunken Dragon tavern, so she Aire decided to make this her first stop. She gave a quizzical look to the street performers, but was too tired to pay much attention so instead she tied up her horse at the post in front of the tavern and entered cautiously through the front.
Cedric had just finished saying something about applauding and Aire decided it would be rude not to, even though she missed the show, and gave a quiet clap and smile to the puppet.
Weary from the road and the effort of trudging around all day in platemail, Aire sat heavily at an unoccupied table and waved over Gretta, "A glass of honey wine please. If you haven't any, then simply some tea would be fine."
Aire observed the gathered crowd and waited.
After the confused applause from Cedric act dies down (or, more accurately, dies off in a slow, strangulated kind of way), conversation around the bar picks back up. Those as listen to it over hear snippets of dialogue:
"...yeah, I hear the Baron's already sent out two different raiding parties. Neither returned..."
"...I tell ya, with these goblins attacking my farm, it's getting the point where I might just have to pack up and leave..."
"...No, I don't think that boil looks too infected. Just rub some dirt on it, you should be fine..."
"...I'm going to collect whatever reward the Baron is offering. I'm the greatest warrior. No, really, I am..."
Crows. A whole dozen of them flying on the sky a half a mile outside the city. Belowe them a lonely figure approaches the town. One blessed with a sharp wit might've wondered what would have driven these birds upon this person, if everyone wouldn't be looking for goblins and dragons.
The figure itself looks nothing unordinary: A young boy, walking with ill matching clothes and leaning to his poor looking spear from time to time.
Armita halted and gazed the road ahead. A single crow landed on his right shoulder.
"Can you see what's making that noise in that direction? You probably have better eyes than I do, or that's what I read from somewhere"
His throat felt dry. When was the last time he had watter?
"The merchant said that this land could use a helping hand, remember? When people are worrying about their lives, they don't care who is that helps them."
The voices of a city rang into his ears, but it was something else that drew his attention towards the settlement. Something that draws flies to a carcass "No" Armita thought "That's too stereotypical. More like moths to a flame. Wait, that's not good either. It's like, like.......Bees to honey! Except I don't like bees. There's no sense animat...l" The crow gave a loud shriek. "Alright, alright. We're moving already! stupid bird... OW OW, I'm running. I'm running"
And so the flock of birds started closing the city.
The figure continued to sit in the corner by himself. His gaze drift from around the bar to out the window. He didn't didn't seem to care much about. His attention was draw to a man sitting near him who was rather drunk. He was being loud. The was eyeing a a female sitting near him and making comments to her. For the most part she was ignoring him.The man seemed to get annoyed at her for doing this. He got up and made his way towards he and slammed his fist into her table, she recoil in shock and fear of him.
The drunk man spoke "Listen little lady you need to be nice to me. I'm the man that is gonna save this little town..."
The man stop when a stone hand grabbed his shoulder.
The figure spoke with a annoyed tone "I don't think she likes. I suggest you take your drinking else where"
The man laughed and shrugged his shoulder trying to shake off the hand. " I don't know who the hell you think......"
The figure spun the man around and drove his left hand into the man's gut, doubling him over in pain. The figure them dragged the man to the door and literal threw the man out.
The figure stood in the doorway for a sec and listened to the man hurl insults at him then wonder off drunk. He then turned around and walked back to the table he was sitting at. He paid no attention to anyone staring at him.
The two monkeys - the winner and the loser, so to speak - started an all out battle, losing interest in the crowbar and the box. One of the other monkeys wanders over to grab the crowbar, and starts prying away at what appears to be the utterly invisible door, without much success.
While this is going on, another monkey heads back into the box, and comes out with a pair of bolt-cutters, followed shortly by another five monkeys, carrying the beers the first five had put away. This second bunch set up around the box, drinking and screaming "advice" to the monkeys doing the work.
The two fighting monkeys pick up their heads and head back to the box to "remonstrate" with one of the hecklers, remonstrating so thoroughly that all three are knocked back into the box, and drop out of sight. One of the other spectators wanders over to where the crowbar and the bolt-cutters are being set up on the mime's box. The bolt-cutters are being used as a wedge, and the crowbar is being used as a hammer on the fingers of the monkey holding the bolt-cutters in place...
A few moments later, and the two are chasing each other around the mime cage, and the one from the top is headed back to the box. He sticks his head into it, screams a bit, listens to the echo (!) and nearly gets brained by the shovel that comes flying out. Catching it on the way down, he heads back over to the mime, and starts shovelling dirt from one side of the base - somewhat hampered by the two chasing each other over his shovel every other shovelful. Three of the beer drinkers point and laugh, the fourth (drinking the house ale) puts down his beer to come over and point at the box, screaming warnings and waving his arms, dissuading the digger. The three hecklers are left to scream something that sounds a lot like "bad form" at him, clearly disappointed that he's spoiling the show. Eventually, the pretentious one shrugs, waves his hands in the air as if dismissing responsibility for any further problems, and returns to his drink, screaming at the hecklers a bit on his way past. All four settle down and watch the three again, since the two chasers have settled their differences and are working on the bolt-cutters, attempting to find something to attach them to.
The shoveller keeps digging, making a nice little hole, and rests his shovel for a moment - at which time, the bolter and the crowbar throw themselves at the other side of the box in an attempt to use brute force. In a clearly predictable moment, the mime artist tilts gently, slowly, and inexorably over, until the box thumps solidly into the top of the shovel, hammering it into the ground, and holding it in place. The mime artist inside bounces off the inside, and the two monkeys on the far side chatter to each other in shock for a moment, before swarming over the now 45-degree angled box, and manage to find something to attach the bolt-cutters to. Mere moments later, they fling open the door (apparently - it's a little difficult to tell - and bow to the mime. The Pretentious Prat jumps back into the box, and comes back a moment later with a small folded piece of paper, which he trots over and presents to the mime artist with a bow. He then sweeps up the other three monkeys, scolding them back towards the box. When he arrives there, he finds that someone has pinched his beer, and absconded into the box with it. In fairly short order, all the monkeys, the bolt-cutters, the crowbar, and the beer, has all vanished, leaving an inscrutable box just sitting there, and a shovel propping up an invisible box.
At this point, the mime artist gets a chance to read the note, which says:
Quote
You're welcome.
When she looks up, Bocks is gone again.
Aeo watched with slight confusion as a large odd looking man tossed another, drunk looking man right out of the place.
Aeo blinked and then mulled an odd thought over as he walked back to his seat, ignoring the show. The puppet had been only a little interesting and now this new stranger seem more promising. "You know, I think they hire people to do stuff like that in most taverns and such. So I take it you're here for the money and not the adventure?"
The smaller of the two large constructed figures watched in incredulousness as the party of monkeys continued their absolutely ridiculous efforts to free the costumed woman from the invisible cage. Eventually, they succeeded, and left a note for the woman. When the figure looked back, the monkeys and the box had vanished. The two large humanoid things were left standing alone.
"...Now what?" the huge one rumbled, finally speaking for the first time since entering the town. He sounded slightly sarcastic. It was not lost on the smaller one.
"Shut up, you thick block of metal, I'm thinking." This town was indeed strange. Not only had they not been attacked, it seemed no one had noticed them yet. Ususally someone would have seen two towering figures composed of metal and other things and shouted "What in the Nine Hells are those things?!?", but no one had even done that yet.
The figure continued to stare out the window he was spoken too. He sat there silent for a few seconds then spoke in a flat tone.
"That man was bothering the girl"
The figure remained quiet for a little while longer than said.
"This town needs help and I can help"
The Mime looks at the two odd... things... standing in front of her, raises her eyebrows, and cocks her head to the left, purses her lips, and waves to get their attention.
She then smiles, pantomimes a drink, beckons, and wanders a several steps in the direction of the Drunken Dragon, pausing to see if they follow.
A rather diresputable man wanders up to the mime. "Sausage ina Bun? Totally organic. Totally... delicious... yes..." He smiles a rather toothless smile. "Only tw...three shillings."
The Mime screws up her face, shakes her head, and shoos Dibbler away.
"Right you are then miss, right you are... What about you two... errr..." The vendor looks the humanoid over. "A nice ingot maybe? Nothing but pure cop---errr---iron. Right, iron. Thr...five shillings."
Aeo couldn't believe his luck. A guy motivated purely by doing good and helping others, the stuff legends were made of and he was just sitting here in a bar.
"You mean you're bard bait?" Aeo smiled. "AWESOME! You guys always have the best adventures! Need a warlock to make things go splat at a distance?" Before the stranger could even respond Aeo was giggling madly while introducing himself. "Name's Aeo Dall by the way, what would be yours?"
The smaller of the two huge artificial people noticed the costumed woman trying to get his attention. She then proceeded to make several gestures that, at first, the artificial humanoid could not make heads nor tails of, having never seen anything like this form of communication. As she walked towards a bar, and the composite thing repeatedly processed the gestures in his magical mind, he suddenly got what she's trying to to communicate.
Before he could follow, a raggled man walked up to the costumed woman and spoke to her in broken speech. She promptly whisked him away, but then he approached the artificial humanoid, and said something about an ingot of iron for money.
"Um...no, thank you. I already have some iron. Thank you for the offer, though." He said, looking down at the man from at least a good foot above his head. He then quickly turned and called to the truly massive humanoid with the greathammer behind him to follow. The smaller one walked around the ragged man, and towards the costumed woman.
The figure turned and looked Aeo square in the face. With his right eye socket being made out of stone and his right eye being just a red pupil. He raised his right hand which was also made of stone.
"Baid bait no sorry, I think you got the wrong guy. Bards usually stay away from me. If you gonna help this town then I guess we'll work together. My name is Tarson Hunter"
Tarson went back to looking out the window and saw two metal golems standing outside "talking" with a mime, and it looked like they where gonna be coming into the bar.
"Great just what this places needs. Mimes"
Tarson then looked back at Aeo.
"Don't go thinking I'm a hero or something. I'm just helping cause I got nothing else to do and this will give me some exercise"
Cedric started walking around the bar, giving out autographs. He settled at the bar after a little while, striking up a conversation with a rather comely young lass. Paul, meanwhile, sipped from a fresh mug of ale.
Aeo was about to respond when he looked out and saw the two large golem like creatures.
"Well... um... sorry about the bard bait thing then..." Aeo tried to continue talking, but his attention was continually diverted. "Man that big one looks like he could plow me through the floor boards." He shook the thoughts off. "Anyway, I'm always looking for an adventure and helping out here turned out to be my next one." Aeo smiled as the barmaid caught his attention with his order at his old seat. "You don't mind if I sit and eat here, do you?"
The Mime and her two new acquaintances arrive at the door to the Drunken Dragon, where she pauses to look the two over.
Biting her lip, she considers her options. Finally, she points to the door, and then to the larger of the two creatures, and puts her hands up with a confused look on her face.
She then waits for the smaller of the two creatures to speak.
The barmaid returns with a glass of honey wine and a small kettle of tea, Aire smiled slightly and made note not to give the lass a multiple choice order again.
The tossing of the drunk was a nice bit of amusement and she nodded approvingly.
In all the conversation, she managed to catch one about a power man with an infected boil. She stood quickly, quite the feat for someone in plate armor, and crossed the short distance to the table where two men sat. One was about to rub an unhealthy amount of dirt on a festering wound of a boil when Aire ceased the man's hand.
"Hold young master, dirt will only cause more harm, let me."
Expending a small amount of light magic, Aire healed the man's ailment without much effort.
"There you are, next time was the area with clean water and apply a hot compress..."
The faerie elf would have continued, but her pointy ears perked up at the mention of the word Mime.
"Oh a mime! They are masters of the difficult and somewhat forbidden spatial magics and arts. They are fabulous!"
Again, the smaller of the two was temproarily confused by the mute woman. However, even though he had never seen comunication like this, he was catching on quickly.
"Oh, him?" He said, pointing at the massive one behind him. "Oh, he doesn't go into most buildings, as you can see, he's often taller than the roof itself. He usually waits outside. Don't worry, he doesn't mind." The humongous one made no noise or movements, almost like a statue. His red light-eyes seemed totally focused.
"Anyway, shall we enter the establishment?"
The smaller one, but still much bigger than anyone else around, ducked a little and pushed the door to the bar open to a nice ruckus of merry chattering and music. However, even though his appearence in the town seemed to go unnoticed, thanks to the performers, his far from unobtrusive entry into the bar was certain to at least cause one of those sudden and complete silences.
The mime slips into the bar behind her unconventional companion. Noting the awkward silence, she pulls out some small beanbags and juggles for a few moments, stealing and returning the odd bits of silverwear, jewelry, hats, and other assorted knick nacks for the (hopeful) amusement of the crowd.
Taking advantage of the opportunity to wander, she studies the patrons of the bar, then finishes her act, bowing with a florish, and sits down at a table near the metal golem, gives him a wink and a smile, and offers him a seat.
The bar does quiet some as the golem enters. However, when it appears as though there's nothing interesting going to come of it entering the bar, everyone goes back to their conversations.
Cedric tips the mime 15p, and whispers a mention of an late night interlude, should she be interested.
Tarson gestured his hand from Aeo to the table.
"Do what you like. Not my bar"
The large golem-like thing stood around as he watched the infinitely odd woman do some more performances around the bar, before settling at a nearby table. The artificial humanoid walked over to the table, and leaned over it. "Thank you very much, but I don't need to sit. Most chairs that aren't metal can't hold my weight anyway." He said.
One of the bar windows was completely filled by a huge metal head looking in from the outside.
"Thanks." Aeo said as he rushed back over to his table and took his meal from the serving girl and quickly came back and sat down. "So Tarson, I've only heard some rumors so far, but I keep hearing things about goblins and other such beasties roaming around. How about you, you hear anything besides that?" He chewed on his jerky while he listened for Tarson's response and watched the lady mime and the golem.
Tarson just shook his head.
"I just heard there was a town under attack near where I was so I figure I would come this way. I'm sure we'll find out all the info we need at the meeting"
In the same dark corner again, Bocks appears, and the monkeys collar a table (literally - they have a collar with a label saying "ours" on it, and they've attached it around the table leg) to collect beers and chat around.
One of the monkeys (the pretentious prat, again) notices the Mime across the bar, and nudges the others, pointing and chattering. One of the others leaves his beer (which promptly gets downed by one of the ones left around the table) and goes back inside the box, coming back with another piece of paper, which he takes across the bar to the Mime, by the simple effort of leaping up into the rafters and scampering across. Once he reaches the Mime, he hangs down from the rafters by his tail in front of her, and hands her the folded paper. Once she takes it, he bows (upside down, of course) and scampers back across to his table.
... Where he promptly goes into a screaming rage fit over his now empty glass, and grabs the two nearest monkeys (neither of whom had anything to do with it) by the head, all three toppling back into the box...
The large golem-like person leaning over the table watched curiously as another one of those monkeys hung down from the rafters and delivered yet another slip of paper to the costumed woman. He watched the moneky on it's way back to the source and, sure enough, there was that wooden box again, swarming with monkeys.
"Where does that thing keep coming from?"
A monkey pops up out of the box with another folded paper, and does the rafter trick, this time dropping down in front of the large golem.
It hands the note to him, then grabs his head in both hands, and both feet, and plants a big wet sloppy kiss on the golem's face. It pulls back, gazes at the effect for a moment, then screeches happily and let the head go, and scampers back to the box, vanishing back inside.
When the golem gets a chance to read the note, it says:
Quote
Wouldn't you like to know.
... and has a little smiley face and a tree drawn on it.
The Mime reads her note, turns, and gives a thumbs-up in the general direction of the monkey madness. She then flags down the barmaid, hands her some coin, and motions a round of drinks for the primates. She then settles in to watch and listen while the assembled crew waits for the town meeting.
The monkeys all cheer for the Mime, raise their glasses, and empty them. As the barmaid delivers the new round, a rather large pair of hands rises out of the box, grabs two of the monkeys by the head, and yanks them back inside, then reappears, followed by the sad-looking face of an orangutang.
The orangutang smiles at the barmaid, and empties each of the glasses before stealing the bowl of peanuts from the table and folding neatly backwards, falling into the box. The five monkeys appear, scream about the empty glasses, and one of them gets thrown back, with some force, into the box to get another note, and some more cash, for another round.
Fortunately, this one is left alone by the orangutang, although every so often a peanut shell flies out of the box and drops into one of the monkey's drinks...
Aire stared dreamily at the mime, watching her every move. It could be considered a bit creepy, especially since she appears to be blushing a bit.
The elf shakes herself out of whatever she happened to be pondering about mimes and focuses instead on honey wine and her tea. Hopefully this meeting would begin soon, her horse might be tied up in a fire lane.
When the monkey attached itself to the composite golem's head and planted a huge slobbery kiss, the humanoid was truely and totally at a loss for a reaction. Never had anything even remotely close this happened before! The golem-like thing just stood there in something akin to shock as the monkey left a note and swung away. Eventually, one of the thing's hands reache down and tugged a polishing cloth out of one of the pockets on his many belts, and began to wipe himself off.
"Ah...I...do not believe I like things that try to make my face rust off." He said, whether to the mime or himself was unknown. He looked down and read the message the monkey had left him.
"Not anymore." If his face could show expression, his mouth would probably be a grim slash.
As the sun slowly slid down toward the horizon, a dark figure walked down the road. The figure was cloaked in a deeply black robe, with a hood that hid most of the figure's face. The pack on it's back occasionally squelled or swung randomly. It was a normal height for humans, but it smelled like a corpse. It was talking in a loud male voice, even though no one was around for miles. "It'll be night soon. I think that the town is nearby though, if that map was right. Good thing I ate this afternoon. Still, I'm a bit worried that this will turn out like last time."
Once he reached the gate, he noticed a grumpled piece of paper. Picking it up, he straightened and read about a town meeting taking place this night. "Good, this is the right town and I made it here in time," he said. The large cavaran in the streets held the people's attention, and even those who saw him didn't react beyond a slight turn of the head. Even so, he pulled his hood farther over his face, both to hide his eye and the metal plate bolted to the right side of his face. He saw that a certain tavern was getting quite a bit of business. He noticed a mamonth golem of some sort, sitting outside that same tavern. "That place seems a good place to wait till the meeting."
He entered and looked around. On the stage, a show was taking place but the interesting characters were in the crowd. Another of those golems though this one was smaller was talking to a mime, a muscle bound human with a stone arm next to a looked like a warlock, a paladin or was that a dragoon, and several chittering monkeys hovering around a box or messing with the patrons. "These must be the heros who heard the summons. Interesting." He finally sat near the door and when the waitress came to him, he requested only some plain bread.
The Mime pats the golem's hand reassuringly and smiles.
She then shoots a sidelong glance at the elf creature across the room that seems to be drooling in her general direction, estimating the amount of time she would have for a getaway.
On stage at the Drunken Dragon, a new puppet act takes the stage: Claudia and Isabella, Magic Marionettes. Cedric, of course, has a seat right up by the stage, watching the show dreamily.
-----
Outside the tavern, for any that are aware, a small ruckus has been kicked up between a one of the traveling entertainers and a townsperson. Apparently, from the sound of the argument, the townsfolk is looking for his daughter, who, he says, left home to join the traveling entertainers. He's trying to get her back before the caravan leaves after the Town Hall meeting, but the head of the caravan swears that the girl isn't with them...
A crow pick a crumpled paper, what had been a notice about town meeting, from the ground to it's peck and flew on a boy's shoulder. "What's this?" Amrita said and took the paper from the bird. "Oh, this'll mean that more people are probably coming to fight the monsters, won't it?" He asked from the crow. Armita wasn't good at working in gangs or teams. The only party that he knew was a pack of animated dead, where he would be in charge of their every move and action. Letting them roam free just lead into chaos. "This might mean that we'll just have to compr..." He didn't had time to finish, when a local citizen almost smacked him with his hand, causing the crow to jump into flight and giving out a loud shriek. The man and the person opposite to him, who was wearing a lot more colorful clothing, were apparently having an argument about some "daughter".
A stranger enters the town in dark clothes a hood covering his head. He's a little winded but happy. He'd traveled a very long way in a relatively short amount of time but then that was normal. After all once he'd sold his chosen goods he was no longer need in town and it was time to pick up more before moving to star over in a new town. He smiled as he wondered how many more rare and semi legendary artifacts he could sell before they stopped buying them altogether. The gullible public always looking for something powerful that would make there fortune for a cheep price. never wanting to work for it.
Haggling over everything thing. 'sell me a staff that will make water form the very air that i might water my fields.' one would beg the haggle trying to avoid paying anywhere near the worth of such a staff. in the end when he broke and sold it for barely a weeks lodges at the local inn they would go and test it. It would work ant they would be happy but there was a new saying out let the buyer be ware. HE would make that saying famous on these fools. he chuckled. soon that poor guy that when to cheat would realize that his stiff was drying up the wells near him. then of course his neighbors would be mad at him and he'd blame the merchant but the merchant was already long gone.
Still all in all he'd made a pretty good hall with his last group of sells. especially that last one. He smiled and he fondles his fee. sure it would work. He never sold anything that didn't work but he may neglect to mention certain things. Like that a protection charm that was part of and amulet he sold would work less and less each time it was used and soon the amulet would be nothing more than shiny bobble. He grins to himself as he weight his fee in his hand. He could have provided a better quality one had the man not been so cheep. But that was the past and now it was time to start again. Grinning so that his teeth might show white against the darkness his hood cast over his face he and walked around looking for a a large gathering of people. That would tell him what the town was like. That would tell him who to sell to, and who to rip off.
As the argument between the townsperson and the entertainer grew more heated, other performers from the group stopped what they were doing and turned to stare.
Then the townsperson struck the entertainer.
The quiet that filled the town square was deafening (almost magic, but, anyone that was paying attention would have noticed it was not, after all, magic).
That was when things got dicey, and a fight broke... well, when you consider how many people were in the town square, fracas or even battle might have been a more applicable term.
Armita saw the swing. He had the best seat in the whole town. He tried to calm the man, but he was good as air to him. The crows started shrieking nervously, for they knew what was about to be set loose and they know who would be in the middle of all that.
Armita dodged few punches from two locals. Apparently they thought him as an easy opponent, considering Armita's age and all. This was bad. "Either you get yourself beaten to bloody plup, or you kill these two. These are your options" He thought. He's crappy spear didn't wasn't goo enough to cut bread, much less to be any use in a real battle. It'd do no good to wield in now. "No wait!" He started, but received a punch to his chest that was followed another one to his chin. While laying on the ground, the magic started whispering in his mind. Telling him what he could do to these people. Showing him the nightmares that were all too familiar...
Tarson saw the punch and the resualting brawl. He stoud up and made his way out the door.
"Damnit"
He walked towards the crowd. He simple started pulling people apart, throwing them apart where needed. He walked to a stage and got on it. He put his right arm in the air. He pulled his sleeve on that arm down and symbols started to glow on his arm. He stoud there stareing at the crowd as he discharged elcetricity from his arm. It arch from metal pole to metal pole around the crowd. It was big enough to get everyone's attention and hopefully get them to stop. He roared in a rather loud voice.
"ALL OF YOU PEOLPE QUIT IT! OR SO HELP ME THE NEXT PERSON TO THROW A PUNCH WILL GET ELECTRICUTED! I WANT THE TWO THAT STARTED THIS FIGHT UP HERE WITH ME! NOW!!!"
Tarson kept his arm in the air with electricity arching into the air. He glared at the crowd with a rather ominious hazel eye. His red eye glowed abit to enhance the stare.
Aeo was pulled from his meal by Tarson suddenly leaving. He quickly grabbed his food and shouted a quick "I'll be right back!"
As he got outside he saw Tarson holding aloft an electric spell and people in the town square were sprawled out like a fight had taken place. He blinked twice before noticing a young man on the ground. He walked over and shook his shoulder's gently to see if he was awake.
"You ok kiddo?" Aeo asked.
The two that began the fight sheepishly got on stage.
"L-look, I know it was him. Every time they come into town, some daughter of one of the townsfolk goes missing. I've kept an eye out, but I never thought it could be true. Then my daughter disappears, right as they come to town. I mean, really. It makes sense!"
The entertainer throws up his hands. "As if we'd take someone's child. We have no need to take from the town. People join of their own free will, and are free to leave whenever they want. Thinking we'er behind this is... it's rubbish!"
The farmer glares at the entertainer.
Tarson looked at the entrainer.
"Then you wouldn't mind if the father and authorities where to search you camp then? I'm not trying to be a jerk here but this man *points to the farmer with his human hand* is cleanly freaking out that is daughter is missing and thinks she joined with you"
Tarson then looked at the father.
"You, what does you daughter look like and where did you last see her? At your house, in the town, where"
Tarson slowly lowered his right arm and looked at the two standing before him. He seemed to have turned from crowd control to mediator fairly quickly. He then turned to the entertainer.
"I'm not saying you did take her but it might be easier to show him your camp where you guys are staying for him to see for himself that his daughter isn't be there. Also she may be there without you knowing it"
Tarson's voice seemed to almost have a softness to it while he spoke to the two. Although he did keep his right arm in between the two to make sure they didn't try and start it up again.
The Entertainer meet Tarson's gaze. "The town officials are going to end up search our caravan anyway, just to tax whatever we made. It makes life easier and faster for us, so be my guest. But you won't find her. Whoever she is, I doubt we have her. And, even if we do, it's not as if we 'stole' her. She is free to come and go as she pleases, as is anyone that joins our caravan."
Tarson shook his head at the Entertainer.
"I'm not saying you stole her. Her father said that. If she is there he can talk to her and find out what's going on. I'm not passing judgement. There is just no need for this fighting *looks at the father* I just want this stuff figured out. *Then looks back at the entertainer* I tell you what. Instead of the authorities how about I come with you and the father and we'll see if she is there"
Tarson then looked at the father.
"If she is no flying off on the handle at her. That will just make things worse. Depending on her age it's her decision, how old is she by the way. Also what does she look like"
He then looked from one to the other.
"Now if you both agree to that we can leave now. I would like to be back in time for the town meeting"
Tarson waiting for the two's answer by it was clear he wanted to get moving.
As the fight in the town square breaks up, the bell on the town hall begins to ring. A couple of town guards circulate, telling everyone that the town meeting will begin in an hour's time. From the conversations around the square, it sounds like this meeting just might be standing room only.
Small swirls of differing temperature currents drifted about in her glass. A fine tea is savored, but not so long as to go cold. Thoughts once again drifted to contemplation of mimes, but she was quickly roused from her daydream by the commotion outside.
Through the tavern and out into the street she went, but by the time she had reached the site of altercation, the ruckus had broken up. She had missed Tarson's handling of the issue and was somewhat perplexed.
Approaching a town guard, the faerie elven dame posed a question, "What happened here guardsman? Nothing too troublesome I hope?"
While the figure waited for the bread for his meals, he watched the spectacle outside involving the stone-enchanced human, who had called himself "Tarson," and the other two, he quarled with himself over whether he should follow Tarson to the caravan's camp or if that would take too much time and make him miss the town meeting that was fast approaching.
"I can not miss that meeting. It could be my chance at getting a successful run with this heroing business. At the same time, I might be able with that daughter situation. That would be somewhat herioc, if minor. But it would help establish me as good, caring Undead-" Then he saw that Tiefling warlock help an injured young townsperson. That would allow him to make the meeting and do a heroic deed.
As soon as his server arrived, he paid her and slipped a slice of the bread into his pack. That business done, he went over to the Tiefling and said, "Hello. Is there some way I can help you with this child, Tiefling?"
Aeo scrunched his nose as he heard the voice ask if the boy needed help.
"I dunno I just followed my new half stone buddy out here and found him lying on the ground. Looks like he took a few good punches though." Aeo sighed as he bit some his jerky and looked the young man over. "Yo buddy, wake up!" He was now face to face with the young man.
Enigma walked among the people listening to there conversations where he could do so unobserved. there was time before the town meeting and that meant time to find out what was going on. after all town meeting were not called all the time. Something had either happened or was happening in this town and that meant opportunity. perhaps he could sell some good wears to this people if they meet the right price. for now he would watch the half stone man and the guy trying to wake him up. There was surely something more to this then he had seen.
Armita looked his surroundings. The ground was covered with bloody flesh and bones so tightly that it could have very well be made out of it. Huge spires made out from skulls and bones tried to reach the sky where ever he turned his head. Everything was illuminated by eerie light that seemed to come from nowhere. This was a mindscape. His own mindscape. He knew the place well. The only seemingly living things, besides himself, were the thousand and thousands of crows that covered the sky. They did not fly, but just howered cloud like, uninterested about anything.
"You could have killed them, you know." A skull few meters away from Armita spoke to him. "You wouldn't need to take that crap from anyone." It continued with a crude grin on what used to be it's face.
"These people don't deserve death. They are just scared and tired. I just want to help them."
"Everyone deserves to die. Life itself is a sin that..."
"SHUT UP! I have no reason to kill anyone just be cause you think they are wrong!"
"Is that what you honestly think?" Asked another skull from a different direction.
"...yes"
"The people are greedy, thin-skinned, weaklings, who care no one but their own kind. You are strong, for you control the dead and entities tied to death. It is time to end your childish play and embrace the way of necromancy...
"No. I am not a necromancer. I am a battle mage! You hear me! I will do by my own will NOT YOURS!!"
Armita came to. Before him, at very close range, one might say, he saw a red headed face with a pair of sharp ears and a pair of horns.
"Great plague! A demon in a flesh!" he spoke out loud. For a moment of thought, he realized that this was no demon, but a Tiefling. Armita had heard such creatures only in tales and they were rarely spoken with kindness. A quick glare around him told that the fight was already over. Had he been knocked out cold? The to locals were nowhere to be seen. A large man was speaking with the townsman and the other fellow who he had been fighting with. There was something strange with this character. Almost as if we wasn't fully alive. Before he could draw any certain conclusions, something else caught his awareness. An undead. Behind the tiefling, by a some sort of tavern.
As the townspeople slowly start filling into the town hall and milling about, there is a trumpet blast from another part of the town. The sound of horses can be heard. From his manor, the baron rides into town, with four guards. They go around to the rear of the town hall and enter through a back entrance.
At the sound of the trumpet blast from outside, the monkeys all look up, then finish their beers, and swipe the replacement bowl of nuts the barmaid left, before vanishing into the depths of the box.
Mere moments later, when everyone is looking the other way, Bocks is gone, and instead, is inside the town hall, at one end of the stage, acting as a step onto the area where the podium is set up.
Standing in the back of the hall Enigma waited. he'd not learned even half of what he wanted before the meet though he'd seen some interesting characters. including a group of monkeys that seemed to live in an imaginary crate of some kind. at first he'd thong it a trick but the crate seemed to be something more then it appeared. perhaps he could acquire it for himself somehow.
Aeo's face faltered slightly. Tiefling was acceptable, horn boy or goat guy he could tolerate, but no tiefling liked being called a demon unless they were a complete sadist. Which he was most definitetly not.
"Kind of uncalled for there, don't ya think?" Aeo said, his voice spattered with a shade of annoyance and some anger. He then stood up and offered the young man his hand. "Name's Aeo, you ok?"
Tarson walked up next to Aeo with the hood on his sweatshirt up and his hands in the pouch of his sweatshirt. He doesn't look at him or anything just walks up next to him while he his help the young man on the ground.
"What'd I miss?"
Tarson then looked over at the town hall.
"Looks likes the meeting is about to start"
Tarson then looked at the people around Aeo then back at Aeo.
"Made some new friends I see?"
The composite golem inside the bar heard the town bell ring, and guards go around to announce a 'town meeting'. He had never attended one, of course, so he thought it might be interesting. "I'll be right back," he said to the mime. He then walked to the door outside and stepped out for a moment. "I'll be gone a little longer." he said to the massive golem-like thing outside. It merely grunted in acknowledgement.
The smaller one then went back into the bar, to the mime. "Shall we?" He asked, pointing towards the town hall.
The way that the human child had stared at the undead unnerved him slightly,though he was unsure why. The time till the town meeting was quickly falling, but with the arrival of this Tarson, the undead decided that he should say hello. After all, if Tarson and the tiefling, Aeo was it?, both of which were seemed somewhat heroically inclined, were indeed friends, then he should allign himself with these two. "Hello sir. I noticed your friend helping this young human, so I offered my aid to him."
After speaking with the town guard, Aire figured the issue had been taken care of.
"Thank you guardsman, have a pleasant day." Aire's voice had taken on the lilt of tingling bells, as she turned from the guard the town bell tolled and a trumpet sounded.
Making all due haste, she slipped into the town meeting hall and took a seat up close. Her movement and presence were hard to discern from the hustle and bustle of the hall and she found that the old woman she had taken a seat next to seemed to be surprised to find her sitting there. The surprise turned to barely concealed disgust as the woman's narrow stare found her pointed ears and unusual colored hair.
Not everyone appreciated elves, especially those of faerie blood.
"I... what?" Started Armita. The care that Aeon showed to him was perhaps the more shocking that his appearance. "Oh, thanks. Just few bruises.I've been through worst. Didn't mean to offend you. You just surprised me, that's all. I'm sorry but I don't have anything valuable with me." Armita picked his old spear from the ground and continued. "I'm Armita Zhelion, a battle mage and a deffender of the people." While talking, he measured two men that had next to him and Aeon. The other one was a tall man with his right hand made out from stone and nearly half of his face too. Armita didn't know what to think of him. This man wasn't even completely alive. But the other stranger in a dark robe arose his curiosity. He was clearly undead, there was no questioning of that, for Armita had spend more time with the kinds of him than with the living.
"Oh! the meeting!"
Tarson shook his head under his hood.
"Ah good to know"
Tarson's tone was rather flat, almost as it he didn't really care. Tarson started to slip into the crowd in front of them.
"Time for the meeting. I assume that's what you two are here for"
Aeo just smiled. "No problem kiddo." Then the town meeting started with the not so distant trumpet blast called the meeting to order. "Ohh..." Aeo groaned. "I'm gonna miss my meal, oh well adventure calls!" Aeo unhooked his mace and touched the activation glyph that engulfed the weapon's head in flame and he sprinted quickly towards the building and then stopped. He then quickly doused the flaming mace and hooked it back on his belt.
He could feel the creeping sense of light magic from the inside, a magic that usually drove most tieflings into itching or sneezing fits as they had an "allergy" to it. Aeo was no exception and he moped until Tarson or Armita arrived. He didn't want to enter with out at least one of them nearby, if only because they were more likely than anyone else in this town to stop a rabid light magic user from ripping him apart.
The mime smiles at the golem, nods her head, and skips beside him as they work their way toward the meeting.
The undead watched Aeo's strange rush to the town hall in wonderment. Regardless, he needed to go to the town meeting himself, so he followed Tarson and answered him, "Yes, I am here for the meeting. That is where they'll discuss the monster attacks, correct?"
He looked back at the human child who had called himself Armita. The undead could barely believe that one son young was a hero, but why else would the child be interested in the town meeting? Something else about him troubled the undead, Armita said he was a battle-mage, but the undead doubted that for some reason. The child seemed to show signs of necromancy.
Tarson shrugged to undead's question.
"Iunno but that's where everyone is going"
"So..." Armita began "...Are you here to save this town as well?" The question was pointed to two hooded man in front of him. "The tiefling sure seems to be willing to help."
Inside the Town Hall:
"I all this meeting to order. Many of you know me, but, for the faces in the crowd that I don't recognize, I'm Elder Grayborn. Unless the Baron has nay objection, I'll be leading this meeting."
Those watching can see the Lord Shake his head, with a smile.
"Good, so let's begin. We're here to discuss the hiring or a hero or heroes to help rid our land of all the evil creatures that have been invading."
"One of them stole my cow," a farmer in the middle of the Hall shouted.
"Yes, Eric, we know. We watched it fly off with the cow, remember."
"It was a good cow," Eric said.
"Yes, well-"
"When I do get compensation for my cow. She was a good cow!"
"Heroes, folks. We need to hire heroes. Our resources aren't vast, but, from what we have, we've been able to pull together about a hundred quid. What we need are heroes, who I can only guess are out in the crowd. So... do we have any volunteers?"
The "step" spawns a monkey carrying a note, and then another one, which overtakes the first, halfway across the stage. The two get into a quick "discussion" over which of them gets to deliver the note, which rapidly devolves into an all-out screaming brawl, with the note on the stage next to them.
While the two of them are biting each other's ears, the orangutang rises from the step, and mournfully moves past the fracas, picking up the note and delivering it to the Lord, before returning to the brawl, reach into it and grabbing both monkeys by the head, and throwing them back into the box, and following them back into it.
The Lord reads the note, which says:
Quote
I bid one fifty.
Tarson yelled from near the door.
"What kind of creatures we talking about here?"
Tarson didn't make any moves towards the stage but simple leaned a bit against the wall by the door. He shook his head as the monkeys and orangutang took the stage.
He spoke more so to himself than to anyone else.
"Who needs a barrel it seems we have a box full of monkeys"
The elder reads the note, then looks up. "Well, we somehow have a bid of 150. I'm not sure who owns the monkeys, but we'll log your bid. If your bid is the lowest, we can discuss terms... once you reveal yourself.
"To answer the question from the back of room, we honestly don't know. We've seen goblins and ogres, and the occasional dragon... or at least, we thought they were dragons. Flying lizards that can breathe fire. But we just don't know if that's the worst of it, or if there's more."
"I think they're creatures sent from the heavens!" It was the same farmer again.
"Eric, why on Earth would creatures from the Heavens visit our town?"
"They took my cow!"
The elder rolls his eyes.
"Creatures love to steal cows..." Eric mumbles.
Once more, the box opens up and a monkey climbs out - alone, this time. It heads over to the elder and hands over another note, bows, and climbs back into the box.
The note reads:
Quote
Can we try staking out Eric to either drive them away, or attract them for easy disposal?
Aeo snuck in and stood quietly next to Tarson, purposely avoiding eye contact with anyone from the direction he sensed the light magic. He didn't want to start anything accidental or not. then he heard Tarson's comment and gave a light giggle.
"Good one." He smiled.
Then he drew attention to himself and asked. "Hey do you know if there are any dark wizards or other such evil magic users?" He realized how awkward the question would be to the others since it was coming from a tiefling and he blushed lightly.
"Again, we don't know. There's no one here with any kind of magical skills, so detecting if there's a sorcerer in the area is beyond our means."
The Elder looks at the note. "We are not using our citizenry as bait."
The Elder looks around. "Do we have an more bids or volunteers?"
Tarson chuckles a bit from the back of the room.
"Orcs, Orges and Dragons huh. Sounds like fun. Count me in"
The undead was unsure exactly how this was supposed to go, but it seemed that any hero interested was to volunteer himself vocally. The elders did not seem to know much about the situation than the obvious. The undead wondered how large this was. Goblins banding together and harassing towns wasn't odd and sometimes they had ogres with them, but dragons? That implied bigger powers behind these attacks.
Regardless, this was the first place that the undead felt that he could have a chance at heroing so he would have to say something. He had been standing near the wall, trying to keep out of sight, but he stepped forward and spoke. "I volunteer my services for this task."
"Count me in to aid the cause." Aeo said with a nervous smile. He loved adventure, but not knowing your enemy was something he learned could end an adventurer really fast.
Once more, a monkey rolls out of the box and scurries over to the elder, delivering (surprise surprise) yet another slip of paper.
This one reads:
Quote
You have no sense of humour.
We're in. Speak to my representative.
P.S. How about if we bribe you?
"I can help too" Said Armita. "I know I look young, but I've been in few bigger battles and I don't need that much money." Despite his brave words, with his spear and poor clothing, Armita didn't look like a pro hero.
An elven maid with short pink hair and emerald green eyes stood from her seat, she looked rather commanding in gleaming silver plate, "As a representative of the Guardian knights, I will... see justice is ..."
When she began the conversation her eyes burned with determination, but as eyes turned towards her, as attention was drawn, that fire burned away. She hesitated and a red flush filled her cheeks, swallowing she finished her statement in a voice barely more then that of a mouse.
"done. I volunteer." She remained standing.
The composite humanoid had gotten into the auditorium with the mime, and hung in the back, behind everyone as visually inconspicuous as possible. Even though he was the 'smaller' of the two (the other of which was still outside), he still towered above everyone else in the room. He listened to the speakers, now througholy puzzled as to why they never attacked him or his partner when they have already been beset by many dangers. Nevertheless, he wasn't one to complain, and realized that for the first time in almost two years, he might actually have a purpose again.
"Excuse me," He said, his voiced echoing just short of booming around the auditorium, "Could you possibly accept aid from constructs such as myself and my counterpart?"
The mime shrugs, reaches for something unseen on her head with both hands, and lifts it carefully. She looks it over, brushes it off, and then tosses it, carefully watching where it lands.
Anyone who happens to look will see that there is a fetching fedora shimmering merrily on the floor.
"Excellent," the Elder said. "We have volunteers."
It was at this point that the Baron stood. "You adventure is going to be perilous, that is certain. With the number of heroes that have taken up this cause, I don't want it to seem like you will have to share a small payment, even though it's all the townsfolk can afford. It is generous for them, make no mistake, but I can be more generous still. As such, I will offer 300 to each of the members of the team of heroes that is able to end this blight on our lands. I will also graciously bestow a plot of land from my own lands to each of those heroes."
There is great applause through the Town Hall. The baron sits.
"I greatly appreciate for what the Baron is doing," the Elder states. "I will leave it up to the heroes who have volunteered to decide how they will organize themselves, and if they are going to be working as a whole, or simply break up into smaller teams.
"For all that have thrown their hat into the ring" the Elder nods at the Mime, "I say thank you. If there's no other business-"
Eric starts to speak up, but is cut off by the Elder. "-besides missing cows, then I call this meeting adjourned."
Tarson just looked at the stage and shook his head.
"I don't plan to stick around after this, so you can keep your land. So does anyone happen to have any idea where a Goblin or Orc camp might be? I'd rather not wait around a farm for a cow to get stolen"
The Elder gives Tarson a look. "I don't really know. Most of us just figured they came from the outlying lands."
I man on the other side of the room stands up. "I'm a trapper. I've run into a few of the goblin camps around the southern region, where the forests begin to give way into the hills. If I were to hazard a guess, that wouldn't be a bad place to start."
Armita turned to face Tarson. "I-I can do this scrying spell that gives a a good image of the surrounding areas. T he only down side of it, is that It's going to take almost a whole day to perform." Armita shrugged
Tarson shook his head at Armita's question.
"No thanks, I haven't done some hunting in a while. This should be fun"
Tarson looked at the man that stood.
"The south you say? That's a start"
With that Tarson turned and began to walked out the door. He stopped just before going out the door.
"Anyone that wants to get this underway I suggest you get moving as well. I don't plan on sticking around"
Tarson then walked out the door and stopped about 20 feet from the town hall door and turned around. He stood there with his arms crossed.
"I'll give them a minute or so"
Enigma decide it was time to speak up. "Well now this sounds interesting. If you really want to succeed in this mission then might i suggest you invest that 100 quid in some magical artifacts. I only suggest that since it seems that most of these dashing hero's and heroine's are more then willing to help you for free." he grinned " in return you help them succeed in their mission. heck I'll even demonstrate the artifacts i have for sell and if you make it worth my while I'll tag alone and help out." Enigma bowed magnanimously . " But like all things that too has a price."
Aeo took less than a second to follow and stand next to Tarson. "So I take it we'll be leaving soon? Mind if I go buy some supplies for the trip?"
The composite humaoind looked around at all the others who apparently had answered the call first. He watched them as they walked outside and one of them, a human with a stone arm, seemed to quickly take leadership, or at least authority. The golem-like person looked down to the costumed woman and pointed in his direction. He then walked outside toward the man. As he did so, he gave a short call, and rather quickly, a very large composite humanoid carrying beastly greathammer walked up beside him.
The pair stopped beside the stone-armed man, their heavy footsteps giving the ground some very nice shakes. "Hello, stone-armed person." The smaller one said (though still looking down at the person from half-a-foot up), as pleasantly as possible. "You seem to be taking charge of the upcoming expidition. Would you be willing to accept aid from two constructs such as ourselves?"
Armita followed Aeon. "So, where did you got that mace? It looks pretty powerful."
Tarson looked at Aeo and gestured towards the shops.
"Got ten minutes"
Tarson looked at the constructs that walked up to him. He shrugged after the smaller one spoke.
"Name's Tarson, I wouldn't say I'm taking charge. I just don't like waiting around when people are in trouble. If you want to come, come. You two can think for yourselves right? Don't need my permission"
The undead decided that it would be best to work in a group against these monsters, and he had become acquainted with Aeo and Tarson, and most of the others seem to collect around Tarson, so it seemed natural to go with him. The undead moved over to Tarson and said, "I would like to accompy you, sir."
The undead had enough food to last him a couple of days, and whatever was in stores would not be of any use to him. Besides, he could catch what he needed on the road. "I am ready to leave whenever you call."
Tarson looked somewhat annoyed at the undead.
"Let's get this straight, my name is Tarson. Nothing else. I'm gonna tell you the samething I told Tank *gestures to the big guy with the warhammer* and him *gestures to the smaller guy*. I assume you can think for yourself, so if you wanna go then go. I plan to leave in about 10 minutes or so"
Tarson looked at the group forming in front of him.
"You all have names right? If we're gonna be traveling together I need to know what to call you"
The pretentious prat monkey wanders out, picks up the hat the Mime left on the floor, and puts it on, before moseying across to her and sweeping it off to bow to her.
He returns the hat to his head, and extends an elbow to her, waving his other hand to indicate they should proceed towards the box, for no readily apparent reason.
If the smaller one could frown, he probably would have. When...Tarson...asked if they could think for themselves, the honest answer is 'mostly'. Though their father did succeed in making his constructs partially alive, they were still contructs. Though they did have sentience and free will, they often found it much easier to function if they had orders, or at the very least some from of direction.
However, if he could brighten up, he probably would have done that too, when Tarson was speaking to the undead person and referred to them. "Actually, we don't have names...Tarson. Our names died with out father. All we have now are our serial numbers. But, you just gave him his name." The smaller construct motioned to the big one, "Tank. Though he honestly does not mind what anyone calls him, we can use that for now. Do you like that name, Tank?'
The big one took a moment to answer, in a super-deep boom-voice. "...It works."
The smaller one looked back to Tarson. "Well, that's settled. I, on the other hand, am a little more particular. I don't have a real name right now, and I want to find one that truly suits me. When I get my name, it will be my identity. I want it to be a good one. For now, my serial number is DFX-28. You may call me DFX, or some derivative thereof, or Twenty-Eight."
"Coool...." Aeo smiled when 28 finished. Aeo then turned to Armita. "It's not really all that powerful, mostly for looks and it can burn people. But I got it from an adventuring group I had a few years back. The mage in it decided that my mace was to boring and gave it some flavor. He was a fun guy." Aeo then turned towards the general store in the town. "Wanna come help me get some supplies?"
Tarson shrugged when DFX finished speaking and looked at the big guy.
"Glad I could help. It was either that or Siege. Tank sounded better"
Tarson then looked at DFX.
"DFX huh? Sounds kinda like Dex to me but I'll call yeah DFX until we figure out what ya name is"
The undead looked at the two constructs, DFX and Tank, and nodded. The undead thought of his answer Tarson's question. It took him a bit before he could remember. He muttered to himself,"How long has it been since I've given my name to someone? How long has it been since I've needed a name?"
Then, when he had recalled, he said "I had the name Alcir once. Yes, Alcir Dalstone. So you may call me Alcir."
Aire curtsied respectfully to the baron, "your reward is generous my lord, but I do not need land. I am a knight, my service is to the kingdom."
She curtsied again and followed the others outside. The volunteers were gathering and discussing, a good sign that this lot were not amateurs like the last she had accompanied.
Without word to any of them, but a brief nod to Tarson, she turned a whistled towards the tavern. A short distance away, a horse whinnied. Galloping into view, the beast stopped short of the elf maiden and dipped his head in acknowledgment of the one who was master.
Aire placed her left hand on his forehead and with her right hand balled into a fist, touched her chest in acceptance of his vow. Wordlessly, she drew the Light rifle from its saddle sheath and gave it a quick once over.
"We should move when you are all ready."
Tarson looks at Alcir as he spoke.
"Sounds like you haven't talked with people in a while there, Alcir"
Tarson nodded back to the elf maiden in armor. He stood in silence as the horse came up. He smile when she finished speaking then looked at the group.
"You heard the lady. Aeo get your supplies and get back here quick as you can. I think we're everyone that was planning on going. Don't know if that Mime is gonna be going"
Tarson looks at DFX.
"She give you any inclination she was coming along?"
Aeo almost freaked when he saw the elf girl. She was most definitely the source of the light magic he felt and now he was face to face with it. Although he had to admit she was exceptionally easy on the eyes. "Right Tarson, I'll be right back."
With that Aeo ran off and found the store. He entered cautiously and asked the store keep if any rations were being sold as well as canteens, he didn't bother to ask about bandages and such since there was an obvious light magic user that was seemingly joining them that and he was more than likely going to be out of money after this trip.
The Mime holds up one finger toward the monkey, and sprints outside, where she pulls gently on the golem's arm.
As he leans over, she stretches up to whisper something into his ear, the whirls, and runs back into the building, where she takes the monkey's arm and nods, solemnly.
DFX heard Tarson's question about the Mime, when she appeared by him, and whispered something to him when he leaned down.
"I don't know if...a mime, you called her?...Will actually accompany us," He started, looking back to the audiorium she went back into, "But I think we shall encounter her again."
He then looked back to Tarson. "As for supplies, I may be able to provide for some things..." DFX then took off the large pack (though proportionally normal to him), and set if on the ground. He opened up the main flap on it, and the other pockets.
Inside the large main pack, the larges things were two large bars of slightly shaped metal, one iron, one steel, secured to each side of the pack. Secured around between them, there was a small slab of obsidian, and some plates of granite. In the middle, there were several short planks of darkwood, along with a large coil of some kind of composite fiber--the same kind, in fact, that made up Tank and DFX's innards. In the various-sized pockets around the pack, there were full pouchs of organic and inorganic material, some random minor crystals, bolts and rods of various metals (mostly iron and steel, again), and some leather canteens of various liquids (mostly various kinds of oil, nothing drinkable) and a variety of other small things. One of the large(r) side-pockets had a small stack of sheets of adamantine.
"That is off-limits." DFX said as he opened that particular pocket. "It is excusively for repairing Tank, unless it is an emergency. But, if we are already in an emergency, I doubt I will have time do anything about it."
There was not much else of note in the pack.
Tarson watched the mime whisper to DFX. He watched her go back to the town hall and then DFX said they may see her again.
"Oh boy, all I need a surprise visit from a mime"
He stood there watching as DFX pulled different types of metal and such out of his bag.
"Uh I think you can keep those DFX all we really need is food and water. I'm sure we can find some on the way anyway"
"Oh..." DFX said. "In the case of fleshling foodstuffs, I cannot help." He packed everything back up and re-slung the ruksack over his back. Even though his face could show no emotion, DFX gave off a slightly...downcast demeanor.
"But if you ever need anything in regards to equipment or weapon creation, maintenace, or repair, I am your construct. I also have some magical ability, and can enchant things from time-to-time, though it is quite difficult for me...I can also identify many things, magical or mundane."
the magic were peddled whom had followed the leader apparent out smiled. " can you now?" still even if he could identify it quality varied greatly among magical objects. "if so then i think we may be spend a good deal of time talking my patchwork friend"
The pretentious prat leads the Mime across to the box, where he bids her (through sign language) to wait there a moment. He drops inside, and reappears a moment later with another note. He returns his elbow to the Mime, and they proceed back across the room to Eric, where the monkey presents him with the note. Bowing, the two then return to the box, where the monkey hands the Mime into the box, follows, waves the aht at Eric, and pulls the lid shut.
Eric looks down at the note, opens it, and reads it:
Quote
Meet you at your farm. Don't forget to show us where the cow was.
When he looks up, the box is gone.
"I do not particularly need to eat very often. I have my own foodstuffs, but I doubt any of you would find it satisfying."
Aire opens a saddle bag and produces a pouch filled with small, square wafers. "It is waybread."
She replaced the pouch within her saddle bag, ""I think it would be best if one of you collected some funds and purchased reasonable rations to suit the tastes of those that need it, or you may head off and purchase your own. There is also, of course, hunting and foraging for those skilled in these areas."
The farm itself is a small, unassuming plot of land. It is, also, a cow farm, so small and unassuming, in cow farm terms, means large tracts with little on them, so that the cows can graze in decent style.
The main "complex" of the farm itself is a small house, (one bedroom plus kitchen/living/family/whatever room), a large barn for the cows to stay in at night, and also during milking times, and a smaller building off the back for slaughtering.
As it was nearly night out, the cows were home in the barn. Things were peaceful.
As soon as Aeo finished paying for the rations he ran back to the group full speed ahead and he was pretty sure he just barely made it back. "Ok, I got everyone some leather canteens and a small bag of jerky rations." Aeo sighed. "Unfortunately the better stuff was a bit out of my price range though."
He then started to hand the rations out and stopped at the golems. "I wasn't sure if you two would need anything but I did get you some small leathers of water." He smiled as he paced the canteens around.
Tarson takes the canteen handed to him.
"Thanks"
He then looks at the group gathered before him.
"Well I thik we're all here. We all ready to go?"
Alcir said "Thank you" as he took the leather canteeen from Aeo, corked it, and put it on his belt. The water would keep his meals alive a bit longer than usual.
He turned to Tarson and replied, "Like I said, I am ready to leave."
Though he has little need for it, DFX respectfully takes the canteen and places it in the rucksack on his back. If anything, he'll be holding it for someone else.
"I too am prepared. Tank is as well."
Grelenstaad itself was built on an open area of land west of a river. It grew out of a trapping station that became a small port along the river. Once enough trappers and sailors took up residence, houses were built outside the station, taverns and shops followed. Soon enough, residents were coming for land, not trapping or selling, and the town took on less of a rustic outpost feel and became a real village.
Further west, away from the town and the river, lies open farm land that gives way to hills. The hills themselves stretch for miles before leading into the "Westward Range", an uncreatively named mountain range. It's not he biggest mountain range on the continent, but it's still a hard trek for any travelers unprepared to cross the mountains. It's rumored that there's a small dwarven empire in the mountains, but then, there's always rumors of a dwarven empire in any mountain range, so this is nothing unexpected.
Eastward, across the river in the opposite direction from the town, lies the remains of the old trappers outpost, and futher still, more farm land, this time bordered by "Crescent Lake". The kale isn't actually in the shape of a crescent at all. Instead, it's named after the story of the first baron of the town and his wife, who fell in love underneath the crescent moon on shore of the lake.
Northward from the town stretches the river which leads into "Black Lake", a Lake deep enough that no land breather has managed to swim to the bottom. Allegedly, even the merfolk that live in that lake are unable to reach bottom, instead making their home in the cliffs that make up the sides of the deep lake.
Southward, the farmlands and river lead into the "Eight Trees Forest". The forest is actually more than eight trees, of course, but it gets its name from a circle of eight trees that used to exist at the "entrance" of the forest, where the river first met the trees. Of course, that was over a hundred years ago, and the Eight Trees have since been cut down , along with a good portion of the original forest, for wood and farmland.
The Eight Trees Forest, although smaller than it used to be on a side, is still a large, forbidding forest that few, besides the trappers that still reside in the town, have really penetrated. Those that have managed to navigate its depths have spoken of the hills and the mountains beyond. These are not part of the Westward Ranger, but are the "Demon Tusks", a supposedly cursed mountain range where ghosts and ghouls live. Of course, most of that has to be rumor and fairy tales...
Aire swings up into the saddle with a slight grunt for effort. It is quite the feat to lift one's self into the saddle when wearing plate armor and she did so in one smooth action.
"Let us be off."
The elven knight walked her horse down the path aways, she was using a slow pace to allow for those without animal transportation.
Armita didn't like the elf. Not that her or his appearence was unatractive, but the feeling she/he (Armita was honestly confused which gender this person really was, and didn't dare to ask. That'd be rude) gave to him was a bit scary. Like spitting into a campfire. Armita too took the canteen that Aeon handed out. "Thanks."
He checked his spear. It's blade was notched from few places, but hopefully he wouldn't need to use it at all. "Yeah, let's." He replied to the elf's words.
Tarson pulled the hood on his shirt up over his head and placed his hands in the pouch. He didn'y say anything he just started walking. He gave Aeo a sideways look then jerked his head in the direction of Aire. He did seem to have a slight smile in the shadow of his hood as he walked behind the horse.
Aeo was quick to keep pace and he had to admit to himself that Tarson was a shade faster walker than himself. Then his mind started to wander as he eyes his new companions.
"Hey... now this isn't right." He thought to himself as the journey started. "I've got just about everyone's name except the elf although given my penchant to tick of users of light magic it's probably best I not bother her..." Then started to walk backwards and would occasionally turn his head to catch any obstacles in his way.
"Hey, Armita was it; you think you'll be ok? You look a bit nervous." Aeo asked.
Enigma decides to tag along walking behind Aeo. who knew their might be some profit in it and he could use so good vibe among the people. it's easier to sell to people when they felt indebted to you was something he learned a while back when of of his back firing charms stopped a raid on a village. the villagers were so good to him that he only sold the best of his lot to them which consisted of two fairly good charms who's worth was greater then what he sold them for but he made up the difference by relieved tom of some less then stellar charms that he sold off to a different village.
"Hmmm? Oh I'm fine" Armita replied to Aeo. "....just fine." He kept his eyes fixed on the elf.
Aeo saw Armita's eyes and trailed them to the elf. He mentally shivered.
"So the kid has a crush on the elf girl huh?" Aeo thought to himself as he rubbed his chin. He forgot to look over his shoulder and quickly tripped over his own feet, but quickly got back up without a word or even a sheepish grin. Then he dropped back to walk with Armita. The elf girl may have creeped him out, but so far she hadn't even taken much notice of his "unique" heritage. So he decided this time he was gonna use the years of lechery he'd lived to help out someone else; if only because the kid seemed so helpless to him.
"Elf girl's grabbed your interest?" Aeo whispered to Armita with an intrigued smile. "Careful, I hear they're high maintenance."
"WHAT?" Armita said bit too loud. He quickly lowered his voice. "No, nothing like that. I couldn't even that that she was a girl. The elves look all the same to me."
...
"It's just that I get this uncomfortable feeling when she speaks." he continued. "As if a noose around neck would start bitting your neck."
A single crow landed on Armita's shoulder. A couple of more were on sky.
"Listen. I... I can sense the death on people. It can be found on everyone of us, even from a child that has just escaped from her mother womb. It's like a shadow that's chained into us. But this elf. It is almost as there's no trace of death on her. To her, it is like a single leaf on a huge oak."
*sigh* Armita looked at the crow, which just stood there idly.
"It's probably nothing. She's just masking it or something."
"Oh, so she creeps you out too?" Aeo whispered a laugh. "Oh well at least I know it's because of the demon blood in my veins. Hmmm, maybe it's the light magic..." Aeo then quieted and thought on it.
"light.....magic?" From what he had read from his spell book, nearly all of the magic was based on so called 'colors'. Water versus fire. Earth versus air. Light versus Dark. The text offerend multiple explanation of why these colors were to oppose each other, but missed any genuine truth. The concept did, however, let it know that the counterparts didn't too well with each other. The book also told him that most of his spells were from the dark domain and few from earth domain. Many times he had had an aura of darkness and dread around him, but only when casting a familiar spell.
"light magic" he though.
Armita scratched his head.
"She doesn't look like a magic user. Does she?" He replied to Aeo. "More like a knight, with that armor and weapons."
"Heh, I've run into a few magic users that don't fit the typical image." Aeo smiled. "More often than not they have minimal spell usage, but I can feel the light when I get near her. Part of the reason I dropped a bit back with you."
Tarson looked over his shoulder and looked at Aeo and Armita talking and shook his head. Then he spoke rather loudly.
"Now now you two, no fighting on who gets to ask the lovely lady out on a date. We haven't even started this little excursion. Worry about that when we get back"
Tarson looks over at DFX and shrugs a bit while walking.
"Crazy kids"
DFX just looked dispassionately at Tarson at the 'crazy kids' comment. Not that his face couldn't show any emotion anyway...
"I wouldn't know." He said. "Excluding our father, Tank and I have had very limited contact with any fleshling beings. The contact that we have had is...rather unpleasant, abrupt, and very short."
Tarson nods his head at DFX and then looks forward again.
"I know how that goes"
Aeo chuckled as he tried to light the mood 28 and Tarson had suddenly made, "You know despite the horns and unholy lineage thing, I don't think I've ever been run out of a town. At least not for being different. Getting to know the innkeepers daughter a bit too well... well that might have something to do with why I usually get run out of towns."
Despite being unable to show emotion, DFX/Twenty-Eight somehow looked at Aeo with a quizzical look.
"What do you mean by knowing the inkeepers daughter? Why is knowing someone a bad thing?"
Aeo blinked. "Oh right, golem..." He rubbed his chin for a second before coming up with what he thought would be a good answer. "Basically, the methods of procreation for us fleshy beings can be used as recreation and fathers aren't to keen on their daughters doing that with just any guy. Especially tieflings." The last sentence had an edge of bitterness laced into it, as if a past experience was intertwined with it.
Aire wished for a helmet to hide her face, for the hints of crushes, even if in jest, and comment of her being a lovely lady caused her face to flush. Up until this point she had only evaluated her new companions based on tactical analysis and a small amount of aura perception.
It was not until this small amount of banter that she realized she was alone on the trail with a bunch of males. She shook her head and pushed those thoughts out, they deserved the benefit of trust until such a point where it is broken. She listened quietly until where the discussion turned towards issues of race and magic.
"It is not one's heritage that makes one evil or good, but what is carried within one's heart and laid bare through actions."
The elven lady turned halfway in her saddle, "as for magic, I am indeed a user of light magic, but I am no paladin." She briefly regarded Armita and Aeo, "dark magic or the blood of infernals does not matter, I judge actions over such things."
For a second Aeo was stunned. Truly and utterly stunned for a second he had to force himself to move forward while trying to think. Most paladins and clerics he met on the roads and in the cities were the first ones to turn and attack him, even if they gave him the "leeway" of allowing him a head start. And while he had adventured with his share of such magic users and fighters of good, they had always been uneasy with him for the longest time until he had proven himself.
He sighed.
"Then Lady Elf, I would like to apologize for my own prejudices. A large amount of my life adventuring has been spent trying to 'prove' that I am indeed simply trying to help others and most paladins and other light magic users are sometimes loathe to believe that, so in away I have been programmed by them to be afraid of light magic and it's users. I should not have judged you so swiftly, and given you the same benefit of the doubt." Aeo said, now his face looked like it should have when he tripped. "And I do believe I missed acquiring you name. Mine is Aeo Dall.
Alcir walked nearby and listened to the talk going on in the group. It was strange to the undead. While Alcir normally kept entertained with conversation, it was only with himself until now. The constant flow of different voices and opinions and inflections nearly overwhelmed him.
He noted DFX's comments on how the general populace had treated the two constructs with interest. While still keeping track of what was going on between Aeo and the elf, he moved over to DFX and spoke to the golem. "I heard that you have been having trouble with townspeople as well?
DFX was still confused when Aeo answered him. His mind tried to process the information and make sense of it; his metal jaw was even working up and down slowly, as if he was speaking silently to himself. Before he could make any further inquiries, another of the part members steered over to him. DFX was relived, he now had something else to focus on. This man was somewhat odd, wearing a heavy cloak. Looking down on him, DFX couldn't notice much else. Then DFX answered his question;
"Yes. We find it difficult to approach towns, as from a distance, we are often mistaken for invading monsters."
"...That would be mostly my fault." The massive Tank unexpectedly rumbled, his voice even heavier than his footsteps.
"Yes, as he says, a large black armored figure ten feet in height carrying a massive greathammer is apparently not a rather friendly-looking figure to fleshlings. On the rare occasion that we do managed to enter a town without incident, we find our welcomes very short, and we are soon asked to leave. It seems most fleshlings take exception and are uncomfortable around things that aren't 'fully alive'."
DFX's glowing blue eyes seemed to become...deeper, somehow, as he was walking and looking directly at the cloaked man. "But we are alive, however limited in comparison to fleshlings. That makes us no less than people, though. It was our father's greatest innovation; his greatest success. He made us as alive as an unliving construct can be."
While the group travels onward, conversing amongst themselves, another man wanders past, also towards the south. As he approaches, those paying attention can see that it's Cedric, Power and Mighty Wizard (also a hand puppet), sitting on the wrist on Paul, who is walking along briskly, whisting a jaunty tune.
Cedric himself has a little horse puppet, giving the illusion that he's riding a horse. It ever has little saddle bags and a pennant.
Paul, meanwhile, is loaded with supplies: packs, bags, and a puppet box.
Tarson walked along listening to DFX talking about Tank and himself. When he finished Tarson spoke.
"I can get into towns until most of the townspeople see my face then it's time for me to get out of town. I try to stay away from taverns, I usually get into trouble in them. When bards find out I'm there to help they want to talk to me until they get a full view of my face and hand. Then they run away"
Tarson then pulled out his right hand and flexed it abit while stareing at it.
"Better than being made as unliving as an alive human can be I would say"
Tarson pulled his hood over his face more, put his right hand back into his pocket and walked in silence. he seemed to pick up his pace a bit as well.
Aire smiled slightly as she gazed back towards Aeo, "Aireluin Silithiel, Aire for short, and as I said, I am no paladin. Many light users bend the magic to fit religious paradigms with very black and white viewpoints."
The Elven lady looked over the group and shook her head slightly, "we are something of a bunch of, dare I say, misfits. Such is quite remarkable really."
"Well Aire, it's nice to meet a light magic user who doesn't bend the magic to religious schemes." Aeo said, his fully jovial self returning. Then he heard her comment as he saw the puppet and the man. "Why is the lunatic with the hand puppet running ahead of?"
Enigma was more then a little surprised to see what he saw. Tarson was not fully human but while that was but a passing through what stuck out was his words and the fact that he seemed to be partially made of some kind of rock. he wondered how that came to be but now was not he time to ask now it was simply time to watch and learn. he would remember what he learned and if he could he would use it.
Tarson didn't even look at the puppet as he walked. He kept his eyes forward as he responded to Aeo's comment.
"Maybe he was caught getting rather friendly with someone else's puppet"
It made more sense now. This was the reason why this Tarson guy wasn't completely alive in Armita's eyes. He was partly made out of stone, or stone like substance. No wonder he was so cold all the time. Armita dropped his speed for a while to walk along side with the two of the most intresting persons, if that indeed was the correct word for those two, in the whole merry party, the constructs. He had never heard of these machines that were alive. They were indeed alive, because Armita could sense the living pulse inside them. He wondered if they could be animated.
The crows seemed to be restless on the sky. They were a bit noisy.
Aire rode a bit ahead and matched pace with the puppet and Paul, "hail there, what brings you out in this direction?"
Aire made no threatening gestures or showed any aggressive intent, she just seemed curious.
Enigma pulled up shot not wanted to bump into the patchwork man before him. the one who could see magical artifacts. they still he wondered why the mounted person in the lead would halt the person and who they were talking to.
Cedric looked over at Aire. Paul kept his eyes straight ahead and never stopped walking. "Hail, m'lady. I, the Great and Powerful Cedric, am off towards a town far to the south. My tour of the continent is never finished. I have found that people everywhere are always in need a little entertainment... or help, as this last town proved."
Cedric looked thoughtful. "I had half a mind myself to aid the town, but then you and your group banded together. Truth be told, it seemed easier to not get in the way or try my own tact, acting opposite to your plans.
"Never fear, however! Great adventure is only a stone's throw away. I'm sure I will find something worthy of a sorcerer as skilled as I."
DFX looked solemnly on the fleshling Tarson (even though his face couldn't look like anything else), who apparently wasn't as fleshling as he had initially thought. Judging by the part-fleshling's interesting turnaround of the words that DFX himself had said, he gathered it was not voluntary. DFX looked away. Would he ever see an end to the brutality of fleshlings?
Despite the argument he himself had made to Tank earlier, DFX was, not for the first time, doubting if he was right. Was it really worth it to try and seek out fleshlings who were free of such destructive madness and intolerance? Did such fleshlings even exist? DFX could not produce a definite answer to those questions. The only reason they were on this 'mission' for the town was for two reasons: they had not attacked DFX and Tank on sight, and the quest was something constructive, or at least guided, unlike their previous wandering.
Eventually, DFX came to the same conclusion that he always did when he thought about this dilemma; His father was the fleshling that created him and his kin, therefore he had a sanctity, or at the very least tolerance, for things that were different. There almost had to be someone else like him somewhere. It was not an answer to his questions, but it kept him going.
In a short amount of time, DFX also noticed that several of the fleshlings were starting to move themselves in rather close positions around DFX and Tank. That was a bad sign. DFX recognized it well. It was a standard tactic all fleshlings used before confronting the living constructs, ususally to ask them to leave or face trouble; surround them. DFX didn't even have to think about why; he had just asserted that he and Tank were alive, at least partially, and that is what most fleshlings take great offence to. If there was one thing that DFX had learned of fleshlings, it's that they don't think that anything has any right to be alive if it's not one of them.
DFX kept walking, keeping his eyes focused forward. The fiber-bundles that made up his 'innards' and 'muscles' underneath his shell tensed and tightened up, ready for a conflict. Tank just continued walking nonchalantly, or as nonchalantly as a ten-foot tall composite beast who made footprints no less than one inch deep in the ground with an impossible-not-to-notice thudding and shaking could be.
Aeo just stared at the puppet with a boggled expression. Those listening carefully could would hear Aeo mumble something under his breath about him being called strange in comparison with Cedric and Paul.
Alcir listened to what the constructs and Tarson said. He noticed their own experiences somewhat matched his own with towns. Alcir was especailly intriqued by what DFX had said about the constructs being alive. He turned to DFX as he kept walking. "Ah yes. I can sympathize to a degree. Those who are still fully alive tend not like those of us who aren't."
Alcir also tried to keep up with the other conversations in the party. He had managed to catch the elf's name, Aire, at least.
Tarson didn't seem to be paying much attention to Cedric or Paul. He just kept his same pace and didn't say much to anyone. He did look back at the others from around his hood but didn't say anything.
The leader Tarson he believed the name was looking back at them. for a moment enigma felt the urge to step behind the construct pair he'd been walking next to but suppressed it. if he was going to notice him now was as good a time as any if not then it would not matter if he stepped out of sight or not. he's picked up a few more names as well but the puppet Cedric was a bit much for his taste.
A sweatdrop appeared on Aire's forehead as the puppet regaled her with its tale. Even if he was mighty and powerful, hearing him speak of it with such an air made it seem pathetic.
Uncomfortably she scratched the back of her head and tried to give her best polite laugh without sounding too fake or forced, "your aid... will be... sorely... missed? Safe journey master sorcerer, may your paths be green and sunny till the end of your days."
Aire searched for a way to gracefully bow out of this uncomfortable conversation.
"Oh, and you as well, Lady Elf. May the forests be high, the plains fertile, and the people prosperous for all the days of your Kingdom."
Cedric looked at Paul. "I have a good feeling about today. Let's make haste, my good man, and see where the wind takes us."
And with that, the "pair" wander off down the path.
Tarson watched as Paul wondered off the path with his puppet. He shook his head and a chuckle is heard coming from under his hood.
"Why do I have a bad feeling we'll be seeing those two again in the near future"
The paths itself stretches on for a long spells. As is common among farmland plains, the path goes, seemingly, towards the horizon, only occasionally bending. It's only after a few hours of walking that the party finally reaches the low hills outlying the dark forest that is the destination.
The sky has become dark, and the first of the stars begin to appear in the sky.
As the party moved on, DFX relaxed somewhat when it became apparent the fleshlings surreptitiously surrounding him and Tank were not going to try anything.
As they approached the foothills near the woods after the hours-long walk, DFX and Tank continued walking as they had, as opposed to the fleshlings whom, some of them at least, were almost certainly getting sore feet by now. Being constructs, the two were completely immune to any fatigue or tiredness. They could run back and forth to the ends of the earth with no rest whatsoever if they had to. It was one of the perks to not being fully alive.
Hours of walking produced one immediate effect as Aeo noticed the sky turn dark: he let out a huge yawn.
"Anyone see a good place to set up a camp; because my feet are demanding rest and my stomach demands a deal of jerky meals." Aeo said as he yawned again.
"Maybe we can find a farm and see if we can sleep in their barn for the night"
Tarson then looks at the rest of the group.
"Who's the most human looking of the group that can ask"
After hearing Aeo talking of hunger, Alcir realized that it had been awhile since he had last ate. But he still had some healthy food in his pack, so there was nothing to fear. It hadn't been a full day and he could sate his need when they stopped.
At Tarson's question, Alcir looked around at the group. The constructs would surely get turned away. Aeo, Tarson, and himself farred only a slightly greater chance. That left Aire, Armita, and the other man who had comed with them. Alcir shook his head and replied, "Not I. Though Aire, Armita, or the other human with us could ask."
"An armored knight, even a lady, would be well received. I shall ask if the need arises."
Aire stopped her horse and dismounted. Without leading the horse by the reins, she merely continued down the path on foot. The horse followed her, slightly behind and to her right. The creature was rather heavily barded, wearing a similar plate armor. The head armor of the suit had an ornamental piece that was made to be a unicorn's horn.
Aire carried with her a brace of pistols and her sword.
Enigma watched the knight Aire departed. sure she was a knight but a frail looking one at least to his eyes. if not for that strange feeling of power he picked up form her he'd wonder how she obtain her rank. and then there was her obviously mixed ancestry. then again maybe she was a pure blood elf but he doubted it.
Armita was beginning to become to terms with his new group. Most of them were unwelcome to civilisation and few of them weren't even truly alive. Some how this made him feel more relaxed. He had worked for a few military organizations and people in there had always been avoiding his eyes and tried to leave him alone when ever possible. But now, he seemed almost normal. He didn't mind having someone to talk to, besides the crows, two of which were on his shoulders and one that was standing on top of his head.
"Who's the most human looking of the group that can ask" he heard Tarson ask.
"eh?" Armita replied. By any standards, he probably was, if you didn't count the hazel eyed man in the dark clothes. What was his name anyway? Armita remembered to have seen him in the meeting, trying to offer some "magical artifacts" for money. He walked over to him.
"Excuse me, sir, but I believe I didn't catch your name."
Enigma smiled and nodded. "they call me Enigma. I'm something of a mage were and magical artifact merchant" he said. "How about you my good sir?" the boy looked young. not quite 20 in Enigma's eyes but he'd learned some time ago not to judge age by appearances. Not to mention that this person had and aura of a skilled magic user.
Even if Armita had walked whole day, and the previous two days before this one, he could still give a smile to a total stranger.
"Oh. I'm Armita. Armita Zhelion. A wandering battle mage, trying to do his share of protecting the people."
Looked like the knight with a pink hair offered to act as a diplomat. Armita sighed out of relief. Talking with people, much less asking the a favour that he was unlikely to return, wasn't really his area of expertise.
"Many of us sure seem to be magic users" Armita continued his conversation with Enigma. "I don't think I've ever seen this many mages in a one place. Not tearing each other into tiny bits with their spells that is."
"Where do you hang out?" Aeo chuckled when he heard Armita. "I've adventured with plenty of other magic users and the only ones who ever gave me flak where the clerics and paladins and other light casters." The he looked over his shoulder at the guy, Enigma, who he didn't remember seeing at the meeting. He hoped this guy would be useful along the journey, and not try to charge the group for items they might need to survive.
He sighed to himself and then looked forward again as he pulled out his mace and ignited it. He wanted to have it out if they didn't find a place to rest by sundown. Plus the closer he got to the forest the creepier it seemed.
"Hang out?" At first, Aeo's question brought a hangman's noose into his mind, but after realizing how abstract it would make meaning of the question.
"Uuumm.... Somewhere very cold.....?" Armita replied to Aeo, with a very unsure look on his face. "It's just there aren't many adventurers where I come from. In the there, if you're good at fighting, you're almost always recruited into one of the military organisations."
Tarson looked back at the group.
"Don't be includeing me as a magic user. I don't know the first thing about magic. Far as I know"
"Oh? and yet you're the only one of us that has done the most magical thing so far, with that hand of yours. You casted some sort of lightning spell, yes? I still remember the sound of a thunder." Armita replied. Yet another crow landed on his left shoulder. If he would've spread his arms, he might've look like a scarecrow.
Tarson rolled up his sleeve on his right arm to reveal ruins carved into his stone arm.
"I use the ruins on my arm to channel the lighting. I wouldn't say I'm actually casting anything. I have no idea how those ruins work so I stand by my statement"
Aire twirled a lock of her hair as she walked, a nervous habit of hers she had yet to break. She decided to add a few comments to the conversation about magic, "I wield light magic, but I am not a dedicated sorcerer or mage. I seem to fit more in line with paladins or clerics, but do not expect powerful healing or protection magics."
Aire drew her rifle from its sheath on her horse's saddle, "my order focuses on the esoteric damaging magics contained within light magic. I focus it through this weapon, a dragon carbine, as opposed to paladins which favor swords and lances."
Aire eyed the runes intently, "yes, these are most definitely highly enchanted. My dragon guns, and my sword have similar runes, though pertaining to light magic. They alone do not make you a caster of magic, but a wielder of magic, you need not have any knowledge in the arts to use it, though it helps."
DFX listened with interest on the discussion of magic. The part-fleshling Tarson's non-fleshling arm had magic runes carved into it. DFX could barely tell anything from the brief glance Tarson gave the group, except that the style of the runes seemed to indicate something to do with lightning. No doubt it was heavily enchanted, not just with lightning but probably the spells that attach the stone arm to the fleshling body and operate.
The paladin-fleshling indicated that her magic was strongly light-aligned, but she did not 'cast' magic either. She showcased a strange pole-like device, and explained that it was enchanted with light-based blasting magic. DFX made a mental note to get a good look at the device at a later date. It was probably some kind of offshoot of a staff or scepter.
The smaller composite construct decided to pitch in what he knew. "Whenever I bother to, I am a caster of magic, mainly. If you were to categorize it according to the traditional Affinities, my magic would fall under mostly Earth and Fire, with a little dabbling in the others. However, they way I use magic often make it difficult to see how they tie into the Affinities if you do not understand the mechanics involved. Observe."
DFX then pulled several tools from the bandoliers and belts around him. They seemed rather small and leicate in his large hands. He looked at them for a moment, and then of their own accord, they slowly floated up, emitting soft glows. They danced around for a little as DFX looked at them. If you didn't know his metal face could not show emotions, you might think he was watching them with fondness. "The basic spell," he said, "Is rather easy to understand; this is mostly Air magic that makes them float. The difficulty however, arises when you must structure the spell, bind it to the tools, and then to your own mind. Yes, I am controlling these mentally. It requires...creative thinking to bend the magic properly to do things that superficially do not seem in any way related to a traditional Affinity. Often it also requires bringing multiple strings of magic from different Affinities, and weaving them together to create the magical tapestry you want. But that is for more complicated things. Myself and Tank, for example."
DFX then plucked the enchanted tools out of the air, one by one, replacing them in his bandoliers. "However, my main focus of magic is in the mechanics of enchanting, and by extension and specialization, creation and repair of inanimate objects, as well as...things made of previously inanimate materials."
Tank, who was walking behind DFX, suddenly spoke up. "I have no magic, save for that which makes me alive. I just do brute work." Tank hefted his greathammer as he spoke. "And I like it. It's what I was made to do. I leave the messing of magics to my brother."
As the stars appear and the moon begins to come out in full strength, the party does come upon a small vegetable farm. The lights are still on inside, although, considering the hours farmers usually have to run, they won't be on for much longer.
The booming voice of Tank almost made Aeo dirty his pants. It's not that it was loud, just unexpected as the large golem had said nothing for the longest time. Aeo turned to the larger golem and smiled nervously, then he noticed the small house up ahead.
"Hey, maybe we should ask if the owner there would be willing to let us camp out on the property." Aeo said, "Although I think maybe Aire should go up alone... seeing as most of use would prolly give anyone there a good scare."
"Atleast he'll have some protection for his farm for the night"
It didn't sound like Tarson was jokeing. It was clear he was serious. He then glanced at Aeo.
"If he has a daughter, no getting friendly with her"
No one could tell if he was joking or not. He didn't an edge to his voice, but he didn't have a joking tone either.
Aire stepped to the gate of the walk leading to the front of the farmstead. Turning towards the horse that followed her, she ran her hand along the mane as she gazed into his eyes, "<Caile, stay here and shield these companions as you would me.>*"
Her words were alike that of the tickling of silver bells and spring rain, the language quite alien.
The horse dipped its head in acknowledgment, "<yes mistress.>*" It almost appeared as if the horse had spoken.
Aire turned and walked forward, opening the gate, she made no attempt to hide her presence and she brandished no weapon. Where her footfalls and movement were normally non-existent, now she could be heard and he presence felt. It was an unmistakable aura to those that had encountered paladins and their ilk, the feeling of peace and the aura of goodness.
She approached the house with determination and knocked respectfully on the door., "Good eve to ye honest folk of the land, I Lady Aireluin Silithiel, Dame of the Guardian Knights do ask a favor of ye. Grant me and my companions shelter for the night."
*Denotes different language
Aeo heard Tarson loud and clear, but wasn't sure if the large man was joking. It didn't really matter though as he pointed out; "Hey I won't start anything, but I can't help it if the ladies like my company." His smile went from devilish to lecherous on .12 seconds and he could not stop the grining that accompanied his thoughts.
At the knocking on his door, the farmer answered it to find an elven knight at his door. Upon hearing her request, he said "of course, m'lady. You, a brave an noble warrior, are welcome in my home. My wife has already served dinner, but I think there might be some food leftover. I'll have her put aplate together and I'll see about getting you a room."
Then he paused. "Companions?"
In a quiet corner of a darkened field (Eric's field, naturally) the box appears, well away from the cows that are napping in a herd in the middle. It opens, and one monkey (with a black t-shirt wrapped around his head, black leggings, and a black shirt on - and a black ribbon tied around his tail) climbs stealthily out. He checks carefully for anyone around, then sidles through the shadows back to the box, where he reaches out one hand over the opening and performs a quick series of informative gestures.
Sadly, the effect is spoiled by the next monkey, who pokes a head up and eeks questioningly - and piercingly noisily - at the ninja.
With a brief glance upwards at the gods, for patience, the ninja tackles the other monkey back into the box, and the sounds of a pitched battle ensue.
In the meantime, the orangutang hands the Mime out, pats her gently on the shoulder, and vanishes back inside.
Moments later there are a couple of loud thuds, and the pitched battle stops, suddenly. Shortly thereafter, two much quieter monkeys climb out to help the Mime look around for clues.
A sweat drop appeared on Aire's forehead as she smiled and laughed a bit guiltily, "Ah yes, companions."
Aire steps slightly to the side and gestures back towards the group, "we are adventurers hale and hearty... perhaps your barn will work."
Tarson saw the farmer looking at them and Aira gestureing towars them. He waved at the farmer with his left hand. He waved at friendly as he could, and spoke out of the corner of his mouth.
"Look friendly guys the farmer is staring at us"
The two constructs, being larger than anyone else in the party, were easily the most noticeable. And unfortunately, there really wasn't anything they could do to make themselves look friendly, with their static forms. On DFX's part though, it wasn't for lack of trying. Since he really couldn't make any facial expressions, he did the only thing he could do; he just let his metal jaw drop open. Obviously, this still doesn't look much better.
Tank did nothing, except for stand around with his greathammer looking huge and fearsome. But to his credit, he really couldn't do much else.
Alcir pulled his hood down a bit farther and turned his head enough that the plate on his face wouldn't catch any light. He muttered to himself, "How 'friendly' can an undead in a black cloak look?" Regardless, he mimiced Tarson by waving his hand.
Armita drove the crows away from his shoulders and head (there were total five of them). Some people had said that the crows were an ill omen; vultures that had come to take their share of the dead and those of too weak to watch over their own. I didn't, however, took too long when another of the birds sat again on top of his head.
Aeo smiled and waved and tried to generally appear as friendly as he could. He did however grit out from his forced smile this comment; "I bet he puts up demon wards because of me...."
The farmer stared for a bit. "Ah... are you here to take me the the afterlife?"
Then he shook his head. "I... I guess we have rook in the barn, yes. What the the disappearances of cows recently, I've not had many animals living in there. Now we just mostly grow small crops in hopes of squeaking by."
He sighed. "You can use the barn."
- - - - -
Elsewhere on another farm, this one suddenly populated by hominids and a white-faced entertainer, the quiet night settled and then got comfortable in the cool autumn air. The cows from the barn could be heard, gently mooing. A farmhouse, light darkened, stood off closer to the road.
Enigma was a bit taken back by the Farmers ease and acceptance of the party. still he was not willing to look a gift roof in the whatever. still this rook interested him but he'd worry about that later. "i guess luck is with us tonight" Especially me he though as he reviews what he learned. he didn't have any rune books on him but that guys stone arm. the rune's on it looked familiar. he'd have to look them up when he had time as it might be useful. and many of these others used magical weapons more then cast spells. that meant that the could be potential costumers. of course he could prorate the prices a bit especially if his life depended on one of them using on of his items found or stocked but that could wait. right now he wanted to search the area and maybe sell the Farmer a few wards when they were ready to leave. he could make a few in an hour if need be.
Aeo decided that since no one was making an immediate effort to be friendly to the nice guy who was lending them his barn (well besides Aire anyway), that he would try his best to be kind, but he wasn't sure how long he would last given the man's initial reaction. Of course there was NO way he was staying in a barn. Next to it maybe, but never in.
"Uh, excuse me sir." Aeo waved his hand to grab his attention (as if a tiefling in a bright red and yellow shirt wouldn't grab anyone's attention). "Thanks for putting us up and all, but I think I'll camp out just by the barn. Bad experiences with barns and barn tools and all." He gave another sheepish smile.
"That's... fine." The man just trailed off and stared.
The barn itself was a large build (as barns tend to be), expansive, with the smell of many generations of cows having once lived there. Now, the space was rather empty, although some wooden bins for vegetables could be found in a corner.
The barn is two floors, with the second floor being much like an encompassing balcony, accessed by a ladder in the center of the building.
Tarson stoud there until everyone one finished talking. He then looked at Aeo.
"I don't even want to know"
He then looked at the farmer.
"Be assured anything that is dumb enough to attack your farm tonight will be in for a very rude awakening"
Muttering under his breath Enigma says "that's an understatement if i ever heard one." aloud he said. " indeed good farmer and to show our gratitude i offer you this" enigma handed the farmer couple of leaves of pater. on one was written the word seal in and arcane language. on the other was written the word release. then were bother charged magically but they had only cost enigma the paper and the ink that he used. he hand worked nearly three hours to make the pair but that was fine he had dozens more and should the farmer use them he would undoubtly want to purchase more at a reasonable price.
DFX listened to the verbal exchanges between some members of the group and the farmer. He didn't have anything to contribute until some started talking about the apparent 'security' of the farm this particular night. DFX decided to jump in at this point.
"While it would seem that way," DFX began, "There is one flaw in this assertion; Fleshlings require a period of downtime when daylight is spent, during which you enter a state of null physical and cognitive activity. During this time, I've learned that most fleshlings are quite vulnerable and essentially helpless. Hypothetically, if this estate were to be invaded tonight, it would take time, however small, for all members to react and reach optimum operational capacity. An intelligent enemy would be swift to deprive you of that time.
"Being artificial construct entities, Tank and I do not require such time. Technically I do have a process remarkably similar to yours, but I require it only after I have used significant magic; I must recharge my ability to cast. I have not used magic recently, so I do not require this now. We shall patrol the perimeter of this estate during the current solar cycle of null-light. If an intruder is detected, we shall raise an alarm. However, the probability of such an intruder is very unlikely-" CLANG, whump, clatter!
Tank was all too familiar with his brother's rambling, and he finally decided he had enough. Raising his huge heavy left fist behind DFX, Tank swung it forward, slamming into the back of DFX's head mid-speech and knocking the three-foot-shorter composite construct to a sprawled face-down position on the ground, his tools and the contents of his massive rucksack spilling around the ground.
"What my brother is having a hard time saying," Tank took up with his huge deep voice, "Is that you sleep, we don't, and so we have nothing better to do than walk around in circles all night because we won't be moving on until morning."
In the meantime, DFX had gotten up and was now busy collecting all his tools and materials and putting them back on his person. He seemed to give off a rather peeved demeanor, for a construct.
The elven lady bowed respectfully and apologetically as the man's reaction to her companions was not as welcoming as she would have hoped.
"I beg your forgiveness good sir, but I did not wish to alarm you or deceive you. These folk travel with me on our quest and I can say that they are not to be feared if thy intentions are good."
Bowing again, she excused herself and accompanied the others to the barn.
"Those of you that require it should sleep and eat, depending on what we find in the next few days, this luxury may not again be available."
Aeo chuckled at Tarson's comment and replied, "I've got stories that's for sure..." A few seconds later his own yawning reminded him of his need for sleep. "And now I'm gonna go stretch out in front of our camp for the night and maybe pass out from exhaustion."
Aeo did indeed set up a small area for him to rest right outside the barn. He also gathered a few sticks, some straw and rocks to make a small fire for himself. He then sat before the small mound and whispered the darks words that brought forth a small dancing purple flame, the coloring came from it's infernal source, and he then commanded it forward to ignite the small campfire which briefly plumed a bright purple before dying down to a normal red. He then sat his pack against the side of the barn and laid his head to rest on it in hopes of getting some sleep.
Tarson walked into the barn and looks around a bit.
"Well it's a roof over our heads. Better then how I usually sleep"
Having settled in, those that are inclined can sleep. The barn is comfortable enough, with old hay scattered around that (ignoring the musty smell) is rather comfortable to sleep on. The barn isn't exactly warm, but it is out of the elements, so it's not the worst place, over all, to sleep.
Those that stay awake, however, will notice sounds around 3 in the morning. The sounds are those of a band of goblins, led by what could only be described as an aristocratic goblin... if goblins usually had those kinds of things.
Armita was silent like a corpse. Quickly after the Farmer had agreed to let him and the rest of the merry party to rest in the barn, he had walked in and made a shot bed from hay to him to sleep on. Before dozing off, he had studied his magic lore book, in order to streghten his sorcerous potential; he fell asleep with the open book still on his arms. Armita didn't dream per se, but his consciousness falled into his mindscape, to wander and talk with the dead. To most, this would be an unearthly experience, but one who had idea from anything else, it was just a state of sleep. During the night, the crows woke him. They were clearly nervous. Something was going to happen soon.
Shortly after everyone has fallen asleep, DFX and Tank plotted out their patrol rounds for the night. Bacially, they just walked around the barn in a square path at opposite rounds. They did this near-perfectly and without tiring, quickly wearing a rather noticable square rut arund the barn from their huge, heavy footsteps.
Tank ended up being the one of the two living constructs who heard the noises first. He stopped his trudge, then turned towards the sounds in the woods, his little red eyes glowing dangerously. He recognized the sounds, he and DFX had run into them once or twice before: Goblins. Tank was not able to understand or discern anything else other than that.
Hefting his monstrous greathammer, he then called out into the night, his deep voice even louder and larger than ususal; it pounded throughout the farm and, more intentionally, the woods. "Who is out there eh? Something for me to crush, hey? Come out, come out, little flesh-beasts. Big Brother want big smash. Here, gobly gobly gobly...."
DFX, of course, was alerted by this (as well as anyone else on the farm, probably), and quickly began a dismayed walk directly towards the foresight-deprived Tank. About halfway there, just outside of the barn doors, DFX stopped, held up his arms in front of him, and concentrated. It took a somewhat noticable span of time, but finally, the metal plates comprising his forearms and hands suddenly flashed, then glowed consistently with magic. As a last action, he opened the doors of the barn to see if there was anyone who hadn't been woken up by Tank. "We may have a problem." He called inside the barn, "Please ceace your fleshing inactivity cycles and take whatever action is necessary to reach optimum cognitive and physical capability." DFX then continued towards Tank.
Aeo heard Tank yell, how could he not, the large golem had been thwomping around the barn all night and the footsteps followed by their usual shake kept him from getting much sleep. Then 28 started talking, something about trouble. Great he had just gotten maybe an hours sleep and something wanted to ruin that. Aeo grumbled as he got to his feet and activated his mace with an annoyed grunt.
"After we find out what's wrong..." Aeo interrupted himself with a yawn. "I think I'm going into the barn... might be less noisy."
From the path into the woods, there could be heard chattering. The goblins were agitated. There was some yelling and snorting, and then, as one, the goblins ran out into the clearing by the barn, swords drawn.
By the rear, his hands empty and his eyes watchful, the "aristocratic" goblin stood back.
While the rest of the group was sleeping, Alcir had gone into a dark corner of the barn, where he could eat in peace. Alcir checked his pack and saw that he had two rats still alive, not enough to keep him full for a complete day, but enough for now. After his meal, he started looking around the barn and outside for more rats.
He had not found anything, when he heard some noises and then Tank's massive yell. The wall of yelping goblins bursting out of the woodline was difficult to miss as well. Rushing back to the barn, Alcir screamed "Anyone still asleep needs to wake now, goblins are here!"
Aeo whipped around once the man, Alcir had announced the arrival of goblins. His need for sleep was now overriden by the sheer fear of the tiny horrors. Granted most goblins weren't a threat normally, but anytime a group was caught off guard odds had a way of shifting into favor for the goblins.
Aeo spotted one of the charging little beasts and quickly extended his palm while reciting an incantation. In the center of is palm a small sickly green globule of liquid formed and suddenly sprang forward like a viper lashing out at it's prey. He had targeted the nearest goblin with a an acid spray.
The goblins fanned out, 8 to a side, working to perform a pincher maneuver around the group. One was almost immediately taken down by blast of acid...
But that was when the aristocratic goblin at the rear moved. He waved his hands over his head, drawing bursts of white light. A complicated pattern formed, much akin to a dreamcatcher...
And the goblin that fell stood back up, grabbed his sword, and ran to catch up with his brethren.
Lighting arched across the ground at several of the goblins, it was coming from the barn. Anyone still in the barn would see Tarson still just sitting there. His back against a pillar and his hood up. His right arm was placed palm first on the ground with electricity arching around it. Other than that he looks like he is sleeping. Then he spoke with a rather gruffer voice than usually.
"I've been waiting for these bastards to show up"
Tank had readied himself for the incoming goblins. Such small annoying little flesh-creatures. Usually they were hard-pressed to put so much as a scratch on him, especially with such small swords against his adamantine outer body shell. Unless they had magic on their side, in which case Tank was still rather vulnerable.
Tank didn't even bother with his monstrously oversized greathammer. Its sheer size and momentum when swung was inefficient against such small targets. He just waded towards the array of goblins, who barely came up to his knees, and started to indiscriminatntly stomp around with his huge metal feet. However, similar to how they probably wouldn't be able to hurt Tank unless they managed to cut at the spots in between his plates where his 'musculature' showed even though even that was toughend and somewhat resistant to cutting, Tank would have a bit of a hard time actually catching a goblin under him. His whole body, especially his armor-shell, were very heavy, and the encumberence it put on him was enough that his relative slowness showed, especially since the little goblins were so fast. At best, he would probably just manage to scatter them. It also presented the problem that he was now close to the goblins, so further ranged attacks from allies risked hitting him, though he would probably survive it anyway. Tactics and strategy was never Tank's strong point.
DFX, on the other hand, had hung back, and was watching the goblins carefully. He had seen the one that was hanging back reanimate one of his fallen bretheren. A magician of some kind. The color and effect of the magic he used suggested a Light Affinity. Tank could be in trouble. DFX started strafing from a distance, his magic-imbued forearms held up in front of him in something resembling a defensive boxing stance, waiting for the right moment to start flinging the (limited) magic bolts he had at his disposal.
Aire being half elven did not need much sleep, even less so due to the fact that her other half was faerie, and was alerted when Tank had moved to engage. Grabbing her rifle, she went for higher ground.
The pink haired knight had moved up towards the loft and was just taking sight out of the loft's window (or whatever they call that opening up there) when the noble looking goblin did its white light show.
Aire risked revealing her position as she leaned out and took aim. The rather uncommon repeat of her rifle could be heard as she took a shot at the noble goblin.
To his credit, Armita was seeing everything that happened around him, even if he had had just a half night's sleep. After the mechanic golem man had given the warning, Armita had grabbed his spear and run to out from the barn. He's plan was to hurry out from the first attack wave's way and flank who/what ever war coming. A solid strategy that he had used many times over with good success. But now Armita found himself cornered, his back against the barns wall and three of the goblins were charging on him. and two more coming towards from both of his sides. Ancient words flooded into his mind, promising power and dread. This time he would not push them away. These goblings weren't just going to bully him and then let him be like a used ragdoll. These wanted to taste blood. "And blood..." Armita thought "...is what I shall give to them." He pulled his sleeves and spread his arms. An aura of terror and woe surrounded him, promising nothing but pain, death and worse. Grin filled Armita's face and a shadow started to cover his arms, spreading from his torso and when it reached his fingertips, he let out an unearthly howl. For a split second, the goblings stopped. At that moment, dozens of black darts sprung from his dark arms to every direction, impaling everything on their path, flesh and armor alike.
The first wave of attack against the goblins secured three more of their deaths. Additionally, the noble goblin took a nasty shot to the shoulder, and he dropped to the ground, unconscious but still alive.
Tank, although unphased by their attacks, is also the one most attacked by the goblins. Four of them mobbed him, literally hanging off him trying to gain purchase with their attacks.
The last of the goblins ran back to the noble and was trying to drag him off the field.
Aeo's eyes almost bulged out of his head. They've got a magic healer?!
His thoughts raced as he quickly incanted several more dark words and shot forth a small stream of fire that he centered back on the same goblin. He then noticed the goblins were getting closer faster than he would be able to launch attacks, and as soon as the stream stopped jetting forward he grabbed his mace and pressed the key rune again to increase the flame power. He then swung as hard as he could at the first goblin that got near him.
Tarson had gotten up and headed out of the barn to help his companions. He spoken the goblins trying to mob Tank and figured he would start there. He ran over at one of the goblins hanging from Tanks arm and aimed a punch straight for the goblin's chest with his stone arm. He didn't charge up his arm because Tank would have been hit with charge and Tarson didn't want to take a chance of harming him.
"Can't let you have all the fun"
Tank continued trying to deal with the goblins he scattered, but some of them quickly regrouped. Fairly quickly the fast little bugs were climbing on him. They were hanging on for dear life as Tank tried to shake them off. By necessity they were trying to stay on his back so he couldn't just grab them off. They continually hacked at the gaps in his armor-shell, where his fiber-innards showed. They, like the rest of Tank, were very dense and tough, and the damaged caused so far by them was presant, but negligible. More like simple wear-and-tear than actual damage. However, if they kept at it for too long, DFX would definitely have a task to perform later.
One of the people in the group, the half-fleshling-half-stoneling, came up and tried to assist by punching the one on his arm, making an off-hand comment as he did so. Tank quickly threw it off, but there were still three more. Tank, not having any social skills, did not even bother with thanking Tarson.
Tank is not know for his intelligence. His is, however, known for his brutal directness and unsubtlety. For the last three goblins, Tank dropped his greathammer on the ground in front of him, and then...simply fell on his back, with a huge, earth-shaking WHAM.
DFX had been carefully watching all the goblins, and saw the magician-goblin, whom was also probably the leader by how he seemed to order the others around, taken down by a shot from the fleshling who wielded the magical pseudo-rod. Another goblin took up his fallen leader, and was followed by the final remaining goblins. This is why DFX had been strafing in a wide circle around the main goblin group. As they retreated, DFX was already almost at a diagonal position in front of them.
DFX, unlike Tank, was smart. He had already planned this. And he remembered their mission; stop the monstrous incursions. To do this, they needed to know what was going on, what was causing it. The consistant invasions of rare monsters was very much indeed unusual. This particular goblin raiding party, while they may not have anything directly to do with the source, were in all logical probability symptoms of the same problem. They probably wouldn't actually know much, but if captured alive, they might be able to produce a small clue as to how to proceed next. That clue could be anything; direct information from the goblin's mouth, or maybe an item on their person, or any other significant anomaly tying them to the source, or an extension thereof.
DFX cast his arms forward, and flung four low-power cohesive bolts of magical energy. They illuminated the area under them in the dark field as they flew, hitting somewhat ahead of the goblins. He hoped that might halt or at least slow the goblins, as DFX continued to strafe-run to get directly in front of them to cut off their escape route completely. However, if they took the hits as bad aim and not warning shots, and continued undeterred, then they had a good chance of getting away, unless DFX fired in earnest and got lucky. He was not able to charge the spell he infused on himself very much on such short notice. He could not afford any further warning shots.
Enigma was disturbed to say the least. he'd been searching the ground looking for anything that might be useful and then for somewhere nearly out of now were the place was over run with goblins. they were like rats and given the choice he'd have preferred the rats. quickly concealing himself he had watched the others as the fought he goblins.
he hear the one called Aeo mention a magic healer? this might not be a wasted effort after all. all he had to do was get close to the healer and see what he was using and if it was worth something.
Two of the retreating goblins turned as DFX fired at them. They interlocked their spears... and there could be felt the tell-tale rumblings of magic. It was like static on the air, a faint, salty-sour taste on the tongue (for those that had tongues).
The interlocked spears blurred for a second, and, what could only be described as a portal opened in the space between spears and ground.
The magician goblin, along with the one helping him walk, ran through the portal, disappearing to wherever they came from. One of the goblins nodded at the other, who bowed slightly, then let go of his spear, dashing for the portal. It remained for mere moments, long enough for the goblin to make it through, then it dissolved, leaving a single goblin standing there, armed, with a nasty look on his face.
He aimed his spear at DFX, gave out a cry, and ran full-tilt towards the golem.
Sighing disappointed Enigma picked up a rock and form his hiding place and threw it at the charging goblin's head as he ran for the clockwork man. He new that the goblin probably would not be hurt the clockwork man but he was miffed that it had through it's sacrifice allowed the others to get away. he was particularly interested in the healer goblin and what secrets it may have had.
DFX, likewise, was rather dismayed when most of the goblins escaped by way of a temporary portal. His was slightly upset that he had not already detected magic like that, but then again, that was not something he was good at yet anyway. He would definitely need to invest some time in honing his magic sense at a later date.
One single goblin was left behind, and he charged at DFX with his spear. DFX shook his head. What could the little goblin possibly hope to accomplish? DFX knew that goblinoids, in general, weren't the smartest products of the forge, but he didn't think that they would be so suicidal. The magician goblin had escaped, and if any of them had any useful information, it would have been that one. The left behind no longer mattered. While DFX would have killed him--Forging Father knows that held virtually no sympathy anymore for fleshlings who did such things, and would have killed the remaining goblins with no qualms whatsoever had it become necessary--the last goblin was simply too small to be worth his time. He'd let Tank have that honor, he liked this kind of job.
DFX completely ignored the goblin and didn't even look at him, instead walking straight past the goblin, heedless of any spear-jabs he might be receiving, towards Tank. As he walked, he brought his still-glowing forearms up, and salvaged what remaining energy there was from the spell, pulling it back into himself for later use. Needless to say, his arms stopped glowing.
Armita rolled his sleeves back down and looked around himself. Seemed as if the battle was already over and everyone of them were still standing. The smell of fresh bodies was like a smell of a warm apple pie to a hungry child, or a scent of a flower to a bee. "No, not those damned bees again." He said to himself.
He kneeled over on one of the bodies. "They might've been goblins, but all the dead were same in the end" Armita thought and started planting the seed of necromancy on the corpse, like a farmer would plant his field.
The goblin, indeed, did attack DFX, hitting him with the point of his spear until it broke, and then smashing the shaft of the spear against the golem until that, too broke.
The two monkeys, having failed to find anything useful nearby, head on back to the box and vanish inside.
A short time later, they reappear, followed by several others, carrying which bags, one between two. The three bags are set down in a fairly flat area, and opened. Several sticks are removed, which the monkeys then set up in threes, about twenty paces apart. Various padded materials are also removed, and donned, and a bat is extracted, as well.
And promptly used to bludgeon one of the monkeys who has been standing around and "helping".
The bludge-er and bludge-ee are left chasing each other, alternately, around the area, and two more bats are extracted from the bag. Several of the monkeys spread out over the area, and another cluster collect more white, padded clothing and settle down on one side. The third bag is opened, and proves to contain a number of cans, which are passed around the monkeys who have yet to join either group, and they settle down, spread around the area in the dim light, drinking peaceably and watching the bludge-er chase the bludge-ee in a large oval.
A small red ball is also produced, passed around, and the game commences...
Aire had drawn her sights on the aristocratic goblin again, but before she could take another shot, a magical portal was opened and it had escaped through it.
The pink haired knight was again surprised as one of the two goblins remained behind, allowing his fellow to escape. This was not a trait typically found in such creatures as far as she knew. Shouldering her rifle, she whispers a brief word of arcane undertones and leaps out of the second story loft window. The elf drifts lightly to the ground and immediately dashes over to where DFX was standing.
"Hold goblin, your sacrifice is noble, but you need not die here. Surrender and I promise no harm will come to you."
In case it did not understand the common tongue, she tried the dark speech common to goblinkind, though she was a bit rusty, "<we not hurt you. You give up the fight and talk, we wish no harm.>"
In common: "The dark wind calls forth those who would bring about the liberation of the down-trodden. The 'high' races have, for too long, destroyed the forests, abused the elements, and killed the peaceable beasts of these lands. Now, in the world's hour of need, we shall set right that which, for so long, has been wrong."
With that, the goblin thrust his spear into the ground. The spear caught fire, and then, so did the goblin. Those closest to it watched the fire burn from red, to yellow, to blue, and then to white. Any with normal "human" eyes would soon have to turn away as the bright white fire went brighter than their eyes could take.
Enigma watched his rock miss the goblin. it was annoying but then he'd not bother with magic. he was contemplating throwing another rock when the goblin began his spell and his spell. the goblin itself was casting magic and on top of that it was showing the traits of self sacrifice again. this must be some kind of puppet act Enigma thought."some one must be controlling the goblins" as he said this the goblin began to burn to bright for his eyes to watch and he raised his cloak to shield them. the light has a second side effect as well. it stripped his clocking rendering him very visible to anyone that was bothering to look in his direct one to anyone behind him whom his shadow would be cast upon.
Aeo turned away from the amazingly bright light the suicidal goblin produced. Then when the goblin was done burning itself into oblivion Aeo looked back to what remained. A small series of thoughts occurred to him, all random thoughts of how goblins could use such magics. His first thought was a demon was bound to them, but they would be then inspired to cause havoc for no reason, and the goblin did sound convinced about the "high races" abusing the world. Secondly he thought of a powerful artifact could be involved, after all a lot of goblin had a knack for finding that kind of stuff; that explanation seemed likely. The third explanation was something he didn't even want to consider as it involved a creature known for being more malicious than any demon he'd ever read about: A dragon.
As these thoughts passed quickly through his head he made it a point to push them aside, negative thoughts never did any good, especially in tight spots. He then walked over to the remains and bent down to inspect them. "What kind of magic were you using little guy?" He tried to get a feel for the magic that had been used, but he was inexperienced in the matter. Still he had to know what the source was.
Tarson watched the fire burned with his right eye, he covered his left eye as to not go blind in it. Once the fire burned down Tarson shook his head and headed back to the barn where he was sleeping.
"Wonderful fire works, it not a bit anti climactic."
DFX turned and watched as the paladin-fleshling attempted to communicate with the goblin who had ineffectually been trying to hurt him. He certainly had some prominent scuff marks, his body not nearly as tough as Tank's, but nothing really serious from a little spear. The goblin in question then went on a short tirade against 'high' fleshlings. As he spoke, DFX found it to be quite believable. He had already seen firsthand how cruel and brutal fleshlings could be to others.
Then the goblin cremated himself with his magic spear, something which surprised DFX greatly. He had never seen such an act before. His metal jaw actually lowered slightly at the spectacle. It didn't hurt his 'eyes', but he turned his head for a moment anyway simply because the light had such a large, powerful glow to it that he couldn't see anything else. Finally it died down, and DFX turned back to it. One of the other fleshlings, the part-demonic one, went up to the area and wondered aloud what kind of magic it was. DFX immediately reacted. He knew he needed to increase his own ability to sense magic, now was as good a time as any to get some real practice. He quickly rushed up to Aeo's side, kneeling down.
"Let us combine efforts." He said directly. DFX placed a large composite arm in the area where the fire had burned. He felt the tinglings of residual magic in his arm. Being a magic caster (albiet only one that can imbue objects), he had an understanding of its workings, and by extension an innate magic sensitivity. However, it was weak, unrefined, and untrained. There wasn't terribly much need for it back in his father's superforge, all identification taken care of by direct magic specifically for that purpose. Here, he was hoping to glean as much as he possibly could without actually using direct identification magic. He didn't expect much, though. Probably just the basic Affinity, if that. With that, he began concentrating on the residual magic. One thing in his favor was something he and all his bretheren had, somthing similar to true constructs: Single-minded focus. When set to a task, it gets done. The principle was the same here. That doesn't mean his concentration can't be broken, just that it's much more difficult to break than a normal fleshling's. Really all it means is that he has powerful focus. And focus is improtant when you are trying to sense anything.
After Alcir had ran into the barn, he quickly realized none of the others were still in there. He then left the barn and intended to fight against the goblins, but it had been a long time since Alcir had fought and everything seemed to happen so fast to him. Aeo felling one of the goblins, who was revived by its leader. The magic using goblin being injured and the others rushing to his aid. The sacrifice of the last goblin, which had allowed the rest of the creatures to escape.
But now the fighting was over, and an investigation was happening. Alcir knew he could assist there, so he hurried to the scorched ground left behind by the last goblin.
Aire averted her eyes as the fire burned bright, the statement and act stunned her and little more could she do then stand idly by as the goblin immolated itself.
As the flames died down, the elven lady dropped to her knees in front of the smoldering spectacle of self-sacrifice, "why did it do this, there... there was no reason to..."
An experienced and hardened campaigner was the front she placed for others to see, but all that melted away with the fires of a fanatical sacrifice. She had seen no death like this, nor of a creature thought to be base and vile.
"What does it mean... I am a silver elf, the highest of elves... we live at peace with nature an animals..."
She shook the thoughts from her head, whatever this goblin had believed, it was being used and deceived, it must be that...
Aire stood and turned to DFX, "you are not damaged?"
DFX concentrated carefully on the rapidly fading residual magic as much as he could, even when the paladin-fleshling came up to him and inquired about his starte of repair.
Eventually, the magic faded, and DFX had gleaned all he could. He had discovered the primary Affinity, like he had hoped, but he also had discovered something else quite unusual. Something that explained why he hadn't detected the spears before.
He turned to Aireluin. "No, I am not damaged. At least, not in any debilitating way." DFX said, glancing down at the side of his composite leg, which sported the scuffs the now-incinerated goblin had given him. He reached down and knocked it with his huge fist. "That is easy to remove. However..." DFX turned back to the pile of goblin-ashes, "I have learned a few things about our miniature fleshling martyr's magic through my sensings.The primary Affinity used in it was indeed Fire, but there is something else that is rather interesting. It seems that he did not draw the spell and magic from the spear, but from himself. He produced the magic entirely of his own power."
He looked back to Aireluin. "I am not sure, but I would hazard a guess that magic of this magnitude is highly abnormal for a fleshling of its kind."
Enigma listened as the construct confirmed what he'd already surmised. he approached the party not bothering the hide himself again. what was the point? "indeed. that means that the other goblins were generating there magic as well but answer me this my friend. did you sense anything else in the goblins ashes? the remains of a gies or some sort or a cursed binding spell?"
DFX looked quizzically at the now-revealed fleshling who was handing out magical trinkets before. "A geas or binding curse? No, I do not believe I sensed anything of that type. However, if there was such magic, it almost certainly was masked over by the far more energetic incineration, and my magic sense is not highly developed. But, having seen firsthand just how cruel and brutal fleshlings are to everything around them, I find his statements to be very believable."
Meanwhile, Tank got himself up off the ground and slowly lumbered over to DFX. "Brother," Tank rumbled, "I need cleaning and repair." The bloody, pasted corpses of the three goblins were still smeared over Tank's back, and some of his fiber-musculature was a little frayed where the goblins had managed to hack at it.
Tarson walks back out of the barn with his sword on his back and whatever pack he had. He walks over to the group and stands there.
"Well I don't know about you guys but I've gotten all the sleep I'm gonna get. I'm in the mood to get moving. You all can sit there stareing at a pile of burnt goblin till ya all take root but I'm gonna get an early start to this little adventure"
Tarson put his hood up and started to walk down the path into the forest. He seemed to sing a strange song some what quietly as he walked.
"P. A. R. T. Y. Party hardy as elves get high"
He repeated this as he walked.
Alcir studied the ground and the air, gleaning what he could from the remains of the magic that had incenirated the goblin. He heard the construct, DFX speak on his findings and concurred. He mumbled, "A goblin, normal as far as I can tell, using that sort of magic? Strange indeed."
Then Tarson spoke and seemed intent on leaving the barn. Alcir continued in a low mumble,"Well, I couldn't find any rats or other vermin, and I doubt there's any here besides." He raised voice and said to the others gathered near him, "I'm fit to walk again. How fare the rest of you?"
She nodded towards DFX as he explained his condition was not adversely effected by the goblin's attacks.
Aire slowly turned her head to face Tarson, receiving only a view of his backside and the sword strapped there. His attitude miffed her a bit, but it was true, the goblin was dead, the others had analyzed the magic and an early start was practical.
Whistling briefly towards the barn, she turned towards the rest of the group and nodded as her horse approached, "it would be best if we moved on, come let us go."
Aire followed Tarson and her horse followed her.
Being incapable, Tank did not give off any outward appearance of annoyance, but he definitely sounded so when he talked. "Hey, I am not an inanimate statue! My brother needs to clean these disgusting fleshling remains off my back before I rust!"
DFX came up to his side. "Start moving, you solidified conglomeration of iron slag. I can clean you while we walk. It will take longer, but I can do it. Even if you do rust up, it is nothing I do not have the capacity to remedy."
Giving off a rumbling sound that eerily resembled a low growl, but without breath, Tank started moving. DFX walked just behind Tank, holding two large tongs from his belts. He used these to start picking off the broken bones and largest chunks of goblin-meat off Tank, which he then discarded on the ground.
Enigma followed suite follow the group as they left the barn. he was still considering the goblins and whats the clockwork man had said. he didn't out and out say that they were not being controlled but that he did not detect anything controlling them. he also said that the magic used to kill the goblin may be over showing any control magic. still for o goblins tacting like this. caring about the environment. using magic and fire magic at that. this was going to take some real effort to unravel the mysteries here. he smiled. good thing he liked mysteries and puzzles. he considered trying to sell the costructs a water staff but decided again it. first off the staff was more like a wand only 3 hand spans long and second he could probably make more money selling it elsewhere
Aeo had to chuckle a bit as he heard the golem's banter. Unfortunately it also broke his concentration, but like always he didn't let that bother him. He just really hoped to all the gods that a dragons was not directly involved.
"Heh..." Aeo walked over to 28 and with a smile offered to help clean the staggeringly tall Tank. "I can help if you like, it'd be a nice change to use my skills for a purpose other than causing destruction."
Both DFX and Tank were very surprised when the part-demonic fleshling came up and inquired if he could aid in the clean up job. Tank was very suspicious, but gave no sign; he didn't talk, and kept walking.
DFX, on the other hand, cocked his head at Aeo. "Well, I'm sure my brother would like to get these remains off with as much speed as possible, so I suppose you can help. If you can reach, that is." DFX moved slightly to the left to give Aeo access, but the question remained if he could even reach so high.
Aeo chuckled, his trademark smile spread across his face.
"Reaching isn't going to be a problem..." Aeo admitted, "Finding the right way to remove the chunky bits is. Fire will burn it off cleanly but leave a burnt in goblin smell, ice will allow him to almost shake the pieces off and then I can use acid, but I run the risk of melting through him, so I think I'll freeze the pieces. That okay with you big guy?" Aeo smiled up at the big metal golem.
DFX was somewhat...unsettled, by the part-demonic fleshling's odd smile, but opf course was incapable of displaying any reaction. He answered for Tank. "Well, I supposed the solids can be frozen off, but the fluid residue will have to be removed by more...precise and conventional methods. But by all means, do what you can. Be careful, though. We are somewhat vulnerable to magic, and if you go to far, you will damage Tank. And he will not appreciate that."
DFX fell back slightly so he could carefully observe what Aeo was going to do. Tank just kept walking as he had, though he did unconsciously heft his greathammer.
Aeo saw the shift of the great hammer and subconsciously made it a point to definitely not screw up. He chuckled nervously before extending his hand to the nearest piece of goblin. Then he started to recite a rather ominous sounding verse of what could possibly be described as a demonic poem. He focused his will and the will of the infernal powers within him to grasp a hold of the faded goblin essences he tried to direct the power of the hell rime, a rather weak form of ice spell, through the flesh left on Tank's body. He wasn't sure how difficult it was going to be, but he knew messing up would be bad so he tried his best to maintain a focus while walking.
Armita had finished his work. He could now summon a little aid to his side if the need arise. The runes would last for a day or two, until they would rot or wear away. He stood up and cleaned his hands on a rag he pulled from his pocket and walked towards the rest of the party. A single crow had landed on his left shoulder. While casting, he had been completely out from all the conversation that had been took place and from the looks of it, the others sure seemed to take their time while going back to sleep. Armita noticed that Aeo was doing... well, something to the huge golem-man. Was that spell casting? "Ummm.... What is he doing?" Armita asked from a smaller construct.
Tarson continued walking but stopped singing. He heard the group talking and turned to look at them. He had a surprised look on his face when he saw that they where actually walking with him. Then he got a somewhat annoyed look and stared back down the road. He then spoke rather quietly.
"Damn when will these people realize I'm no leader"
Enigma chuckles. "they best are dragged kicking and screaming to the post you know" he said to no one inparticular. He was rather sure that Tarson would hear him but if he didn't it didn't matter.
DFX turned his head to look at another fleshling, the one that always had a flock of large black avian creatures perched on him. Said fleshling inquired as to Aeo's current actions.
"Well, as you can see, Tank has battle detritus on himself. Aeo has offered to help in its removal, by using his magic to freeze as much of the solid matter as he can. Tank can shake it off himself from there. I will have to work on removing the fluids afterward. Of course, all of this is rather difficult when walking, and therefor requires much concentration. If Aeo extends his magic too far, it will penetrate Tank, causing damage to his external components. It is best not to disturb him during this delicate, and very unorthodox, procedure." DFX turned back to watch Aeo, still walking.
"Oh. That's kinda clever." Armita said to smaller metal man. "And quite daring, I might add. Isn't your friend a bit scared of this? I mean, your kind can know fear, yes? That's what separates you from ordinary golems, the will and reason." The crow on his shoulder gave a long yawn "And there where is logic and understanding, the fear will follow."
DFX held his arm out in front of Armita and slowed down a little, putting some distance between them from Aeo and Tank, to reduce the risk of disrupting Aeo's concentration.
DFX was also a little surprised. No fleshling had ever shown this much (or any, for that matter) interest in how he and Tank work. "Very astute conclusions, for a fleshling. But slightly incorrect. While it is true that we are perfectly capable of feeling most things any sentient fleshling can, emotional primarily, but some physical, doesn't mean that we always do, or that it carries the same significance to us as it does to you. Fear, for example. What do we have to fear? Being destoyed? Depending on your definition, we would be best described as 'cautious' in that regard, if that. Regarding this, the only fear I have is..." DFX suddenly gave a very strange pause.
"...Is one I do not wish to share at the current time. I digress. Returning to your original question, isn't Tank afraid? I respond, what is there to be afraid of? At most, Aeo's magic will go too deep and freeze through sections of Tank's external shell. If that happens, the magic may cause some ill effects in additon to the primary damage, it is still nothing I cannot repair or remove. As for his somatosensory system, at most he will experience a very mild discomfort, due to the magic. He will still not like it, which is why he will probably cause Aeo some...discomfort of his own. One thing I have learned is," DFX seemed to look closer at Armita, "fear, incidentally our topic of discussion, can astoundingly motivate fleshlings."
"Oh my, yes. In my experience it is the best motivation one can have. I bet that's why Aeo is taking some time in this and that's why he isn't grinning as much as he usually would." Armira flashed a smile and continued walking
The Mime looks at her wrist and shakes her head at the antics of the monkeys. She walks over to the farmhouse, and knocks on the door, pasting a winning smile on her face while she waits for a response.
Alcir had been walking slightly off from Aeo and the larger construct. The undead felt it might be best to distance himself from the pair. He heard Tarson curse over being seen as a leader in this party, so Alcir walked up to the man and said to him, "You gave our group some action to do and we each thought that it was a good idea. Why were you suprised to see us walking with you though? Did you expect for us to remain behind and let you travel alone?"
Aeo knew the tricky part of this attempt would be in following the large Tank while focusing his magic. Thankfully all he had to do to follow the large golem was to listen loud and thankfully rhythmic footsteps of the golem. It made his ability to concentrate a little easier as he used the rhythm to focus his magic. Soon he was extending his arm out and touching the goblin pieces. He focused for a few seconds more as he tried to focus more on how the pieces frosted over and how the hell rime felt as it neared the metallic body of Tank.
As he focused he felt an odd clash of energies. He was sure it was nothing and continued his probing of the goblin flesh. Soon he had encased a small area around his hand entirely in hell rime and he quickly pulled away and fell to the ground directly on his rear. He quickly looked back up to see the small area was definitely not enough for Tank to shake off, nor was it enough to even qualify as being scrubbed off.
He sighed, for a moment disappointed in his own abilities. "Gonna have try that again. Maybe next time without the walking." He stood up and looked to 28. "I don't think it's gonna work." Then he thought of something. "I didn't hurt him did I, I mean it's hard to tell with you two. No offense."
DFX looked at Aeo as he came back from his attempt. "The next time we stop will most likely be some time from now. By then, in all probablility, the fluids will have seeped too far underneath his external shell for superficial removal. If this is the maximum extent of your abilities, then time has been squandered. I must recommence conventional removal methods." While the words DFX spoke certainly seemed less-than-friendly, he did not speak them in any sort of accusing or hostile tone, he spoke them as if he was just...casually reciting facts.
DFX returned to a position directly behind Tank. He broke off the frozen chunk with his hand and examined the adamantine plate layer behind it. "Your magic does not appear to have penetrated the adamantine external layer. No damage has been sustained." DFX then picked out his two large tongs off his belts again, and once again set to the task of manually picking off the chunks and broken bones of mashed goblin.
Aeo was taken aback. He wasn't sure if it was the golem's curtness (although Aeo wasn't sure it could be curt) or the exact words that 28 had said or even the combination of the two. That quickly faded though as a slight bit of anger seeped up and if it weren't for the fact that his mother had taught him to never hold a grudge he probably would have let the anger fester like most tieflings. Instead he expressed his anger verbally and magically.
A long series of words provided a strong jet of acid which leaped to the side of the path they had been following. The jet struck into a tree's bark and quickly melted into it taking a sizable chunk from the tree's side. He then grunted and quickly counted to ten in his head. "Like I said, I'm not usually using infernal power to clean things." He then brusquely walked past the duo, towards Tarson.
Tarson looked over at Alcir as he walked up. He shrugged at the undead's question.
"Don't know really. Figured everyone would want to stay and get more rest or figure out what was going on with the pile of Goblin ashe"
Tarson looked back at Tank and DFX, then to Aeo.
"Alright , let's take a break. I'd rather not Tank stink of rotted Goblin. Don't want any predators attacking while we're moveing. Plus whatever it is we're hunting will smell us way before they hear us"
Tarson said no more and walked over to sit next to a large tree and watched the group to see what they where gonna do.
Enigma chuckled. "well said boss man." he knew that chances were that they others would soon have everything thing in hand. mean while he would consider the mystery of the goblins rant. greater beings. dragons looked at all being as being less then themselves according to lore. they elves and humans weren't much better. what could be controlling the goblins yet humble enough to claim that they were not numbered among the greater or supreme being? was this all a game the the manipulating force? such a puzzle and he was lucky enough to stumble upon it. he waited watching as the others begin to help the huge clockwork man named tank. he would offer no help with out being asked unless these people threatened to take all day with there ineffectiveness.
DFX watched Aeo quizzically, completely unaware that he had committed an egregious fleshling faux pas, as Aeo started viciously biting off words in a Dark magic tongue, causing a spurt of acid to shoot off to the side of the road, partially melting a tree. What was the purpose of that? DFX thought to himself. He then said that he wasn't used to using his powers for such a task. Then why did you try? DFX, despite his limited understanding of fleshlings or humanoids, could still tell that Aeo was...Upset? Angry? As he walked ahead towards Tarson. But for his existence, DFX could not begin to discern why.
Then Tarson ordered an all stop for the group, on Tank's behalf (or at least because of him), no less. The two came to a stop in perfect construct unison.
The two looked at each other for a moment and, being constructs and therefor not ones to waste any productive time, got back to work. Tank set his greathammer on the ground and crouched down to give DFX better access as he continued picking off goblin bits, carefully working around Tank's armor spikes. To a fleshling (and anyone watching) this would have seemed very awkward, but DFX and Tank were not, and only cared about practicality and productivity. Speaking of which, DFX realized something.
"Part-demonic fleshling, Aeo," DFX called, "You hypothesized that your attempts at freezing would yield better results if we were not in motion, correct? We have ceased motion, apparently due to this very situation. Another attempt is not unwarrented, if you believe that you can achieve better results."
Aeo spun to face 28, which of course meant looking up and that never made anger seem as threatening. "Well gee, I wouldn't want to "squander" what time we have with my "limited" magic. Best you do it." Aeo made sure to accentuate his words with the well known "air quotes" and then he stomped away and grumbled under his breath with such a venomous edge that the words themselves could have been acid. "And don't call me demonic again."
A crow landed on the back of a huge construct and started picking the pieces of mangeled and frozen gobling flesh.
"You don't like being called demonic, Aeo?" Armita asked.
DFX was very surprised, almost stunned, by Aeo's sudden outburst. He still didn't know why exactly he was angry, but he had an idea of what this time.
"You are experiencing a hieghtened state of antagonism." DFX said. It wasn't a question, or a statement. It was an observation. "Why are you in such an elevated emotional state? From context, it appears that you are directing your antagonism toward me, or more specifically, words I have spoken. I do not understand how this can possibly be the cause. I merely spoke obervations and factual statements based on avaliable input, partially from you directly. How does this...anger you?"
DFX then added something. "I did not refer to you as 'demonic', I refered to you as 'part-demonic', but I can see where a fleshling would experience confusion. Why do you not wish to be referred to as such? That is what you are, is it not?"
Aeo bit back some more anger, this time directed at himself and his bloody forefather. He had actually forgotten the golems had little understanding about cultures other than their own. He took a deep breath and sighed before holding up a finger. "Let me calm down first."
Aeo stood in place and took several deep breaths. He knew it was in his nature to be quick to anger, most tieflings were, but he had always been taught to let the anger go and to never let it swell inside. After a few seconds he laughed at his own stupidity before sitting down and pulling out a piece of jerky.
"Ahh..." Aeo was back to smiling. "Where to begin; ah here's a good place. Tieflings do not like being called demonic in any context. Think of it akin to someone here calling you 'machine' or 'tin can' or something equally insulting although I don't know what those would be..." He paused for a second to think before shaking his head and brining himself back. "Anyway, we aren't demons, we only have demon blood and most of us actually try to rise above the base comparison of such."
He sighed and continued. "As for my anger, like I said I don't usually do things that controlled or small. Infernal power is meant to explode upon an enemy, shaping it and imbuing it with elements takes years of practice and while I've got the elements down I'm just starting on the shapes, you insulted me when I was trying to simply help. THAT is why I got angry. I just let it get the better of me." Aeo huffed. "All thanks to grandpa balor who had a thing for humans..." Then he took a large bite out of the jerky he had pulled out earlier.
Tarson looked into the woods a bit, away from the group. He slowly stoud and started to walk into the direction he was looking.
"I'll be right back. Gotta take care of some personal business"
Tarson looked over his shoulder as he walked. He looked at the group with a bit of a stare as he walked away.
Meanwhile, or Farmer Eric's farm, all seemed quiet... well, except for the cricket game going on in the field. Considering the noise the "cricket" game was making, it should come as no surprise that Eric would come barreling out into the field, yelling at the top of his voice about creatures from the sky and how they "best get away from my Bessie, ya hear?!"
Then, realizing that what he actually had were, in no particular order, one box (bocks), ten monkeys, and a rather comely woman painted white, he quieted down for a second, before yelling about how he "weren't gone stand for no two-bit cattle thieves!" before aiming his crossbow at the mime.
Since Tarson had recommended the group stop so the larger construct could be cleaned, Alcir had decided to see if this area had any rodents he could catch. He only had one rat left in his pack, and that one would not last a whole day. Alcir walked off into the woods only a bit before he heard some soft chittering. Following the sound, he saw a small rodent, but anything was better than nothing, so he grabbed it and put it into his pack.
Coming back to the group, the undead quickly devored the rat so it would not be wasted. When Alcir reached the road again, he saw Aeo talking to DFX.
Enigma idly wondered what Tarson was up too but was too distracted to think about it fully. this mystery of the goblins was still fresh in his mind. still if he was Tarson this would probably the the ideal time to abandon the group. he'd consider it himself if he weren't so sure that profit was in the future of this journey. not necessarily Quid but magic and lore. histories that the world has probably forgotten if the goblins rant was any indication.
DFX cocked his head and listened to Aeo as he spoke, all the while picking goblin bits of Tank, who was still crouched down. When Aeo finished speaking, DFX had gotten almost all the solid stuff off.
He turned his head back to his chore, saying "Fleshlings are unnecessarily highly complicated." quietly to himself.
DFX had finished picking everything off, and while he was talking, he fished a small cloth out of one of his rucksack side pockets and wiped the tongs off before replacing them in his belts. He then picked out a vial with a strange liquid in it. He then put drops of it around the areas stained with blood and other bodily fluids. A faint hissing or sizzling sound could be heard. He then rubbed the areas down with another cloth, making sure to take care of Tank's armor spikes as well. Soon, Tank's armor was completely goblin-free.
But DFX wasn't done yet. Tank's fiber-musculature was still slightly damaged from the hacking the goblins had given it before. DFX set his rucksack on the ground, opened it up, and pulled out a length of fibers in a cord almost exactly like the ones that made up the two composite construct's innards, but it was a lighter shade. He then pulled off a strange needle-probe-like tool from his belt, and started threading tiny bunches of fibers from the cord into the ruptured areas. The tip of the tool glowed as it touched the fibers, sealing them together. DFX then continued to work on this for some time.
Aireluin had stopped a short distance away and was staying out of the conversation regarding black magic, demonic heritage. She was uncomfortable with dark magics and demons.
What "raised her hackles" the most was the presence of undead goblins. Necromancy was a respected and acknowledged form of magic, but it still made her uneasy. She increased her light aura ever so slowly, hoping to keep the creatures away.
Oddly the presence of the undead did not disturb the horse, just the knight.
Armita had to admit to himself that he really needed the break. He usually travelled alone, if you don't count the birds that keep following, and he was used on more slower pace than this. But soon they'd have to keep going again. The dead goblins were still around; long enough for not to be seen, but close enough t be summoned if the need arise. They wouldn't last long, though. By the end of the night, they'd be back rotting again. Armita waled in front of the huge construct. He didn't remember it's name, but Armita wasn't going to let that to bother him. "Say, you look like strong machine." He started, with a Innocent smile on his face. "Would you allow me to sit on your back while we travel? I could keep a lookout and rest my feet."
Suddenly Tarson is standing in the bushes and speaks to Armita.
"Tanks isn't a machine"
Tarson walks from the bushes over to Tank and DFX. He looks at Tank.
"All cleaned off big guy?"
With out breaking his smile, Armita responses to Tarson: "Machine, construct, golem. It's all same. It's the same thing that DFX calls the rest of us as fleshlings, because that's what we are: creatures made out of flesh and such. They are creatures made out of metal and such."
Tarson turned to Armita with a nasty look on his face.
"THERE IS A DIFFERENCE! DFX and Tank have personalities. They can think for themselves. So what if they are made out of metal"
Tarson takes off his hoodie to reveal a black tank top and his whole right arm, right shoulder blade and some of the right part of his face to be stone plus many viewable scars on his torso and left arm.
"You gonna call me a statue cause part of me is stone? Tank and DFX are just like you and me. They where given personalities and the abilities to think by their father. Machines are mindless objects made to make life simple. Those two *gestures to Tank and DFX* are beings, just like the rest of us"
Tarson stoud there glareing at Armita for a second then turned and walked away from the group, further in the direction they where heading. As he walked he put his hoodie back on
"Geeez. I guess someone has some un dealt issues." Armita said while looking at Tarson's leave. "No matter." He continued "I never claimed that you two wouldn't have a mind of your own. What is with these people today. 'Don't call me that'. 'Can't call those this'. Guess we're just a bit tired after a badly slept night. If there's no ill will being the words whoever is speaking with you, then what's the problem? Words hurt you only as far as one wills them hurt him." Armita shaked his head.
Even though he was crouching, Tank was still very significantly taller than Armita. Tank's head slowly cocked down to look at Armita's face, his little red light-eyes glowing ominously. Armita's first flattering comment and his disarming smile had no effect on the social interaction deaf and blind Tank whatsoever. Armita's plea to rest his feet did not register with him, either. All Tank heard was that a fleshling wanted to sit on him!
Before Tank could reply, however, Tarson reappeared and corrected Armita about Tank being a 'machine' before asking himself if the cleanup was done. This is when DFX interjected;
"All fleshling residue has been removed from my brother's external shell layer, however he has sustained some minor damage to his subdermal components, which I am currently repairing."
Armita then asserted he was indeed right about calling Tank a machine. DFX was going to interject again, but Tarson suddenly had a defensive outburst towards Armita on DFX and Tank's behalf. DFX, once again, was extremely surprised. Fleshlings were so volatile!
Tarson then stomped away. Armita said a few things more on the matter. DFC returned to working on Tank while deciding to finally say something himself. "Actually, on referring to us as machines, you are technically correct in conclusion, but your reasoning is faulty. Metal does not equate machine. Indeed we are not even composed entirely of metal, our bodies are composites of many componenets, much like yours. A machine is any device that transmits, modifies, and-or converts energy from one location, process, or form to another. In that sense, we are machines, converting arcane magical energy to physical energy to move our bodies. You are also a machine, a highly complex organic one that converts chemical energy to physical energy to move your own body. However, such a term is then far too general, as it can describe many things in this world. Construct is a much more specific and accurate term, though we are an even more specific subtype, a living construct. Golem, while technically referring to another specific subtype of construct, is a widely accepted regional terminology, and is also correct.
"For another example, Aeo. As much as he might deny it, he is of demonic origin. That is what he is. Nothing will ever alter this. I cannot understand why or how he would attempt to deceive himself from this. It is inescapable. Who he is, on the other hand, is another fundamental entirely."
DFX finally finished working on Tank. His exposed fiber-cord musculature now had small sections with a lighter shade than the rest. DFX put the leftover material in his rucksack, replaced it on his back, and put the strange little tool back in one of his belts. "Brother, begin a test cycle." DFX said.
Tank gave a strange small grunt, then started...stretching. DFX carefully inspected each section that he worked on as Tank stretched it out. As he did so, sounds like ropes being pulled taught emitted from Tank, as well as an occasional pop! from one of his joints as some part of it shifted ever-so-slightly. Eventually, Tank had thoroughly stretched all of himself. "Satisfactory, as usual." DFX commented. "No splitting or rupturing. About one half-day and the new materials will be fully integrated and assimilated. Maintenance complete."
"So, in short..." Armita started "...You want yourselves to be called as constructs?" He scratched his head. "I dunno. Tastes a bit difficult on my tongue. Oh! How about Iron man? Or Clockwork crew? No. wait, I got it! Artifact creature!" The glee on Armita's eyes would have been enought to light a large dinner table.
Aeo took in the entire stream of events with disturbed curiosity. Then 28 had to go back to him being demonic. At that point Aeo just resigned himself to being labeled the "part-demonic fleshling". Although he did have to agree with Tarson on the whole issue regarding the golems or as they seemed to want to be called; constructs. He sighed as he got up from his snack, thoughts raced through his head as he stood inf ront of DFX and held out his hand. In the back of his mind he made sure to note a private talk with Armita about tieflings and the word "Demon" being used to describe them.
"Let's say we try to understand each other a little better and try to be friends." Aeo smiled. "I din't mean to get so touchy about the demonic thing, but you mention demons in most towns even a part one and people want nothing to do with you. Tiefling is just a word we all use to avoid that... displeasure. I think you could understand that at least, right?"
"Who we are is not necessarily determined by what we are" Enigma said to the construct. "after all if you and your brother are wounded and repaired enough then the material that makes you up will change in their origin but who you are is based on your experience and memories of what you've done not what you are made of." then after a paused he asked " or am i wrong?"
DFX looked at Armita in an odd way, if his expressionless face wasn't already odd enough. "...No. Those are highly inaccurate designations. We are not 'men', and we are not composed of iron. Some of our components are, but we are not. We are also certainly not clockwork, nor are we artifacts."
Aeo then walked over, and explained something about how others view his demonic heritage. "Then," DFX began, "the only reason you dislike being referred to as part-demonic is because other fleshlings develop an aversion to you upon discovering your origin?" DFX's head tilted. "This seems somewhat similar to our own situation..." DFX said, referring to himself and Tank. "However, you are asking to be referred to as a...tiefling...instead?" His head tilted the other direction. "But its definition essentially means the same thing, does it not?" His head tilted back to where it was. "However, because my understandings of fleshling and humanoid social interactions are woefully inadequate, I shall have to take your word on this matter."
The eccentric fleshling with odd trinkets then stopped and said a few things. Poor DFX was starting to feel a little overwhelmed at this point. So many fleshlings, saying so many things! To him, no less! No fleshlings had ever loaded DFX with this much input before! "Correct, that is in essence what I asserted earlier." DFX said shortly to Enigma. "However, we should resume our travel. Our forceful companion seems to be getting ahead of us. We must not fall behind." DFX and Tank both then started moving again, in the same direction as Tarson, who had gotten fairly far up the path by now.
Alcir had been listening to the talk between the others. "Everyone's upsets so easily now-a-days..." he said. "Undead, zombie, I've been called a ghoul once... Doesn't matter what I'm called, I'm still a reaminated corpse."
The smaller construct said that the party should be moving once again, so he began following the constructs and Tarson ahead of them.
Enigma shrugged . the construct had a point and seemed disinclined to look beyond the surface of his words. ah well. some liked to look for meaning where there was none others didn't bother looking for meaning where it was there plain as day. The construct seemed to be idling liked a peasant or merchant trying to shift this his sales pitch to ferret out if what he was told was true or not meaning that there was a chance that he was trying to come to grips with everything that was going on at once. it was amusing to think that these entities could be bewildered but that might come in handy later on if he needed to do some fast talking to get something from them...
a few grammar / spelling errors fixed so i can copy and past in ooc
Tarson continued to walk down the path. He had gotten his hoodie on and pulled his hood up over his head and face. He didn't seemed concerned with the others. He just kept walking. He didn't look back to see if the others where following him.
"Don't think too hard on it Mr. 28 or you might just cause you're head to implode." Aeo sighed as he decided to keep pace with the smalled construct. "Fact is organic life is full of struggles that logic can't explain. Hating a a particular race of people for instance..." Aeo sighed again, this time we he began to speak again his voice was filled with melancholy. "I remember when I was a little kid, the other kids in my village would only let me play one game with them; 'Monster' and I was always their monster. Every time I'd try to get in another game they'd laugh at me and run away..." His voice trailed off as he pushed the old memories back in the past where they belonged. "Then they grew up and got to know me and a lot of problems fixed themselves, but I'm probably boring you with all this useless nostalgia, I know I'm boring myself."
He laughed and then began to walk backwards again. "So, Mr. 28, would you like the warlock's perspective on this whole adventure we seem to have been dragged into or do you want take in everything that's been going on in silence while we follow Tarson, 'the tall dark and ticked off'." He said the last part in his usual joking manner.
DFX gave another one of his odd expressionless stares to the fleshling walking beside him. "Excessive cognition will not cause my cranium to spontaneously impode, tiefling." DFX said in responce to Aeo's first comment. On the other things that he said, DFX replied, "If my brother and I had not been out on our own in the world of fleshlings for more than a year now, I would say that I am beginning to understand the reason why our father strictly enforced an imperative of never treading beyond the boundries of his estate."
Aeo then started walking backwards in front of DFX, and offered his perspective on the goings-on. DFX said, "I am always open to new information and input. It expands my knowledge, which is something I value highly."
Aeo stopped dead in his tracks. He hadn't expected 28 to want to hear what he thought was going on, but he wasn't about to pass up an opportunity to give his opinion.
"Well first off, I was joking about your head imploding. You'll probably get used to that if you hang around us fleshlings long enough. Some of us, like myself use jokes, to lighten moods and such, and that goes hand in hand with what I said earlier about logic being a bad place to try and understand us fleshlings." Aeo smiled as he talked, glad to finally get the earlier thoughts out of his head. "As for our group here, I'd put Tarson high on the list of being ticked at our little necromantic friend Armita. I don't know why, but it looks like he hit a nerve with Tarson, probably for whatever reason he's half rock. Armita on the other hand seems to be like me in the whole carefree attitude thing, although I wouldn't ever if I lived for a millenia ask your brother for a ride on his back, just like I wouldn't ask Tarson for a ride on his back."
He stopped for a few seconds to take a few breaths. "Now Our portable shop keep friend and uh... Alcir I think is his name. They're a bit of a mystery, although it's kinda interesting to find out he's undead..." Aeo's thoughts turned to the possible source of Alcir's animation. "Although I don't think he could qualify as a revenant he is definitely an interesting person." He smiled and then spoke with his eyes closed. "Then there's our lovely lady Elf, probably one of the few light magic users with enough goodness in them to actually be well, worthy is a bad choice of words, but light magic actually suits her from what I've seen and from the few conversations we were in."
A lecherous smile then formed over his face. "Of course it doesn't hurt that she's got..." Before he finished his sentence Aeo looked over his shoulder to see if Aire was again listening in, he wasn't sure but he decided to cover for himself anyway. "Really good hearing. As for this adventure, I'm just praying to all the known gods that a dragon is not involved. You know all this talking made me feel better, don't know why." After that Aeo just shrugged, crossed his arms behind his head and looked up at the sky while he walked beside 28. He was really starting to like the constructs.
Tarson finally looked over his right shoulder to see if the others where stayed there or where following him. When he saw they where following him he slowed his paced to let them close the gap. He still didn't say anything to the group as he walked. He kept his eyes forward, slightly scanning the forest as he walked. He then spoke rather softly.
"Life is lived in the present, not the past. Looking back while traveling the path of life will cause one to stumble"
"Talking can lift the spirits. They flow out of one's head through his mouth such as a river flows over a waterfall. If one puts a dam in that river, problems occur. Others benefit from one's thoughts as people downriver benefit from the water. With a dam in place, either the river finds other modes of flowing-- such as violence to others or oneself-- or the river becomes a heavy lake that eventually breaks the dam, causing a flood which drowns all in its path. Talking releases the spirits in your mind, too many left unsaid can lead to pain-- even insanity."
Alcir had been listening to Aeo and DFX of course, it was nice not having to constantly talk to himself thought Alcir.
Aire had not been listening in on the conversation past Tarson's outburst. His statement worried her, but she could not possibly understand what he has been through. Her own experiences would seem as one who had drunk from the golden cup and hypocritical. Still she fell in beside him.
Tarson kept looking forward but spoke somewhat softly.
"You meet all kinds when adventureing"
Aire gazed out over the grass and flowers, all the way to the trees as she spoke, "I haven't really done much adventuring, mostly just duty in service to the people. I imagine you are very right though."
The elf swallowed hard and shifted her eyes to the ground in front of her, "About what you said just earlier... it was a very strong emotion, about your arm..."
Aire let the words drop, she could not continue, "Forgive me, I should not ask such things... I have spoken out of turn."
Enigma Followed listening and learning. There wasn't really much to learn at the moment beyond the opinions and mannerisms of his companions but still that was something. this way if one of them began to fall to some manipulation he would be alerted to it. but then the others two Tank and 28 would probably pick it up faster if they were looking for it.
Tarson sighs heavily.
"No if we're gonna be working together it's not a big deal. I used to be a normal person. I guess you can say I loved the wrong woman. Because of her father my parents are dead, I'm like this *raises right arm* and I'll more than likely never see her again. I'd rather her not see me like this. It's just what Armita said hit a raw nerve. Reminded me of someone I used to work with. Didn't sit well with me. I know he was talking to Tank and DFX but it still got to me. I feel like I have more in common with them now than anyone"
Aire's eyes went wide, she brought her hand up to her chest and clenched her fist tightly, "t... that is horrible. How could he do such a thing??!! I... I am not familiar with your people, but to love transcends race, class and all boundaries... to disapprove of a suitor is common, but murder to resolve it is unforgivable. Everyone should have their chance at true love's embrace... everyone..."
The elf's voice trailed off, her hand and lip trembled. She cast her eyes downward as she continued to walk, a bit of clear liquid ran from the top of her armored boot to mix with the dirt of the road. She paused and inhaled, the breath quivering slightly before she stopped and released it back out.
"I am truly sorry, his deeds should be punished... justice and love should prevail."
DFX absorbed all of Aeo's input impassively, but intently. Tank, on the other hand, kept rumbling along next to DFX, trying his best to ignore the intellectual talk as it irritated him greatly, though it was near-impossible for him, being what he was.
The undead fleshling, Alcir, then chimed in with an interesting philosophy, which DFX also listened to intently. "Communicative verbalizations and 'joking'..." DFX said, "While the exchange of information is a very important, necessary, and natural activity, 'joking' and 'humor' are things that I have never been able to fathom...Our father attempted to induce such actions among our numbers on several occasions, but none met with success. I believe this was one of the few things that disappointed him, though he constantly assured us it was through no fault of our own."
DFX also was able to hear Aire and Tarson's conversation ahead of them, especially Tarson's comment on how he thought that he had the most in common with him and Tank! DFX was beginning to feel...strange, at this point. One of his two goals has been to find fleshlings who were open and understanding, or at least had no aversions to the thought of a living construct, like his father. Had this goal actually been met with this ragtag, motley, misshapen band of fleshlings? DFX didn't know how much stock to put in it, but the odds were fairly good, considering that several of them seemed to have suffered tragedies similar to his own.
As he walked Aeo tried to understand 28's lack of ability to understand humor. The way the construct had said the words made Aeo think that at first 28 simply had a hard time deciphering humor. Then slowly as he ran the response through his head he found that 28 meant that humor was completely alien to the construct's kind. He looked up at the construct, he considered jokes, humor and stories to be a high point of life and the fact that 28 and Tank could not comprehend humor made him a little angry at the world.
"So..." Aeo said trying to find a way to explain humor. "What did your father do; did he define it, give examples, or what? I mean there's not much to get with humor, and everyone finds something different funny. Like me for example, I like irony, guess it's my heritage but irony just cracks me up."
Tarson just did he's usual shrug.
"I've come to terms with my past. I haven't been in my homeland for many years now. I've traveled long and far to try and start a new life. Find a village that needs a blacksmith and setup shop. Or just travel for as long as I can and see what I can find"
"He did not try often, but it was always varied." DFX explained. "Sometime he vocalized these 'jokes' himself, sometimes he gave definitions. It was largely futile for me and other models that possesed higher-capacity mental function. We simply could not grasp the concepts. It seemed that most humor in the form of 'jokes' relied on paradoxes, contradictions, it simply false statements. None of it made any functional sense. These are things that I personally dislike, as they never in any way seemed to significantly aid in the completion of whatever practical task we were performing. However..." DFX then glanced to Tank. "On some rare occasions, some of us have noted things that we have found...for lack of more accurate terms, 'humerous' or 'amusing', though of course none of us ever engaged in an audible expression of such merriment, an activity informally known as 'laughter'. The personal notaion of amusement was more frequently observed with earlier models that lacked more advanced mental capacities."
"What about your love...? Isn't what you are doing just running away? To allow the murderer to not face his crimes and to let love true fade away seems... so very wrong. It is ultimately your choice, but what you have chosen feels wrong to me."
The elf's eyes were wide and glittered with lingering moisture, hand her a dollie and a lolly and she would look as worldly as she sounded.
Enigma could not take much more of this. "some times if we wish to protect something or some one we must leave it. Tell me elf if you know your homeland was under threat because you were there and that staying there to fight would give you a war with an uncertain outcome but that by leaving you could spare those left behind anymore hardship and rick would you stay and fight and risk loosing that which can be saved my letter it go and heal? think about it. if you stay win or lose you could still lose that which your were fighting to protect but if it survives then at least it can heal and grow to blossom again one day. "
The cloaked figure shook his head. " When does a fight cease to be about protecting that which you hold dear and become about being unable to let go even if holding one will bring only destruction?"
Aire's complexion shifted from fresh snow to a shade a tad closer to her cherry blossom hair and she turned to face Enigma, "y... you cannot turn away from what is in your heart. You must face it, not tuck your tail between your legs and run! You do not endanger others, but neither can you turn a blind eye to such things in hopes that it 'will all just get better'. You need to face it, alone, away from others as not to involve them. It is wrong to ignore the heart, it is a true calling... it is what makes us who we are."
There was a definite twinkle in her eye as she stared down the cloaked one.
Enigma shrugged and Raised his hands in a a gesture of submission. the Elf was too emotional to listen and he did not feel like fighting pointless battle. "we all have to pick and choose our battles miss. you may feel that you understand his pain indeed you might but for all that i can see your conversation has only accomplished three things . "
Enigma holds up a finger for each item. "one it's brought up memories that re probably painful to Tarson throwing his mental equilibrium of meaning that if we have to fight ore need a leader's decision Tason might not be able to respond as quickly ore as fully and he needs to try and keep us alive."
Enigma paused for a moment hoping that this reason how ever selfish would start to sink in.
"two it has brought you close to tears and ready to lash out. not the best frame of mid fora paladin mind you."
Enigma smiled and now for the last and most selfish reason. "And finally and to me most importantly to me at least you've distracted me for trying to figure out the puzzle of what's going on with the goblins on other attack forces in this land"
He watched the elf for any change. if she was going to attack him in some emotional outburst this would probably be it. he tried to look calm but he knew that he should have at least cast some kine of illusion or distortion spell before bring this up. now she would probably be to alert for any such spell to work.
Aeo was trying to think about how to try and present something like a joke to 28 when the shopkeep spoke up. He was talking to Aire, seemingly reprimanding her for caring about Tarson's past or something. He was about to tell the shopkeep to back off, but he seemed to do that on his own, which let Aeo get back to his previous curiosity.
"I guess for now we're both stuck on humor in our own ways, but even finding something amusing, even when it's only you is a good thing in my opinion. If you don't mind me asking, have you ever had one of those situations?" Aeo looked up. "You never know it might lead to you finally understanding our crazy fleshling humor." Aeo gave a scincire and friendly smile.
A large crow snatched a half-eaten jerky from Armita's hand and took off. "Hey! I wasn't finished with that yet!! Tsk, damn bird." Looked like The shopkeeper and the elf girl were arguing about something. "Feh. that's the problem of adventuring in large groups. Everybody has to tolerate each other. No matter your beliefs." he thought in side his mind and gave a long sigh. "Looked like it was gonna be a nice day, though".
Tarson let out a low growl when Engima started talking to Aire.
"Will you two be quiet"
He then turned to look at Engima.
"I don't remember you even being a part of this conversation. Don't go thinking if we get into a fight I'm gonna lead you. I've already told you people I AM NO LEADER! If you wanna follow me fine, but don't expect me to lead"
He then looked back to Aire
"The reason I left is because the woman I loved was getting married and she thought I was dead. I choose to leave because my old life was over. Once this was done to me *shows right hand* I had to start a new life, mainly as an attack dog"
DFX turned to Aeo and his metal jaw opened to say something, but then froze. DFX stopped walking, and so did Tank. They looked at each other, and knew that each other had seen and felt the same phenomena.
"We have just observed an unusual distortion. Did anyone else experienced this disturbance?"
Both of Tank's large metal hands increased their grip on his massive greathammer.
Tarson stopped as well and planted his feet in a defensive stance. He slowly looked over his left shoulder at DFX and Tank.
"You guys noticed that too?"
Tarson scanned the local area for any sign of movement. For anything that seemed out of the ordinary.
Enigma not sure what was going of seemed to shimmer as he stood as if casting a protection spell on himself. In reality he was casting a cloaking spell that would temporally distort where he was and where appeared to be and illusion would be left as he moved to where he hoped was safer ground. The illusion would stand their and react as he would but only for a few moments as it was not a particularly long lived spell. Those with skill would probably see through it before too long but by the it's purpose would be served and he would be hiding in the shadows nearby ready to take stock of what need to be done.
A cry of "ee eeek!", and a hefty thwack preceded a high fly ball from the cricket team, which sailed out towards Eric, bounced on the ground between him and the Mime, and rolled up to his foot.
Attached to the ball was a note. One of the monkeys came barrelling out of the gathering shadows, grabbed the ball, removed the note and stuck it to the side of Eric's crossbow, and raced off again, before he could react.
When he grabs the note, he reads:
Quote
Please don't impale our mime, we might need her later to defend your cattle from the rustlers.
P.S. Please don't impale us, either. We'd regret it in the morning.
On the back of the note is a well-drawn heart and a couple of lipstick smudges, just for effect.
Aeo stopped with 28 and Tank when they mentioned a disturbance. Then Tarson mentioned it as well. Aeo didn't know what was going on and was rather confused when Tarson and Tank took a somewhat defensive gesture.
"What are you guys talking about?" Aeo asked.
Alcir had noticed something as well. A strange sensation, but he was not alone in feeling it, so it was not a hallucination. The undead began looking around, who knew what the sensation could mean? Another attack, perhaps?
He turned to Aeo and said, "Something odd's happened. Be cautious."
"Odd?" Aeo blinked. "Describe odd in context to this group, because odd doesn't always mean dangerous." Aeo laughed as he said it. "I mean look at us; two constructs, a tiefling, a necromancer, a... I guess you're a zombie..." Aeo thought on it a second. "An elf, a necromancer, and Tarson and the shopkeep are our two humans. What could possibly be odd when compared to this group?"
"You are speaking of the formation of our mutual crew. We are speaking of a sensory anomaly." DFX explained in his usual sophisticated speech. "We detected some sort of irregular visual distortion, accompanied by a stimulation of our somatosensory systems. It could possibly be described as abnormally low temperature and mild paresthesia. A sensation of this sort is only ever associated with some form of magical discharge or residue, for us at the least. I am unsure if any of our other companions experienced it in an identical form."
Tank started scanning around, his red light-eyes scrutinizing the environment for anything that so much as twitched at him the wrong way.
Aire noticed nothing out of the ordinary, but paused as the others tensed, one did not have to be a seasoned campaigner to know that something was amiss. She was slightly relieved to be distracted from the discussion that had emerged between her, Tarson and this Enigma.
"I did not notice anything I am afraid, the gods seem to find me laughable today... letting my emotions get the best of me. What is it that you have sensed?"
The elf also was relieved that the situation could distract from her emotional outbursts.
Armita noticed that he was the only one still walking. Everyone else had halted their travel few meters behind him."Oh geeez. What now?" he said and turned around. "Are we being attacked? Did someone offended somebody again? Personally I believe that you people haven't just spend enough time in the wilderness" There was a slight tone of impatience in Armita's voice, of which he blamed his sore feet and certain fat crow for.
Tarson looked around ignoreing Armita. He didn't say anything as he looked. Then he looked back the way they had came. Then he started walking back the way they had come.
"Everyone stay here I'm gonna try something. Don't worry I'll be back"
Tarson jogged back up the trail a ways to see if he gets the same feeling.
Added:
Tarson looks at the trail where he is standing. While looking in the direction they had come he raises his left hand and starts gestureing to the group.
"Hey DFX, can you come over here for a second?"
Aire realizes that the others likely do not know what it is that has given them an odd sense. She whispers a few words in the flowing language of the elves and enables her eyes to perceive magic, she searches for any incongruent flows or other unusual things against the normal background.
DFX turned towards Tarson when he spoke. DFX had an idea of what Tarson was trying to do. He walked over to Tarson just as he asked. Tank momentarily hesitated, then followed DFX with, not so much a slower, but a more cautious and pondering gait. He may not have been called, but wherever DFX goes, he goes.
Enigma having found a decent hiding place in the shadows watched Tarson and the two constructs with a interested eye. eye not his illusion was fading away and would not serve as a decoy much longer if at all. still as much as it had take to weave that spell it was on of his favorites. it was good for escaping surprise attackers mobs if they were not wary two the double illusion being cast.
"It's probably just two squirrels." Armita said and started walking towards the others. The crow on her shoulder was not makeing any objections regarding his turning turning and walking. They all usually complained when Armita didn't advance in his travels. They were all about moving and going.
Tarson looked at DFX and Tank.
"Maybe it's just me but does that path *Tarson points in the direction they had just come* look different to you guys? The trees and the bushes don't look the same. I think something is going on here"
DFX looked around with his blue light-eyes at what Tarson was gesturing to. "I am not observing any environmental anomalies." He replied. " The only observations we made were the sensory anomalies, nothing further. However, taking that into consideration, I submit the suggestion that we resume mobility. If the sensory anomalies were significant, and there is a high probility they are if we experienced it simultaneously, I do not discern any logic or wisdom in remaining in this vicinity."
Tarson smurked a bit
"Hrrm"
He then turned to the others.
"Hey does this look like the trail we where just walking on?"
"No, it looks like the underwater adventrue of Admiral Chekovf...." Armita left his sentence hanging. "Wait. What kind of sensory anomalies? You mean like a moment of blindness or strange background disorder?" he asked from DFX
DFX turned to Armita. He regarded the crow-laden human with his usual expressionless metal-face stare. "I have already stated our observations, but I can repeat them. I said that my brother and I detected some sort of irregular visual distortion, accompanied by a stimulation of our somatosensory systems. It could possibly be described as abnormally low temperature and mild paresthesia. A sensation of this sort is only ever associated with some form of magical discharge or residue, for us at the least. I am unsure if any of our other companions experienced it in an identical form."
"Well I didn't experience any... para... par..." Aeo blinked when he realized he didn't know the word 28 mentioned in his explanation. "Come to think of it I don't even know what that means. But didn't experience anything odd at all."
Alcir realized that not everyone might understand what DFX meant. "To put it in layman's terms, a cold chill with an odd creeping sensation and a blurring at the edge of sight. So it seems that we felt the same, at the same time. It must be something important. But, why would some of us not experience them..." The undead fell from speaking loud enough for the whole group to a quiet mutter.
For those on the path:
There is a slow rumbling, and then, from above the trees, a head appears... A very large head. Human in it's description, although with a greenish cast.
"Would you quit your blathering?! Some of us are trying to sleep here."
(For those with knowledge of this area of the world, giants are no where near common for the realm.)
- - - - -
For those at the farm:
Eric looked down at the note, looked it over, then turned around and went back to the farmhouse. After some time, he came back out and said, "the missus says that this here paper says that you're going to be watching out for my cattle. That's good, although I don't know what a collection of woodland creatures and a woman that can't control her makeup are going to be able to do."
Eric looked at the barn. "Come right before dawn, every day, they appear. Weird... creatures. I swear they're from the heavens. You have to stop them. They keep takin' my cattle!"
"Uuuhhhhh...... okay?" Armita responded to the head and lowered his voice "I do not know for sure, but that ain't normal from where I hail from. "
Enigma shivers. spells or not giants could be a problem. perhaps it was time for him to make and exit. but no if he left then he would would be abandoning the mystery that seemed to be deepening with every hour around him.
Tarson shook his head at the others then look around at the rumbleing.
"Now what"
Then he saw the giant pokes it's head over the trees.
"Sorry about that big man. We'll be on our way so you can get back to sleep"
Tarson started walking in the direction they where orginally headed, then stopped and looked at the giant.
"Excuse me for a sec, big man. I was wondering if you could tell us where we are? We're not from around here and think we may have taken a wrong turn somewhere"
The giant gave a quizzical look. "You're in the outlands. No one comes here unless they intend to..."
When the giant popped his head above the treeline, both DFX and Tank took a step back and a much more battle-ready stance. Some of the party members spoke to it, and it spoke back. In the meantime, Tank was talking to DFX.
"Brother..." He said very low voice, "What...is that...thing? No human-shaped fleshling should be that size! By our Forging Father, it's bigger than me!" If anyone was listening, Tank actually almost sounded offended as he said the last sentance.
"I am...unsure, brother." DFX replied. "Our father did keep an extensive library, but I remember reading little of such a creatue as this. I believe it is called a...'giant'."
"Giant? That is not an original name at all."
"No, it isn't. Humanoid fleshlings can be amazingly uncreative sometimes."
During their conversation, the two not-so-quite-large-seeming-anymore constructs did not drop their battle stances.
Upon seeing some confused reactions to his statement, the giant sits up.
"These territories are the Outlands. Only those stupid enough to gain the ire of (he spits) his Lordship would end up out in here... which is why I'm out here. You can't escape the Outlands. You just end up learning to live here. It's... not bad, if you try to forget your old lives."
Aeo blinked when he saw the giant. He had always heard stories of the massive humanoids, about how they could stomp a man flat, toss him into the trunk of a tree like a dart and much worse things. Unfortunately Aeo's mind filled instantaneously with those immediate fears and he quickly found himself staring in fear at the large humanoid. His mind absorbed everything that said, but it wasn't until the giant mentioned that no one escapes the "Outlands" that he realized that he had to be dealing with an idiot.
"Well gee, I guess walking down a path can challenge even the greatest of intellects." Aeo kept a smug smile on his face. "I mean come on the town we came from is just a day's travel back down the road!"
Enigma listened but did not speak to speak would revel his hiding place. His spell was gone worn off when Tarson was talking about how the path was different. Right now he could only hide and wonder. he could not cast that illusion again not until he'd had some time to rest.
still he could not help but think that Aeo was wrong. there were always ways to travel vast distances in moments or to force that travel on others . he used such spells often either directly casting them or having them imbued into artificates so he'd taken not noticed when they ware transferred. not that he was very sensitive to magic when he wasn't looking for it anyway. the quest now was how could he escape the Outlands? he did not doubt that he could there was always an escape but it was rarely easy or pleasant.
"Oh dear, a giant. Pardon me if I stare, I mean no offense. It is just that my mother had always told me that the fey and giantkin were enemies. There were many stories to scare children, but as in all things one must judge the individual."
Aire seemed to have forgotten the conundrum of the distortion and continued to observe the giant.
Tarson just kinda stoud there listen to the giant.
"Well that's just wonderful. Go for a walk down a path and we end up here. *Tarson threw his hands up in the air in mock frustration then he looked to the giant* Hey who is this *spits* Lordship guy?"
Tarson looked around at the others a bit, scratched his chin with his left hand and looked back at the giant.
"It seems we might be spending sometime together. My name's Tarson whats your's big man?"
"You may call me Garon. Although we don't have much, you are welcome to come through the woods here and join myself and my friends for the night." Garon motions to a small path through the tree, which, for those looking close enough, one can just make out firelight.
Tarson caususly wakjed towards the path. He slowly moved down the path toward Garon and his friends. He then looked back at DFX and Tank and gestured to follow him.
"You know we just might do that, Garon"
Not certain of the wisdom of this Enigma hides a while longer waiting for others to go before him so that he may follow in the shadows. something about this did not settle with him and it was best to figure out what. After all he may be paranoid but he may also be right.
"How do we know you're not just planning to eat us" Armita asked. A bold question, but not a stupid one, perhaps.
Tarson looked over his.
"I think he would have done that by now if he was going to"
"Nah" Armita replied. "He doesn't look that fast. Many of us would have probably gotten away if he'd have tried. I say that he just wants us closer and together."
Garon laughs, and it's like low rumbling thunder over the hills. "Little people are amusing."
He looks down into the forested area. "Draskla, come here..."
At this point, a small dragon (small by dragon standards, but still rather large fin comparison to a human), hovers upwards and looks down on the group.
Garon looks back at the group of travelers. "Little friends, if we wanted to eat you, you'd already have been eaten. Draskla here could out fly even the fastest of you, even on horseback. You've been invited into our campgrounds. You are safe."
Tarson left out a laugh as then looks back at Armita.
"What did I tell you?"
Tarson walked towards Garon's camp. As he walks he looks up at Garon.
"So what ya in for?"
The first thing that happened after the giant laughed was that he called out... a dragon. Aeo barely had time to recognize his own fear of the beasts, even a small one, before he fainted into blackness.
The two living constructs carefully watched the happenings passively. Both slowly relaxed their forms as time and conversation wore on, as it became clear the Giant was not hostile. Tarson started in the direction of the Giant's camp, and motioned for them to follow. They moved to do so, and a dragon showed itself. Both DFX and even Tank had a passing familiarity for Dragons. DFX because there was much more text on them than Giants in his father's library, and Tank because listened sometimes.
And then the part-demonic fleshling collapsed on the ground. DFX instantly recognized it as a fleshling state of unconciousnes. How annoying.
"Brother, please facilitate his mobility." DFX said to Tank as he started off towards the camp.
Tank gruffed, then reached his hand with three huge metal fingers down, and grabbed Aeo, not by his neck, but by his head. Each of the three fingers easily encapsulated Aeo whole cranium, completely covering it. Tank then straigtened back up, and simply started dragging the limp Aeo by his head. Of course, because Tank was so tall, Aeo's knees were what were actually dragging. The rest of his body swayed with Tank's gait.
Enigma fallowed the constructs reaching into his mechanise. he did not use anything not yet but he wanted to ready. the giant was bad enough but a dragon how ever small / young being with it? he did not like the odds of the party surviving if their host turned hostile. he wasn't saying that they would actually turn hostile once the party was at camp but he just need to be ready to bolt if it seemed like the would.
The camp could almost be considered a small village. A few small huts sat in a clearing, with dwarves, elves, goblins, and even a ogre and a giant spider taking residence (although, at the present, most were asleep in their huts -- or trying to, since the giant couldn't help but be loud when he talked). No one was from any particular region (one of the elves that was awake wore oriental garb, a dwarf -- patrolling the villiage perimeter -- carried around unusual items and wore grab that could only be described as "odd, although rather comfortable looking".
Nearest to the fire was a small pile of old metalwork, brassware, and empty treasure chests. Draskla curled back up on this, promptly going to sleep.
Goran showed the crew around, explaining that many of these people didn't even originate from the same world, although there were a few that knew regions and locations that others were familiar with. As he explained it, everyone here was banished to the Outlands, a miserable scrap of land not worthy of populating, with soil nearly to hard to be worked, and what creatures that lived there nearly too tough to be beaten (and when killed, tasted horrible anyway). Goran and his fellows had managed to make somewhat of a life here almost through sheer force of will, and just the simple fact that they all banded together and worked to make sure the village survived.
Aire found Garon to be quite a amiable and she found that to be very surprising. However, she was also pleased that her philosophy about all beings was again vindicated.
The appearance of a dragon was even more wonderful and it helped keep her mind away from their current predicament, so much so that she did not notice Aeo pass out or Tank subsequently carrying him by his head. She was a bit too distracted by a giant, dragon and a village of very unusual denizens or else she would have had quite a bit to say about it.
Any elf she saw, Aire greeted properly and in elven, being of high birth and station offered her extensive etiquette training that she put to good use.
Tarson looked around the camp. He spoke somewhat quietly.
"Nice place you got here. I'm guessing you guys have walked all over this place to see if there is a way out"
Tarson looked at the group and then back around the camp.
"Man, looks like helping that town out just got alittle harder than I first thought"
Tarson then eyed the metal and brass by the fire. He got a small spark in his left eye.
"Looks like those could use some work"
"Tell me again..." Armita started inquiring the giant. "Why one can't simply walk out from this place?"
"These lands aren't connected to any one region on any one world. It's like it's connected to all worlds, and yet, once you're here, connected to none. You could think of it as one prison for all the worlds that have ever existed."
Garon look across the village. "It's not as though we didn't try to escape. Many of us did. More of us have disappeared over the years trying to find a way out. Maybe they did, but, the pessimist in me has to admit that more than likely they simply died.
"So, we made a village where we could all live, peacefully, protecting each other. It's worked out well so far, although it wasn't easy early on. We are, finally, getting our supplies to the point where we can sustain the group we have without fear, and without having to do too many hunting trips."
Garon yawned, then looked down at Tarson. "If you can manage to pry any of those bits of metal away from Draskla, you can tinker with them. She's just rather protective of her hoard."
Tarson shook his head and looked up at Garon.
"No, no that's ok. Just alittle bit of a former life shining through. I'm not stupid enough to mess with a dragon and their horde'
Looked down at the group then looks around a bit then gives Garon a side long look.
"So which way did you get here? By walking around or did you just show up here?"
"I personally woke up here on day. Went to sleep in the mountains of my former home, and woke up here, with no recollection of how specifically I came to be here. Others of the group had similar circumstances. Others were walking through parts of their homelands when the world just seemed to shift around them...
"It seems more that the magic comes for them than that any one person accidently walked into the magic, if I had to hazard a guess."
"As it appearers to my understanding," DFX suddenly said, walking up to Garon's side, "Whatever magic that brings and binds us to this region is designed to be subtle and invisible. However, upon our arrival, I and a few others of our crew did detect a very slight magical disruption. This means that the magic is therefore imperfect. If this is true, then there may be a highly improbable but marginally possible way of tapping into it. It will require individuals with the ability to sense magic above normal perceptions, as well as sufficient intellects trained in the mechanics of magic. If we can find a zone where the magic is discernable, we can then attempt to learn how it functions in order to seek a method of bypassing or even manipulating it. Are there any here who can detect magical fields and auras, and any who have spent portions of their existence academically studying the nature of magic?"
Enigma could not help but laugh. so logical so precise but it was also probably point less. tapping into to the magic would likely trigger a trap for the unwary but then again considering the confidence of the caster it might work. stepping forward he decided to offer his option as well. " but could you or any of the others handles tapping into a field of magic with that kind of power? maybe but i'm not sure it's worth the gamble. it would be like a wizard who throws the occasional lighting bolt trying to grab and hold a natural bolt of lighting form the heavens. he might susses but even if he does he'll never be the same. the kind of power need to do this would likely toast anyone if not everyone here. my suggestion this. : Find the spells point of origin. this spells is continues form the looks of it means that it has a focus some there is some relic or caster must continuously work with or adapt the spell for new arrivals. like a shielding amulet the bulk of the magic must be concentrated in one point or to several points. find those points and take them out and the shield fails the only question is what happens to those of us within the shied when it fails? " enigma shook his head.
"the problem is that to find those points we need those that can sense to magic to go looking for them and that's apt to be dangerous. I'd do it myself just to get out of here but i couldn't send the magic when it was cast on us limited my chances of finding it and even with a partner that could find it then defense would be come the major concern" he looked to the constructs. they had senses the spell and they could well defend themselves against most trouble but they would bee so visible was it worth it to try? well he'd lat Tarson decide and if Tarson wanted to bide his time there might be other ways to escape this trap.
Aeo groaned as he came too, and found himself in the palm of Tank, the larger of his two construct comrades. He blinked for few seconds trying to grasp how he was in Tank's palm and where the dragon had gone.
Wait... He had seen a Dragon. He had seen a dragon and he was still alive. He looked up into Tank's palm and suddenly felt very safe. Of course he then saw the beast walking about the immediate area, which resembled a small village and was quickly very, very confused.
"Uhhh..." Aeo spoke up. "Tank, was it, could you put me down now?" He glanced back to the dragon. "I'm guessing we got new friends, huh?"
Tank looked down as the fleshling cranium in his fist started talking, but it was rather muffled due to his three massive fingers completely enclosing the head. Tank figured that since the fleshling was now awake, he could 'facilitate his own mobility'. But, not without one last action of 'help' from Tank. Intentionally or not, Tank took a step forward before letting go of Aeo. This promptly dragged Aeo's feet out from under him again, quickly followed by the unclenching of Tank's fist. Aeo's forward momentum, coupled with the fact he was no longer standing, caused the tiefling pitch forward and fall facefirst into the dirt with a satisfying FWUMP.
Tank continued walking with mechanical monotony, as if oblivious to what he just did (and maybe he was). Tank was at DFX's side just as Enigma finished speaking.
DFX looked to Enigma, who had appeared seemingly out of nowhere, and offered his own plan. DFX, not being particularly prideful, took it in stride, quickly saying "That is a remarkably logical and..." DFX suddenly paused, turning towards Tank, then turning back, "direct...course of action. If such origins exist, this would be a far superior plan of escape than my own. I did not formulate the idea myself because I was imagining that the magic was zone-based, and did not have a point of origin, but I supposed there is a possibility that it does."
Enigma was a little surprised at how quickly the construct to the to ideal. Still it was best to try to clear things up as best he cold he knew that his plan had risk. "you and your bother would probably be okay from most dangers being as hardy as you are. they rest of us? well that's debatable depend on our skills. second even if we balance out our teams to search out the sources of the field we still need someone on each team that's an expert on magic and magic artifacts to figure out what to do once we find them. it's more them the how to disable that which is imprisoning us but what might happen when we do." he turned gesturing to Tarson " he is probably best to decide who and how to search out that which we seek." He smiled "but all that aside i must ask myself the question. : why? Why would this rag tag band that has barley gotten to know, no we have barely meet as we can't really claim the kinship of knowing each other. not after barely one night and one battle together. but why would we be targeted by whatever sent the others here?"
Tarson's left eyebrow twicthed abit when Enigma gestured towards him and said he would choose who is going.
"How many times do I need to tell you people. I'M NO LEADER!"
Tarson quickly covered his mouth and looked at the sleeping creatures in the make shift village, then up at Garon.
"Sorry about that"
He then looked back at the group.
"Look you guys figure out what you're doing by yourselves. I'm gonna go back and check out the trail we came here on. Come if you want just stay back"
After he finished speaking he walked back towards the spot they where transplanted into this realm. He looked up at Garon.
"If you see any lightning over where we were don't think anything of it. Also make sure they *gestured toward the others* don't do anything stupid"
Aeo landed with a loud "oomph" and grunted as he pulled himself up and the dusted his pants off. He then sighed as 28 and the shopkeep seemingly discussed how to disperse a magical field of some sort. He didn't understand all of what they were talking about but he got the general idea that the plan was pretty daring.
He then looked to the giant and sighed again as he realized both the large man and the dragon were not hostile. He was really starting to feel like an ass and he really didn't want to come off as such, but at the same time he didn't want to anger either of the large beings so he just decided to sit down and listen to 28 and the shopkeep.
"The guy who passed out is confused." Aeo said with a dry tone and a yawn as he tried to understand the situation. "Anyone want to tell me why 28 and our shopkeep friend are talking about magic fields?"
Enigma chuckles laughing. in part this was the reaction he expected but that last line? "see what i mean? he's like some over protective father he even asked some one to look out for his family while he's not there or at least make sure they don't do anything stupid. Stupid as in will likely get them killed."
Then he addressed Aeo. "it seems that we've been put in a bottle with others whom the bottler regards as pest. Aside from that we are trying to figure a way out."
Garon commented, "the villagers here aren't looking to draw too much attention o themselves. At this point, we'd rather be left alone than have his Lordship *spat* take notice of us again."
*sigh*
"I know it might seem cowardly, but after months or even yeas in this place, you get to a point where you dread finding out it really can get worse, especially after you've managed to make it a little bit better."
Garon nods to Tarson. "I wish you well in your endeavors."
DFX watched as, again. Tarson had another potent outburst, and stormed off. Enigma said that Tarson's last comment merely reinforced his status as 'leader'. Aeo then came up and asked about the current conversation, which Enigma summarized. Garaon finally spoke up on behalf of the villagers living here.
"Very well." DFX said to Garon. Turning back to Enigma, he said, "Regardless of what course of action we take, the most immediate priority is identifying who among our number can percieve and and analyze magic."
"i have analytical skills but that's from study." he shrugged. "as for my sensing of magic it's not the best i didn't feel what ever brought us here and doubt if i could track it to the source. once said sourse is found i might be able to figure out what to do about it and what the effects of doing it might be." he smiles. "after all i trade in magic it's only possible to really succeed if you know something about the magic in the first place." he looked after tarson and nodded to himself. " if there is nothing else i'll leave you to think about this while keeping and eye on our leader and make sure he doesn't do anything counter production to long life"
Armita raised his hand. "I could still perform that scrying spell that I told you in the village. The last time I used it, I found out about an orc camp that had been practising some strange rituals for weeks. The spell itself is performed quite quickly, but to comprehend the all the knowledge it brings takes a while. It might, however, tell us something more about this place."
Tarson walked out to where he noticed the shift. He looked around at the trees to see if he could notice something. He held his right hand up and started to channel energy to produce the lightning. The ruines lit up as they usually did.
"Alright let's see if there is anything else you can do"
He put his right hand to the ground and started to send out charges of energy to see if it will do anything. He kept his eyes on the trail and paid attention to the edges of his vision for the shimmer.
DFX seemed to straight ahead at nothing in particular as he spoke.
"Current inventory.
"Known entities capable of both sensing and analyzing magic: Construct designated DFX.
"Known entities capable of sensing magic: Fleshling designated Armita.
"Known entities capable of analyzing magic: Fleshling designated Enigma.
"Known entities capable of neither function: Construct designated Tank."
DFX looked around to Aeo. "Are you capable of magical detection or analyzation?"
Aeo looked at 28 and thought on the construct's question. Then he shook his head. "Not really, not unless it's infernal in origin. I'm a warlock, remember, my power comes from tapping into infernal powers. So unless a demon's involved I'll probably best serve the group by melting enemies." Aeo then pulled another piece of jerky from his bag and began chewing on it, "And trust me, infernal energies are the last thing we want involved in this mess."
Enigma departed taking the constructs lack or response as agreement. he did not sneak nor did he call attention to himself as he stepped in the the shadows soon vanishing form sight. it did not take long for hit to find Tarson though and he watched him with his stone arm on the ground. he cold only assume he was tying to figure out something either about the barrier or the path and waited in the shadows both so as not to disturb him an to be ready should his efforts call unwanted attention to himself.
Enigma ruefully wondered when he'd begun to try to protect anyone but recognized that Tarson had that would be need in the near future so it was best to try to protect a potential investments then to let it die.
Aire had moved away from the academians postulating themselves into entropy. She needed to be away from their formulaic and rigid thinking.
Carefully caressing the leaves of a gentle tree, she whispered 'words' that no thinking, intelligent being could possibly comprehend unless they touched of the Wyld and Nature itself. The tree rustled and swayed slightly contrary to the rest and the blowing of the wind. Next she knelt to the ground and after removing her gloves, she placed both hands upon the earth itself.
The sense she gained from the plants and earth felt like any physical, natural world. The air touches the ground and seas, and it seems the stretch off as far as she can feel, rolling plains, highland moors, wooded hills, craggy mountains... a very natural world, but as she concentrates, it feels subtly different... alien then where she calls home. They were definitely on another world with a Natural disconnection from home.
The magic in this realm seems to react the same, gently permeating everything, linking the physical universe together.
Sighing, she moves away from the town to an open grassy field surrounded by trees. The horse follows her and stands a respective distance away. Aire sits and methodically removes her plate armor until she is down to her under garment that is not unlike a skinsuit of some unknown material.
She then lays down upon the grass and closes her eyes. With her mind and magical ability, she reaches out to every corner, as far as she can go, searching, sensing for things that wish to remain hidden.
Aeo yawned and stood up. "You know guys, I think if we are going to find these potential sources, we might want to get started tomorrow, I mean show of hands here, how many of us are just wiped? 28, Tank we know you can probably keep going, but personally all this excitement has kinda drained me." He looked around to look for Tarson and Aire. "On another note, we know Tarson's off on his little 'alone time', but where is Ms Aire?"
The elf maiden's eyes fluttered open and she quickly rises to her feet. Without donning her armor, Aire quickly headed to where most of the others were gathered. The horse stood watch over the armor, and he was a vigilant companion.
Finding Aeo, Armita and the constructs, she approached them quickly. If there had been any question regarding the elf's gender, this is quickly belayed by her current attire. Her black "skinsuit", as in a form fitting garment, but not so thin as to reveal curves of her body or parts beneath it, showed her thin, lithe form and revealed a definite chest size, but nothing so very pronounced. The armor also did well to conceal her small shoulders under the pads and plates. Though it is hard to notice, something is far different in her then any of the other elves here or that you may have encountered.
"I have sensed strong concentrations of magic, much more then what would permeate nature normally. There are two concentrations within a 17 kilometer radius of this spot."
DFX absorbed all the input from the surrounding people in stride. He had been hounded with input overload once before, and thanks to that, he was now able to process everything going on much better. While he was attentive to everything, the only thing that really sparked a responce was the fact that Aire walked up and stated that she already knew the radius of two magical concentrations.
DFX actually felt an extremely mild annoyance. It would have been much more efficient had she announced that she had or could obtain this information before he started taking ability inventory. But as he has learned outside of his father's ruined enclave, fleshlings were almost universally deficient in efficiency.
"In that case, we now have our objectives. However, in the future, fleshling," It almost sounded as if the construct had actually put emphasis on that word... "It would be highly expeditious if you would volunteer such information, or your ability to obtain it, at a sooner instance. It would prevent the unnecessary expenditure of time and energy if such objectives can be accomplished with more efficient method."
DFX surveyed the partially-assembled group again. "If there are no further important items to discuss, my brother and I will secure the perimiter and chart sentry rounds while you fleshlings assume your periods of revitalizing." DFX glanced at Aeo as he said that.
Aire strode past DFX as it orated meaninglessly, she approached Aeo, "you, young master, should find yourself somewhere to sleep as the journey seems to have worn on you a bit much."
The elf girl turned towards DFX and did not even notice that it was still speaking, she gestured to it and directed her hand away, "you, construct, assume perimeter and patrol. Alert us, and the community if appropriate, if there is trouble. Carry on."
Aire had turned away before DFX had finished 'dictating' or Tank could respond. She headed towards where she had seen Tarson, she approached in a fashion to where she could be easily noticed, "I found some large concentrations of magic, two within 17 kilometers, I think those would be worth checking out."
When Aeo first saw Aire in her skin tight clothes, his lecherous leaped into high gear, but thankfully he was able to remind himself that this was the woman who actually didn't care about his lineage and making his already known lecherous side more apparent would be a bad idea. Still he let a few of the minor dirty thoughts flow through his mind.
Then 28 commented on the fact that she did not mention her ability to sense magic ad she seemed to ignore the comment as she took definite control of the current situation. She ordered Aeo to rest and the constructs assume a patrol around the area. It seemed to the tiefling that Aire had done a complete one-eighty in her personality and he wasn't sure why.
He shrugged it off for a few minutes as he looked up to Garon. "I don't suppose you've got an inn around here at all?"
Tarson was kneeling sending energy through his arm into the ground when Aire found him. After she spoke he stoud and let out a bit of a growl as he looked down the path.
"You got a direction to travel on one of them?"
Enigma could not help bet laugh. Tarson it seemed had taken no harm in his investigation and Aire have actually found what was wanted in his absence. such a wast of time on his part. but then what was equally amusing was that the Elf had passed so closely to him and had not noted is presence in the shadows not more then two body lengths form whee she boldly strolled by.
DFX, once again, looked at the fey-fleshling as she talked over him. He was surprised by her sheer audacity, doing nothing but repeating what he said as he said it. How unnecessary! Especially when she gave him an order to secure the perimeter, which was already his next most immediate priority. Not only could she withhold vital information, she could also spout utterly useless things as well. DFX wondered if such erratic, wasteful behavior was characteristic of fey-type fleshlings. Either way, even though he was still getting used to the way fleshling leadership works, as opposed to the kind back at his father's enclave where his father expertly directed all operations, DFX decided that he preferred Tarson much more over this Aire. He, at least, could hold something together and keep things moving through sheer force. Certainly not how DFX would do things, but effective nonetheless. This Aire, thus far, seemed to be incapable of accomplishing anything properly. She actually offended his deep sense of efficiency and order, which was extremely difficult to do, considering that he was relatively emotionless.
Wordlessly, he and Tank turned and left, heading for the outskirts of the tiny village, to do some real planning and perform a meaningful, useful task.
"Tarson and Aire. we should head back to the came." Enigma smiled "After all Aire if you found tow of the spots we need to investigate then we'd best rest ourselves and prepare our selves for the unexpected. "
Tarson looked over at Engima and growled a bit.
"If your tired then go find a spot to sleep"
He then turned back to Aire.
"You said there was two so I think we should split up into two groups and see what we can find"
"Tarson you're smarter then this" Enigma said. "you've shown it time and time again so surely you know that to go on with no rest and lest preparation is a fools errand." he looked at the stone armed partly stone faced leader of the group. "are you really so desperate to escape" he asked with sudden inspiration.
Tarson glared at Enigma.
"I'll sleep when I can. If you remember why this whole thing was started was to save a village and if you look at the refugee village back there full of people who I am sure would love to get out of here. I would like to get out of here as soon as possible to save the villageers who put some form of faith in us"
He looks to Aire.
"You and me need to have a talk with Garon see if he might have any idea where these things are you located"
Enigma opened his mother then closed it. he had not meant escaping form this magical bottle he'd meant something else and he was fairly certain that Tarson knew whats he meant even if he wasn't sure himself. 'Very well. if that's your wish let me give you a charm that you can use to enhance your powers for a bit while i return to the village and scramble a few others of the team." "i'd go with you myself right now except i'm of the mind that we need a balance of power and Wit about us and with only three i find our power sorely lacking" that said Enigma reached into his cloak and seared for a load stone. it was really just a magnetic piece of rock that had been struck by lightnings many times but it seems to adobes much of the lightening and hopefully it could be used by Tarson in a more inventive way the enigma used it which was as a compass.
Tarson shook his head and sighed.
" I don't entend to do anything beyond the planning stage until the others are fully rested and ready to go"
Tarson walked back to the camp to see if Garon was still awake or if he had gone to sleep.
Aire fell in behind Tarson, "I... am not sure if I know where they are, this land is foreign to me. I will need more time to concentrate on the magics to determine the distance and location. There is a distinct possibility that this land is too different then our own and I may not be able to give much assistance in this matter. "
Tarson turned around and looked at Aire while walking backwords.
"Looks like we got nothing but time. We'll see what we can pull off when everyone is awake"
Tarson then turned around and headed to the camp. Then thought out loud.
"I wonder if this is where that farmer's daughter ended up"
Once in the village he looks for Garon to see if he's awake.
Grateful for the return back to camp Enigma followed at a bit of a distance. where they arrived he checked around and found a decent niche of land near a half rotted tree to rest in. soon he was sleeping the light sleep of one used to life alone on the road.
"I do not require sleep, but... I feel rather dizzy... now... from having torn my psyche into a thousand pieces and scattered it across time and space... all at once."
Aire stopped for a moment to allow the rush of magical fatigue to run its course.
DFX and Tank surveyed the perimeter of the small shantytown, and DFX quickly calculated the most efficient patrol pattern around the place, but there was one small problem. To DFX, at least. He set Tank on the patrol anyway, then walked around until he found Tarson, who was speaking to Aire. Addressing Tarson, DFX said;
"I have plotted the most effective path of patrol for the security alert of this settlement. However, there is a setback that requires addressing. The perimeter is simply too outsized to be secured adequately with a mere two units. The patrol breaches are absolutely unacceptable. We require either additional units for patrol, or we must agree on economizing the area to be patrolled by eliminating superfluous structures and nonessential ground from the patrol route in order to allow it to be managed by two units."
Tarson looked at DFX and shook his head.
"I honestly don't think the village is really in need of patroling. They've managed to get by so far. Also I'm sure they have some sort of patrol as well. It would be best, if you wish to, is guard our group. There seems to be a few flesh eaters here that may see the group as a breakfast snack. I'm gonna go over my plan with the others when they wake. First I need to speak with Garon to see if he could lend a hand"
DFX acknowledged Tarson's assessment and suggestion, and walked off back to Tank to inform him of the change in plans. Tank was a bit miffed, but dutifully sidled off towards Aeo, him being the only one of the party not near the others, and in fact talking to the giant, potentially one of the things to guard against. Tank just slogged up behind Aeo, then held his statue-like state.
DFX, on the other hand, had a slightly more personal to do list. Having already pretty much shrugged off the subtle event between him and Aire just before, he walked back over to her.
"I have a request to make, faerie-fleshling." He said. "Seeing as our group will, in all probability, be idle for the immediate future, I wish to examine your 'dragon carbine', as you have referred to it. It is a magic item, and I am eager to study any and all magic items possible that I come into contact with. You might entitle it a 'hobby', though I prefer to term it as a spare-time recreational pursuit of my own affinity. I assure you that I will handle it with the greatest of care."
Aire was noticeably irritated from her magical fatigue, but still she straightened herself out and stared directly into what passed as eyes on DFX, "I am disinclined to acquiesce to your request, and I am displeased forthwith at being referred to as 'fleshling'. Whether it is what I am or not is not relevant in comparison to the perceived debasement of our status as intelligent creatures. If you cannot address us with our given monikers, then cease vocal communication within my presence for a period infinitum."
The elfling stalked off in a huff, returning to where her horse and equipment could be found.
DFX was, yet again, at a loss. He was beginning to have serious doubts of whether or not finding someone like his father was worth the cost of such erratic behavior. He was totally unprepared for it. It made no sense to his construct mind.
Turning to Tarson, he said, "If she is truly so adamant on being referred to as 'Aireluin Silithiel', why does she not simply say so? Why did she proceed to wander on such a wild tangent? She completely ignored my simple request, and instead fixated entirely on something as petty and insignificant as a designation."
He looked in her direction. "What completely confounds me though," He continued, "Is that at the conclusion of our encounter with the goblin band, she was very amiable, enough so that she expressed concern if I was physically damaged. No fleshling, my father excluded, has ever inquired about my physical state as such. I appreciate that greatly. But then she became erratic just after our arrival here. I have already referred to her as a fleshling in the past, and she has not taken exception. Indeed, she even referred to me as a construct, which I do not object to at all. For her to take expection now, obvious contradiction to previous attitude notwithstanding, is perfectly hypocritical. This is only one example of her recent behavior in addition to several others."
DFX returned his gaze to Tarson. "I am still woefully underprepared and underequipped for correct decryption of fleshling behaviors. Do you have any hypotheses as to why she has become this way, and any possible remedies?"
Tarson looked at DFX and shrugged.
"I think her little magic trick drained most of her energy. Alot of people when low on energy like she is get real irritated with things. Sometimes the simpleits things will with anger them. I think once she get some rest or whatever it is she does, she'll be back to the way she was before. Just don't expect her to apologize, I don't think she'll give one"
OoC: I haven't been in here for a while, which is my fault, but I'm here now, so let's get this show going. I'm going to do a brief bit with the major points, and then let's see who comes back and follows the threads. Fair enough?
InC: While the party discussed their plans, the town settled back into sleep. Those looking to talk further with the townspeople would need to do so in the morning, although, for some of you, the idea of sleeping doesn't sound all that bad.
There are two points of magic that can be detected by the magically-inclined in the group. They are about 17 KM away, and, if you focus hard enough, you can detect them directionally, putting them equidistant from the town. Those looking to go to one (or both) are reminded that there are, allegedly, terrifying creatures in the landscape, and to take all necessary precaution.
That said, the air is crisp and cool, and there does seem to be a hint of adventure on the air.
Tarson growled abit as he looked around the camp. He looked around as a slight wind breezed past. He walks over to a large tree and settles down in the roots of the tree. He looks around at the group while as he leaned up against the tree getting ready to sleep.
"Trust in a bunch of beings that can't really get along to save the world"
Tarson closed his eyes to get some sleep.
Aire settled down in the field and began her meditation to still her mind. The act of seeking had drained her mana reserves substantially, weakening her discipline over her wyld side. She would be fine by morning, baring any night time disturbances.
Enigma's rest was fitful at best. to say that his dreams were haunted would have been like saying that water was wet. the normal groups was less then happy customers were different this time. there was a shadow behind them some thing stirring them up into a frenzy. around him the walls of the town became a labyrinth and his meager magic skills would not hide him forever. This truly was a puzzle worth solving and somehow he felt that this quest would lead him to his answers.
DFX and Tank, in accordance with Tarson's earlier suggestion, merely stood like statues as an infailiable watch over the sleeping members of their own misfit band.
The new morning starts with the sound of the village coming to life. The citizenry head off on their various morning tasks: tending the small fields, short hunting trips, supply gathering. Those with specialize skills (such as the blacksmith) open their stalls. Everything in the town works on a barter system (a system of favors really), since currency is meaningless on such a small scale.
Garon seems to be in charge of the town, since he's the largest being in the collective, and the most capable of withstanding any problems (from without or within). Those looking to further gather the information are probably going to want to start with him before moving on.
Tarson slowly woke to the sounds of the the town waking up. He slowly climbed to his feet and looks for Garon (can't imagine he would be hard to find).
"Hey Garon there any ruins around here?"
"Ruins?" Garon thought about it for a few moments. "Well, this world did, at one point, presumably host a large civilization. I do recall, back when I first arrived, walking past a few abandoned towns. Of course, those towns were long abandoned. If I had to make a guess, centuries old. Having seen a few towns come and go in my long life, that would probably be a fair guess."
Garon looked out across the fields. "I don't know what you're looking to find, and I certainly wouldn't want to attempt a long walk again across the countryside. The beasts have grown only more deadly as of late."
Enigma stood in the shadows of a dwelling listening not that it was easy to do otherwise with the giants booming voice. he has been work since a little before dawn and was checking his gear. he wasn't sure if the construct brothers had seen him walk past but then he was not considered a threat to the party being a member of it.
Aire returned from her meditation fully rejuvenated and in better spirits then last night. A small dose of magic cleansed the trail dust from her body and hair, another refreshed her armor.
Her daily hygiene taken care of, she carefully began putting on her armor, belting on weapons and seeing to her horse. After such routines she made her way to the town and spied Tarson speaking with that Garon fellow. Aire came to stand a bit behind and to the side of Tarson and tried to catch some of their conversation.
Tarson caught a bit of movement and a glimmer of light off of armor. He spun around to see Aire.
"Oh hey Aire. I was just talking with Garon. Asking him if there are any know ruins in the area. He said he's seen s few abandoned towns. Do you remember a general direction of the two magic things you sensed?"
"Good morning to you Tarson." Aire looked about for a few moments, turning around twice, before she responded to his inquiry, "indeed I can find the magical concentrations. However, I do not recommend undertaking an expedition without everyone along. If one as capable as Garon speaks of dangers, we should listen and respect his experience."
Enigma smiled. wise and wary if not eager to escape this prison. still his chance of survival would be increased by having more capable warriors them himself to act as his living interactive shield. He approached them without haste or any undue attempts at concealment. after all these were his allies were they not?
"I know, I know. I just want to get back to that town. They where counting on us somewhat and now we're stuck here for some reason" Tarson stood there, then looked around the small town. "Damnit why didn't I just follow those monkeys. I wouldn't feel so bad if I was the only one here but no you guys had to follow me. I told you I wasn't a good leader" Tarson walked off abit after he finished talking.
"i wouldn't worry too much if i were you." enigma stepped into full view. " i have a suspicion that this is not so random as it may seem. After all how often do incidental nobodies like us find themselves of some big bosses annoyance list to the extent that they are sent to a place like this? "
DFX and Tank had been hovering around, just keeping an eye on the various members of the group. DFX had been listening to the entire conversation around Tarson, and made his way over as Tarson was complaining about being a ''bad leader' again.
DFX stood behind Tarson when he stopped moving. Enigma also walked up, and started saying something. DFX nodded when Enigma finished. "I believe this fleshling may be correct, or at least on a correct path of thinking." DFX said to Tarson. "Also, the fact that we have come to be here does not speak of your ability to lead. Only the circumstances leading up to the fact may gauge this. If, as you say, your ability to lead was poor, that would imply you made a conscious decision that resulted in our current situation. However, we were merely following a trail through the forest to search for our objective. We weren't even necessarily following you at the time.
"You have a duty now, fleshling. Your feeble protests and illogical complaints will not relinquish you of it." It was difficult to tell if DFX was serious or joking, and indeed if it was joking, it would be highly unusual. But the way he said that sentence, even with his toneless voice...almost suggested he said it with a smile, figuratively.
Aire followed after Tarson, "in no way is any of this your fault. If anything, it is all of our faults, but that is irrelevant. This situation was unforeseen, there would have been little way to predict such a thing. If anything, it eludes to the possibility that we were on the right course. We also have raised a bit of ire from what is likely behind the problems we are investigating. This place may hold valuable clues to what we seek. So let us gather and discuss it, but in the end someone needs to make a decision and that someone is you Tarson."
"Alright, alright. The first question is what do we do. Go check out those two areas Aire found or check out some of the towns Garon. I'm kinda worried about trying anything cause I don't want to bring any trouble on this village. These people have cut out a living for themselves and I would hate bring them issues" Tarson looked around the village. "One thing for sure if we find a way to leave we're gonna have to bring these people with us, if they wish to leave. Anyway I say wait till everyone else is awake to hear what the plan might be"
Aeo was snoring, perhaps a little too loudly as he was awoken by a passing dwarf that kicked him square in his chest. He woke up with a cough and spouted off a few choice dwarven curses that would either bite him in the rear later or cause the dwarf to blush. He didn't count on the latter.
After his rude awakening Aeo quickly scurried to find his comrades and was quick enough to overhear Tarson's question on where to go. Aeo thought for a second, he knew ghost towns in their world were mostly harmless, but here they could literally be crawling with ghosts. Of course following Aire's magic sense would most definetly lead them down adventure's path. Of course Tarson was only concerned with keeping the village safe, which Aeo didn't really consider, he was being starved for excitement. Anything would do... even the goblins. Well maybe not the magical one, he was annoying.
"I say we follow Ms. Aire's magic sense." Aeo smiled with a second waking yawn. "I mean let's face it, we need answers and I need something to keep me busy. Dusty old towns ain't really going to hold that now are they?"
Tarosn looked abit annoyed when Aeo walked up.
"Where the heck you been?"
He then looked to Aire then to DFX.
"That's one vote for Aire. What do you think DFX? Any ideas?"
DFX's metal head tilted in an almost quizzical manner. "I was not cognizant that this was an elective process. But Aeo Dall is correct. Aireluin Silithiel is the only individual here who has demonstrated the ability to detect the energy concentrations." His head straightened. "Locating the concentrations is our current objective, correct?"
"Both ideas have their merit, and I will give my full support to whatever course we decide to take."
Aire turned to Aeo, "just Aire is fine Aeo. Ms is not needed."
"My interests in is finding the locking points and either escape or disabling them completely. while studying them might add to my inventory it's not worth the time it would take or staying here". Enigma smiled. "in short i say we go then before we do anything stupid we get everyone ready to get out of here"
Tarson looked around the village then back at the group.
"Alright looks like we'll be tracking down those spots then. Now the real question that comes to mind is do we split up and go after them both at the same time or go after one then the other?"
Aeo blinked.
"You don't listen to bards very often do you?" Aeo chuckled nervously. "Whenever a story has the group splitting into two or more you get endings like; 'And thus our doomed adventurers wandered into to death's open maw.' and such. Besides splitting up seriously cuts our ability to take on... well ANYTHING including those jerky goblins. I think we should stick together, I personally like breathing."
Aire chimed in after Aeo, "Indeed, splitting up is not a wise decision. We should take on each of these objectives one after the other. If our group was larger, we could consider taking on two objectives at once, but without significant reconnaissance we do not yet know what we face if anything."
Only time would tell. She thought to herself.
"Aire and Aeo both have valid points." said enigma. "i say that vote on which sight to pick then we approach sending in scouts first followed by the rest of the rest of the force either as backup for escaping or to arrive to help with researching a way out of here"
Aeo looked to 28 and the large and imposing Tank. He didn't doubt for a second that the constructs would agree with the logic part of his and Aire's argument, he was actually counting on it and hoping they wouldn't surprise him by voting a split.
Then his mind (and eyes) wandered to Aire and just settled there for a few spare moments as the chatter around him went on. He wasn't sure why but he was finding himself in the odd position of not wanting to sleep with the elf woman. Instead he was feeling more inclined to do incredibly dangerous and impressive things to try and impress her. Of course he also realized that their greatest danger thus far had been a group of goblins, one of which he really wanted to hurt...
Then his mind wandered to Tarson. He liked Tarson, the guy just needed to lighten up a bit. He didn't understand why the large man who looked like he could put both fists through their new giant friend was always in such a bad mood. Of course Aeo did understand that whatever caused his unusual deformity was probably a lingering pain, but still he couldn't fathom letting one's pain rule their life. He was determined to get their unofficial leader to at least stop acting like a sour puss all the time. He'd settle for a happy hour every now and then.
Enigma, the shopkeep popped next into his mind. He didn't really care for the greedy man. Of course he did seem to have a few useful items on hand. Aeo would just have to make sure the man kept his word and didn't charge the group to heavily for items used in a pinch. Of course if the man was stupid enough to over charge this group he figured their might not be enough left of the man to identify him.
Then there was Armita, the innocent looking necromancer who... Aeo looked around for the boy. Aeo looked in the sky for Armita's birds. Then he noticed a distinct lack of said birds and he felt his heart plunge.
"Uhh.... guys, anyone seen Armita and his birdies?" Aeo didn't hide the fear in his voice. He hated the prospect of loosing friends even and especially new ones.
Alcir had been mumbling to himself while watching the events since the group had entered this place. He had waited through the night and now he listened as plans were discussed. He agreed that staying as one unit was the smarter choice. Then the part-tiefling had mentioned the abscence of the mage child, Armita.
The undead walked up, and spoke "I have not seen the young one, but perhaps he is resting. The battle and the dimmensional transition may have sapped him of stamina." Alcir to look at the others with his one eye, a bit of morning light glinting off the metal plate bolted to his face, then added "I might be of some use scouting, lacking the need to breathe aids one in being silent."
Tarson looked around at the group.
"Ok staying together it is then"
Tarson then looked at Aire.
"Well you're in charge of this litte jaunt as you the only one that seems to have any clue as to where we're heading"
Tarson then looked back at the Armita not being around comment.
"Well if the kid doesn't show up by the time we're packed and on the road I guess he'll be hanging out in town til we get back"
The elf giggled slightly at Tarson, "silly Tarson, I will most definitely lead you to the locations, but you are still the leader. You cannot shirk this duty."
Aire blushed a bit as she realized how flighty and whimsical her remark had sounded.
"curse the faerie, I need to be serious now." She muttered to herself. Clearing her throat she composed herself before continuing, "when would you like to leave Tarson?"
Tarson raised his left eyebrow at Aire's first comment. Then shook his head.
"I'm up for leaveing as soon as we can. Anyone that doesn't make it by the time we leave can chill out in the village til we come back"
Aire nodded, "I am prepared to leave immediately. I will remain with you, unless you wish me to leave, so that we can be ready to go at a moment's notice."
Tarson actually cracked a small smile and looked at Aire.
"What makes you think I would want to get rid of a pretty lady like you?"
Tarson then went straight faced as he looked at the others.
"You all ready to get going people?"
Alcir said in a clear voice, "I have no needs this village could fulfill. I am ready to leave now and for the immdiate future." He added in a mutter "I ate last night, but I'll need to hunt soon."
Enigma shrugged. he'd recovered a great deal during his rest and while he might want to scope of the villager getting out of here was a number one priority. "we stay or go. either is but one step on a path with many more to be taken."
Aire blushed deeply at Tarson's remark, but did not reply to it. She was rather flattered and far too embarrassed to say anything for quite a while. She waited for the group to begin movement and she stood ready to give direction when asked.
Tarson looked around the area for a bit.
"Alright let's get moving. Aire would you lead the way?"
Aire started slightly as Tarson addressed her and blushed a bit more. Shaking off the feeling, she focused and recalled what she had sensed last night. Opaque tendrils of green rose from the ground and swirled around her for a brief second and she opened her eyes, "Yes, I am sure of it now... it is that way!"
The elf gestured over the rows of huts, past the blacksmith and off into the horizon.
"So..." Aeo noticed the others more concerned with which direction to go rather than their comrade. "Right yeah, survival of the fittest." Aeo muttered it to himself as he started back to his stuff.
"I'll be right back, I just gotta grab my stuff." Aeo said with a quick smile. He didn't want to leave the young necromancer behind or even think that something may have happened to him, but the adventure called and with any amount of luck Tarson was right and he was just oversleeping and would catch up. At least he hoped that was the case.
A familiar looking crow landed on Tank's shoulder and started pecking something that had gotten stuck into the construct's armor plates.
The two constructs stood like statues as the group decided on what do, realized that one of their number was missing, and decided to move on anyway (though Aeo moved back to get something of his he left behind, or so he claimed). DFX in particular was slightly troubled, but said nothing. He could not offer any reasonable hypothesis as to how the crow-laden fleshing had vanished during the night, when the two constructs were keeping watch over the group.
But just as a few people started moving, and the constructs were about to follow suit, a familiar-looking crow swooped down, perched on Tanks shoulder, and began getting at a lodged impurity. Tank simply stood still as the crow pecked away. DFX watched for a moment, then said to the group, "I shall assume this indicates our comrade Arimita Zhelion is present. All group members are accounted for, we may move on." Quickly turning, DFX called out, "Aeo Dall! Please expedite the collection of your personal belongings. We are proceeding to the first energy concentration now."
The two constructs turned to follow Aire, with the crow still perched on Tank's shoulder. The crow finally got the little obstruction out of Tank, a piece of bark. Tank turned his head to the crow and said, still in his deep voice, but actually quietly, "Thank you, little feathered thing. That was itching me rather awful."
The crow flew from the construct's shoulder down to the ground, gave a shriek and and started pecking the ground. At that very moment, another similar bird joined to the task, then another, and an another and one more until there was a small flock of crows pecking and srcathing the ground with their pecks and talons. Suddenly the ground fell a bit and the birds shunned away, keeping their distance near. An arm raised itself from the small hole and pulled itself to the surface. As it hit the ground, it lifted a body of a worn boy. Gasping for air, Armita cursed out loud: "Blasted spell, blasted old man and blasted these damn birds!" Covered in dirt, the boy started dragging himself from the tight pit that started filling itself as he got away from there.
Tarson just arched his left eyebrow and shook his head.
"Just when I thought I've seen it all something happens to prove me wrong"
Aeo returned just as Armita was rising from the ground and, not for the first time, he found himself blinking.
"We are the weirdest group ever." Aeo laughed as he buttoned up his vest.
Alcir took in the event, then turned it over in his mind. What was this young boy? Regardless, he turned to the tiefling and said, "Aeo, I think the child and his 'birdies' have returned." The undead turned and, while headed in the general direction of their elven guide, he kept an eye open for any food that might present itself.
"I'm a lech not blind." Aeo said defensively and then looked to Armita. "Ok Armi, lets walk and talk." Aeo smiled as he started towards the others.
Tarson looked at the others and started walking.
"Alright lets get this show on the road"
Tarson then simple walked up and fell in behind Aire.
"So boss where too?"
The terrain outside the village, now bathed in the light of a rather murky day, looked even more forbidding than when the giant had described it the night before. Few things grew well in the lands, possibly due as much to a lack of real water sources as to the amount of base magical energies coursing through the land. Tree grew bent, with barely any leaves. Grass was sharp and dry. Bushes resembled tangles of brambles (although, possibly deadlier, if you considered what could be living in the bushes).
The "forests" (and that's being kind describing it that way), gave way to open plains that stretch for miles in all directions. There were no mountains, no hills. As a small comfort, it'd be hard to be surprised by attackers.
Of course, there's also the possibility they wouldn't need the element of surprise.
Armita groaned for not having enough time to have a bath or even get the dirt from his hair, but he didn't wanted to leave his newfound friends just yet.
"So, where are we and where are we going this time?" he asked while picking grains of sand from his teeth with a hay straw.
As the group left the village, Aire had whistled for her mount and the obedient fellow had fallen in with the party. He traveled almost as if he were a member and not just the elven dame's warhorse.
The elf huffed at Tarson's 'boss' comment, he seemed to enjoy poking fun at others, "I am merely the guide, besides, I am only knowledgeable in leading cavalry, gunners, archers or artillerists... not adventurers."
As Armita inquired, Aire pointed across the plains, "we go that way master Zhelion."
The elf continued to guide the group in the direction of the closest energy source and remained vigilant for threats ahead, to the sides and from above. Anything approaching from below ground would be noticed by the horse Cloudchaser.
For those that are paying attention, on the horizon one can see the faint interplay of magical light. The effects are temporary, but, quite clearly, for a split second, one can see the entrance to another world.
Once the magic fades, the entrance is closed. However, a single figure (unusual perhaps by even this party's standards) is viewable on where the entrance was.
OOC: Go for it, Ghostwish.
Master Zhelion?, Armita thought with himself. He almost blushed if it weren't for all the dirt on his face. Well, the answer that the elf gave to him was as good as any. A single crow landed on his head while the rest of the flock stayed up in the sky.
As the magical lights came and went and the figure appeared, Armita raised an eyebrow. "Is that what we're looking for?"
One can only hope that the party was far away enough not to hear the startled yell followed by the sound of a sudden and abrupt encounter with the earth...
Regardless, Malcurth let out a sigh of disappointment as he slowly picked himself up off the ground and went about absentmindedly dusting off his robe as he grumbled to himself. "That does it.. I'm never teleporting myself again. I can only count myself lucky that there wasn't a tree right where I'm standing now." He mutters to himself as he begins to pat himself down, mentally ticking off his possessions, before his paw pauses beneath his neck, pressing against his chest.. "Uhm, hello.." He says quietly, quickly glancing down and looking about on the ground, his eyes intent and flicking to and fro. "Ah!" He starts, quickly kneeling and plucking a glittering peice of jewelry off the ground. "Thank the Huntress.. I thought I had lost it.." He mutters softly as he wipes the necklace off for a moment before raising it up and carefully over his head-wings, settling it down around his neck and tucking it underneath his shirt. "Much better."
He then takes a moment to glance around, at which point his eyes widen in surprise.. "Wait a minute.." He says, briefly looking about, before exclaiming, "Where the hells am I?!" He growls softly as he crosses his arms across his chest while he continues to look around. "Oh come on now, I'm never this far off.. I didn't even teleport that far! At least, I don't think I did.." He complains.. before his eyes fall on the approaching party, still a ways off.. "Oh hello." He says, tensing up a moment as his disguise almost instinctively falls into place.
His wings shrink, shrivel, and vanish beneath his robe before disappearing entirely. His head-wings seem to withdraw into his hair without ever so much as a feather remaining, and his eyes slowly pale, before turning the light blue of a cold, winter sky, the same color as his mother's eyes. And then, for all intents and purposes, the incubus looked like just another snow leopard, maybe a tad lost. It had become routine for him, knowing that any cubi often had a less than favorable reputation with strangers. And not a moment too soon, for the party was coming close enough for him to actually get a good look at the odd following..
.... "Holy.. sweet mother of pearl.." He whispered softly, dearly, dearly hoping this wasn't a group of cubi hunters.
First and foremost, he noticed something very, very off about the group. They were humans in the party. Actual, honest to all, humans. From where Malcurth was from, they were thought to be extinct, either wiped out by plague, or each other for their supposedly over-the-top violent and vicious ways. But that wasn't even the start of it..
The first and most noticeable members of the group were as imposing as they were unimaginable. A pair of constructs, both quite a lot larger than the average man, but the first one was HUGE, and undoubtedly some manner of mechanized maelstrom of destruction. Malcurth noted massive spikes protruding from its armored hide, a warhammer of near comical size, and while he did so, the more tactical side of his mind quickly noted that even the best of his pyrotechnics would not even scratch the massive behemoth, and it would more than likely take a prolific amount of demonfire to even slow the hulk, if such a thing was even possible! The second one, although smaller, seemed to be of a much sleeker design, perhaps some manner of special construct meant for a specific task, or merely a support for the larger one. Malcurth even toyed with the idea that it might be some kind of spell-casting mec, something that, while very intriguing, did not sit well with his preparations for the worst possible outcome of this meeting that he could foresee.
The next fellow to catch his eye was a huge man, complete with a golem arm! Malcurth had seen such things before, but usually the exotic appendage did not function quite as quickly or as effectively as one's standard parts. Malcurth simply chewed on his lower lip a moment, hoping that this party wasn't about to be a bag full of not-so-nice surprises for him..
Next malcurth noticed there seemed to be quite a few birds following the party along. Crows to be specific, and they seemed to congregate around a young boy who was dressed in poor clothing. He could only guess as to why this was, for maybe the boy was a druid or shamen or some such, but for now Malcurth noted the other party members as well.
Like the fellow in the red shirt. With a slight squint of his eyes, Malcurth noted that there were a few traits that signaled this fellow to have an infernal heritage. Although doing his best not to be an outright hypocrite, Malcurth quietly clucked his tongue as he recalled a tiefling's aptitude for mischief, or outright evil...
There was a human in the group, who seemed ordinary enough, but there was also a.. What was that? A sub-breed of human? It had the shape of a slim, petite female, far too thin to be a human. Whatever she was. she certainly had an interesting heritage, judging by the odd hair color, and Malcurth quietly snorted to himself as he found himself acting the role of a hypocrite again, before letting his eyes linger on the last fellow a moment, the one in the black hood.. He.. looked human.. but something about him was just a little.. off.. Malcurth couldn't put his paw on it, not yet, but there was something about that one.
He also quietly noted one, simple yet slightly hidden fact.. There were no furs in the party.. Although this fact tugged at the back of his mind for a moment, he stored it away for now.. He couldn't be.. could he?
He sighed softly, and waited for the party to approach as he preferred not to walk up to such an.. exotic group. It occurred to him that they had more than likely seen his entrance from a distance, but he could explain that easily enough. He just hoped they proved to be peaceful enough, or he might be breaking his oath and teleporting a lot sooner than expected..
Aeo felt the presence before he saw it, but he remained quite. He was probably the only one that felt it anyway. Then as the group came to view the disturbance Aeo saw that it was in fact a person or at least humanoid. Still there was the sense.
It was like a cold finger down a fevered spine and a cackling laughter in the dark there was something infernal about this being and he couldn't tell if it was a source of power or the being itself, but Aeo was on alert and it was visible. He stiffened as he walked and kept his hand near his mace. Infernals were a tricky lot, and he knew that from his own experience with his own kind, what few he had met anyway. He tried to pace up to Tarson and Aire as he walked but he was not the most fit of the group and found himself forced to slow and catch his breath. Then he realized he was walking close to the ever thumping Tank and 28.
"Hey..." Aeo said. "You two sense anything odd about the being up ahead?" He didn't want to sound like he suspected anything, but he knew the question might raise a few eyebrows.
Tarson walked near Aire as the lightning and the newcomer showed up.
"Huh I wonder if that's what we looked like when we showed up"
Tarson then looked back at the group.
"Ok everyone look friendly. No need to go picking fights with strangers or scarring the hell out of them either"
Taron then looked back at the newcomer.
"I wonder who he pissed off"
Alcir thought about what had happened might mean. He could not see perfectly the being who had been dumped into this hole, but the undead muttered, "If I'm seeing that thing right, he's not human... Even by our odd standards." Alcir asked the group, "Are we to appoint a diplomat to meet this... newcomer?"
DFX and Tank both easily saw the light show, saw the distant silhouette of a person who had been deposited by it. Aeo came up next to them and asked if they could sense anything, and Tarson and Alcir remarked on his appearance, and the two large constructs slowed to a stop as the party began to consider how to deal with this new event.
DFX took a moment to respon to Aeo. "If you are referring to the magical disturbance, it has already faded. If you are referring to the person himself, he is not projecting any form of strong magical field or aura, and I am incapable of sensing anything otherwise. However, I can see him adequately...this person is not a human. He seems to be covered in white pelage, not a dermal layer...and he has an abnormally elongated face."
Aeo understood about two words of 28's statement and then blinked. "He has an infernal sense about him." Aeo decided to keep pace with the two constructs. "And what did all that mean anyway?"
Alcir explained the construct's statement for Aeo, "The being is covered in white fur. There's no visible skin. And... if I have not gone blind, he has a snout." He shook his head, "I have seen numerous creatures on our world. But I have never witnessed one such as this." The undead took a step towards the pecular being. "Should I greet him, then?"
Tarson waves with his stone arm to the newcomer and shouts rather loudly.
"HEY THERE? WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?!"
The incubus watched cautiously as the group stopped and was apparently debating what to do about his presence. Please don't let them be making a battle plan.. He thought quietly to himself, when another idle thought crossed his mind. He concentrated for a moment, and tried to scry their thoughts.. but came up with only static. Damnation! He cursed, I knew I should have paid more attention in the academy..
He sighed, and decided that perhaps it would be best if he did make the first move. He slid his paws into his sleeves, and couldn't help but clasp his paw over the hidden dagger on his forearm. Just in case. He began to slowly walk towards the group, keeping his facial expressions as neutral as possible, despite the turmoil currently rocketing through his mind. As he approached, he used the once sense he had that never seemed to falter, unlike his cubi powers, or pyrotechnics. Scent. Maybe it was the combination of leopard bloodline mixed with a cubi ancestry and a sorcerous gift thrown in, but Malcurth did have a rather keen sense of smell. He tentatively sniffed at the air as he drew within range, and caught a variety of odd odors.
There was the distinct sulfuric scent of infernal blood, perhaps too subtle for a common nose to pick up, but definitely coming from the tiefling. He also picked up a slightly tangy and sweety scent, something he recognized as fae.. The pink one, maybe? He'd seen some odd look faeries in his day, but this? However, not even that was the most unusual sign he received.. No, he picked up on a scent that was dreadful, repungent, although not in an overly smelly way.. more like.. spiritually repulsive.. he could not place it at first, until his mind again wandered back to his days in the academy.. during a brief stay in a necromancy lecture..
His eyes flickered to the hooded man for a moment, and he-
"HEY THERE? WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?!"
- nearly jumped out of his fur.
While the only outward appearance of his sudden startled state was his fur bristling slightly, he found that he had instinctly gripped the hilt of his dagger, and forced his paw to relax before speaking. "Well.." He starts, pausing a moment to search for the right words.. "I was just outside of the amazon land, but now.. I am not so sure where I am.." He speaks, regarding the party's reaction for a moment..
Aeo was perhaps the single most nervous person in the group at the moment. Then the furry stranger said a magical word. That word was "Amazon" and that word propelled Aeo to the front of the group in mere seconds.
"You know amazons?" Aeo perhaps looked to enthusiastic about the possibility of meeting legendarily attractive women.
Tarson put his stone hand on Aeo's shoulder.
"Easy sparky, you can worry about Amazons when we figure out how to get back. Besides don't they hate men?"
Tarson then looked to the newcomer.
"Sounds kinda like how we got here. So you got a name?"
Aeo blinked and then let his smile spread into a lecherous grin. "That's a minor detail..." Then he looked to the furry stranger and he could clearly sense an infernal power, but now he was convinced the power was something the furry guy had as a power, still he would keep an eye on this one.
"I'm Aeo Dall, lech and Warlock..." Aeo made a bow. Then he rose with a confused look, "...or was it the other way around?"
While his outward demeanor had been under strict control before, the sudden advance of Aeo managed to, needless to say, ruffle his fur. he took a cautious step back as his tail stuck straight out, fur bristled and tip wagging back and forth furiously. His eyes were wide, pupils constricted as he stared almost incredulously at Aeo, and he inadvertently slid the dagger slightly out of its sheath. However, as soon as Aeo spoke, Malcurth relaxed noticeably with a soft chuckle as he carefully put the dagger back and withdrew his paw from his robe. This particular scene was a tad too familiar for him..
"Yes, yes you could say I do. My mother was one, and I am of their proud bloodline, in a manner of speaking." He says, and then watches as the golem man walks up, and tries to calm/restrain the tiefling, before making a comment on the tastes of his family.. "Yes and no. Amazons are actually quite fond of men.. but abhor idiots. Now what determines which is entirely up to the individual amazon, however.He says, smiling slightly.. this group didn't seem so bad after all..
"Ah.. and my name is Snowfur.. Malcurth Snowfur.. Sorcerer and.. former merchant, I suppose. Now.. you said something along the lines of the same way you got here?"
DFX decided to step forward at this point. To the newcomer who had never heard him speak, DFX's speech was rather flat and droning. "We were unwilling transported here, initially without our knowledge, a slight sensory distortion among myself and a few other members of our congregation being the only indication something abnormal had occurred. However, I am not certain your appearance matches ours. Yours produced a large and irregular visible magical disturbance. Is there any information you can provide that can aid in clarifying this?"
Aire, who had been quiet and observant of this newcomer, decided to step forward after holstering her Light pistols. As the others focused on this furry creature, the elf remained vigilant in keeping an eye on their surroundings.
"Indeed, what DFX says is true, our entrance seemed to be much less flashy and exceptionally stealthy. We are both in the same situation, though joining with us may not be in your best interests. If we succeed in our aim of returning, it will be to our own world. I am pretty sure you are not from there, so you may end up stranded on an alien world."
Armita couldn't almost believe his eyes. He had first thought that the stranger wore a mask of some sort, but as the boy saw the facial expression and mouth movement, he realized that that was his real face. Armita ignored all the talk of amazons and everything else and just stared this oddity. "Is that fur real?!" The boy was dirty as freshly picked potato and smelled like fresh ground.
Enigma stood off to the side and let the others gather the information for him. It was better then extending himself and he had seen more then enough wary individuals of whatever race to know that this young entity was nervous about them. And though Enigma had no proof he was willing to bet that up till a moment ago when his hand ,or rather paw as it was with with fur and seem to have claws hidden in it, had been on some sort of weapon beneath his cloak. still he was curious as to what sort of merchant this Snowfur was selling and if he had any magic talismans on him as well.
"Maybe..." Aeo interrupted before Mal could speak. "But there's always the fair chance we all get sent back home as well as the off chance that if he does get sent back to our world that our mages could come up with a way to return him to his own world. Also I doubt it'd be healthy to go anywhere alone in this godsforsaken world." Then true to form he added. "Plus I wanna hear stories about Amazons." Aeo gave a great big smile. "So can we keep him?"
Tarson looks over at Aeo with a bit of a smile on his face.
"The better question is. Can he keep you? I have a feeling you would want to go with him and he may not want you tailing him everywhere. Besides didn't he say thet don't like idiots"
Tarson then looked back at Mal
"My name's Tarson and yeah we where just walking down a path in the woods. The next thing we knew we where here. We showed up last night and are currently searching for something that may or may not be able to get us home. So what ya say wanna tag along with us and round out our group?"
As monotonous as DFX's voice may have been, Malcurth listened with rapt attention and twitched his ears curiously for a moment after the construct was done speaking.. "You are sentient, aren't you?" He asks, and then smirks slightly. "Sorry, you must get that a lot from organics and I can only imagine it becomes rather irksome. And I should not be so surprised.. You are not the first 'mec' that I have met, if you are familiar with that term."
"As for my entrance, it does seem to have been quite a bit different from your own. You see, I was experimenting with an ability of mine that has been quite unstable in the past, and I was attempting to see if I could get a grasp on it." He says, before sighing in irritation as he crosses his arms over his chest. "This will be quite the lesson for me to just leave chaos alone. All I did was try to move two leagues to the north, and now here I am on an alien world. Wonderful." He says, sarcastically rolling his eyes.
He had watched Aire with a curiousnesses for a while, noting her unusual weaponry. He had also seen firearms before, and it was rather ironic that it was in the same instance that he met a sentient machine for the first time as well. "Well, ma'am, I have no intention of staying here, but please pardon my curiosity, but I must ask what race you are. You appear human in some respects, and yet I smell a fae of some sort. I hope I am not being offensive in any manner.. It is just that all of our records concerning the human race are ancient beyond dragons, and our descriptions are equally vague."
"Is that fur real?!"
Malcurth turned his hidden eyes towards Amita, and grinned. "Is that hide real? No fur whatsoever. Seems rather exotic and uncomfortable to me. You must catch every draft and breeze like that." He says, before drawing his paw over his cheek with his claws just barely extended, enough to graze lightly through the snowy light fur. "Another gift of my mother's heritage. Hence the family name, you see."
Now, as for Enigma's curiosity, if anyone was watching the leopard with any ability to detect magic, they might pick up on a odd variety of types of magic coming from his pack on the outer pockets. All of the magic signs were too small and too insignificant to be an actual sorcerer's tools, so perhaps Malcurth was keeping with his old trade after all..
"Ah, I believe that Aeo might be correct. I could certainly find my way home through any means that the rest of you use to find your own way, and it would not be wise to go tromping off on a world I know nothing about, all alone." He says, but then grins and peers at the tiefling with an upraised eye ridge.. "But I often wonder if our young master here wants to hear stories of the glory and bravery of the amazon warriors, or of their antics around the hot springs?"
And finally, to the half-golem, he merely shrugs simply. "Master Dall is more than free to tempt fate and dismemberment at the hands of the femme fatales. I, however, would welcome the company. So, what was your destination before I so rudely dropped in?" He asks as his tail idly swings slowly back and forth behind him.
"We were in search of a possible means to free us from this place, Aire acting as our guide," Alcir answered the ... creature? He stepped forward, in a slightly frustrated voice he asked, "And sir, Malcurth, to ease my curiousity, what are you?" The undead noticed something odd then, though Malcurth seemed no older than Tarson or the teifling or the living human, he had called Aeo a 'young master.' Alcir wondered how aged the ... The lack of knowledge of Malcurth's species was beginning to grate upon the undead.
Tarson scratched his chin with his left hand then looks at Alcir.
"I would say he looks like a humanoid snow lepeord, to me. Works for me, aslong as he doesn't try to kill any of us"
He then looks at Mal.
"We don't know this place any better than you really. We just happen to show up near a small village some others made. We spoke with a giant there that seemed to be in charge there. He couldn't really help us with anything. Just told use to be careful. The local creatures are nasty"
Malcurth turned a curious glance towards Alcir, and that is when he noted the metal plate on the fellow's face.. "Perhaps we could share our knowledge of our kinds then, good sir, for although you seem human enough, I have senses that tell me otherwise.. I hope I do not offend. As for what I am, yes, I am a snow leopard, although the race of furs and avians and reptiles on a whole that share this form are simple known, collectively, as 'Beings', as we vary from breed to breed so much that few can call us one thing or another. There are also dragons, fae, phoenixes, gryphons and even angels and demons on my world.." He said, although the incubus was careful to leave out the race thought to be conceived through a union between angels and demons. "My world is quite diverse, although I would say from the party here that your own home is no different."
"Well.. I doubt standing around here gawking will get us very far.. what say we continue on the way you were headed?"
A 'being' then? As good a moniker as any other. Alcir was a little bit suprised that Malcurth could not determine his own race, though perhaps undead did exist upon his world, strange as that would be. "I am an undead. A zombie or ghoul, as some call my kind. A human corpse, reaminated with necromantic magics." Alcir paused, then nodded and asked, "If I might request of you another answer, ... Malcurth, what is your age?"
Tarson snapped his stone finger together which made a really odd noise.
"Ok we can talk and walk at the same time yes?"
Tarson then looked at Aire.
"Ok boss lead the way"
Aeo smiled as Alcir finished his question and nodded. "While we're at it, what's the infernal sense I get about you? You got a demonic weapon on you or something?"
Crap, am I that damn obvious? People always claimed I acted differently after my first century, but really now!
"An undead? I wonder why I did not quite recognize your scent earlier.. We have sentient and non-sentient undead in Furrae too.. I suppose it is because you are human.." He says, and shrugs simply. "And as for my age, I am old enough to have been around the countryside a few times, and know a few good tricks."
Except how to tell a good lie, you furry retard.
However, the question that Aeo asked was twice as disturbing.. "An infernal aura on me?" Crap crap! "I have not a clue.. mayhaps it could be a residue from my arrival here?" How the heck do you mask auras!? I know they taught it at the academy! "I do have a number of trinkets in my pack, but as far as I know, none of them are infernal in origin.." But noooo, we just had to focus on being a sorcerer and not a cubi, am I right? Moron! Idiot! Snowy! "Mayhaps you could look over them to see if one of them has become cursed from my journey?"
And remind me to kick myself in the face later.
"Appear human... smell fae... I, hmmm... how does one address this kind of question?" Aire replied as she thought outloud.
She thought for a moment and snapped her fingers just before reaching into her pack and producing several plush dolls. The first that she presented was one quite like her, elven, but it was strangely androgenous (to those that can tell the difference). She also presented a number of stuffed animals, "I am an elf, one of the first of the old races on our world. We were created from the souls of animals and a piece of the wyld. The wyld is what the faeries... the fae are from."
Aire brought forth a typical tinkerbell style faerie doll, "faeries are strictly immortal creatures of the wyld... and I am half faerie on my mother's side. She is of the Seelie court Sidhe, so do not worry, I am not a malicious prankster or flighty and whimsical, I can control my faerie side."
Aire spun around and stared a dagger at Tarson, "I am only your guide, not your leader... stop calling me that!" Despite her look, she sounded more playful and light then angry.
The elf continued to lead the group in direction of the magical signature.
"Yeah sure..." Aeo glanced at the new furry guy as if to say 'You're lying and I know it.' and then he dropped back into the rank and file with a faux yawn to mull his thoughts over.
As he quickly mulled the thoughts over he hear Aire's remark to Tarson. "Maybe but you're more pleasant to look at from back here as opposed to ol' Tarson." He laughed with a smile as they walked.
Enigma's eyes widened slightly. he's assumed that she, Aire was and elf but to have hear that she was part faerie? that was unexpected. he could not believe he'd not seen it before but then he'd had other things to worry about.
Armita rolled his eyes. "Why is it that every one in this group is afraid to carry the specter of leadership? Aren't we collective enough to make due with out that one of us gives the orders?" This had been pugging the young warlock quite some time now. Every time some one made a suggestion and no one had any objections to it, it made him (or in this case her) some what a figurehead for the party. Guess no one wanted to be the first one to sink when this ships hits the rocks.
The way that Aire went about explaining her species would have probably shocked and bemused most, but after meeting the headmistress of SAIA, it seemed oddly familiar to Malcurth.. However, the knowledge of a new, to him, species known as 'elves' was quite interesting indeed. "Ahhh, so an ancient humanoid race? That is good to hear. Someone to challenge the dragons, mayhaps?"
Malcurth did, however, eye Aeo nervously for just a brief moment.. The tiefling was picking up on the odd heritage of the cubi race, which meant Malcurth had better relearn how to mask auras in a hurry, less he was discovered. It would have to wait until tonight when he had time to concentrate, however.
But shortly afterward, malcurth grinned at Armita and reached over to prod the battlemage's cheek with his claws retracted.. "So I suppose that makes our elven friend our leader, and you her trusty side-kick then?" He jested as his tail swayed back and forth playfully.. "I never did get a reply about that odd hide of yours.."
At the first of Malcurth's comments, DFX spoke up once again. "Incorrect. The person in the designated capacity of convicting important decisions is this fleshling, Tarson Hunter." DFX pointed at him. "Aireluin Silithiel is merely guiding us to our targets, as she is the only fleshling among us capable of detecting them at such an extreme range."
Tarson rolled his eys at DFX'a comment.
"Thanks DFX I don't know what I would do without you"
"Challenge dragons you say? Perhaps some of the mightiest Elven Lords and Warmages, but my race is not so very mighty as to be able to fight toe-to-toe with dragons. Did someone say infernal...?"
Aire used her magical sight to scan about for aural signatures, there was an odd sense from Malcurth, but nothing she could identify.
(note that her exotic accent has disappeared)"Malcurth, sir, you have an strange sense about you... why is that? It does not look like residual energy from your transport here, nor is it interference from this world. We were warned that the lands were dangerous... perhaps we should not be so quick to welcome."
Aire sighed, "perhaps I am being too suspicious. What do you recommend Tarson?" (her voice is normal)
Tarson just kinda shrugged.
"I say let the kid come along. If he shows us any hostile intent, we'll kill him"
Malcurth's hackles nearly rose as Aire revealed that she had scanned him, but he managed to keep his appearance as calm and complacent as ever. Well, skin me alive and call me a human, if this keeps up.. He starts to think, but then comes across a brilliant excuse.. or so he thinks.
"Wait a minute.. have any of you ever even seen one of my kind before? Has it not occurred to you that perhaps these things are normal for my kind? I mean, example. When I first came upon you, I could not identify our robed friend as undead, despite I met many such creatures, sentient or otherwise. His aura was strange to me, nothing more!" He says, simply crossing his arms across his chest as he walks. "I am certain that beings from this strange world would find us all a little odd, magical or otherwise."
You. Hell. Hand basket. Mkay?
But he actually grinned at Tarson's comment, and chuckled softly.. "Would you believe I was apprehensive of approaching your group first for those exact reasons? I was actually sizing up the big metal fellow here.." He says, sweeping a paw up towards Tank.. ".. for he seemed to be the most dangerous in the group. I believed that only the most desperate of my arsenal could take him down, and even then it would be a close shave.."
Tarson gave <al a wirey smile and held up his right hand.
"Oh don't let the looks fool you. We all have our own little secrets"
Electricity started to run up and down his right arm. It stops and he puts his hand down and starts walking.
"Lets get moving people. I wanna see if we can find this place before sundown"
Alcir nodded in agreement to Tarson's urgings. As he fell in line amongst the others, he said "We should not judge him by an odd arua alone, this group accepted a tiefling, a war construct, and myself. Malcurth should receive no different treatment." The undead turned his head to Malcurth, "And my odor did not reveal myself? Surely that nose must be for show, then."
As the group kept moving, DFX spoke up once more. "I do find you the most unusual fleshling I have encountered thus far, but unlike other fleshlings I do not find you alarming, disturbing, or view you in any other negative context. Indeed, I am immensely curious about yourself and your origins."
Then, Tank stepped up to be behind Malcurth, leaned forward as he walked until his head was by Mal's, and for the first time since Mal's appearance, spoke. His loud, deep bass, booming voice would almost certainly rattle (unintentionally?) the unprepared humanoid-animal, especially at such close range. "I should be most dangerous. I wasn't meant for fighting, but I was made for ultra heavy duty. Works just as well." The massive construct straightened a bit. "Also, my dear brother didn't give our names to you. My taken name is Tank."
Tank's voice tone, while it still didn't variate much, did so noticeably more than DFX. And while his speech was also simpler, it seemed more expressive than DFX's. As Tank spoke, Mal might get the impression that despite his inability to make facial expressions, his mannerism (what little there was) almost seemed to suggest he was grinning menacingly the whole time. DFX, meanwhile, spoke up again; "My brother is correct. I have failed to provide our identities to you. My designation is DFX-28. I have yet to accept a replacement name. My brother's designation is BRT-75, but as he has stated, he has accepted the moniker of Tank."
Aeo slunk quietly over to Aire and tugged at her leg.
He whispered as low as he could. "I'm not saying we shouldn't trust him, but trust me there most definitely is something infernal about him. I just can't get my horns around it, but it's most certainly not an item."
Enigma walked among the other like a shadow. he was there but he wasn't there completely. this new arrival puzzled him and he didn't like the way this puzzle was shaping up. He was an unknown that seemed to herald more unknowns to come. the huge giant has said that this location was a cross roads of many dimensions. this meant that mister Snowfur could be from one of them.
"You are quite the interesting person mister Malcurth. i must however advise you to pace yourself and consider carefully before doing something that would set you at odds with this group." he smiled under his hood. "after all what not everything is as simple as it seems even if you're not as young as we would guess."
"Feh..."
Armita didn't make any witty comebacks at the stranger's comment. He just tucked his hands into his pockets and continued walking with the others. Another crow landed on his shoulder.
Malcurth's eyes widened as he watched the bolts zip over Tarson's arm as easy as you please. <i>So the arm is enchanted? This is an interesting group indeed..</i> But he then turned his eyes to a sidelong glance at Alcir.. "Actually, I can smell you, but you do not smell like an undead. In fact, good sir, I have just now managed to pin down your odor. You smell, for all the world, like a frozen popsicle of the lemon variety." He says, grinning slightly. "I have to say that I am finding more and more unusual things about this group as I go along."
But Tank interrupted his next observation by giving Malcurth quite the fright. With his slightly frazzled tail sticking straight out behind him, he turned his head to look over his shoulder at the two mecs. "So Tank and DFX?" <i> Please don't tell me the smaller one is 'Shredder' or some such.. </i> "And if Tank is a heavy laborer, what were you intended to be, DFX?" He asks as his tail seems to slowly calm down, resuming its slow sway behind him..
And the surprises kept coming as Enigma snuck up along besides Malcurth, and promptly lived up to his name, even if Malcurth still didn't know it. "That I am rapidly catching up to, and although I do not yet know your name, mayhaps I could take a swing at it? It is not something along the lines of Riddle, is it? You strike me as the prophet sort, if I may be so bold.."
"And before my muzzle falls off for so much blabbering, I have to ask, what is the strange affinity for crows with the young mage? Are you a shaman of some sort?"
"Oh..." Armita raises his head in suprise has he hears Malcurth mentionin the crows. A half a dozen is in the sky, flying a wide circle above the party. "I'm a battle, sort of. Well, I do use earth compounents in many of my spells, but I'm no druid. These birds just follow me around and steal from my rations from time to time." The crow on the boys shoulder gave a shriek and took off. "Well, that's what you do, don't you!?" Armita shouted back to the bird.
Enigma chuckled. Enigma wondered at this young man but he would keep his suspicions to himself for now. He seemed far to knowledgeable and at ease for this situation. He was probing for information with even more skill then himself . As his mind idly ran through several books of lore on other worlds and one of his favorite puzzles he was surprised at the other coming so close to calling his given name as it were. "yes perhaps we should return the trust you've shown." he cleared his throat. "very well. i'm known as Enigma though if you ask around you will find that i may not be the only one called such. "
"I do apologize, I do not wish to be rude, but trust is not something we can afford to easily give here. However, we are prepared for much and can handle ourselves well." Aire examined her Light Rifle and readied it with a full charge, the amount and strength of the Light magic emenating from it was palpable enough to be "tasted". She brought her gaze up to Malcurth's and smiled innocently.
Shouldering her rifle, she held out her hand much like a noble or a member of royalty might for a few seconds then swept it away, "how silly of me, you are not from our world, your customs would be different and I am being presumptuous in assuming peerage with our social stations. I am known as Aireluin Silithiel, Dame of the Guardian Knighthood, Baronetess of Eilunid, Knight-errant and... a princess of the house of Silithiel, but I am cadet and my family is not of the blood. However, none of that really matters much here... Aire is fine."
Aire whispered to Aeo, "I suggest observing him for now, we should not immediately distrust him for an infernal sense... otherwise I should have done the same with you now hmmm?"
Malcurth raised a curious eye-ridge at Armita's unusual predicament, casting a glance skyward at the many crows circling about.. "And you posses no control over these pests? I would wonder if you have inadvertently cursed yourself, young mage." He asks, but then a stray thought came to mind, and he grinned. "Well, I would think that they would serve as extra rations, if they insist on being so pesky. Cooked crow, anyone?"
Next, Malcurth merely nodded simply to Aire's statement. "It is no trouble at all, Miss Silithiel, trust is a rather precious commodity. One can never tell what sort of dangers lurk on these roads.. Like say a powerful construct, or a tiefling, or maybe an undead mage?"
Or maybe a shape-shifted incubus?
Shut up!
"Oh, I tried capturing one of these crows once. Wasn't a good idea, the rest of then ganged up on me. I spent rest of that day running like six legged squirrel."
DFX didn't get a chance to speak right away, as the others were also conversing with the newcomer, but DFX found a lull to talk. "In answer to your earlier question, Malcurth Snowfur, I was intended to be an advanced intelligence model, capable of aiding our father in futher experiments, enchantments, and manufacturing. I have since utilized these skills to maintenance and repair myself and my brother."
The open fields stretch onwards for hours, desolate. Although the villagers had given warning that there were dangerous creatures out in the landscape, none could be seen. Those in the group that thought about it could have surmised that either the creatures were afraid of a band of adventurers this large, or that maybe they were nocturnal creatures.
The more pessimistic simply assumed that the creatures hadn't noticed the group yet.
By about mid day, the horizon revealed the decaying remnants of a decently-large town -- one of many presumed ghost towns that scatter the countryside.
Malcurth stopped for a moment as they approached the town, eying it with concern.. "That is a fairly large settlement to be just abandoned like that.. In my years of adventuring, this usually signals a plague or oncoming army of some sort.." He says, and looks back at the rest of the group.. "Is this part of our destination?" He asks..
He does more than look at the town, however.. He tries to see if his sensitive snout can detect anything unusual coming from the town..
"No it's not..." Aeo said as he looked at the abandoned town. "It was a point of interest though." Aeo turned to Tarson. "Looks like we get to investigate a ghost town anyway."
He was still wary of Mal keeping the demonic power secret, but he decided he really couldn't hold a grudge; after all if anyone in the group knew he was descended from they might not have been willing to give him a chance at all. He decided to hang back to the rear where Armita usually hung out, he was getting bored up front and the boy amused him, especially when Aeo got him to freak out.
"So Armi..." Aeo smiled, the next part he whispered to Armita. "...What's your plan of attack on wooing Ms. Aire?" Aeo decided to bring up the old conversation that had gotten a good chuckle earlier.
Tarson survade the town then looked back at the group.
"Well who wants to go see the spooky town?"
He looked around then back at the group, eyeing everyone in the group.
"The way I figure it, we either all go in and check the town out or we send a small group into it scout the place out. What do you all think?"
The elf sighted the nearest building off the small scope on her rifle, "I am curious, but things do frequently hide in buildings and the area could be a wonderful ambush point."
DFX looks to Tarson. "I recommend we avoid the town entirely. There is no quality it possesses that will aid us in completing our objective. Attempting to investigate will only waste time that could be better utilized proceeding to our target."
He paused for a moment. "However, if we must move through the town, I recommend dispatching my bother ahead of us. He has the highest likelyhood of surviving any possible ambush that could be awaiting us."
Tank rumbled up behind DFX. "What makes you think I'll do that, brother?"
DFX didn't even look behind him. "It is uncomplicated. You will traverse the town in a linear path. Should there be any obstacle impeding your progress, you may demolish it. Should you be assaulted, you may obliterate your assailants. You derive pleasure from these activities. You are exceedingly resitant to a majority forms of attack. Therefore, you are best suited for this task."
"I hate that you know me so well."
Tarson looked at DFX after he spoke.
"You have a point there"
Tarson then looked at Aire.
"Do we have to go in there or is what we're after on the other side?"
The elf shrugged as she answered Tarson's question, "the most direct route is directly through town, but we can go all the way around the town. That will take longer of course."
The incubus remained quiet for a moment, silently regarding the town before he turned back to the others.. "I will follow Tank in.." He announces flatly. "We should not go around, for if danger lurks within this town, it opens us to an attack from behind, and we should not split up, but if we must, no one should be unaccompanied.." He says simply, walking back to the group.. "So I shall follow our big metal friend in."
One of these days, that cat is gonna learn to hide his age. One of these days.
"I don't think attacking her directly is a very smart thing" Armita answered to Aeo's question with child's honesty and sincerity. "She seems more than able to carry her in combat and that add weapon that she wields tells from destructive power, probably based on light magic. Because she uses light magic, I could neglect it by my dark magic, probably even jam the device with a right spell such as 'Hallowed Shadow' or 'Umbra et Incognitos', then again, if she would have the initiative, her spells would probably be equally dreadful to me as their effect and medium..." The boy blushed as he realized the true meaning of Aeo's question. Even if he's face was still covered by dirt, the bright red was all but visible on his face. He quickly turned away from the thiefling and tried to grasp the matter of what to do with the abandoned town.
Tarson seemed to stretches out abit and then looked back at the group.
"Right then. Mel, Tank you two are with me. We're gonna go pay alitte visit to this town. Maybe there will be something in there we could use. The rest of you wait here and keep an eye out for anything. We'll try to send a signal when it's safe"
Tarson starts to approach the town.
The town is quite deserted. Old building site along a dusty, partially over-grown street. Some of the biggest buildings (the old inn included) had given to age and the elements and had collapsed upon themselves.
Barely a sound travels through the town. The place smells and feels dead.
Malcurth swept his eyes over the town, and sniffed carefully at the air, before huffing lightly.. "Dare I say it? It is quiet. Too quiet." He says, looking about again. "And it is so still.. Where are the scavengers? The squatters and the stragglers? Where are the wild animals?" He asks. "This is all very, very wrong.."
But then, something tickles his nose.. "Wait.." He says, and then promptly points towards the north end of town. "There.. something.. is alive. That is all I can tell from this range.."
Tarson looked around the town then in the direction Mal had pointed.
"We where told there wasn't much in the way of life around here"
Tarson looked at Mal and Tank then in the direction. It was clear he was thinking.
"Ok I'm gonna head north. You two wait about 30 seconds and then head in that direction. I'm gonna scout ahead and see what I can find. I figure 30 seconds will give me a good enough time to find out what it may be"
Tarson took off heading north. It was clear he was trying to be stealthy.
Tank stood next to Malcurth, but he was not exactly 'still'. His giant metal hands kept tightening on the shaft of his greathammer, and he was swaying to and fro, very slowly, and in tiny increments. He said nothing, but it was still all to obvious to Mal that he clearly wanted to all-out charge and rumble with something, if Tarson was indeed going to find anything. Who knew a construct could actually have an anxious tic?
The anxious movements of Tank were not lost to Malcurth, who's tail was irritability twitching back and forth. "What did I say about wandering off alone?" He muttered angerly, briefly pacing back and forth in front of Tank, before looking up at the massive construct.. "How long do you think we should give him? Five minutes? Ten minutes?" He asled, peering off in the direction Tarson had left in.. "Enough, I say we should follow him now." He announced, and began following after Tarson..
Enigma watched the rest of the group with detached interested. it was odd how this things fell apart if there was no strong leadership and while Tarson was definitely a decent leader he also clearly didn't want the job. yet enigma like the others knew that with out a leader they would suffer diminished chance for survival. it was funny the way sapient being were much like herd animals. sheep if you were.
the image of sheep wondering lost with out a strong ram or header seemed to dominated Enigma's thoughts as he wondered about these things. it also made him absentmindedly remember that he was getting hungry
Aeo sat down not long after Tarson left with Tank and Malcurth. He wasn't to worried about Tarson or the new guy since they had Tank with them and anything stupid enough to attack would likely not live to regret it. Instead he was more focused on how boring it became after they split up.
"So who want's to hear a campfire story?" Aeo said with a bored yawn.
I'll listen" said enigma making a note to carry more recording equipment when he traveled who knew this story might hod some interesting legends or clues as to what was coming.
Aire continued to keep watch, scanning the area with her weapon and keeping a low-level presence sense up. She had heard the discussion between Armita and Aeo, but serious situations had crept up and now was not the time for her to play.
Tarson stoud in the road hopeing Tank and Mal where coming. He saw them coming up the street and waved to them. Once they got close he put a finger over his mouth to signal them to be quiet. Well as quiet as Tank could be. Once they got close he whispered.
"Thanks for joining the party. Mal that life force you felt is a dieing giant wolf in that building *points to the jail* It's trap in a bunch of spider webs and looks like the back half of it has been eaten or something. We may be able to skirt around it and get everyone through the town if we stay to the south. But *looks at both Tank and Mal* that would be the boring way to do it. Who wants to see what's in that building?"
Malcurth grins, bring up one of his paws, and causing a small flame to dance about his fingers with a flicker of his will.. "On a normal day, spiders do not like fire. I say we should investigate." He says, and then appears thoughtful for a moment.. "Do you think we should bring the others along? The more the merrier, but we might lose our element of surprise."
Armita sat down, took his spellbook and started turning the pages, clearly looking for something. Two corws landed on his shoulders to follow his searching.
Tarson got a evil smile on his face.
"Let's see we got fire and electricity and it that doesn't work Tank can just smash them with his hammer"
Tarson then looked up at Tank.
What do you say big guy, wanna go in and see what ya can smash or just destroy the building and see what happens? Or do do you think we could get the others?"
"Aw come on..." Aeo pouted lightly as everyone but Enigma seemed to ignore him. "Well fine then... your loss it's great story." Aeo smiled as he sat his pack on the ground and used it as a small pillow. "Wake me when they get back... or when a huge monster comes crashing after us."
Tank did not move for a moment after Tarson's inquiry of 'go in building and smash, or smash building'. However, it was a very short moment, then a feeling of happy maliciousness seemed to emanate from the living construct.
He spoke only two words. "Get. Down."
Without further ado, he adjusted his grip on the greathammer, took a stance, and swung the thing in a wide horizontal arc to the left.
Half the wall they were standing at of the wooden building simply disintegrated from the action. Tank then swung his hammer to the left, upward-diagonally, and a good chunk of the roof vanished in a shower of splinters.
It now looked as if a section of the building simply had a bite taken out of it by a giant, and Tank had his greathammer in a position behind his back where, if he saw anything move, he could bring it down in an overhead vertical pound. If not, then he could continue his merry destruction.
DFX didn't even look up as the first sound of something being demolished reached the group from the town. "Judging by this cacophony," He said in his monotonous voice, "I would conclude that my brother has discovered an obstacle worthy of his attention."
Tarson jumped clear as Tank started swinging at the building. Tarson move towards whatever open was still standing. He readied a charge to his arm incase anything climbed out of the buidling. He also spoke to Mal without looking at him.
"Get something ready. Looks like we're the clean up crew"
Malcurth cringed, and ducked out of the way of Tank's instant can of carnage (just add sledgehammer), and then promptly watched as the house got an extreme makeover. "Well, I suppose the quickest way to find out if there are hornets in a hornet nest would be much the same as that method right there, lovingly displayed by our construct friend."
"Best get the bug repellent out then, I suppose.." The incubus says as he raises his palm in front of him and towards the house as his paw becomes enveloped in flickering flames.. He was prepared to throw a line of fire first, and resort to the more explosive fireballs second.. He merely thought it would be a good idea NOT to torch the entire city.
With everyone focused on the house, they weren't prepared when a giant spider-like-creature lplowed into Malcurth from behind.
You know, if you weren't concealing your nature, you could have easily seen that coming..
Shutup.
Just a thought.
Now, with Snowfur knocked prone on his front by the ambush, and rolling over to find a pair of very large arachnid teeth not too far from his bodily persona, he did what any sensible, level-headed sorcerer would do in his situation..
He lit up a massive gout of flame right in its face before scrambling to his feet and away from the probably not very happy spider. (At least not with him.)
The giant spider (approximately sized like a small house, or, three large horses stacked with a bison... and maybe a water buffalo) crouched back, making a mewling noise as it's face was lit up with fire. It then jumped at the nearest target, which, at this point, was Tank.
Tarson raced at the spider planning to hit the spider with the charge in his right arm. He tries to reach the giant spider before it gets to Tank. If it is touching Tank when he hits it with a charge it may affect Tank.
Malcurth, with his robes still smoldering from the close, fiery encounter with the monstrous spider, quickly appraised the situation.. The spider was bearing down on Tank, with Tarson coming in fast from the side. "Hmmm." He pondered for a moment, before deciding to hurl a fireball to the unoccupied side of the beast.. Tank would be slightly distant from the blast, and safe from its charring affects, while Tarson would have the spider between him and the blast, where as the spider would be, well..
Let's just say they taste better cooked.
He raised his palm up, concentrating for a brief moment, which brought a bright, red, pinprick of light into existence above his paw, and he seemed to grasp the air beneath it, pulling his paw back behind him in a motion that the light followed, before hurtling his arm forward. The little light left his paw, and quickly blazed, growing into a rolling fireball before it exploded forcibly behind the spider..
The spider takes the impact of Tarson from one side, and the fireball from the other. It lets out a blood-curdling cry, and then rolls around on the ground, twitching.
Then it spits acid on Tarson.
Tarson tried to use his stone hand to wipe away what acid he could.
"DAMNIT TO HELLS THAT BURNS!"
Tarson charge his arm up to full charge and drives it into the spider with as much force as he could and lets out the charge.
"DIE DAMN YOU DIE!"
"Frig!" Malcurth exclaims with wide-eyes as Tarson catches a face-full of spider spit. He almost instinctively reaches into his robe's pockets, searching for the right vial.. He was looking for an anti-acid solution, a strong base substance that would neutralize the acid.. hopefully.
"Ah ha!" He says, grinning as he pulls the dark grey bottle free from his robes. "Tarson! Quick! Spread this over the acid! It is better to have salt in your flesh than acid!" He says, throwing the vial at Tarson. "But try to be a bit more careful! I only carry one of those on me!" He says, making a careful note in the back of his mind to buy more of those vials..
Tarson barely caught the vial with his left hand.
"Alittle busy at the moment!"
Tarson kept his stone hand on the spider and he sent charge after charge into the spider.
"Hey guys, you think they're all right?" Aeo asked as he popped back up from his bag, boredom finally taking it's toll and sleep not being an option due to Tank's pounding in the town. "I mean lets face it Tank isn't going to idly smash stuff, right 28? I think we should go see if they need some help." Aeo started off in the direction without even waiting for the others he was getting way to starved for action.
DFX responded to Aeo's question even as he walked away. "Actually, if presented with an obstacle, he will oft demolish it wantonly."
Tank was simply not fast enough to keep up with all that happened. An attack from behind, then some lighning and explosions thrown around, and a keeled-over giant spider. That apparently could spit acid. Tarson was trying to shock the already-dead thing to dust while simultaneously rubbing said acid off of himself. Tank wasn't the brightest construct from the forge, but even he knew this was not good.
"Move!" He rumbled at the rage-stricken Tarson while he got up behind him, heedless of whether tarson listend or not. He was a big man, but Tank was even bigger. He reached out with one hand, grabbed Tarson by the scruff of his neck, then yanked him back to the ground behind him. Even though it was very much overkill, Tank brought his greathammer down in a wide overhead arc on the spider. It exploded as its guts were expelled with significant force, giving Tank and the nearby buildings a new orange paint-job. Now Tarson had nothing to focus on except using Mal's acid neutralizer. Or venting at Tank, be he was about to adress that.
Tank then turned to Tarson, now sprawled on the ground. "You are hurt. You need to get aid, not zap a sack of guts that was already dead."
Tank then turned in the direction where the group was, and bellowed, "TARSON NEEDS HEALING."
Tarson growled a bit at Tank then used some of the substance in the vial Mal gave him on his face. Then he looked up to Tank.
"Might not have been a good idea to call them in here. We don't know what else is crawling around here"
Tarson got up and gave Mal the vial back. He started heading back to where they entered the town.
"Let's meet the others and hussle through this town"
enigma was following 28 when he heard the big construct yell about healing. he reached into his stash looking among his charm for anything he had that might help heal the de facto leader of their group.
Watching the surronding countryside for monsters or any other persons being shunted to this place had been uneventful, for which Alcir was only slightly dissapointed. Aside from that one battle with the goblins, his first heroic adventure had been quite dull.
But then what sounded like thunder bursted through his ears. Judging that there was no obvious lightning, and that the noise came from the ruined town, Alcir guessed that the massive construct, Tank, had caused the cacophany.
Though it was not a scream, Alcir realized, but a worded shout. It seemed that the part-human, Tarson, had been injured. To the undead, it was likely the only competent healer of the party was the odd half-elf. "Aire, if Tarson has been injured, I believe it would be best if you tended to his wounds." Aeo and Enigma were already leaving for the town, and Alcir fell in behind them. "Please, come with us."
As soon as Aeo heard Tank's shout he bolted ahead of the others and quickly found Tarson, Malcurth, Tank and the large squished corpse of a giant spider.
"Aw man..." Aeo sighed. "You guys had all the fun. Anyway the others should catch up and help ya out Tarson. Meanwhile I'm gonna poke around this things corpse, see if it's infernal or not."
With Tanks shout and Alcir's words, Aire paled substantially. The elven lady bolted as she shouldered her rifle on her left. She covered the ground quickly, leaving nary a print behind and quickly overtaking the others. She was fast for a female elf in plate armor.
Any number of scenarios raced through her head, from mortal chest wounds to cuts and scrapes. All of which she could heal, but at a rapidly escalating price to herself. No matter what had happened, she would perform her magic and sacrifice her immortal life, for him, for any of them.
Eventually she reached Tarson and looked him over, a very concerned and stern look seared more severely into him then any acid, "Tarson Hunter, you have been quite reckless." Her motherly demeanor melted away as she blinked away her glassy eyes and shook her head. She smiled, "next time duck and weave."
She placed her hand, palm first on his shoulder and concentrated. She began the process of healing, bathing Tarson in a white aura. The areas of acid glowed green and she began drawing a part of that sickly green energy into herself.
Tarson shugged Aire off the best he could. He also looked at Alcir.
"Will you stop that? There is no telling what else is crawling around here. We need to get everyone and get through this town"
He looks back at Aire.
"I'll be fine for a bit we need to get through this town first. There was a rather large wolf half eaten in that building Tank destroyed. Besides I managed to take care of the acid with something Mal gave me"
Tarson started walked to where the others would be coming in then looked at Aire over his shoulder.
"Don't worry dear I'll be fine"
There was a rumbling from under the ground. Dust spilled off the decayed roofs of the buildings. The ground shook, sending many of the party members to their knees.
It was under Aeo that a hole opened in the ground, sending him straight down 15 feet, leaving him sprawled on the ground. Down, in the dark, bruised but luckily otherwise unharmed, Aeo was the first to hear the growling a creatures down in a tunnel, in the darkness, stretching away from the hole he was trapped in.
The growls were not pleasant to Aeo. Still he knew he had to keep his wits about him if he was to survive.
"Ok Aeo..." He whispered to himself as he got to his feet. "Maybe they're not coming towards you..." He pulled out his mace and touched the starting rune and used the light to peer around. The tunnel didn't look immediately threatening, but he knew that could change at any minute, after all how many idiots went running into dark tunnels and actually came out alive. He looked back up the hole to see he was in no way going to pull himself out.
"Great..." Aeo sighed. "If I yell I'll draw attention from the beasties..." Aeo shrugged. "You only live once..."
"GET ME OUTTA THIS THING!" Aeo shouted at the top of his lungs.
Tarson saw Aeo disapear into a hole in the ground. He got up and ran back to the hole. He looked in and saw Aeo was still alive. When Aeo yelled Tarson laugh abit. He knelt down by the hole and shook his head.
"Yeah cause you know we didn't plan on doing that in the first place. That's what you get for saying we had all the fun"
Tarson then looked up at Tank.
"Hey think you can get him out of there?"
Aeo would have laughed but the growls from earlier really unnerved him now.
"Something's down here." Aeo half smiled with a look of "Oh god don't let it eat me!" mixed in.
Tarson leaned in the hole a bit to see if he could hear the growls.
"Hrmm sounds kinda familar"
Tarson then looked at Aeo.
"Don't worry maybe it will be too worried about getting out to eat you, or it could be real hungery. Hopefully if it is it'll take you in one or two bites. Less pain that way"
Producing a grumbling sound like an engine in rough idle, Tank, grabbed his hammer and moved to the hole, lying prone beside it. There was a metallic creaking sound as a few of his armor spikes bent between his body and the packed dirt, but he paid it no mind. With the end handle of the greathammer in the grip of one hand, he lowered the business end of the greathammer into the hole. The whole thing was almost as long as he was tall, so Aeo should have no trouble reaching it.
"Grab on, fleshling."
Aeo leaped up straight and grasped onto the greathammer like it was a lovely young innkeepers daughter.
"Tank you're my hero..." Aeo looked back into the hole. "Now could you pull me up?"
You have wings, you know.
And a group of adventurers who probably would not act kindly to a cubi, thank you very much. After all, the big ole metal can of whoop-ass has it under control.
Whatever.
However, Aeo's mention of seraching the spider for 'infernal' origins irked Malcurth somewhat. Was the tiefling really on to him that much? Luckily, Malcurth knew that his pyrotechnics would not give off any more infernal readings than a run of the mill sorcerer. If he used demon fire, it would be a different story, but the leopard saw no reason for its use in the immediate future.
He did of course catch the vial, but just stuffed it absentmindedly into his robe, muttering something about it only being good for one use. He walked up to the edge of the whole and cautiously peered over.. "Well, looks like we have an infestation of subterranean acid spitting spiders... I might suggest we simply vacate the area, unless you all are into pest extermination?"
As Aeo was slowly pulled up, those closest to the hole heard: "help.. me..."
Malcurth's ears immediately perked at the sound. "Okay, I am certain that I am not hearing things.. but who.. or what..?" He asked curiously, before conjuring a fist-sized ball of flame at the tip of his finger, and sending it to hover nearby Aeo, giving Aeo a bit of light to see. "Hey! See anything down there?" He asked the tiefling, while he himself used his own sets of vision.. both low-light from his leopard heritage, and infrared from his cubi lineage..
"Oh gods..." Aeo rolled his eyes in disbelief. "Who wants to search the creepy, most likely, spider infested hole for the source of the voice that sounds half dead?"
Tarson jumped into the hole at the voice asking for help. He sent a charge into his right arm as he landed.
"Hello? Who is here and do you actually need help?"
Tarson looked up at the others then eyed the tunnel in both directions.
There was a high pitched scream, fading quickly down the tunnel, and then... a wave of smaller spider beast flooded out of the tunnel.
Tarson drove his hand into into the ground to send electricity at the incomeing spiders.
"Hey ah Mal you wanna come down here and torch some of these things?"
"Come down? No. Torch? Yes." Malcurth says, quickly concentrating for a moment as he locked his gaze on the largest mass of incoming spiders, or, more importantly, the tunnel they were coming out of. He threw his paw forward, sending a circular ring of fire towards the cave entrance which was spewing forth baby spiders, and the circle swelled and grew, soon becoming a circular wall of fire to block off the entryway..
"Now, my half-golem friend, I do not want to think of how many may be down there, so what say we get the hell out of here before we end up like that doomed fellow we just heard earlier?"
Tarson kept his hand to the ground sending charge after charge towards the oncoming spiders. He didn't stop even after Mal's fire show.
"No time they would be on us by the time I made it out! Aire take the others and get out of here! I'll hold them off aslong as I can! Just meet up with the others and lead them out of this city! Just be on the look out for more spiders!"
Tarson continued to send charges at the spiders.
'No how long this will last. Never pushes myself to find my limits but I may here and now. Oh well I'll taker down as many as I can" Tarson though to himself.
Aire had barely finished her healing attempts before Tarson had shrugged her off and before any response could be given the ground had given out under Aeo.
Things happened so fast around her, the elf felt as if she was in a fog, but with a start she snapped back into reality. Tarson was yelling at her to lead everyone off, but she could not do that.
"DFX, you should coordinate with the others and retreat, I must assist Tarson in withdrawing... it is my duty."
With that she charged to the edge of the hole and drew her Niquets, had these weapons used bullets they would be impossible contraptions and prone to jamming. However, being a magical energy type weapon they were mainly designed for flair and panache.
The Light pistols fired four small bursts of Light energy, no where near as powerful as the Dragon Rifle, but it did so very rapidly. She did have to pause for a brief second for the weapons to reset. She attacked in wide arcs, trying to "lay down a suppressing fire" as she had been trained to do.
"Tarson, please retreat, we must get you out of there... then perhaps we can collapse this hole somewhat." She looked to Malcurth who was also at the edge, "perhaps you can assist Tarson in escaping the pit he has jumped into... I believe it is within your capabilities."
Aire's voice was unassuming and calm.
Malcurth suddenly looked to Aire with his eyes wide, and for the briefest of moments, he wondered if these 'elves' were gifted with sight beyond sight.. but.. in the end.. he knew she was right..
"Goddess damn it to oblivion.." Malcurth muttered under his breath..
You knew it would happen sooner or later.
But Snowfur had already plunged into the pit..
And in mid fall, he released a few of the bonds on his form, causing his main wings to sprout almost suddenly into existence, the feathery white and teal appendages fluttering in the air as he fell towards Tarson. He landed on the half-golem's shoulders, before grabbing him beneath his arm-pits (careful to avoid that shocking stone arm), and saying, "You owe me one, enhanced.."
His wings spread wide one either side, and in one powerful flap, spiderlings went flying in the gust as he and Tarson were lifted just barely lifted out of their reach.. "Gods be DAMNED you're heavy!!!" Malcurth growled as he gritted his fangs, rapidly pumping his wings again and again to pull them out of the pit, eventually managing to pull them out of the hole, although he dropped Tarson near the edge and dropped to the ground nearby, reaching over his shoulder and gripping the muscles of his back as he gritted his teeth in pain..
"Let.. us get out of here.. okay?" He said between labored breaths..
Tarson seemed a bit surprise when Mal came down and basically flew them out of the hole.
"What the hell?"
Tarson looked around a bit trying to figure out what just happened. He looked at the others as he tried to collect his thoughts. Then he looked at Mal and realized was he hurting. He climbed up to his feet as fast as he could and grabbed Mal. He threw him over his shoulders in a firemen's carry and started to move away from the hole. Then looked at the others.
"MOVE!"
Tarson thought out loud.
"Some leader I am. First off no one listens to me and I almost get others killed. Maybe I need to rethink this"
Enigma watches the snow cat fly in the tight hole (less then half over the cats wing span) grateful to be spared the necessity of the foolish action he had been contemplating. as he watches the play of the wings an he starts realising he must also be using levitation magic as the ares was too small for him to have proper life with someone that was half stone. still he was sure that the wings be they natural or not had some significance that he would learn later. with his water staff he concentrates and sends small burst of water at the pursuing spider to stop thing from jumping on the fleeing pair.
So, using air magic to levitate, which you know is unstable, and flying on wings they hadn't even gotten their proper bloodflow yet? No wonder your shoulder blades feel like hells. You're one crazy kitty, aren't you?
Do you ever shutup?
Of course not, dickweed, I'm you! But speaking of which, I'd refrain from any heavy rains of fire for a bit. That sudden jaunt of yours has left your mana pool with, ah, something to be desired..
And of course, the cruel little voice of logic was right. Snapping into action like that with little forethought or concentration had practically blasted a hole in Malcurth's spell capacity. And while he mulled over the damage, he realized that lessening the bonds on his true form may have let more of his incubi aura leak through, and he gave Aeo and Aire a nervous glance for a moment..
.. which left him wide-open to being promptly hefted and carried by the very fellow who's life he had just saved. "What the- Hey! Quiddit! I can walk very well, thank you very much! Put me down!" He demanded.. although it was a half-hearted attempt. His back felt like fire, and he took the brief, albeit somewhat bouncy, reprieve as a chance to concentrate and shape his wings back out of existence..
"Hey you all right?" Aeo shouted to Malcurth, he could feel a more infernal aura after the furry guy had grown wings, but right now it didn't matter EVERYONE was most likely more worried about the baby spiderling things. "Ok boys and gal... let the warlock do his stuff..."
Aeo grunted as he pulled his infernal power forward. A dark purple and grey aura flashed around him as he focused his energy. He motioned his hand like a beast clawing at it's prey and then the words spilled out. Dark and demonic syllables that sounded more like hisses and and growls than anything else. His efforts soon produced a levitating ring of acid right above the hole. It looked like it could brush the walls of the hole clean of almost anything as it hissed and popped in the air.
"If anyone's there I can't see you so move clear I'm dropping the acid now!" Aeo shouted as he released his hold over the corrosive liquid.
Aire backed up from the edge as the acid ring formed, but she stuck to the point safest and closest to the hole. She continued to fire at the spiderlings, using as much energy as necessary and from any source within herself to maintain her barrage.
Aire smiled and chuckled softly to herself as she continued her suppression fire, "I disobeyed your order because I have a higher mandate to protect the lives of all my companions. It was noble, but foolish to hold off the enemy by yourself while we escaped. As the leader you are too valuable for such a risky maneuver. Next time allow me to sacrifice myself for the greater good... it is my duty."
Tarson put Mal down against a rock and returns to the others dealering with the spiders. He gets near the hole and sends electrical charges down into the hole. He then looks at Aire.
"Don't you know it's the leader's job to be the first to sacrifice themselves. If a leader lives while one follows them dies then the leader has fails. Besides your too cute for me to let die"
Tank pulled Aeo out the moment he latched on, then he and DFX watched the next crazy events unfold. A fleshling voice had sounded out from the tunnel, and Tarson instantly jumped in. After some confusion, Malcurth went in as well, only to get back out, he sprouted wings and flew out with his cargo. DFX was now extremely interested Malcurth, but this wasn't the ideal time for theorizing. Aeo, Aire, and Enigma all took potshots at the spiders in the hole.
Tank then moved up to take his own position on the edge of the hole, greathammer in hand, while DFX sidled up to Tarson.
"So. What now, stoneflesh?" Tank asked Tarson.
"Yes. Shall we hastily proceed with our original objective, or attempt to determine if the fleshling who requested aid is still alive, and warrants a rescue?
"You still down there, fleshy?" Tank called out anyway.
Tarson kept sending charges into the hole as Tank spoke to him.
"Simple we kill as much as we can. If I hear that voice again I don't care what you guys do I'm gonna check it out"
Tarson quickly looked at the others around him.
"I don't care if it's a trap and I don't care if I go alone, but I will see if I can help who or whatever is done there. I made someone a promise"
A spider that the others had missed scurried up towards Tank. Tank swung his greathammer down, and SPLAT'd the spider against the wall of the hole.
He then reach down with one huge metal hand, and firmly gripped Tarson's stone shoulder. Very firmly. A little crackling noise was heard (but his arm was otherwise fine).
"NO." Tank said forcefully. "We just got you OUT. And you're a fleshling. If you go back in, you won't stand a chance. Niether will the rest of you." Tank said to the group surrounding the hole.
He peered down the hole one more time. "In fact, the fleshling we heard is almost certainly dead."
Tarson growled abit at Tank.
"You wouldn't understand. If there is something or someone down there still alive I WILL TRY TO SAVE THEM! I never asked to be pulled out. In fact I told you guys to get the hell out of here"
Tarson continued to send charge after charge into the hole. He then yelled into the hole.
"Hello! Is anyone one still alive in there?"
Aeo dropped back from his invocation and saw what was going on.
"Tarson..." Aeo said "The voice was barely alive and even if the person was still alive after the spiders came pouring out I doubt they survived the uh.. acid bath I may have just given them."
Far off in the distance, down the hole: "I'm so scared..."
For a moment, Malcurth welcomed the reprieve, leaning heavily up against the rock for a moment as he rubbed the sore area of his back.. But it seemed half the party was intent on going down the spider hole, so to speak, so he groaned as he stood up straight and walked over to the hole where the spiders were swarming below..
"Sorry Tank.. but I am voting with the rest of the meatbags. There is someone alive down there, and I am not one to leave innocents to become spider chow.." He said, looking up at the mighty construct, and then to his hammer with a slight grin.. "And I think you may be in a suitable position to help us.. I might not be able to produce my usual display for a while, but I think I can make you all the more destructive.." He said, briefly gesturing towards the massive hammer with a soft chant..
Soon, the greathammer seemed to glow with a reddish, flicking aura, seemingly wrapped in flames.. "There.. now be mindful of where you swing it, and be sure to swing wide.. because whoever gets hit by it for the next few swings is in for an explosive surprise.."
Aeo barely heard the voice but he did hear it and his jaw dropped.
"Or they could be barely alive..." Aeo sighed. "All right Tarson I'm with you, but if baby spider's come burstin' out of our rescuee I am soooo going to blame you..."
With that Aeo popped his mace back into his hand and set it to full ignition. Then he looked down the hole to see where the acid had landed.
"Ok whoever's coming, the acid's mainly on the edges so be careful." Aeo said then he looked to Tarson and then to Malcurth whom he walked over to with a knowing smile as he figured Mal had to be descended from some demonic line.. "So..." Aeo smiled. "Wings huh? Better than horns and a tail I guess."
enigma spoke. " this is quite the mystery. what is alive yet not alive, in need of help yet helpful." he smiled. he had no idea why he said what he said it had just come to him. "in short we may be dealing with a living yet non living entity. it could be that the spider trapped some thing the could not eat or maybe they did eat it bet something was left behind such as a ghost or a fright spirit."
"A ghost?" Armita's voice was suddenly very doubtful. "Well see about that." The young mage had known more dead than he had known the living. When Aeo had dropped into the hole, Armita had ran through different spells in his mind, but seemed that the best he could do at the moment was to collapse the whole tunnel. That hadn't been an option. At the time. And now someone was still underground, denying him from the easy way to solve the spider problem. But if the person was already dead, there would be no need to keep the hole open. That being thought, Armita closed his eyes, crossed his hands and started mumbling few words of concentration. He was calling the the dead.
"I heard that... I wonder what it is...?"
Ceasing her barrage of weapons fire, the elf reached out through the earth with her sense seeking what might have spoken.
The only dead detectable were the dead spiders. There's plenty of them.
There are multiple "life" signatures further along the tunnel.
The unknown fleshling's voice sounded again. Tank hadn't been entirely suggesting that they abandon the fleshling if it was still alive, but merely pointing out that any other fleshling who goes down there would die. Not him, though he didn't necessarily want to go in there to save some random fleshling...
Malcurth gave his greathammer a quick fire charge. DFX rushed up next to Tank. "He will require protection from the acid, most importantly." DFX placed his metal hands on Tank's adamantine hide and concentrated. After several tense seconds, Tank's armor flashed, and seemed to be covered in an oily sheen. "This will not endure very long."
With a sound almost like a groan, Tank jumped in, greathammer down. When he hit the bottom, the fire exploded, clearing away anything right beneath him. He then swung it in a 360 degree circle, getting rid of anything surrounding him. A few globs of acid flew on him, but just slid off his armor. However, the sheen was already fading. Quickly, he scanned the surroundings for any sign of the trapped fleshling.
The tunnel stretched on in the darkness, for what seemed like 200 feet before the light became too dim to see.
"That's no ghost." Armita replied to Enigma's idea. "He's still alive, and there's probably more people down there." The worry and urge to help was strong in his voice. All the crows were high in the sky, flying against the sky. "We can't leave them down there!"
Tarson saw the others jump into the hole before him.
"Hrrm glad to see people agree with me"
Tarson jumped into the hole near the others. As soon as he landed he drew his sword on his back *Almost forgot about that thing*. He held it in his stone hand and sent a charge of electricity into the blade. He looked at the others who had dropped into the hole with him. Then charged down the tunnel. Swinging his sword to help clean a path into the tunnel.
"Well let's get this rescue mission under way"
Malcurth looked at Aeo with a wary gaze for a moment.. before it began to dawn on him, that despite Aeo's growing knowledge of his true identity, the tiefling did not mean to harm him or expose him to harm.. Finally, he slowly smirked a bit.. "Perhaps.." He said softly, so that only the most acute of hearing would overhear, ".. but although having your demonic heritage visible to all may seem a burden to you, the.. reputation of my own blood is a far worse curse.. Hence the disguise.."
However, the party was beginning to head down the hole, so Malcurth straightened up a bit while gritting his teeth as his back unknotted slightly.. "Well.. it seems we're headed down the eight-legged rabbit hole.." He says, walking up to the edge of the whole and jumping in, landing with agile, cat-like grace. He stands up, surveying the scene briefly before sending brief, puffs of flame towards the occasional spider that got past the initial onslaught.. it was the best he could manage after his earlier feats..
Aeo kept his smile as he jumped in after Malcurth, unfortunately he landed flat on his rear and stood up to the few remaining spiders in the hole being ignited by Mal's fire spells.
"Ok so you close to burning out yet Mal?" Aeo said as he stood up and slowly recited a few demonic words that burst the spiders he pointed into flaming piles of arachnoid. "Take a rest bud, I'll take bug frying duty."
Aeo said as he stood near Tarson and began targeting the small bugs. "I can do this all day as long as they don't get much bigger. then I might have to concentrate a bit more."
Aire jumped into the hole after the others. She found herself near Tarson and the memory of him calling her cute surfaced, causing a slight blush. She shook it off as a spiderling dropped down near her and attempted to gnaw on her ankle. Her elven plate was too much for the little thing and it got blasted for its effort.
She considered that the others might not be able to see in the dark, even though she could, and holstered her Niquets. She drew her sword and deployed her reserve shield (buckler) from her vambrace unit. The buckler was actually part of her main shield, which unfortunately was outside on her mount.
Slowly, so that others could be aware and adjust, Aire generated just enough light to see.
without flare of witty remark enigma jumped into the hole after the others almost floating as he landed. the war-hammer welding tank was in the lead and the others followed as he too join the lings of fools his cloaks and manner making him like a shadow on the tunnel wall. well a shadow wielding a weapon of water power that seem too have gained its second breath with a vengeance as it were though he held his fire/ water until it was needed.
Aeo made sure to stay behind Tarson and was a little surprised by Aire's light source.
"Man we're all just full of surprises aren't we?" Aeo blinked, partially from the light flushing his eyes that were just moments ago trying to adjust to the dark.
"Let's just hope they don't have to discover mine..." Aeo thought to himself nervously as he prepared to follow Tarson. Then it hit him that if he didn't share his heritage secret with the others it might just kill them all but at the same time they might rebuke him being in the group. That thought though quickly vanished as he recalled Aire's words about actions over bloodlines. Besides he thought it might get Mal to share his own little secret.
"Hey guys, if I share some potentially reality shattering info with you guys, you promise not to kill me or abandon me or something?" Aeo chuckled nervously. "Cause really I got a ba-a-ad feeling about this hole, and I don't want you guys caught in something nasty."
Having been holed up in a cave for many years, Alcir was not too eager to return underground. But a victim was down there. One that could be saved and that would be a good and heroic deed sure enough, so the undead fell into the maw, landing amongst the others.
"i can't speak for the others but i would like to hear this warning. " he smiled. " besides my reality has been shatters for a long time and i doubt you can shatter it further. "
"We are already in all kinds of nasty, as Master Aeo has put it.. what we need to do now is find this survivor as soon as possible, and get out of here before the nest guards show up.. I have a feeling that the spider that Master Tarson, Tank, and I battled could hardly be considered large compared to what may be down here.. Let me see now.."
It was difficult with his mana drained, but Malcurth attempted to scan for lifeforms, slowly filtering out all arachnids while he hoped there wasn't any other surprises in this hole..
"Just spill it out, Aeo" Armita said as he reached the others. He was unarmed, having left his spear when he came back from the ground.
DFX was confounded as all the others followed Tank in down the hole. It was only supposed to be Tank to go in because he had the highest chance of survival. DFX, of course, would not be joining the suicidal fleshlings.
Tank was getting rather annoyed, as it sounded like everyone else besides his brother had just jumped in behind him. Ah well. There was nothing he could do about it.
However, he could clear a path and find the damn fleshling who was giving the whole group so much 'rescue' grief. With the sheen on his armor almost completely gone already, he barreled right down the tunnel, stomping, elbowing, and smashing as many spiders in his way as he could without losing momentum, looking for any sign of the owner of the voice.
"Well lets see, you know I'm a tiefling. Unfortunately I also happen to be descended from a powerful Balor." Aeo said as he followed. "My grandfather or great grandfather is about as far back as I can put it, but the whole point is my blood line is known for explosive power in tight situations. For me I change into something..." Aeo paused. "Dangerous."
He stayed silent for a few seconds.
"If I say get away, I mean it." Aeo said darkly, "The last time it happened I nearly killed the group I was with before I came too. Of course I did happen to wake up in the sack with our lovely mage." His lecherous smile returned full force as he continued frying the spiders that Tank's charge of doom missed.
Tarson chuckled a bit as he charged forward.
"Well that's it Aeo, we're gonna have to kill you in your sleep"
"So, basically..." Armita started "...what you're saying is that your demon blood turns you into some kind of monster. Fascinating!" The young mage was not shocked as much he was intrigued. "Do you know how that works on macro level? What triggers it? Is the change also mental?" Armita took his spellbook and started skimming through the pages. The spiders were all but forgotten.
"Woke up with the sorceress, eh? So is this 'problem' of yours a curse or a blessing?" Malcurth asks, smirking a bit as he narrows down on his search..
Armita's response to Aeo, however, worried the incubus a bit.. He hoped that he would not become some manner of experimental focus if his morphing abilities were fully discovered..
"Considering I nearly killed the whole group it's definitely a curse. Besides I found out later she was a nympho who slipped into bed while the others were treating me. Not that I would have objected anyway." Aeo smiled his lecherous smie. "Of course now her father tries to kill me whenever he sees me. I just wish I knew his reasoning then I would know what to apologize for; the nearly killing her or the unconscious horizontal dance lessons she gave me..."
Although some smaller spiders still ran through the tunnels, there wasn't any larger danger immediately ahead. However, the light from the various sources the part had on them did illuminate the tunnel better, showing that it stretched, underground for close to 500 feet before opening into a larger antechamber.
From down this tunnel, one could hear the sounds of more chattering spider-creatures, as well as the cries of the lost girl.
enigma shivers. " i don't like this. that opening is too large to be here under ground." he shook his head. " we may be entering a temple to some forgotten spider god and i personally think there are better ways to risk one's life" he hoped that he would survive this insanity. if he survived he would likely survive rich in acquired knowledge and magic as well as some material wealth.
Aire swallowed hard when she heard the cries of the little girl and doubled he movement. Disregarding the others, she entered the antechamber and looked around... especially up.
"What a wonderful time to be depleted.." Malcurth mumbled to himself as he carefully followed Aire in, guarding her rear as he looked about the chamber as well..
"Remember what I said about nest guards? I believe we are about to meet one.." He says softly..
Tarson ran into the room and looked for the lost girl that was looking for help. He slashed whatever spider came near him.
"WHERE ARE YOU?!"
bothered by the display Enigma stalked up to Tarson water blasting any spider that got in his way and placed his hands on his shoulder. " leader show some strategy. you are better then then you emotions are running rampant and you are leaving behind the tactics needed to keep us alive enough to rescue the person were are here for." enigma took a breath. "on top of that remember how water conducts electricity and that the enemies i attack would likely become more subseptal you your electric personality" he had a slight smile as he said the last point before releasing the emotionally unstable leader. Whet he wondered had happen to the disinterested yet cunning about survival leader that had stopped the fight at the town meeting, that had dealt with the goblins and that kept the others form panic when they were dumped into this dimensional prison?
Tarson continued to eye the area the best he could. All of his muscles where tense. When Enigma put his hands on him he looked at him, coming very close to hitting him with his charged sword. He growl at Enigma.
"I told you guys not to follow me. I promised a farmer back in the village I would look for his lost daughter. This might be her. I'm trying to distance myself from the rest of you so if I'm attacked you guys would see it coming. Trust me I am thinking"
enigma still working to fend of a fairly violent spider commented. " all the more reason for you to use you head!" what's happens if you find out it's her but get killed before we can free her? at least if you live to reach her you can try to assist her." he shook his staff as he was racing his limits with his water magic and forced to use it as a fighting BO. "and if you think about it that's all the more reason to keep the healers like Aire safe as she can likely help the girl recover where you can not!"
"He's right Tar..." Aeo said as he focused a flaming spout on the spider Enigma was fending off. "You promised to save the girl, right? How can you save her if you're DEAD?"
Aire proved her martial skill extended to the use of the sword as she slashed, skewered and pommel bashed the ichor from the spiders that stood before her.
The elf still retained mana for emergencies and for healing, but she now relied exclusively on sword and adrenalin. She shield bashed a particularly aggressive spider and kicked it away, "enough from all of you. We are here to save someone, if it is a trap we will need to think fast, but if a child is indeed in need of saving, then we all will be needed."
Tank had death-charged his way down the entire tunnel, leaving a stream of scattered, confused, or squashed spiders in his wake.
He made it to the antechamber, indiscriminately swinging his greathammer. The sheen on his armor had faded while he was still in the tunnel, and now he was vulnerable to the acid attacks. As he crushed spiders over and over again under his greathammer, holes were starting to appear on his adamantine armor from flying acid globs. Incredibly resistant thought it may have been, even adamantine cannot completely withstand everything. There were only surface pittings and marrings now, but with the barrage he was getting, it could get worse in a hurry.
The rest of the party trailed into th antechamber, blasting spiders left and right with their own methods. This alleviated the pressure on Tank, and the acid artillery eased. However, the damage was done. In the few areas where his shell plates did not protect his fiber-muscles, they were visibly frayed and congealed. His once-flawless carved adamantine shell was now pockmarked and corroded everywhere. While it was still mostly superficial damage, a few of his armor spikes had fallen off, and some layers had been eaten clean through to expose the fibrous innards beneath. DFX was going to have his hands full once this was over.
Now that Tank had backup, the spider hoards were getting pushed back. Tank listened for the cries of help, locked on to them, and rushed straight toward wherever he heard them coming from, brushing aside any of the small spiders in his way.
---
DFX had stood at the mouth of the hole for a minute, then moved back a little. There wasn't really anything to do, it's not like there was anything to guard, or anything he could do about whatever would make guarding necessary. Might as well begin work on something. It's what he was made for, after all. He was gifted with prodigious intelligence at his forging, and while his mental functions were almost always logical and straightforward, when he was actually making something his other gift came into play: Creativity.
He removed his large ruksack from his back, placing it on the ground, and fished a small crystal and some wire out of one of the pockets. He pulled a tool with a large needle-like business end to it, and started poking the crystal with it. Little sparks flew from the contact, and lines started glowing in the crystal.
"Hells.." Malcurth muttered quietly under his breath, straining merely to produce the lashes of flame he was using just to fend the spiders away from the flank of the group that he was guarding.. He turned his head briefly to the rest of the group, and shouted, "Spiders traditionally keep their meals to the perimeter of their webs, unless they are just about to feast! Let us find this stranded human and get her out of here before lunch time!"
The room was actually even larger than initially expected, not that the light from the magic users was illuminating it. The very center of the room resembled a large cylinder, not unlike the interior of the tower. It spanned down for about three stories, ending in layer upon layer of webs.
Sitting in the webs was a woman, dressed in dark velvet.
For anyone that can detect dark magics or necromancy (those of you that can use the same), she was, quite clearly, already dead. She was, however, quite clearly undead.
Armita tried to stay close to his friends. Having lost his spear during the earth translocation spell, he was more or less unarmed, trying his best to avoid the spiders, beating them away with his book.
After noticing the woman, many thoughts stirred inside the young mage's mind. She was undead, no doubt. That meant that most of his offencive spells were no use against her. Then again, this was his home turf. She would have same problem as he. If the woman was even a bit powerful, he would not be able to control her, not now, not here. But he could probably stun, slow or bind her with his spells.
Armita started focusing his magic, gathering the shadows and listening the whispers. A grim aura surrounds him, but he takes no action, no offencive or defencive.
Tarson noticed the woman dressed in dark velvet. He slowly approached where she was, sword ready incase of attack. He also kept an eye out for any movement not coming from his party. He spoke in a normal voice.
"Hey are you ok? You the one we heard on the surface looking for help?"
"Guys somethings off..." Aeo said as he followed the others to the girl. "Please tell me I'm not the only one creeped out by her."
Aeo felt something dark about the girl, possibly infernal, but mostly unsettling. He looked to Alcir and Armita since they seemed to involve themselves in dark magics whether they like it or not. Armita though was chanting or something.
"Ok. Alcir, our resident dead man, you creeped out by her?" Aeo asked as if he were asking the time of day.
Tank saw that the origin of the cries were from a female fleshling in the center of a web covering a deep hole filled with more webs. Of course, he did not register in any way that she was undead. Neither did he seem to register that she wasn't in any actual peril at the moment. He had jumped into a spider-filled tunnel and took a barrage of acid that messed up his armor in order to rescue some random fleshling, and dammit, even though he didn't like it, that's what he was going to do.
Tarson said something to her, and Aeo said something else, but Tank paid no heed. He went the mouth of the hole with the web stretched across it. Since the fleshling was out of reach, he, in true Tank fashion, opted for the most direct method of getting her within reach. He set his greathammer down, kneeled over, and with his arms spread wide, grabbed a Tank-sized armfull of webbing. He yanked it up, and hand-by-hand, reeled in the mass of webbing that the fleshling was on. The web stuck to his front, but he didn't care. He continued pulling in the fleshling like a rescueman pulling a rope out of the water that someone is hanging onto.
In very short order, she was within easy reach. Tank reach out with a massive hand, which closed all the way around her waist, picked her up like a doll, and tossed her over his shoulder (making sure she missed the remaining spikes, of course).
He picked up the greathammer by the part where the shaft met the head, and turned to the group, viciously soccer-kicking a spider that though it could sneak upon him. The thing even flew just like a ball before getting splattered on the side of the cavern.
"Ok. I've got the damn fleshling we came for. Let's get out of this gutbag-infested hole. I need a cleaning and armor repair." He grunted, all while front-covered in sticky white webbing and the fleshling slung over his shoulder like luggage.
Without any hesitation, Tank shoved past the group, heading for the exit.
Tarson watched Tank rush in and grab the woman and turn to leave. He looked around the tunnel for movement.
"Or we could just do that"
Tarson looked to the others as Tank was rushing out.
"You heard the man, everyone out. I'll watch the rear. Everyone move out, watch Tank's back"
Tarson didn't move much when yelling at the others. He went back to looking around the room the best he could for movement. He paid special attention above him incase something tried to drop down on top on him. He did slowly start to move backwards, keeping his eyes peeled for any movement.
Aire regarded the woman and stepped back a bit from her, "I have a very bad feeling about her... she does not register as living... I suggest moving away."
"i hate to agree with out any information but so fare that elf's intuition has seemed very good to this point, i say we trust her and keep and eye on the rescued girl." enigma still has a bad feeling about this. not registering as alive? if she's not showing up as alive and the others didn't register he as dead then that whole forgotten , spider god angle sounds prettier good right about now. after all a gods possessed mortals didn't register according to normals rules according to his research.
Malcurth eyed the strange woman warily, sniffing disdainfully at the air.. "There are far too many unknown things in this world for my tastes.. even the spiders are unusual." He mutters to himself for a moment, before he glanced about the chamber again.. "While I must concur that this human is rather stranger than most, I believe we should make haste to exit this place as soon as possible.. I doubt our arachnid friends are going to remain so hospitable for much longer." He said as he made his way back towards the entrance.. His wings reappeared in mid-run, for his intent was to make a hasty exit..
The giant construct had gotten the girl before Alcir could open his mouth in reply to Aeo, but he spoke as the group was retreating. "No, Aeo, she gives no off-setting arua to me. But that might be that she is like me, she's undead." After speaking, Alcir went back to throwing back the spider's with quick dark spells.
"Unhand me, you beast! This is not how you treat a queen!"
Waving her hands around, the various spider bits (that weren't complete goo) started to merge back together, creating a rather large collection of undead spiders.
Very unhappy undead spiders.
One of them attempted to throw up acid. It succeeded in throwing up half a stomach -- which may or may not have been its own.
Tarson turns to look at the woman Tank was carrying. He shook his head as he brought up the rear.
"I'm guessing you didn't need any hep back there did you?"
"if she's not the one that was calling for help that begs the question who was?" asked Enigma as he ran behind the leader of the group.
"The better question is, what do we do with her now that we have her?" Malcurth asks, slowing a bit until he was alongside Tank and able to look up at the spider queen.. "Now listen here! We heard someone calling for help, and you are going to tell us who it was.." He says, one of his paws becoming shrouded in flames as he speaks, ".. or there are going to be a lot of roasted spiders soon."
"Help...?" She gets this mock quizzical look on her face.
"Who could have needed help...?"
Then she brightens up. "Oh, yeah."
"You."
That's when there's a roaring from the spider pit, and, buried under the cobwebs, rises a great rock golem shaped like a spider.
Tarson seem to get mean in the flash of a second when he saw the spider rock golem. He spoke with a flat tone.
"Tank destroy her. The rest of you stand back"
Tarson charge the Spider golem, jumped and went to drive his charged sword into the the golem's head.
enigma slapped his forehead. "there he goes again. ah well." steps off the the side and reaches in his stash looking for a jar. he's sure he has one and he comes into and goes through them regularly.
edited for the sake of readability.
The slain spiders rose around her, silently Aire cursed having slain so many without burning the remains or scattering them to the winds.
She paused as the undead arachnids closed in. Aire drew the index and middle fingers of her left hand down the runes on the flat of her blade. She whispered wispy words of elven as the engravings began to glow. Light magic played down her blade as she drew it to herself, blade pointing upwards, her left hand slowly approached the handle and grasped it below her right hand.
The elven knight appeared as if she stood before her enemies in formal parade salute, but this was only a brief appearance of repose as she exploded into action. A ballet dancer would have nodded their approval to the maneuver Aire wove. Dancing between each shambling, octapodal zombie, her sword danced through each critter quickly. The slice of the sword, though potent, was merely icing as opposed to the searing power of the aura of light encompassing the blade.
At the end of her dance, she paused briefly and searched out more fiends to vanquish.
The golem looks quizzically at the meat-creature that attacked it (Tarson), tilts its head quizzically, and then bats him away with one of its eight legs.
Metal sword on rock golem head does very little.
Tarson is flung into a wall/solid object. He hit some what hard and dropped his sword. He slowly picked the sword up and placed it back in it's scabbard on his back. He slowly climbs to his feet and looks at the spider golem.
"Why did I think that was gonna do anything"
Tarson looked at the golem than at his right hand and shrugs.
"What the hells, it's worth a shot. If I don't die first"
Tarson once again charged the golem this time with intent to use his stone fist and smash the golem in the face.
"Time for a little rock on rock action"
The spider golem goes on the defensive, pulling back from Tarson, and unleashing an ice blast (in an arc) towards it's "attackers".
Those nearest are slowed slightly, and suffer some damage to their persons. The floor is also coated in a slippery sheen of ice.
Tarson's boots where frozen to the ground and he couldn't pull free not matter how much he tried. He looked up at the golem and just kinda shrugged.
"And now I'm dead"
Armita takes a deep breath and then starts letting out words of power. His eyes turn pitch black and he seems to be in some sort of trance.
"No, but you are about to feel very warm!" The incubus announced as the frozen ground beneath Tarson became a sea of fire for a brief moment as Malcurth tried to unfreeze the floor without cooking his teammates..
"A stone golem expelling ice?" Aeo asked of no one. "Getting weird in here, but golems need a master to control them..." Aeo looked at the zombie girl. "And flesh burns all too well..." Aeo smiled viciously as he psouted another series of dark words, infernal as always but this time as he spoke a ball of burning purple fire seemed to start in the palm of his hands and then grew to the size of a small melon, any ice near him seemed unfazed by the infernal fire as it was purposely directed at a specific target. Then as he finished his word it lanced as a furious spear towards the zombie girl.
Aeo kept his focus on the ball of fire as he felt the power of the fire fade. He was going to keep it fueled until he was stopped or the zombie girl was nothing but ash. "Burn..." Aeo's voice repeated it over and over in both the infernal languages he knew and the common tongue shared by all.
Tarson looked at the golem as he was melted out of the floor. He tilted his head slight then looked back at the group.
"WAIT! Everyone just chill out here for a second. Tank hold off kill her higness for a second"
Tarson walked up to the spider golem with his hands in the air in a none threatening manner. He spoke to it with a somewhat friendly tone.
"Do you have the ability to speak? I know some golems can. If you do I just wanna talk. I know I attacked you for no reaon and I'm sorry. I thought you where summoned to attack us"
"He was!" The zombie queen shouted, before she melted into mist and started floating off in the direction of the cave entrance.
Interestingly, the purple fire shot past, igniting her gaseous form, cerating a screaming ball of flame.
That was when the spider golem went crazy.
"Damnit all to hells"
Tarson charged his hand and charge the golem as it reared up. Aiming to plant a charged attack directly into it's chest.
Before Tank could reach the exit with his 'cargo', the said cargo reanimated most of the dead spiders. A few of the party members attempted to find out who was calling for help, when she then summoned a giant golem-spider from the hole. This quickly placed her in the enemy camp, and tarson ordered Tank to treater her as such.
Before he could, however, the spider-golem was then engaged by the party. Tank was just about to finally carry out her execution, when the battle with the golem halted for a moment, and the spider-queen turned to vapor in Tank's very arms.
Tank was about to growl in frustration--incoporeal things were the only things he couldn't smash--when she was ignited by a fire blast from Aeo. This immediately sent the golem and the remaining spiders into a frenzy.
Tank turned his attention to the golem. "Right then. Let's rock, cousin." he rumbled as he hefted his weapon, charged forward, and swung his mighty greathammer at one of the golem's legs.
*snip!*
enigma practically ragged in frustration. this were happening too quickly and he'd lost his chance to collect a sample of the spider summoner undead whatever she was. on top of that he'd been almost flash frozen and almost flash fried and flash fried the span of two heart beats. this is going to be worth it in the end he reminds himself dancing away form the repercussions of wild attacks. it had better be worth it.
The young mage kept his eyes fixed at the golem. Most of his spells were no use against this non-living creature, but there was one thing he could do. "Everyone out, quickly!" Armita's voice was not his own. It had much deeper resonance.
Aire had sheathed her sword in favor of the dragon rifle. She took a standing shot, attempting to place it full on and into whatever functioned as a face for the spider golem.
She expected it to at least be a distraction, she was not sure of her capabilities against stone.
The golem took the blast in the chest from Tarson, toppling over backwards. With the sound of rock grinding against rock, it flipped itself back over (slowly), and aimed a second ice blast at Tarson.
Malcurth sighed heavily, rolling his eyes for a moment as he shook his head. "I swear, mortals sometimes.." He muttered under his breath before he returned his attention to the battle. "Could we please stop trying to be heroes when it is not necessary in the slightest and concentrate on taking down this golem?" He said, briefly collecting his powers..
He sent a large gout of flame between the spider and Tarson, attempting to intercept or at least weaken the creature's icy blast..
Once Aeo realized the zombie girl was gone and quite quickly at that, he turned his attention to the large rock golem. "That's ummm... big..." Aeo blinked in fear, "Time to melt some stuff..."
Aeo re-focused his energy this time the words he spoke were like the ones of earlier with the goblins and the giant hole. This time a green orb centered in his palms, only this time it did not lance forward like a stream, but rushed head long into the side of the spider slamming into the joints of the leg nearest the front.
Tarson back peddled as the golem stared getting back to it's feet. He heard Amrita telling everyone to get out and started to move back towards the group.
"Um I think now would be a good time to get to the surface and take this thing on in a more open area"
He ducked as the Fire and Ice mixed near him.
"Yeah it's definetly time to move"
Taking a second blast to the chest from Aire, the spidergolem again toppled over, this time with cracks forming along it's back and torso. Standing up a second time, the golem hunched down, then leaped into the air, shooting a spray of "webbing" that glistened like diamonds. The golem disappeared into the murky gloom along the roofs of the cavern, and all was temporarily quiet.
Tarson watched the golem spider dissappear into the gloom of the roof of the cavern. He turned towards the others and started walking towards the opening, while keeping his eyes at the cavern roof.
"I think we should get moving now. Get the hell out of this town"
He though out loud. More to himself than to anyone else.
"I should have never come down here. Should have just passed through and left everything alone"
Tank didn't need telling twice. He pulled out of some of the webbing that had hit him from the golem's last attack, and rumbled off to the tunnel they had came through.
Aire picked herself up off the ground from where she dove to avoid what turned out to be a hard crystalline web mass. She paused to examine a broken fragment, which was as solid as crystal, stuck in the armor on her side. It was stuck fast, so she left it where it was.
Dusting herself off, she fell in next to Tarson. Grimacing slightly at some small pain she felt as she walked, the elf could not help but nod, "yes, it seems our attempt at a good deed was thoroughly thwarted by evil. There was no way to avoid it though, if there had been any small chance that an innocent was in danger, I would leap in the hole again."
I should have joined the Faith and been a paladin like my brother. Aire thought.
As Aeo dropped his focus he seemed to recall Armita yelling for the others to run. He looked at the young mage who seemed to be in the middle of casting a spell and then to the webbing. Which he quickly began "zapping with streams of acid in hopes it would melt some of the more annoying stands.
"We gotta get out of here!" Aeo said as he tried to make his way back to the entrance.
Malcurth made his way for the entrance, but cast a wary glance up towards the top of the dome.. "Be careful, allies.. I doubt that golem is finished with us yet.." He said, and began to dash off down the tunnel as his wings sprouted from his back. "Tank! I do not suppose your brother carries any rope about?" he calls.
I won't need any rope, because I can fly and I'm so smart, ooooo! How do we feel now, snowy?
Hate you.
enigma was already retreating when Tarson suggested that the get out of that spider domain. it seemed like an excellent decision and he when with it. he followed the lumbering construct and those before him hoping not the be the last though he was tired. not so much from the running as he was used to covering distances but the fighting. he was not used to fighting so ofter and against monsters at that. goblins were one then a travelers hazard but spiders and a spider golem and zombie spiders? while a curiosity worthy of study he would have to leave that to some one else though he would be sure to record today's events when he was not worried about his life.
Armita didn't bother to climb back to the entrance that they entered the came. "f¤#§@¿╗ this!" That being said, the ground bellow him swallowed him whole, as it had turned into liquid all of sudden.
Tank heard someone say something to him as he rumbled down the tunnel, but he didn't really listen. Eventually, he got to where the hole to the surface was, with the rest of the party in tow behind him.
He looked up to the sky for a moment, then set down his greathammer. One arm then swept behind, and latched onto the first fleshling that his hand brushed, not knowing nor caring who it was. He pulled the fleshling into a two-handed grip, judged the distance, and slung the poor sap right up. Whomever it was flew up, a few feet above the mouth of the hole, and then came thumping down on the ground beside it.
Tank reached behind himself for the next in line...
DFX was still tinkering with the crystal he had earlier, which now had a wire cage around it. He looked up as someone came flying up out of the hole, and landed next to it.
DFX merely looked at the odd sight for a few seconds, then returned to tinkering as if nothing had happened.
Malcurth had been panting hard, trying to keep up with the lumbering behemoth as he called out again and again. "Tank! Tank! Hells, can you not hear me!? Tank!" but to no avail.. he could barely keep pace with the construct's mad dash, and he skidded to a stop when he finally caught up with Tank. "Now how the hells are we going to-.. what are you doing?!" He said, momentarily tensing up as Tank grabbed a hold of the furball.. and promptly hurled him.
"AIIIEEEE!!!" he screeched, sounding like an odd cross between a man and a very pissed off leopard. His landing was even less graceful, a sudden flump of fur and feathers, and he growled lowly as he picked himself off the ground..
"DFX.. kindly remember to remind me to melt your brother down and have the scrap made into bedside chamber pots.."
Enigma saw tank throw the feline but could not stop in time to avoid being grabbed. he screamed for tank to stop. Even as he tired to to wiggle of of the construes grip his hand reached into his his stash and tired to grab a shield charm to protect him from the imminent collision wit the ground when the construct threw him.
DFX and Malcurth: Unexpectedly, there is a coughing from behind you two. Turning, you'll see the undead queen, who is raising an army of undead spiders from the very ground.
Malcurth blinked, cocking his head over his shoulder in a quizzical manner as he lifted his wing out of the way.. only to spot their favorite 'victim'. And his curious expression immediately flashed into a very angry glare, his fake blue eyes temporarily gleaming with their true colors. "You!!"
He turned about, clutching his paw into a fist as it became a burning ball of flame.. "I have been tossed, burned, frozen, and nearly dissolved, and all because you wanted to be some conniving little eight legged wench princess! Well I have just one word for you.." He said, grinning menacingly at the undead queen before he lifted his paw up high and then threw it towards her..
"FIREBALL!!"
The orb of fire flew from the incubus' paw, hurtling into the mass of the queen and her undead minions before exploding quite forcefully, and dousing everything within a large radius in flames..
Tank stopped for a moment at Enigma's protests, then looked at the fleshling. It certainly would have been a glare could the construct do these things. Then his head turned up as he heard a commotion from above, and most of Mal's seething words.
"She's back." Tank said, almost viciously. He turned his head back to Enigma's. "Get up there, you whining piece of meat." Without further ado, Tank unceremoniously slung Enigma up to the top the same way he had Malcurth. Enigma flew up a few feet above the ground, then came down with a thump on the ground beside the hole.
Tank then growled one word in an urgent, commanding, and dangerous tone to the rest of the party in the hole with him; "Next."
DFX's head snapped up as Malcurth suddenly popped up out of the hole. He said nothing as the fleshling staggered to his feet, and bit off a remark about Tank. DFX only said, "I do not believe Tank would acquiesce to being converted into containers for fecal matter."
There was a sound from behind him, and an odd fleshling that he had not seen before unexpectedly summoned up a host of spiders. Malcurth then spat out a series of heated remarks, culminating with a literal fireball being thrown at the woman.
DFX had completely no idea what was going on. He commented, "It would seem there is great animosity between you and this puppeteer of arachnids. I do hope you are able to sort out your grievances with her." With that, DFX calmly returned to shaping the internal structure of the caged crystal he was tinkering with, even when Engima showed up in the same way Malcurth had.
The spider queen took the brunt of the fireball. Spitting ash and blood, she glared at Malcurth. Then she brought her hands together, sending razor sharp shards of ice flying towards him.
The spiders, clustered around their queen, providing a bit of an undead meat-shield.
Aeo being of course not the most physical of people ended up being behind the others as he came upon the hole the was the way out of the spider/zombie hell. Unfortunately the zombie girl and more of her spiders were in his way.
"Oh come on lady what does it take to kill you for real?" Aeo said angrily as he followed it up with a series of bitingly cold demonic phrases the slung an icicle towards the zombie girl whose back was to the tiefling.
Aire regarded the sunlight and hole above, "I believe there is no easy way out of here with everyone occupied above."
The elf touched the earth in front of her and spoke words of deep, resonating baritones and sounding of dirt and rock rubbing against one another, she sought eggress to the land above. She hoped her faerie side was not too alien to this world's nature and that it might allow her passage.
Tarson cme running up to Tankas he threw the two members out of the hole. He heard Mal speaking and cast a fireball. He quickly ran up to Tank.
"Going up"
Malcurth gritted his teeth, quickly erecting a wall of blazing fire between him and the oncoming shards of ice. Although he managed to stop a greater portion of the razors, a few of the larger ones still got through, grazing and slicing into him.
As he reached down to pull one of the slivers out of him, he chuckled softly at DMX's comment. "Oh yes, we will be having a right and intellectual discussion here in a bit, my synthetic friend.." He said, absently flicking the shard away and then clasping his paws together again and sending a flame-thrower style stream of fire into the mass of spiders that were trying to protect their queen.
The spider queen clapped her hands together, disappearing in a whirl of mist. The spider-zombies, blasted by the flames, took the brunt of the damage. Many were destroyed, but a few survived. These made a bee-line for Malcurth, lunging towards him with the "teeth" gnashing.
at this point enigma hit the ground bouncing like a ball he rolled past many of the other into the spiders a sphere taking form around him in the dust and gore of rolled over spiders. while Enigma was safe for now he was still limited as he could not attack while he was inside of the round shield. at least the shield compensated for motion and he was not bounced around inside of it like a bead inside of a children's toy.
Aire was overjoyed that the elemental earth spirits granted her request. Curt and to the point, spirits of the near timeless earth had little care for creatures of flesh and even less for those created from the rape of the earth such as golems or warforged, however the elf's faerie heritage weighed in her favor more then her companions detracted from it.
Sinking into the wall, the elf gave herself wholely to the care of the soil and quickly ascended.
to those above, she seemed to boil from the very earth. There was little she could immediately do to aid the battle, she could merely watch and hope spiders did not observe her arrival.
Tank regarded Tarson for just a moment before moving again. "Up it is, then." Tank picked Tarson up a little more carefully than he did the others, and slung him in an even more controlled way. When Tarson came up out of the hole, being prepared for it, he actually came down on his feet.
Tank quickly checked if there were any other fleshlings he missed...
"YO TANK!" Aeo ran up to the golem. "Looks like it's time to repeat the past... sort of..." Aeo smiled as he prepared to be launched out like Tarson had.
Tarson lands and see the undead spiders.
"Damn I'm starting to think we should have burn this city to the ground"
Tarson slammed his stone fist into the ground and sent out bolts of electricity out towards the spiders"
Tank seemed almost surprised when Aeo rushed up. "Are you going to have fun with this?" He growled, in a tone that almost seemed playful. "Very well..."
Tank picked up Aeo, took aim, and gave his launch a bit more power than he did the others, enough to give him a few extra feet in launch height. Tank himself was almost having fun with this as well. He was actually throwing puny fleshlings around, without consequence. How could it get better than that?
Malcurth gritted his teeth again as the zombie spiders came racing towards him. He quickly reached into the arm of his robe, pulling out his dagger just in time to swipe the first spider cleanly in half. However, in his back swing, a second spider barreled into him, knocking him to the ground and leaping atop his other arm. But, the incubus quickly rolled towards the spider and brought his dagger down on the spider again and again until it was dead..
It was only then he felt the agonizing pain of one of the spiders biting into his leg. He yowled in pain, and putted an open palm towards the spider, which was soon bathed in flame shortly after.. He drew his legs in, sucking in air through his teeth as he felt the throbbing pain in his legs.. "I can only hope.. their poison glands left with their souls.." He said wearily, peering about for the queen as he staggers to his feet again.
Enigma's stamina startled to falter and he dropped his shield. he staggered for a moment and then firmed into a defense stance and looked around him. "enigma my boy you sure fell into the thick of it" he said and he jumped back both retreating to the main group and bashing what ever zombie limbs came close to him.
Aire shook off the heaviness she felt from her travel through rock and earth. Shouldering her rifle, she whistled sharply.
A heavy hoofed foot landed with a satisfying crunch against the last spider that had approached the fine steed. He tossed his head up, ears twitching at the sound, and immediately bound off to its source.
Aire nodded as the horse approached and she gave him a brief pat before retrieving her full shield. She toggled a switch on the thing and it expanded slightly, mechanically, to its full size. She attached it to the buckler unit and drew her sword.
Waving her hand about, the elf spoke to her warmount in plain common, "Defend."
The mount snorted in acknowledgement and the single unicorn-like horn implement of its armor glowed as it stepped forward, wairily watching for hostiles.
Aire herself quickly moved to Malcurth, "are you still well sir? The spider n'tel'jathless xhana, is still around somewhere. We may not be out of this for a while."
To Tank, it looked like he had gotten everyone. Now time for himself.
He picked up his greathammer, held it like a two-handed javelin, and threw it up out of the hole the same way he did the fleshlings. Even with Tank's monumental strength, it almost didn't make it, as it was proportioned to himself.
Next, he held out his hand, making it straight and dagger-like. Without putting too much strength into his arm, he plunged his hand into the earth. He then repeated the process with his left hand, aiming it a little higher. He brought up his left foot, and kicked that into the earth. He then brought up his right foot, and kicked that one in a little higher than the left. Pulling with his left arm and pushing with both legs, he increased his height while he pulled his right hand out and shot it back in, higher. Then he cycled through all his limbs again. While actual progress was slow, the hole was fifteen feet deep, and he was ten feet tall. In short order, his hands were grasping at the edge, and with colossal effort, he heaved himself up.
A spider was hanging around. At seeing Tank rise out of the hole, it opened its mouth, drooling a little green liquid...and just as it was going to shoot an acid glob at Tank's face, he reached out with his massive hand towards the spider. The glob splashed against tank's hand as it reached for the Spider's head, the acid backwashing on the spider. A sizzling sound was heard as Tank's hand grasped the spider, and its legs twitched madly. Tank squeezed. Bug guts squirted out between his fingers, as the spider thrashed once more, then was still. Mostly. One leg kept twitching. Tank the pulled himself all the way up, grinding his weight against the ground, and a few more of his acid-weakened armor spikes snapped off.
Without any sounds, he collected himself, grabbed his hammer, and stood tall.
DFX looked up after he heard a few metallic pangs, just in time to see Tank, covered in white webbing and the armor underneath all corroded, stand up. DFX was motionless for a moment, then actually shouted.
"Bother! By our Forging Father, what prepostrous activities have you engaged in that effected this unkempt state?"
Tank merely stared in the incomprehesinble construct way, though someone might gather that Tank was a tad annoyed. Ignoring DFX, Tank then turned to help take care of the remaining spiders.
Tarson seemed to be a bit dizzy as he stoud there watching Tank emerge from the hole. Tarson looked to the others as they cleaned up the spiders.
"I think now would be a good time to get the hell out of this place and get moving. Hopefully we're close to that magic source so we can at least figure out what that is"
Tarson waited for the others to move and then turned and started to leave. He staggered a bit and placed his stone arm against a near by piece of stone to help keep himself up. He started walking again but this time with a noticeable limp. It was clear he was trying to hide it.
"I want to be done with this mistake"
"We met up with a zombie lady who likes to control spiders; living dead and geological..." Aeo grunted as he ran past 28. "Personally, I just want her to turn back into the highly combustible gas form she was in earlier." Aeo said as he hefted his mace and ran towards Mal.
"You okay Mal?" Aeo asked as he noticed Aire's horse ride into battle with a command to defend, unfortunately the horse was a tiny bit farther away than was helpful. "Let's you get you to that horse..." Aeo struggled to pull Malcurth to his feet by draping the furry man's arm over his shoulder. "Come on lets get you over to the crazed looking horsie..." Aeo chuckled, "Maybe the spiders will be to terrified of the hooves to even notice you."
Malcurth, who was still inspecting his leg, chuckled warily to Aire.. "I have been better, I have been worse. Poison or no, the fangs of the spider have sunk quite deep indeed." He said, struggling for a moment to get to his feet, with little success.
That's why the help from Aeo was much appreciated.. but his idea, however, was not. Malcurth's eyes went slightly wider, and his ears lay back at the thought of mounting the quadruped. "Wait.. ride that thing?" He asked incredulously..
Ohhhhh, that mare is going to have a field day with this one..
"Can I not just bandage up my leg and walk, maybe?" Malcurth said, and then shot a glance towards Tarson.. "It would seem he needs the assistance more than I do, anyway!"
"Huh?" Aeo blinked as he followed Mal's gaze. "Hells... Aire, can you get your horse near Tarson?" Then he turned his head to Mal. "Listen I suck at binding wounds, if you're capable enough to bind it yourself I can give you some cover fire but, we'll need another to help me, I can't keep them all away."
Tarson turns and slams his stone fist into the ground. Suddenly mass amounts of electricity where sent into the ground. The ground around Tarson looked like a lightning storm with the amount of electricity surging from Tarson's hand. It fried whatever spider it hit, it did manage to miss any others that where near Tarson. After the electricity dispersed he slow stood up and seemed even more dizzy then he was before.
"I can still defend myself"
enigma having retreated into the group returned to his bag as the others gave cover and pulling out the vile he'd found earlier to use on tarson. it was and elixir with anti venom and moderate healing abilities. it would take a few moment's but it would do the job. " this will hurt but hold still snownfur" he said as he pulled a Sia and bleed the wound to try to remove excess poise before applying the potion and binding it. he moved with speed and skill cutting not deeper then necessary but also not leaving the effect of the potion to and wound binding to chance. he was done in under a minute.
Cloudchaser was unconcerned with the approach of Malcurth and Aeo, but he responded immediately to Aeo's request of his master with a snort and whinny before Aire could interject. The horse trotted over to Tarson and nudged him, the approach was loud and obvious, so as not to spook him.
Aire surveyed the group, Malcurth was rather injured, Tarson was faking not being injured, but was obviously hurt somehow. Tank was acid damaged, but Aire was not even fully sure what that could mean to a construct. It could mean superficial armor repair and replacement, or significant damage that could not be repaired. Regardless, the elf could do little for constructs without a forge.
She choose to concentrate on the flesh and immediately approached Tarson, "Please stand still so that I may attempt to aid in your healing."
The elf's hand glows as she begins the process of empathically healing Tarson.
"I do agree we must vacate this area immediately," DFX inserted to the regrouping party, gathering up all his materials and stowing the object we was working on in his rucksack. "But we will have to cease our travel at a suitable site. My brother requires extensive cleaning and armor recompiling. This will likely consume up to or exceed an hour of time."
Tarson stayed and let himself be healed somewhat. Then he turned to the others.
"Alright everyon lets get the hells out of here. We can rest once out of this town"
He then looked at Aire and started to move.
"I'm healed enough to walk. We need to get going"
Tarson began to walk towards the way out. He then looked at Tank.
"We'll rest as soon as we can so DFX can fix you up. We just need to get out of here first"
"i agree tasron but we really need some kind opening. if ones i was better at water magic i could call forth a small flood and you could zap all those little sucker to goo." said enigma as he attempted to help Mal onto his feet. he need to figure out which was to run as he was sure that the undead Aeo would nee help fight the spiders and he was still low on magic energy and could bell call up bubbles of water to hit the spider now. that is what he'd been using it as a striking staff.
Aire nodded wearily to Tarson and ceased her healing. She made her best attempt to walk along with Tarson. She was nearly completely tapped out magically and the act of drawing other's injuries into herself was beginning to catch up to her. She was a little dizzy and any further attempts to heal others would merely hurt her.
"We will need to find a place to stop soon, I'm not sure I can travel too much farther..."
Despite her fatique she did not mount upon Cloudchaser's back to ride. The unicorn-ish steed seemed to be in some type of combat mode. His singular horn glowed white as he walked with the group.
Malcurth idly inspected the binding that Enigma had made, and nodded his approval.. "Not bad.. maybe you should take a few lessons in the healing side of magic sometime?" He commented, testing the leg for a moment before managing to limp away from Aeo..
"I am in full agreement with our friend here.. Even though my powers regrow at a very quick pace, this is extremely taxing, and I would not like to see myself in a last fur standing situation.." He said, and glanced towards the road leading out of town, opposite the way they came..
"I would suggest we move down the road a ways, and set camp in a somewhat defensible location.. That may be difficult on these plains, but I believe we can manage. All agreed?"
"Well I got power to spare, so I guess I'll take up the rear and zap any spare zombie spiders." Aeo said with his usual smile. "We better move fast though, I don't want to see what comes up out of that hole near night fall..." Aeo hooked his mace back into his belt loop and focused his power into a floating ball of purple fire, if any other spiders attacked he would lance the fire out in a second and the best part was all he head to do was focus on keeping the source of the infernal fire lit.
The plains opened up in front of the party again (now with the ghost town to their rear). Out in the fields, the dangers again seemed remote. The fields, ugly as they were, were peaceful.
Of course, it was also starting to get late in the day...
Aire meandered along, keeping pace as best as possible with the others, she was exhausted and her side had begun to burn and throb rather rhythmically as she walked. The shard stuck in the side of her armor was poking her in the side and causing distracting pain. She grabbed it and pulled, extracting it from the metal, she was a tad surprised to find it a lot longer then she had thought.
The elf sighed, "this has just been one of those days." She wrapped the red streaked shard in a cloth and slipped it in her bag.
"are we there yet?"
"Although I am wary of our beloved host returning, I believe we should set camp for the night." Malcurth said, surveying the countryside for a moment before pointing towards a nearby hill. "How about on top of that hill? It seems to be the highest point for a ways around."
Tarson looked around then sighed. Then to his injured party members.
"Ok we'll hold up here for a bit. DFX repair what you can with Tank. The injured should rest up too, try and stay close. We may have to move at night. Me and whoever isn't too injured will keep watch while everyone rests"
Tarson then moved to take up a sentinal on the party.
Enigma checked his supplies. dead party members were no good as shields and living ones could find him many useful things like that shard the Elf had. He was not ready to ask her for it. First he would see what he had that could speed healing among his charms and supplies. Then he'd think about price maybe a few coils of precious metal like copper silver or gold he was sure the construct's would carry such. The thorn that they elf had pulled form her side would be good for study to make more anti toxins and all.
(gm i leave what i find up too you.)
DFX and Tank followed the group as they exited the town, heading out to the open plains and to a somewhat defensible hill. DFX acknowledged Tarson's words, and promptly got to work. He removed his rucksack, setting it on the ground and retrieving some materials from it, laying them beside the sack. He did the same with some tools from his bandolier. Tank had set down his greathammer, and settled into a wide, low stance with his arms outstretched to allow DFX easy access to his whole body.
DFX then took a few more tools and held them in his hands as he seemed to concentrate like a statue for a moment. The tools left his hands suddenly, and floated around Tank of their own accord, glowing slightly. DFX grabbed two tools off the ground, and used those himself as the automated tools set to work, all starting to clean the mass of sticky webbing and the spider guts splattered everywhere.
Aire reached the hilltop and sat down hard, almost literally a collapse. Unbuckling the breastplate of her armor, she let it fall to the side. She examined the tear in her skinsuit at her side. It had been bleeding steadily, so she carefully pulled it up and pressed cool, clean linen to the injury and placed the suit back into place. The nature of the material was tight and elastic, making a nice pressure bandage with the cloth.
She then examined her armor, setting about working on a repair with her small armourer kit.
Meanwhile, her steed stood nearby, acting as an additional guard for her and the group.
walking behind the partly dressed Elf enigma notice her quickly bleeding would. " do you need a hand" he asked hold his bandages and healing items in a small bag. he'd seen her healing others. the face that she was still wounded meant that she was either was out of what ever magic she was using or that she could not us it on herself. his potion would aid her healing but his bandages were little more then clean talismans clothe on an uncut roll. he preferred clothe to paper as it kept longer and was stronger when wet.
The elf shook her head at the offered aid, "your items should be best used on others, I will be fine as soon as I can stop the bleeding. Your potions are human made? Alchemical mixtures I cannot partake of... the nature of alchemy is contrary to elves and faeries."
Aire still smiled pleasantly at him with a nod of thanks still.
enigma nodded. he was not sure where he's gotten these potions anymore but that was besides the point. "very well. but at lest take the clothe and make a bandage. i and still learning how to write healing runes and charms and i would no trust them on a living person yet."
Aeo finally made it to the top of the hill and slumped to the ground. He looked at Tarson briefly and then to Malcurth. Then he smiled, not his lecherous smile, but one of true elation. Despite the giant spiders, spider zombies, spider golem and crazy zombie lady Aeo was having the time of his life he was having a true adventure, not just crawling through an over run crypt of a small cave with a few goblins, but a real adventure the stuff legends were made of!
"That is what adventure is about." Aeo laughed, "Granted our team work still needs to be worked on, but that's what it's about. Relying on others in dire situations and pulling through. Can't wait for the death traps..." He continued to smile as he searched his rucksack for his remaining jerky.
Tarson gave Aeo a sideways glance as he speaks.
"I think that was what you would call a death trap. Also don't be so willing to run into trouble. Next time we might get so lucky. Rest up guys I'd rather not sleep here. No idea how far we are from those ruins Aire felt"
Aire paused in her tinkering with the armour. She looked at the offered bandages and sighed, "I still think is should be kept for someone else more needy, but if you think it necessary."
The elf took the bandages and pulled up her suit again, readjusting the linen and then tying the cloth bandages tightly around her middle. Making sure she could still breathe reasonably well with the cloth tied so, she repositioned he suit and humbly bowed her thanks to Enigma. Doing so made her a tad dizzy, she felt a little light headed.
She put her hand to her forehead and steadied herself, with a heavy sigh she pulled out her bed roll and settled carefully down for a rest, "I think it would be best if I rest for a bit. Please wake me if I need to watch..."
The elf tapped Tarson on the foot as she stated the part about waking her for a watch, indicating that he should do so after he felt he was done.
Tarson just looked at Aire and nodded his head. He started to scan the surounding area the best he could.
"If anyone else needs to rest do it now"
Malcurth limped his way to the top of the hill, before managing to catch himself before he collapsed to the ground. He groaned in a low, soft tone, gingerly inspecting the wound on his leg. The fur around the wound seemed to still be healthy, so he could only assume that the undead spider lacked any potent venom... or maybe he had his cubi heritage to thank for some manner of poison resistance. Either way, he felt utterly exhausted now, but after a short assessment of his remaining mana pool, he figured he had enough for one more small trick without comprimising his passive abilities.. such as his shape-change and mind-shield, to name the more obvious ones.
He concentrated for a moment, and then gazed steadily at the center of their makeshift camp, murmuring softly under his breath for a moment. Just about a foot off the ground, at the center of his gaze, a small orb of fire began to form, before it slowly expanded into what appeared to be a small campfire. However, even as it touched the ground, it did not spread, nor extinguish due to the lack of firewood.. Instead, a pair of spots appeared on one side, flickers of flame much brighter than the rest of the fire.. and they seemed very.. intent. These bright spots roved over its form as the fire sat in the middle of the camp, flicking towards each member of the party, and then roaming about over the surface of the fire..
"A minor fire elemental.." Malcurth explained, slumping back against his pack.. "A mere baby by the ignan kind's reckoning. It will be of little use in a fight.. but.. it does not sleep.. and it can help keep watch, along with the obvious fact that he can keep us warm through the night. But do not worry.. One so small and young is very unlikely to move around much.. I suspect it is content to just sit there and burn, and look about at all that it can see. But, feel free to feed it 'treats' if you so please.. It will make a loud racket of hissing and crackling if it sees something unusual.."
"I will dismiss it back in the morning.." He said, and that was the last thing he had to say, because he promptly slumped against his pack as his eyes closed, and was soon quite unconscious. He barely even made a sound, except for the soft sounds of his breathing..
As DFX cleaned Tank, he glanced over at Aire as she started working on her armor. "If you are willing to wait until I have completed work on my brother," DFX started to say, "I can render repairs on your armor myself, as I was designed for this type of task and also posess a far greater array of tools and skills at my disposal than yourself. The quality of my repairs would almost certainly be superior to your own as well, as I can improve or augment the armor in addition to making it whole again. If you wish it, I even have the capability of enchanting the armor for further enhancement." The whole time DFX was talking, the cleaning he and his flying tools were doing on Tank never faltered in the slightest. "I am also observing that, in addition to your inujury, you seem to be suffering from fleshling fatigue, and I conclude it would be of greatest benefit to you if you were to utilize this time to rest, rather than expend more energy and focus, something I understand fleshlings have a finite reserve of."
DFX also noticed Malcurth's summoning of the fire elemental, and listened to his explanation of what it was for. However, he either didn't notice or didn't care that Malcurth had already fallen asleep. "That may not have been strictly necessary either, as my brother and I are capable of the majority of functions specified, even during downtime such as this, though it is admittedly somewhat diminished at the present time."
"Right." Tank rumbled, speaking up. "While my brother's working on me, I'm watching out in this direction. When he's done, I can do a real round patrol all night."
"However, I certainly find this elemental summoning interesting, and I will attempt to allot a portion of time tonight towards studying it."
Aeo chuckled slightly as 28 spoke in his usual long winded manner.
"He's probably right, Aire, you look like you've tried to take on a giant all by yourself." Aeo smiled as he continued to rummage through his sack. "Could have sworn I had some more jerky in here..."
enigma did not eat. enigma did not drink. at least not that the others could see. what he did do was check the others and make sure that non were knocking on death's door. when this was done he seems to melt into the shadows at the edge of the lights. one moment he was seen walking the next he was gone. what ever is business for this night he appartently wanted to do it alone.
Aire opened her eyes, she had a noticeable weary look to her. She focused as best as she could on DFX and nodded her head, which she regretted as the world spun a bit.
Pausing, she spoke in a small voice, "yes, that would be nice if you could... my armour is made of mithril, I have some in my pack if you need it... do whatever you think is best... I need to rest, I used as lot of mana."
She struggled to keep awake, but drifted back off to sleep.
For those still awake, in the growing darkness (exacerbated by the light of the campfire), one could make out the faint shape of a figure, standing off in the distance, watching them.
The figure was, for all intents, apparently made of faint light.
Tarson slowly climbed to his feet and stared out at the being. Without saying anything he moved to position himself inbetween the party and the being. Then he simplely stoud staring at the light being,
The being stared back. It had all the time in the world.
As DFX scraped and cleaned off the detritus from Tank, they both noticed a strange light off in the distance. Tarson moved to an interposing sentinel position.
DFX spoke up. "I recommend we delay initiating contact with this anomaly for as long as possible, if we engage it at all. It is possible it may depart of its own accord. I remain with a considerable amount of labor to complete, and require adequate time."
Finally, all the webbing, acid residue, bug guts, and other things were cleaned completely from Tank's body. The flying tools re-holstered themselves in DFX's bandolier, and he put away the ones he was working with. He picked up a few of the other tools that were laid out, and they also started flying around as DFX retrieved several more. As DFX applied these tools to Tank's shell, small bursts of sparks flew as all the corroded craters and holes in Tank's armor were shaved down, to remove impurities and prepare it to accept fresh repair materials seamlessly.
Aire rolled onto her back and groaned slightly, with effort she opened her eyes and stared up towards Tarson, "I sense something is watching us... and that you are aware of it, what do you think we should do?"
Malcurth, however, remained quite unconscious.. He was laying on his back, with just his head against his pack now, and a paw across his chest, snoozing quietly in the firelight.. Speaking of which, the fire elemental youth had also noticed the odd being, but as it did not appear to pose a threat at the moment, it remained quietly crackling, merely watching with two pinpricks of flame..
Tarson kept looking at the being in the distance. His eyes locked on it and spoke to Aire without turning to look at her.
"Right now nothing. You get some rest. Right now I'm not considereing it dangerous but I do plan on keeping an eye on it as long as I can"
enigma was off in the shadows grumbling under his breath. another night attack? why was it that when the others were sleep he never had time to study more then a few items in his book? he really wanted to find out more about that new addition to the group. it had super secede his research into the runes on the leader's arm. still he would wait and watcher. see what this creature would do before getting into a needless or potentially unwinnable battle.
The being simply stared.
Aire could barely keep her eyes open anyways, so when Tarson told her to get some rest, she squeaked a small reply, "k...."
She immediately drifted off into a fitful sleep.
As the "standoff" dragged on, DFX continued his tireless work on Tank. After he had smoothed all the damage in Tank's armor, he then pulled out some of the fiber-cord from his rucksack. Using the same large needle-like tool he'd used before when reparing the damage from the goblin attack, DFX wove new strands into the areas of the decayed fiber-bundle musculature where the armor had been eaten all the way through by the acid. The needle-tip glowed as each new strand melded with the old, making all of Tank's "muscles' whole again.
After that, DFX removed a few of the plates of adamantine from the rucksack as well, and picked out a few tools like small blades from his bandolier. With them, he cut out and shaped several pieces of adamantine. This was particularly slow work, as adamantine was as difficult to work with as it was tough. Eventually, he had a few pieces that satisfied him.
He returned to Tank and fitted the pieces only into the largest holes in his armor, using a tool that acted somewhat like a modern welder to set them. This also took some time, but the pieces didn't seem to completly fill in the holes.
Finally, DFX placed his metal hands on Tank, and concentrated. All remaining flaws in the armor glowed softly, as DFX wove an enchantment of repair, drawing on Fire and Earth magic. Slowly, very slowly, the adamantine regenerated, filling in all the last craters and gaps.
When DFX had finally finished, Tank's armor was once again flawless, but it wasn't quite seamless. The places where new adamantine had been fitted and grown in were slightly lighter than the rest of the body. This, however, was not a problem; soon the materials would be automatically and fully assimilated as part of Tank's body, absorbed into the rest of the materials of his figure by the magic that made and sustained him.
Tank, now fully repaired, began a circling patrol around the hill their camp was on, watching out for more than just the immobile light-being. DFX then retrieved Aire's armor, and some of the extra mithril in her pack. DFX then went about repairing her armor in much the same way he did Tank's shell, but it was slightly difficult on account that DFX had never worked with mithril before, and it was far less robust than the materials he worked with before. While most of the other living constructs built by his father were composites with predominantly steel as the base material, like DFX himself, there had been a few specialty adamantine models, like Tank, as well as a few mithril ones. DFX had never gotten a chance to work on those before the forged was razed and the constructs destroyed. However, DFX quickly adapted to the nuances in the new metal, and worked away the rents and marrs in the armor. When he finished, the areas he had worked on no longer quite had their original "natural" workmanship, but the armor was just as tough as it used to be.
All this had taken about two hours. DFX placed the armor back near Aire, then walked over to Tarson, who may or may not still be awake. Regardless, DFX said "My labor is complete. We are now prepared to engage this anomaly, if you decide upon that course of action."
Tarson looked at DFX with tiredness on the human side of his face. He shook his head, it was clear it was meant to clear his head more than anything.
"Stay here and watch the others. I'll be right back"
With that Tarson started to walk towards the light being. He had his arms slighty out to his sides to show me means no harm. He walked about halfway between between the being and his party. Once he figured he was close enough he stopped and stared at the being.
"Who are you? We mean you no harm. I hope you don't mean us any either. We had a nasty run in in that small village back there and are kinda broken down. Are you from there?"
When Tarson spoke he kept his voice at a somewhat normal tone. He kepy his voice sounding as friendly as possible as to not sound threatening.
The figure titled it's head upon hearing Tarson's voice. After a pause, the figure glowed brighter briefly, the faded back down to it's previous brightness. Then it pulsed again. Faintly, for those that were listening, it could be heard:
"must... stay... away... go... back... not... for... ward... dan... ger... lurks... ahead... over... lord... cast... le... be... ware..."
Then the figure subsided and watched again.
Tarson looked at the being.
"We don't belong in this world and are searching for our way back. We have reason to believe our way home is in this direction"
enigma made a note by his sketched of the creature. Tarson had gotten it to speak so he marked that down. it was intelligent and seemed non aggressive. that was a plus.
"... lost..."
Nothing more.
Tarson nodded at the being.
"Very"
"...danger..."
Those furthest away from the being are the first attacked by wraiths.
"Huzzawha? Hrmph?" Malcurth muttered, coming awake to a sound like a forest burning. He shook his head groggily, and peered about, noting the infant fire elemental to be the source of the racket. And with good reason, as the incubus was soon aware of the presence of some incorporeal, not so friendly beings. Even with their alien appearance, their manner, their aura and their intent was unmistakable.
"Wraiths!!" He yelped, all slumber departing him as he unleashed a fiery blast on the closest spirit..
Cloudchaser, the mount of Aire, was the first to react to this sudden threat of incorporeal entities. He charged forward and from his horn exploded a wave of pure light, striking each wraith with holy energy. Aire might not be a paladin, but the mount appeared to be one. Also what was apparent is that he was not simply a heavy warhorse, nor even a horse at all. Cloudchaser was a unicorn.
He reared up and struck a wraith with a glowing hoof.
Meanwhile, Aire's eyes fluttered open at Malcurth's exclamation. Wraiths were deadly business. Flush with adrenaline and momentarily free of her fatigue, she leaped up, drew her sword, and slashed through a wraith in one fell movement. Her sword glowed with the same holy radiance as Cloudchaser's hooves, his use of whatever power he had also seemed to extend to Aire.
suddenly burst of exploding balls of light lit up the area. while not quite noon lit it was never the less an impressive display, as well it should be since it was a technique he used often to gain clients. the explosion were more show the force but some times showiness was what was needed "as if anyone appreciates this"enigma thinks as he heads towards the main group wishing he'd stayed home profit or not.
Tarson spun around to the camp to see his companions being attacked by some creatures he had never seen before.
"What the..."
Tarson turned back to the being before running towards the party.
"If you had anything to do with this..."
The being was gone.
"Leader hurry" he called as he ran past tarson to the the group. his magic fireworks would only last so long but it would give tho others light to fight by and hopefully weaken the wraiths attacking them.
Aire slashes at another wraith and backs off a bit, "I do not fear the ghosts of men..."
She tightened the grip on her sword and steadied herself, the adrenaline was beginning to run its course and fatigue was beginning to creep into her once again. All the twirling and slashing has caused her side to throb and she could feel a warmth spreading at that spot yet again.
"If anyone else would care to aid in vanquishing these foes, I will not complain."
Cloudchaser struck another one with a glowing hoof.
Tarson charge into the camp and went to strike a wraith with his stone arm.
"I've never dealt with these creatures but I'll just fight like I normally do and hope it works"
having reached his stash of merchandise enigma sets about unsealing them with practiced ease. he reach in grabbing a random talisman and the water staff. he also grabs a roll of paper that he uses to write his paper talisman. whiles he throws his paper talisman at an wraith. on the talisman is an arcane sealing spell / set of runes
When the wraiths attacked, Tank certainly didn't bother reinventing the wheel. He just picked up his hammer and did what he did best. Which, apparently, was putting large holes in the ground as his hammer ineffectually swung straight through the incoporeal wraiths as if they weren't even there. After about seven such swings, he actually quit.
DFX, on the other hand, did not react immediately. He knew any physical attacks by him or his brother would be useless, and he wasn't yet sure if the same applied vice versa, as the two composite contructs weren't made of living flesh. However, they were still by some extent alive, so DFX hypothesised that if the wraiths could indeed harm him, the damage caused would most likely be reduced compared to the fleshlings in the party.
He also considered how he could affect the wraiths. Problem was, he was mostly useless at this point. He had magic of his own, but it could only be imbued and enchanted into inanimate objects. He could imbue himself, but that wouldn't improve things much. Enchanting took time, offensive capabilities especially. He wouldn't even be able to repeat his lightbolt-blasting arms that he used on the goblins; he'd almost certainly be attacked by a wraith before he even managed to charge up a few shots. And then he'd figure out the hard way if the wraiths could hurt him or not.
This was quite a predicament. However, he couldn't think up any better ideas at the moment, so he stood still, concentrated, and started to weave a temporary infusion into his arms to recreate the lightbolt spell.
The wraiths weaved through the air, screeching and crying. Those they attacked felt a cold, biting wind through to their gut, taking deep, psychic and magical damage.
Not a single wraith did actual physical damage.
enigma shiver as his manna took a hit. writes on one of his sheets he puts down a spell for a magical shield. he doesn't know if it's work but he slams it on his arm hoping that it wont burn or explode ash he dance out of the reach of another wraiths throws a ball of exploding light into it's face. even so his magic fireworks fads as the sky in now dawn lit heading towards dusk.
Aeo had been watching the "conversation" between Tarson and the figures, and then before he could even understand what was going on everything went down the outhouse. Everyone leaped to attack their own attackers, but Aeo had been caught completely off guard and he was soon shivering from the ghostly mental attacks.
Aeo muttered as he got to his feet and looked for the closest wraith and being kind of tired and cranky went to charge one of his most powerful incantations. He spoke in the demonic tongues of his teachings the words snapping and hissing like hot embers, the energy gathered in his hand glowed like a hot fire and he launched the entirety of the flaming mass at the wraith.
Malcurth went rolling through the dirt as he narrowly avoided a pass from a wraith via a quick roll and tumble. He stood back up, and sent a jet of flame flying towards the fleeing phantasm.. "Why must this land be cursed so? And why must we be cursed to travel through it?" He proclaims as he lays another blast towards one of the malicious spirits..
With several of the wraiths destroyed (dead isn't really a term that applies to their state of suddenly not existing anymore), those left "alive" quickly fly off, presumably to haunt some other sad band of travelers stuck on this world.
The land, dark and empty, again sits peacefully.
Enigma pants watches the wraths disappear his only light magic fireworks have dimmed to mere embers in the twilight. "some one please get me out of this place" he complained
Aire, without her a majority of her plate armor, was quite a bit more nimble. She managed to avoid the grasping fingers of the vile undead and delivered a few to destruction before they departed. She was barely holding on with the force of her own will.
The elf warrior stood poised for a few moments, eyes darting about looking for more danger, when none came, she relaxed.
She winced as she pressed her hand to her wounded side, which was bleeding freely once again. Aire decided to lean on Malcurth who also had vanquished a wraith or two and seemed a bit better off then he was earlier.
She pulled her hand away from her side and gestured with the blood, "you would not perchance have a way to make this stop?"
Tarson didn't know what to do when his stone fist past through the Wraiths. He fell to the ground when he was hit with the Wraiths attack. He stayed kneeling on the ground breathing heavy trying to figure out what just happened. His attention was drawn back when Aire spoke to Malcurth and showed her bleeding wound. He clamored to his feet and staggered over to Aire.
"We could cauterize it to stop the bleeding"
It was clear Tarson was being serious and concerned with this suggestion.
Malcurth had been busy dusting himself off when Aire leaned on him and inquired about her wound. The incubus blinked, and glanced down at the fae's side, before wincing with a short lash of his tail. "I must say, young lady, I dearly hope you do not have a taste for developing such new additions to your body." He said, before Tarson came over, and suggested rather drastic measures.
Malcurth snorted lightly, flicking his ears back. "Let us not, and forget about such mundane means for now. Even though my rest was rather rudely interrupted by the undead, I have sufficient stores now to branch out into my more abstract powers.. Let me see now.." He said, extending his paw towards Aire's side..
"Do hold still.. I hear this is rather 'chilling' for those unaccustomed to the healing arts.." He said as he chanted softly, flexing his paw slightly as a soft, green glow emanated from his palm, and glowed over Aire's wounded flesh..
Enigma watched with interest. the furry addition to there team know both fire and healing magic not magics that he thought aligned very well. on top of that he knew that he could fly and change his form at least in limited degrees.
"Oh, but I just love collecting wounds... it is so very warrior-like." The elf gave a brief giggle at that, but was given pause by Tarson's suggestion.
Aire guarded her side and stepped slightly behind Malcurth, "I... do not think that necessary..."
She was relieved when Mal agreed and even more so when he began healing her. Aire was not very experienced in receiving healing, as she was normally giving it via her light magic. She gasped a bit and resisted a sudden urge to scratch the knitting flesh, as it itched in such as way as to be indescribable.
Malcurth finished his spell, and withdrew his paw, eying the new flesh a moment. "Yes, you seemed to have healed nicely.. I was rather worried about what to do concerning your lack of fur, but everything seems to be fine. I would advise you, however.." He said, and promptly poked Aire in the side, which more than likely felt like getting jabbed in a very dark bruise.. ".. not taking a hit to that area, as it will take a while for the nerves of your body to realize the injury is not there anymore.."
Aire yelped and took a step away from Malcurth, her side was indeed quite sore. Still she blushed slightly and bowed, there was a sharp intake of air through clenched teeth as she stretched still tender muscles and angry nerves protested.
"I... am very grateful sir, but I am quite embarrassed at my lack of skill in medicine. My magical healing abilities are empathic, so I am precluded from using them on myself. So please forgive me if I am using your talents too much in the near future, I will endeavor to repay the kindness."
enigma put his not pad away. he'd taken down as much as he could for this encounter. "do not worry too much Aire. to survive we must all help each other." walking over the her and Malcurth he closed his eyes fora moment thinking Loudly
{ i see right throng you and i don't need x-ray vision to do so}
After wares his eyes open and smile he pulls out an earth charms that he'd forth he possessed. "Aire this charm is very old but it is said in the hands of a master or a child of the earth it displays properties that can not otherwise but reached. among them lease of these is supposed to be healing. i've never made it work for me but i think you can. and if you like i'll lend it to you"
"Oh it is no bother." Malcurth said to Aire, dismissively waving his paw with a smile. "I often wish I had been more focused in the healing arts, for they can prove to be very useful at times." He said, but as Aire left, Malcurth picked up on a very interesting thought, one that made his hackles stand straight up. He spun about and blinked at Enigma, before his ears laid flat against his head, and he said, rather loudly:
"Oh yeah? Well I bet you do not have any evidence at all!"
.. which was followed by the sound of a rather loud slap, caused by his paw racing to meet his mouth.
Oldest trick in the book, Snowy. Oldest trick in the book
Tarson glared at Enigma and Malcurth.
"What is wrong with you two? I don't know what's going on but knock it off"
"don't worry leader" said Enigma well aware that on top of his proof he had possibly caused Malcurth a large among of embarrassment. thought he kept his feature's and his mind blank. " it is merely a minor disagreement that need not come up again. right Malcurth? especially since the decision is not yours to make." though he kept his voice and body neutral with his mind controlled and seeming blank he was giving Mal a way out. would Mal take it or confront him fully? enigma didn't believe he could defeat Mal in a frontal assault and hoped to avoid one when it was unnecessary.
While the others tended to Aire and her wound Aeo looked about the spot they had camped. He stopped at several places and looked around before sitting on a rather uncomfortable rock slightly south east of the camp. He looked out into the darkness hoping to pick up on any stray demonic auras. He didn't know why but something seemed almost infernal about the interaction with the wraiths as if they were hiding something they did not want discovered as opposed to a warning about the dangerous realm.
Aire regarded the charm for a few moments as she considered its origins, her thoughts were interrupted as a strange confrontation occurred between Enigma and Malcurth.
The elven maiden stepped back in front of Mal, deliberately coming between both Enigma and the feline sentient.
"Please, we have had more than enough conflict with those that would be our enemies, we need not seek foes within our allies! And that is what we all are, until proven otherwise by actions... not mysterious auras, fallen blood lines, or other circumstances."
Aire raised an eye towards Mal, but did nothing else, she was rather light-headed from loss of blood and still exhausted, so it was by will alone she stood off against both Enigma and Mal.
at once Enigma felt a tingling of conscious. it was not very great but it was there. this elf was trying to avoid conflict when he had chose to use and offer of assistance to her to cover testing Mal. she was right that they were allies even so his need to know was pushing him here. "fear not child of the earth. i think that all is resolved." he said looking over to Malcurth. his arms at his sides ready to catch the elf if she should fall.
Tarson stoud there looking at Enigma then at Malcurth.
"Well there wouldn't have been any issues if you hadn't walk over to Mal. Now Mal I don't know what the issue is that has seen to have sprung up between you two but it's over. I don't care about your passed as long as it's not gonna harm anyone in this party. Now lets figure out what we're gonna do about getting some rest"
Tarson walked away from the three, scanned the area and slumped to the ground looking in the direction the light being was last. He spoke some softly.
"Could warned me sooner"
"Oh no no! No problem at all!" Malcurth said as he removed his paw and waved it dismissively, grinning a little overly so. However, as the others turned away, he shot a side-long glare at Enigma, and said. "You and me. Talk. Later, got it?"
After which, he turned back to the group and looked about.. "Did we get them all? Maybe we should continue our journey then?"
"yes a talk" said enigma. {will you tell me what i want to know or will you lie to me?} That sounds like a good ideal considering the situation we find ourselves in. { and believe it or not i really would like to know how you know about X-ray vision}
Enigma then returns his attentions to Aire. " Please madam elf don't strain you self such." he pressings the earth charm into her hand feeling it come to life as his concern however vague mixed when her earthen nature acted on it drawing forth it's healing manna form the very grounds they stood upon in small trickles so as not to bring it harm.
Tank and DFX sustained damage from the wraith assault, but it wasn't physical damage. Some of the magic that sustained them was stolen away, leaving them both a little slower than before. The wraiths dispersed shortly after thanks to the combine efforts of the party.
DFX immediately went to work analyzing what had happened. Fortunately, he found that the 'damage' was not permanent, only some energy had been stolen and not the workings of the life-imitating enchantments themselves. It should regenerate soon enough. However, until then, both Tank and DFX move less fluidly than they did before.
As the rest of the party concentrates on recovering from the assault, the two slightly-less-living constructs wordlessly take up a rotating patrol in a circle around the hill the party was camped on. Nothing was going to sneak up on the group again this night without the group being alerted beforehand.
Aire, though focused on Enigma and Malcurth, missed the subtle exchange due to her current condition. The elf's vision was beginning to tunnel and her legs were about to go on strike just as the charm was pushed into her bloodied hand. She tensed and opened her mouth as if to talk, but no sound issued forth. Her body shimmered and her eyes glowed.
After a few moments she stopped trying to babble incoherently and held a wordless conversation with the space to the right of her. It seemed to be alternating between apologies and words of thanks. Closing her eyes, she stopped mouthing words, and stood silently for a good three minutes.
Finally her eyes sprang open and a slight flash left them and traveled to her right hand where she had pantomimed a gun. A single sound issued from her mouth as her hand and arm mimicked the movements of one of her pistols, "bang."
A blast of white energy, the lingering spark that had traveled to her hand, sailed out into the sky. Somewhere a distance off, a lone bird-mosquito abomination exploded into fleshy particles, ending its existence.
"wow, overcharge... that was great... can I have another one?" Aire grinned at Enigma with pearly teeth and vibrant green eyes... eyes far, far greener than they should be.
Malcurth flattened his ears at Enigma, but gave no response. He just snorted lightly and padded off.
He was, however, stopped short by the highly unusual display from their resident fey elf. The incubus felt the odd aura that the elf projected, and spun around, staring with wide eyes at the now glowing woman. She isn't.. feeding off the aura, is she? He wondered to himself, and then he practically jumped as she shot off some kind of discharge high into the air. His tail whipped about as he watched the energy arc high into the sky, and then he peered at the elf again, noting how rejuvenated she was.
This rates an investigation, later..
Tarson looked at Aire with wide eyes.
"What the?"
Tarson climbed to his feet and started walking to Aire.
"You ok Aire? You look alittle off"
Tarson shook his head when she asked for another charger.
"Oh great, don't tell me we have an addicted elf on our hands"
The elf turned her head to Tarson and tilted it off to the side a bit. With closed eyes and a bright smile, she replied to his inquiry, "yes, Aire is quite all right my good chap. We should be off.."
The faerie elf danced over to her equipment and with a snap of her fingers, her suit was mended and clean of blood, the backpack was packed and her armor was ready to wear.
She slipped into the plate rather easily and in it, she looked radiant and every color of her was vibrant. Her excess gear drifted over and deposited itself on the unicorn, and even Cloudchaser kept an eye on Aire.
The faerie elf sheathed her sword, buckled on pistols, strapped the shield to her back, and tossed the strap of the rifle over her shoulder.
"Let's go, go, go!"
Tarson looked at Aire with a serious look.
"Who are you and what the hell is going on"
Tarson then spun on Engima with an annoyed looked.
"What the hells did you give her?"
Enigma who had stepped back from the elf in awe and fear. what was happening? what had he done? the elf's mana was sky rocketing and that wasn't all. She was taking in an ancient language ancient even to her people. then she fired a shout of pure mana power in to the air said bang. enigma nearly fell. { in his mine the face of a teen age human with a glowing finger}
"what the hells did you give her?!!" exclaimed and angry leader. Enigma's mind was screaming and images of the stone ran though it. "it was an earth charm. just and earth charm. it was said to healing power and enhance earth / mana power and that in the hands of master or a child of the earth it displays properties otherwise unreachable but this... i never expected something like this!" he protested.
The faerie seemed a bit confused by Tarson's questions, but she never stopped smiling, "hell has nothing to do with it, Nature is more appropriate, but I guess it wouldn't sound as good. What the Nature is going on." She made a very bad impression of Tarson with that last bit.
While Aire was distracted by Tarson and Enigma, Cloudchaser had moved up behind her and was about to tap her with his horn. However, Aire twirled to the side, managing to slip a red rubber ball on the tip.
"Now now Cloudchaser, let Aire have fun sometimes." She turned back to Tarson, "Tarson, I am Aire and Aire is me, I am the faerie side. Now let's go, I want to have a fight with monsters!"
Tarson looked at "Aire" when she spoke to him. His annoyance level didn't go down but didn't seem to go up.
"Where were you when we were dealing with those spiders and Aire was almost killed?"
Tarson turned and looked to the party.
"Everyone else rested like the faerie here? Seems she wishes to get moving"
Looks back at "Aire".
"We should stay for alittle while longer. Maybe til morning so everyone else can get the the rest they need"
Tarson turned and walked off to where he was standing before and just about collapsed on the ground in exhaustion. It seems he was very exhausted and was pushing himself because of what had happened.
Enigma still less then okay with the result of his attempt at helping. he had seen many things. several Earth adept users and manage to get the Stone to heal minor wounds but Aire seems to have taken it's to another level. he looked at his hand the one that had felt the mana as he pressed the stone into Aire's hand . it didn't look different but still. " i vote for sleep. after all many of us are mere flesh and blood without supernatural connection that make sleep unnecessary."
he did not direct these comments towards anyone and his mind had returned to it's puzzling blank state. it was as if he'd turn of him mental chatter as well as his surface emotions
Aeo had heard the conversation between "Aire" and Tarson was quite frightened, he didn't know what her faeire side was capable of, much like the others didn't truly know about the dangers of his daemonic side. Still his curiosity was slightly piqued and he got up off his but away from sensing for infernal auras and decided to talk to the new Aire.
"So you want adventure huh?" Aeo asked, "Came to the right place, really wrong time. We're either to tired or injured to really go anywhere right now and those crazy ghosties didn't make anything better." Aeo smiled. "Still you could keep me entertained by telling me everything you can about faeires, I'm kinda interested in them. I've heard they got some pretty interesting powers..."
Aire smiled knowingly at Aeo, her bright eyes intensifying their color somehow, "You want to know about faeries? Those known as faeries are primordial and beings of pure nature incarnate, but they do not reveal their secrets casually. I can't just tell you everything, but I can answer specific questions..."
As much as enigma would ave loved to listen to this his body was reaching his limits. pulling out a piece of talisman paper and a stack of bound sheets he called for his mana inscribing a spell onto the talisman sheet before attached it to the bound sheets. these he sat near Aire before he lays in full sight of the others and apparently fell asleep.
Malcurth, having at least rested through some of the night, decided to walk up to Aire, and ask a question that had newly formed in his mind..
"Miss Aire.. I must know.. how did you manage to siphon off, and even enhance, the energy from that talisman? I have seen such drainage techniques before.. but never so profound!"
Aire smiled wryly at the feline, "now that would be telling. I don't suppose you want to enlighten us on any of your secrets, hmmm?"
The elf reached out and scratched the incubus behind the ears, "perhaps a little revealing in the infernal and demon areas, hmmm?"
the talisman enigma had written glowed both faintly briefly then stopped. no other action was observed form it even to those wathed it
Malcurth's ears flicked curiously at Aire's remark for a moment, before he began to realize what she was implying. "Wh-.. wait? What secrets? I have no secrets!" He said, so close to panic that he didn't even duck away from Aire's hand, his fluffy ears merely fluttering under her touch..
Aeo was thinking hard on what to ask this new side of Aire. He knew fae could be tricky when they wanted to be and he was pretty sure he wouldn't get a straight answer anyway, but at the moment it seemed important to know what the heck was going on with their lovely elf lady.
"Are you Aire's, well for lack of a better word, "wild" side?" Aeo asked as he tried to think of any better way to put it. He didn't even pay attention to Aire seemingly drawing attention to Malcurth, Aeo was far more interested in the faeire aspects of their companion.
Aire smiled again at Malcurth, "now, now, I already have a very good idea of what it is about, but I wish you to explain it before I go dancing about revealing all I have surmised to the entire world. Perhaps you wish to speak privately about it, so you can explain."
The elf continued to scratch the feline's ears, happily so, hoping to sooth him with the act. She momentarily turned her attention to Aeo, "wyld side... yes, that is good. I am Aire, I am not some possessing entity or alien force, I am who I appear to be."
the sleeping enigma chuckles seeming to have a pleasant dream. his manna and energy were already retuning but he would sleep one for a while even when they where back. some times one just need to sleep for the sake of sleeping after all.
Malcurth was lost for words for a few moments, allowing Aire to scratch his ears for a bit more before he seemed to snap back to his senses, and duck away from her hand. "Allright, me, Enigma, AND you all need to have a talk!" He manage to blurt out before he quickly scampered away. He headed over to where Enigma was sleeping, and plopped down beside the fellow.
For a moment, he half-considered probing the man's dreams, but noted with a glance over his shoulder that too many of the party were still awake to attempt it at this time..
Enigmas snorted in his sleep rolling over. he wasn't really sleep anymore but was somewhat upset with the furry feline for disrupting his dream. it really wasn't fair we all deserve time to sleep and recover form what this quest put us thought he thinks with less rancor then he could have understand that the feline was probably in need of assistance if he was waking him.
Aire drifted over towards Malcurth arms straight down with hands bent at the wrist, palms down. It almost seemed like her hands and arms aided her walking, sliding along handrails or pushing down on large balloons or some such. When she arrived she slipped gracefully into a modest sitting position, "now then, you first Mal."
Malcurth swiveled an ear towards Aire as approached, and he sniffed softly at her question before he turned his head slightly to regard her with wide but intent blue orbs.. "Oh? Trying to get me to give something away, hrm? I think not.. Mayhaps you should tell me how much you know, or think you know first. You could still be hunters, for all I know."
with a movement that would be unseemly enigma rolled onto his back and kipped into a sittings position. "now now young man do be polite to the young lady." he smiled form under his hood and he replaced it. " after all guarded remakes and hidden aggression are no way to win her favor. " his emotional output was like his words amused. even so there was a glint in his eyes suggesting he knew more then was others thought was known about this situation.
DFX and Tank both noticed the bolt that Aire released. They both continued their patrol around the hill, though DFX was somewhat interested. A heated conversation followed a bit after, and Aire, Enigma, and the strange animal-like Malcurth then gathered together to talk privately. DFX was somewhat curious of what all this commotion was about, while Tank just wished the fleshlings would quit making slilly noise.
Malcurth's head swung around to regard Engima with intent eyes.. "Oh, and we are one to talk, are we not? You are the one going and dropping hints about my identity left and right! So how much do you know, oh strange one?"
"you ask me what i know? how quaint. what do any of us really know? " enigma smiled and went from a squatting to standing and walked a bit. " well on the basis of knowing I know enough to be sought after by a myriad collection of entities ranging from some dragons to normal mortal kings. what i know has led people to pretend to be me and in cases some people to think i'm an impostor. You know someone cashing in on my identity or rather identity of some one who may never been. I know that listening is almost harmless, if often boring while searching can be hazardous to one's health and lead to one being trapped if not devoured within the place that they search. And i know that those whom change there appearance often have reasons for doing so. I also that that all things being equal and relative everything i said could either be wrong or taken out of context." Smiling he placing his hands under his cloak letting his cloak and the shadows cover all that the could save the lower half of now was now grinning like a feline that was pleased with himself for something. " Now mister Malcurth would you care to be more specific or shall we talk about what you know now?"
Aire waved her finger, "now that is not how it works, I asked first. However if you want me to tell everyone that you are an incubus without you explaining why that is different where you come from, than the infernal denizens of the Hells."
The fae-elf held up her hand to belay any snap judgments, "my other self knew shortly after she met you, she read your aura and spoke with the spirits of you possessions, and this is what they and your aura speak of you being. She is far too trusting, however, I am less trusting and more inclined to have fun at other expenses. So what will it be Snowfur?"
enigma slapped his forehead with the palm of his hand. he could not believe the elf had done that. in truth he'd only found out the name of Malcurth's species a few hours before the wraith attack. the shape shifting the mind reading and the emotional fluidity were all clues. that fact that his wings were as they were also a clue to his identity. still now he knew that they elf had more then one soul - personality within her. he wondered if this new one that came to the fore was a side effect of her use of the earth charm. when he'd seen it used before it only recovered the users manna and healed their body. what ever was happening inside the Elf Aire was something that was unexpected. scarily unexpected.
Malcurth had kept glowering at Enigma as the nutty fellow rambled on, but his fur shot straight up when Aire made her rather blunt proclamation. He spun about and stared with wide eyes and narrowed pupils at the fae elf, while his tail was a rigid and frozen bush of fur.
"How.. how did you.. How.. Aura? But that can't.. wait, what?" He stammered for a moment or two. For a short while, his mind raced with possible strategies and outcomes, and he even briefly toyed with the idea of just teleporting away.. but memories of his previous attempt, the very attempt that landed him where he was now, stalled such a course of action.
After a moment or so, he seemed to calm down slightly, although his tail kept lashing about.. "Allright.. yes.. I am an incubus.. but I don't have any intention of harming any of you.. I'm as lost as you are.. and I don't even know what you mean by denizen of the hells.. The Cubi of this world must be very, very different from what I am.."
enigma sighed. " as much as i hate to admit it Aire your war hammer approach accomplished in mere moments what probable would have taken me hours of discussion and probing to get him to admit. and yes i too knew this Malcurth. i also discovered that you are flesh and blood and not in totally magic like the dream eaters and nightmare makes i've researched". and met he thinks "there are no cubi as you call them in this would that i have met. the incubus is a dream eater demon that ofter enters the mind of the sleeping and some times projects waking nightmares into the minds of the wake in order to feed off of their fear and terror setting friend against friend to do the creatures killing for them. they are hell demons in many worlds but not all. Some are biological beings that share the powers if not the traits of these demons. i looked for much while i studied you i discovered differences that told me you weren't quite like the demons but i was prepared just in case you were deceiving me anyway."
Enigma rubbed his forehead his trap was not sprung but instead of dismantling it he would merely warn the young man about it to prevent temptation if he truly shared the power to enter minds and dreams"i was ready for you to try and enter my mind either remotely or directly while i slept. had you done so... well i'm sure you know what can happen to and incubus if they are caught unprepared in a mind like my own especially if they are less then 100% and that mind is ready for them in more ways then one. "
Enigma smiled. this was why he'd said that listening was harmless if boring but searching could be hazardous. " you are young i take it. perhaps not even a full adult. you mentioned a school i being some kind of clan college teaching you the hazards and applications of your powers and their limits as well i would hope. i'm not sure what your age is and i had hoped to find out while we spoke but i'm guess regardless of chronological age you would be a teenager or perhaps a young adult while Aire and myself would be mature ones. is this incorrect?"
( apologies for the long wind)
"Different is putting it lightly..." Aeo laughed lightly. He had been listening quietly off to the side, waiting for the conversation between Mal and Aire's new self to go somewhere interesting. This qualified.
"The "cubi" of our world are demons that typically drain the life force of their targeted gender." Aeo laughed, "And they do it through seduction." Aeo shrugged a little as he "officially" joined the conversation. "They tend to be pretty confident too, arrogant almost, but I think that's a general rule of most infernals..."
Aire giggled in such a way as to be a bit unsettling, "oh you are so cute with your ears, tail and fur. You truly express yourself very vividly." The elf gleefully scratched Malcurth's head and ears.
"As for what the Hells are, besides semi-profanity that humans seem to like to use where I am from, that is quite a tale in cosmology. It is a place where all infernals originate and it is where all tainted souls go when they pass the mortal coil. It is a widely misconstrued concept that all good souls go to the heavens and all wicked ones go to the hells, this is not truly the case. Those who have infernal taint upon them will all filter back to the hells, or if lucky, one of the intermediate planes. Even the most wicked person with a divine taint will have their soul reach as close to the heavens as possible. The soul is separate from the conscious choices of one's mind, though it does have influence, many can resist it. Elves and faeries are different of course. I digress however, the hells are a place of evil and the incubi and succubi of our world are quite infernal... demons of seduction."
ooc: this is not D&D, so please no lectures about demons verse devils and infernal verse abyssal.
"Hence my appearance..." Aeo added, "Being descended from an infernal and all." He kept a sideways glance on Aire after her little giggle.
He couldn't help but think to himself how frightening this version of Aire was quickly becoming, it was almost like the tales of fey that he had heard most of his life; they start out friendly and by the end you're wishing you'd taken a different path.
Malcurth laid his ears at Engima, narrowing his eyes.. "You calling me a child? I will have you know I am well over five hundred years old!" He says, scowling.. "But. yes.. there is a school for us. More so out of the fact that our race was nearly wiped out, and far too decentralized.." He said.. before nearly jumping out of his fur when Aeo suddenly spoke up. "GYAAAH!" He cried out, his primary wings popping into existence for a brief moment as he whirled about. "Where the heck did you come from!? You almost gave me a heart attack!"
After a moment of calm, and after his wings had vanished beneath his robes again, he looked over to Aire.. "That is all rather fascinating.. The realm you come from differs greatly from mine. In my world, demons, angels, they are not much different from the others, the beings, the mythos, the dragons. We are all just inhabitants of our world, and as far as I know, there is no exterior dimension involved with our souls.." He said, before sighing.. "I am very, very far from home.."
enigma chuckled. "five hundred is young indeed according to my . my teach was over 2000 years old when he agreed to apprentice me. i'm not that old myself not yet. but if i do well i may live long that long. to tell people first hand knowledge of kingdoms long ago turned to dust."
enigma got up stretching and walked around a bit. "besides if you remember i said in relative ages. you would not consider a 60 year old human or what ever is equivalent to a human of your world the same way you would one of your kind would you? " or an 10,000 year old dragon on the same scale as yourself? from what i've been told my teacher who's been teaching me a few cycles has a reputation for traveling to all kinds of worlds. there's a good chance he's been to yours as well and if not well it's bound to be worth extra credit" enigma smiled and walked away lost in thought.
The talk of age causes the smile to drain away from the faerie, she dips her head down, shadows obscure her eyes.
"Theres no time for us
Theres no place for us
What is this thing that builds our dreams yet slips away
From us
Who wants to live forever...
Who dares to love forever? "
The words that Aire speak have a profound effect on enigma sparking a memory. the sparks one on the early lessons that he mentor drilled into him. " even should you join the ranks of my craft must not think yourself immortal or even that we your teachers are some kind of deities.we are and mortal as any other entity." then came the passages from the earth child was quoting.
"When love must die." enigma finished his eyes were glowing green as he spoke his mind lost in memory of his first cycle of schooling. " the weight of the ages can be hash but if there is one thing that we all must learn it is this: all things are mortal and even the gods may die"
Tarson growl abit.
"It's hard to sleep with you people running on the way you are"
Tarson moved to a sitting position and looks around to the motly group. He then speaks up.
"Alright everyone we might as well get moving. Wake up those of you that managed to get some sleep"
Tarson climbed to his fet and began walking around the area abit. He softly spoke as he walked.
"Nothing lives forever. Not even stone"
Aire smiled and began to stand, "I was wondering when you were going to come about Tarson. We should get going, yes. We have a fair amount of travel left."
Carefully, Aire gathered her things, but stole a gaze to Malcurth. The fey elf stuck her tongue out at the feline incubus as if to say, saved by Tarson. Indeed he had been given temporary respite from the attention of the sylvan lass.
for a moment or two enigma dosen't respond. his eyes are still glowing as he is still lost in the memory of the lesson's he'd learned and the present which was superimposed over the pasted seem to be the less real of the two. then shaking his head he return to full awareness. and follows them to the other
Malcurth just laid his ears at Aire, snorting loudly and following along behind the group. He mulled over the recent events, and one matter kept coming to surface to baffle him.. How had they found out? What was the first sign? So many classes in school were dedicated to remaining undetected, but now..
He had a few things to discover before this was over.
As Torson gave the command to pack up and move out, DFX-28 and Tank immediately broke their patrol watch and rumbled up to his side. "We are prepared to vacate the area, Tarson Hunter." DFX said, a little unnecessarily.
With evening bleeding into daylight (rather more quickly than the previous evening, some might note), the sprawling, barren, countryside again stretches out in all directions.
The countryside is unbelievably quiet.
Tarson looked around the group and the to Aire.
"So what way are we going again?"
"We were looking for one of the strong concentrations of magic I had sensed earlier. It is still further ahead, and we have yet to see what encounters lay between our destination and here, let alone what might be present at the sight itself."
Aire swung up into the saddle of Cloudchaser and readied herself to move out.
enigma awakens fully to the world around him. he looked at the leader Tarson he believed. he remember him of some one. the name was jack or was it James? he forgot some of the details but he remember that he was someone form the past. then he looked at the Elf. was she back to normal? he couldn't tell.he simply summoned some of his wind magic to quicken his pace and prevent himself from becoming quickly fatigued.
(OOC, after going on the suggestion of the GM to do this, we agreed it'd be an amusing intro)
Thalien had heard the voice last night, come to the decision to check things out, and had been inching in ever since. Watching the two constructs, he made sure to move only when they weren't looking. He was quickly running out of darkness and shadow as morning had come earlier than expected. It wouldn't exactly be the best for him to simply be spotted by someone, for they may accuse him of being hostile, or for him to be targeting someone in their group. Waiting until he felt prepared, from an outside perspective, the shadow he'd been hiding in, which was no more than 50 feet from the party, had suddenly given birth to a slender, armed man who approached the group. Hos arms spread wide, fingers splayed in a symbol of his intent to keep things civil. The elf said "hello fellow travelers, might i ask where your going?... it seems i've gotten myself lost, and i overheard you talking last night. When i came to investigate, your constructs gave me a bit of a scare... and i decided to hide out until daybreak"
The fact that it turned to daylight faster than the other night was not lost on the two highly observant constructs. However, neither construct attributed much importance to it, and thus didn't react or say anything.
On the other hand, the fact that some armed person decided to wait until the very moment the two constructs broke their impeccable watchful vigil to reveal itself...was of a considerable bit more concern to the duo. Both still had the events of last night "fresh" in their memories, and they weren't about to let anything happen again.
Tank, greathammer in hand, immediately sprung into action, letting out a loud and extremely disconcerting metallic "roar", rushing towards the newcomer with obvious intent to make red paste. Before he could get there, however, there was another yell, this one merely shouting out "HOLD, BROTHER." Tank then literally skidded to a stop, right in front of the slender person. The adamantine-plated composite construct then simply stood there, towering in a highly intimidating way over the man.
DFX was also in action, quickly moving towards Tank and the man, ignoring the fact that he just shouted, and instead continued talking quickly to Tarson as he quickly walked.
"Fleshlings, I advise immediate dispersal, this could be another assault by incorporeal beings. Tarson Hunter, do not focus on this creature, watch for any things that may attempt to surprise us by approaching from another direction as they did before. My brother and I will resolve this creature's appearance."
DFX walked up to the man's other side. Now he was surrounded by two very tall metal beings.
DFX spoke again. "You will expeditiously divulge information concerning who you are, what your purpose is here, and wheather or not you are accompanied by any other entities. Failure to comply, or any unsatisfactory answers, will result in allowing my brother to dispose of you as he sees fit."
taking a second to observe the area, Thalien knew he wasn't going to be pulling any kind of dissappearing act now that the sun had shown itself... he decided that he'd do his best to answer the awkward, rather towering constructs questions. He replied "my name is Thalien, Thalien Ti'sani, and i got myself lost while on a quest... when i heard voices last night i went to investigate, this place has me weirded out, and figured i'd be safer if i could find some fellow adventurers... I'm alone as stealth has always been my greatest asset, and once you add more than 1 or 2 people, stealth goes from absolute, to relative... something i can rarely afford to do... but after being lost for 2 days, i think i'd prefer the safety of numbers, rather than the shadows"
Aeo watched in amusement as everything played out before him. He wanted to talk to this new being, but something held him back, he had been observing things more and more as of late and he didn't know why. For a second he thought his infernal nature might be kicking him into some sort of deceit ridden survival mode, but he brushed it off, he didn't want to think like that.
So instead he forced himself to speak up.
"So where in all the levels of all the hells that have to be out there are you from?" Aeo smiled. "See our furry friend here comes from a different world than we do and well this..." Aeo gestured around. "Well we got sucked in to it. While looking for a farm girl if I recall; you haven't seen one walking around have you?"
Malcurth was watching the newcomer with interest, but did not move to greet him, instead remaining in the back with his tail idly swishing across the grass. He had been left with quite a bit to think about, considering that his disguise had been seen through by a few members.. However, he was unsure of how to react to these new circumstances.. and so he merely bide his time, and watched.
Thalien responded to Aeo "i've been lost for a few days, mostly avoiding everything that moves in here, most of the things that i've seen have just been... weird... but nothing even vaguely resembling a farm girl" He sighed, "well, all things considered, any chance i could tag along with you guys for a little bit?"
The elf giggled with glee, "Oh look at that, another elf. This one is different then I, he is... hmmm, I would venture a guess that he is a dark one. I am High born, and he is not. So very interesting! What say you Thalien Ti'sani? Are you one of the dark elves and what do you intend?"
The faerie elf smiled warmly, but she was not lowering her guard. The horse upon which she sat snorted, but he seemed unconcerned by the new elf.
"you do have me there, high elf... i am dark elf... and my intent is to find some way to get the hell out of here, preferably alive." Thalien replied with a bit of a smirk. He kept has hands away from his body, and moved slowly... Thalien hadn't noticed it, but he hadn't made a sound besides his own voice.
Tarson's arm arched electricity at the sight of the new comer.
"You watched us and you expect us to not be suspicious of you?
Tarson just start walking toward the direction that Aire said the group needed to go. He looked over his shoulder at the dark elf.
"I've had my fill of elfs as of late"
thalien eyed the new comer, soaking in what he'd said, then replied "how long have you been out here? for all i knew, you could have been one of those weird things that keeps showing up... but, besides the point, would you have prefered i just kinda walk into your camp in the dead of night, not making a sound until i'm right behind you and shout 'HI'... i would think that'd be an easy way to get one's self killed" He kept his appearance loose and casual, but his eyes gave away his nerves. They kept darting around watching for any sign of hostility...
DFX and Tank stood like statues around the new "dark elf" as he conversed with a few of the other members of the party. It seemed that nothing was jumping out to attack them (yet), and he seemed more-or-less lost like Malcurth. Eventually, Tarson, quipped a few things and started walking off towards their objective again, basically signalling everyone to move. However, this left Tank and DFX without specific instructions on how to deal with this person, as they still considered him possibly hostile.
DFX called out "Tarson Hunter, we await clarified instructions on how you wish us to ultimately dispence of this fleshling."
Tarson looked over to Aire.
'What should we do with a Dark Elf? From what I heard about them they should be killed on sight"
Tarson looked to the new comer with an annoyed look then to DFX and Tank.
"Watch him for now. Wait to see what he does. If he tries to attack anyone in the party kill him"
Tarson had a expressionless look on his face as he said this. He just started walking again in the direction they needed to go.
"Very good question Tarson, as our leader, it is ultimately up to you, but I have a test for him."
Aire, still smiling, dismounted from her horse and lead it over to Thalien locking eyes with him, "I want you to touch his horn Thalien Ti'sani." She indicated the single spiraling horn that extended from his forehead, "The horn will purify all things evil and possessing of ill intent."
Uncharacteristically, she left her guard completely down, though she did not break her gaze and continued to stare straight into his eyes.
OOC: Cloudchaser is a unicorn.
Thalien hesitated, slightly, then did as he was told, reaching out to touch the horn... with his hand barely off the horn he stopped, and collected himself... he'd heard all sorts of rumors of what the horn of a unicorn could do. then, gently touched the spiraling horn as he decided there are worse fates than death.
As Aeo watched the dark elf touch the horn, he realized he had never heard that particular myth before. He made a mental note to ask Aire if this as a trick or a test. Still he watched with some amusement, Tank and 28 seemed more uptight than usual and he wondered why. Then his thoughts went back to Mal, he wondered why the cubi was staying silent. Then he decided the tension was to great.
"Hey just a little thought, if he wanted hurt to maim us, wouldn't the prime opportunity have been right after the spectrals attacked us? I mean we were pretty darn weak after that." Aeo pointed out. "Besides, I've got demon in me and you guys have trusted me so far."
Tarson stopped and looked over his shoulder. He responded to Aeo.
"Actually that would be the worst time. We were full of adrenaline and ready for any attack. The best way would be to get in the group and slowly take us out one at a time. Who said we trusted you. Maybe we just want to keep an eye on you"
Tarson had a bit of humor in his voice as he spoke the last part.
enigma scribbled down a few of the things her heard especially that this new elf this dark elf he made a note to cross reference the term drow. he himself was unsure of this test but he said nothing. he know that unicorns and their horns were known to be able to be able to test the truth of statements but he was unsure how. that and healing was not part of the local folklore that he'd researched.
Aire winked at Cloudchaser and the unicorn sent a jolt of electricity down the horn. It was not nearly enough to do any damage, merely a shock.
Aire giggled like a giddy little girl, "I...cannot believe... you... fell for that." She sat up, rubbing a tear from her eye as she caught her breath after such a vigorous bout of laughter.
"Oh, I guess you could say you have been Fey'd..." The faerie nodded sagely to Tarson, "he is good." She could not maintain a straight face and bust out into laughter yet again. Cloudchaser also seemed to be laughing in a unicorn/horse sort of way.
feeling slightly embarrassed Thalien made a mental note to mess with the fellow elf some time in the near future... for now, he just bowed his head, and hid the embarrassment under his cloak. "is there any other tests you wish to try, or can i tag along for now?" he said. "if nothing else, i'm sure i can add some of my skills for now in exchange for safe passage until we get out of here..."
Aeo gave a loud snort as he attempted to hold back the laughter welling up from Aire's prank. He had his answer for that one at least. Now though was the problem of holding back the laugh which, while on the whole inappropriate considering everyone's condition and natures, he couldn't help but let loose. So it was he lost control of his laugh which came out sounding like an evil wizard's cackle, and quickly died into a dog like yelping for air as he dropped to his knees in want for air.
After he was finished though he quickly got back to his feet. "Good one Aire." He was still chuckling, though trying to ignore any unpleasant stares the others might be giving him.
Malcurth watched the going-ons with slight interest, even smirking and slowly shaking his head as the poor drow fell for the fae trick. "At least he is the gullible one.." He said to himself, also carefully noting to be extra careful around the fae elf for now on..
He stood up and began to follow after Tarson, heading on down the road..
with Malcuths reaction noted Enigma decided to approach the drow. he'd down this time without number but still every time it was like the first time. a new puzzle to be opened a new game to explore. a new dear he think if friend. friends are hard to come bye when one spends decades sleeping the astro learning sleep.
"So you are called Thalien. pleasure to meet you"
thalien offered the man a hand, and said "i think the pleasure is all mine, everyone else seems a little... uptight to say the least... i guess i shouldn't blame them too much under the circumstances... "
accepting his hand enigma pressed it to a ink pad then pressed it to a slip paper. " thank you" enigma smiled as he sprinkled powdered sand on the hand print then put it away. " i'm sure this hand print will come in handy but enough making fun of the new member" enigma's snicker a little. " i never would have gotten miss earth child to let me do that." in truth he knew that non of the others would have allowed him the moments of shock necessary to give him a full hand print.
"anyway i am called Enigma" he continued " but don't let that worry you. they are as you said tense for a reason we're been transported against our will and attacked with out reason and while trying to rescue a perceived victim we walked into a trap but don't worry the later person we let into the group hasn't tried to kill us and provided that you don't either i doubt if you'll have to worry about dying before we do so do tell me why join this band of moving targets? "
Thalien thought for a second, then decided to reply as honestly as he could "i'd follow this band of moving targets because i'd rather be in a group if those things come back then be stuck on my own... i've avoided them well enough for now... but who knows how long i'll be able to hide out from them... unlike at night, during the day, i'm not exactly the most stealthy thing around."
After his response, Thalien took off after the rest of the party, figuring he could discuss things while they traveled... thinking to himself 'finally, a chance to get out of this freaking hell hole'
As Thalien began to move with the group, the two composite constructs began plodding after him. Their previous command of watching him had not yet been overturned.
Tarson looked over his shoulder a bit while he walked ahead of the others. It was more to see if they are still there more than anything. Tarson sighed a bit and just keeps walking trying to find a way for others to get back.
As the valley stretched out before them, those in the party with better eyesight could just make out, on the horizon, what looked like the single spire of a tower.
Those even more observant, who just so happened to look behind them, will notice nothing that looks the same.
Enigma walked. he was neither first nor last as was proper. it was ofter to be best somewhere just off of the middle as that was were many attacks are made and even more repelled. someone with his knack for survival knew that the odds never even. enigma walked with and unusual purpose today as he checked his goods making sure they were all in working order. he wondered what was in that earth charmed that affected the fay girl so drastically. he wondered if his potions were still potent enough to heal grievous injuries . and curtsy inspection show them still emanated magical energy but that didn't tell him is they were still as powerful as he wanted them to be. such this such as potions notorious for getting weaker as time passed. there were also the new arrivals to ponder. the drow behind him and the feline before him not to mention those watching at a distance. he knew there were others watching. There were always others watching for some reason or another this was part of the comedy of life.
Malcurth was eying the tower curiously for a moment, and happened to be making a cautious glance about when he noticed its duplicate behind them. His ears perked up curiously as he pondered this new development. "Uhm, fellas? Did we always have a twin tower behind us? I don't recall seeing that before.."
Enigma continues to rife through his inventory pulling out the want water staff / wand he'd used again the spiders and such"now we didn't but for now ignore it. there is someone on watching us from them i don't know who or how many as i haven't learned the spells for something like that yet and even if i have thing are always the same when you're sliding through realities." as he searchers a though crosses his mind. did he ever get the earth charm back form the elf girl? and if so what would happened if he let the drow try it? it was said to have many powers the most common was the power of hearing and it assisted earth magic but for Aire it seemed to posses her. perhaps it would be wise to keep it from the drow after all.
ugg sleep deprivation is not your friend even with and google spell checker to try and fix your mistakes.
Thalien gripped the hilt of one of his blades reflexively as he eyed the tower... an ominous spire in the distance... now, this is a strange turn of events he thought to himself.
Looking around, he observed the others' reactions to the tower, not really sure what to make of it, he asked no one in particular "so... that wasn't here before... anyone have any idea what the hell is going on?"
The fey knight dismounted from her unicorn and took in a view of the tower.
"It appears the rook is moving on us poor pawns and knights."
The faerie elf glanced about, trying to obtain a magical reading from the structure before them and a bit of true sight on it as well.
The two constructs noticed that things weren't the way they seemed, but said nothing. In regards to the tower, DFX strode over to Aire. "Is this our objective, Aireluin Silithiel?"
Tarsom sighed and shook his head.
"If it's not one thing it's another"
"this is that way of such things" enigma said and he began to repack his tools with he exception of his water wand/ staff and five blank slips of paper. on the paper he would write spells he only knew a few at the moment seal, break seal were the only two he was fully competent at the others were element in nature mostly. shield created a temporary wall of wind that would deflect most attacks but it normally faded after one hit two at most. conceal would cast an illusion of nothingness around him and hide most of his magical energy or manna as it was called here . it lasted for about a dozen breaths but when you were in a tight spot a dose breaths, breathing room was better then none. there there was freeze. he wasn't sure how that spell worked but it seems to lock up the enemy for about a span of a dozen breaths less if they were strong and would give one a few moments running or spell perpetration room. he had been researching this spell talisman for years and testing them for months he just hoped he would not need to use them yet knew that sooner or later he would. he resourced should be for the sake of research. to find out new interesting things for fun and profit. so what if the profit part lagged a little bit what did he care some long as basic need were met and he could spend a few more centuries studying thing that interest him.
"does anyone have a couple of spare dagger? i seem to have lost mine in the spat with the goblins a while back and i don't think i'll be able to get a knew pair at a shop anytime soon" as he spoke he kept and image of the wanted daggers steel blade set in a hard wood grip light but tough and perfect for throwing.
(ooc ye enigma live a good part f his life in his head. also those spells have never been used in this game save the seal - break seal talismans he gave the farmer. )
reaching into the leather forearm guards of his armor, Thalien produced a pair of 7" knives, they were balanced for throwing, with a dark-silver, semi-glossy appearance to the blade, the grips were made from a reddish wood, and slightly shorter than those of a standard blade.
Flipping them around, he offered the grips to Enigma while pinching the blades between his fingertips, he said, "for now, these should work, and don't worry, i've got plenty more. Just be careful, the edges are coated in an extremely fast acting venom, that, while not lethal, causes muscle cramps, weakness, and feeling of dizziness as well... if you happen to have them when you find a more suitable weapon, i'll gladly take them back though" the elf had a rather devious grin on his face with the knives in hand
enigma carefully accepted the blades form the drow. " thank you Thalien" he said swabbing one of the blades the put them into the sheaths left over form his own lost blades. the fit well enough and he would analyse the venom tonight when the party stopped. it would not do to need anti venom for one's own blades and not have it.
he looked to Aire "any luck with your investigation earth child" he asked. as he contemplated the likelihood that warden of the prison was watching them and planning a reception for them that none one them , constructs included, should be able to survive.
After looking about for a few minutes, Aire sighed, "yes this is the point I identified during my searches, but it is only one of many points, what is contained here may not be all of what we seek."
Taking on a very sagely expression, with an adjustment to her voice that made her sound older and more mature, she gestured to the tower, "yon tower sits upon a magical source, fairly strong. The tower appears real, but due to the magical emanations, I cannot tell much about it."
DFX stepped forward. "My brother and I can reconnoiter this structure for any potential hazards to fleshlings, as we are, of course, highly resistant to many dangers. However, I shall need a few minutes of preparation to raise a small number of arcane protective wards around my brother and I, as contingency for a scenario that we require them."
"i do believe a fleshling should go with you as well as there may be things that are harm;less to you or at least well with in your tolerances that will no the less hurt us poor fleshies." enigma looked around the group wondering who would volunteer for canary duty this time.
Tarson stood and stared at the tower. Listening to what the others have to say.
"Sounds like you're volunteering to go Engima"
DFX turned to Enigma. There was almost a feeling of surprise and confusion around the construct. Almost.
"That is precicely why only we should be the ones to enter the structure. I am not unfamiliar with how physically delicate organic fleshlings are. My brother has most sufficiently demonstrated this on a number of occasions. And if there are any harmful magical effects, I should be capable of identifying them."
" That was not my intent leader but it seems i have been volunteered and by the person with the most right to do so. very well. there is still another manner to address first"
enigma walked past Aire and her mount up to the construct looking up at him. " DFX can you identify what in this sent Aire over the cuckoo's net for a short time" he asked hold up the earth charm. he had not advertised retrieving it as he was still worried about it's effect on others. " or perhaps you can tell me why these healing potions are fine for 8 out of ten entities but are poison to the other two? " thought it was not required Enigma went on. "or how about this dose our furry friend Malcurth need more oxygen then the rest of us? are Arie's lungs more sensitive to sulfur then mine? what about Thalien's?" "there is a chemical compound called chloroform will knock me out over the span of a few minutes but will it affect the others? can you even detect it? i know i can't until i've already been exposed to it. i'm sure that you're great for finding known threats but there are any number of unknown threats including species specific magical traps such as one that will only trigger if an undead human approach or one that is only triggered by the live approaching that would not recognized yourself and your brother as living entities. in short ( thought it is too late for that) it is not the know traps and hazards i'm suggesting we test for but the unknown ones that would be triggered by our approach." .
DFX (unsurprisingly, but still a little unsettlingly) remained completely unexpressive and impassive throughout Enigma's tirade. When he finished, DFX replied "Of course I could identify any of your magical baubles and the effects they have on other fleshlings; I would only require a short amount of time to do so. As for your other inquiries, I need only enough time and specimens to experiment with, and I could ascertain the answer to all of them. However, I will admit that such experiments may be impractical at this time. If you truly wish to accompany us in our reconnaissance, it is at your own risk and of no concern to myself."
DFX then turned and stode over to Tank, and began concentrating on his special way of magicmaking. After a minute, he began infusing himself and his brother, crafting several wards primarily out of Light magic.
Dfx said his piece then walked to his brother who really wasn't that far from the group and enigma nodded watching their perpetration. "Time and experience." he said almost muttering "that sums it all up doesn't it? give me another fifty years and i might be able to identify and disable every trap there with out setting them off but we don't have that kind of time and i don't have that kind of experience yet, not yet at least. that is why a fleshly will need accompany you. preferably a sensitive one would be best but i'll have to do. After all i'm alive enough to trigger any living only traps and intent enough on my own survival to hopefully make it back here in one piece. " he smiled shaking his head as he crossed the distance to Dfx and tank he waited for Dfx to finish his current wards then spoke up loudly enough to hopefully get the constructs attention thought there was not guarantee that the construct wasn't hearing and filing away everything he heard to be examined later he simply didn't know them well enough to know that the were fully capable of "DFX need to i ask you for a favor. though you may not need my help, can you monitor my vital while we explore just in case the one of the traps works by dulling the senses and putting one to sleep or causing them to walk into the waiting jaws of death. those kind are harder for me to detect and escape" times like this enigma wished he had a dead man's teleport spell but i have yet to learn any. too bad it would be useful now of all times. as is enigma simply put himself in his tomb raider state of mind which raises his alertness and putting his reflexes on hair trigger.
"Well since the shopkeep's going with 28 and Tank..." Aeo wasn't sure what to do.
Enigma was at least a somewhat capable spell caster as was 28, but both were limited in offensive capabilities as far as he could tell, but they did have Tank, which was pretty much a win all token unless they ran into metal eating monsters. Of course such metal eating monsters would also have an interest in eating their weapons and their armors as well as Tank and 28 themselves. Then of course he pictured the monsters coming back to camp and slaughtering the entirety of their group just to snack on the drow's knives and other such delectable metallic objects. Of course, Aeo being Aeo did not express his rather far fetched imaginings in those exact words or even anything similar. Instead it came out something like this.
"I don't wanna loose 28 and Tank to metal eating freaks! I'm going too!" And he quickly stood by metal brothers and waited for them to leave.
DFX progressed well with setting up the wards around himself and Tank. During his concentration on the setup, Enigma walked over and asked a few questions. DFX fully registered them as he concentrated, but the wards weren't that complicated and DFX had stronger concentration than most fleshlings. "I am not sure I understand what you refer to when you say "vitals". However, your requirement for monitoring or protection shall be minimal, as you will certainly take a formation position rear of my brother and I. If you are afflicted with any such malady, we shall retreat and transport your organic form with us."
DFX then finished the wards and applied them. Both Tank and DFX flashed briefly with a burst of light, then dimmed out. The wards were comprised primarily of Light magic, and were meant to be a general-purpose direct magic repellent. Any direct magical assault should be weakened or deadend by the ward, reducing any damage or effects dealt. However, it was a general ward, and thus wasn't anywhere near as effective as a specific counterward would be to a given specified effect. Also, it was only effective against direct magic, like a mageblast, magical lightning bolt, or magical fire. Any indirect effect, such as a spell that only conjured real fire and directed it, or conjured physical objects and directed them, would not be hindered by the ward. Ambient and subtle magic effects should also be weakened or nullified, as well.
It was then that Aeo came running over, screaming some nonsense about losing the constructs to "metal-eating freaks". Both turned to face the partially demonic fleshling. For once, both constructs seemed almost...surprised. No one had ever show such concern for them, or their many destroyed brothers...except their Father.
DFX, who registered that Aeo referred to him by the second half of his designation, "twenty-eight", replied "I...appreciate your concern for our continued functioning, Aeo Dall. However, I believe you may be overestimating the danger of our mission. We are merely going to engage in reconnaissance, observing this structure for any hazardous obstacles or hostile creatures. If we discover any, we will exit the structure, not engage, and inform this congregation of fleshlings of our findings. We are performing this task because my brother and I are the most likely to survive any such sudden lethal obstacles. Despite this, if you wish to accompany us as well, I harbor little objection. But no further fleshlings should accompany us.
"In any case, I do harbor serious doubts as to whether we will encounter any...'metallic-consuming aberrants'."
Enigma shook his head. "the expected does not provoke the fear response as you prepare for it but the unexpected it. it is what we fear. your brother showed something very close to fear when he saw the mayor of the villager he based simply because he was not expecting an humanoid of such size as the giant claim to fame. i'm not expecting a living trap such as a dragon sentinel but i might have to face one. even so i'll prepare for it the best i can. also can you detect poison in the air? i'll explain vitals later when we aren't headed into unknown danger just try not to ignore me if i fall flat to the ground. that wouldn't be a good thing on my part.
Aeo quickly realized how foolish he looked, but only blushed momentarily as the shopkeep was talking about his usefulness. It was then that Aeo zoned out and nodded in agreement with 28.
"Ok, I'll stay here then, but if you do encounter anything that eats metal, try using a wooden staff or in Tank's case a tree." Aeo laughed as he went over to a rock and used it as a back support while he sat down.
Once again, DFX was quite perplexed at Enigma's ramblings. The whole bit about the 'unknown' made little sense, as the whole point of DFX and Tank going was that no one knows what's in the tower. Enigma then abruptly changed tack and asked if they could "detect poison in the air". DFX replied, "In the event that it has escaped your attention, I and my brother are not equipped with olfactory senses. We are not capable of detecting any kind of vaporous substances." When Enigma said not to ignore him if he were to fall down, DFX almost began to feel...annoyance? "I will repeat my earlier statement,; if you are afflicted with any malady or impairment during our reconnaissance, we shall transport your organic form out of the structure."
DFX and tank then took a few steps towards the tower. "If there are no further delays, we should make haste to enter the structure. The wards I have erected around my brother and I will only last for approximately another fourteen minutes."
Tarson watches DFX and Tank preparing to walk off.
"Signal us if it is clean for us to follow"
enigma nodded and cast as small wind assist spell that would allow him to mover more quickly and with less effort. " well lets go then" he said lapsing back into his watch but not speak observation mode.
DFX replied with "Affirmative" to Tarson. The two constructs, with Enigma in tow, strode over to the tower. They walked up to the front door, and opened it.
(OOC: Darkmoon, just say if opening the door does or reveals anything. I'm not expecting it to, but just in case.)
"So..." Aeo looked to Tarson. "What do we do while we wait? I mean I could tell some good campfire stories."
Aeo was only slightly bummed from being cut out of the possible adventure, but at the same time he really didn't want to stumble on some sort of trap that would eviscerate him, so he decided offering to tell some stories would help pass the time. Unfortunately for anyone who would want to listen Aeo's knowledge of stories started and ended with romantic campfire tale with some monster stories.
Thalien found a tree stump, sat down. He took a whetstone and some oil out of his bag, and got himself into a near trance like state as he began sharpening his many blades. As he finished a blade, he would rub it across a small towel he had set across his lap. To those that watched carefully, he wiped each side twice, once to remove any excess oil, and once to apply a new coat of venom. He proceeded to produce knives from seemingly out of thin air as he went through the process with every one of the knives he carried...
Tarson looked at Aeo.
"The only thing we can do now, wait"
Opening the door reveals a large, circular room covered in a layer of dust. The outside of the spire has a staircase, with no railing, leading round and round up the tall tower. At the top, is what appears to be a trapdoor.
enigma examens the staircase wondering if it's structures is firm enough to carry either of the constructs.leaving that for later consideration he checks the room inside the tower not moving more then inches past the door. leaning close the the floor nearly on his knees he traces a finger on the ground looking for traps at the same times he's forced to cover his nose for a moment to avoid sneezing as he accidentally stirred up some of the dust. inside the room. " high and low? " he asked DFX as the urge to sneeze dwindled and he pondered the wisdom of splitting up to examine both the inside and out side of the spire at the same time.
DFX looked at enigma as he tentatively stepped inside the room. "Hold your position, fleshling." DFX directed. He and Tank stepped into the room, and began a systematic sweep. Methodically, the walked about the room, examining the area, and mostly seeing if anything was set off by their presence.
Aeo looked at Tarson and said one simple phrase before resigning himself to thought.
"Waiting sucks."
Tarson stared at the tower.
"So does dying"
with every knife at peak condition, Thalien neatly folded the cloth, and repacked his travel pack. He set the pack down to significantly lighten his load and temporarily rid himself of everything that would be useless for the next few hours.
In preparation for what was to come, the elf drew both swords in and began dancing the blades for a bit, he changed stances and played around with weapons in both under and overhand styles of combat. getting a little flashier, he then started adding acrobatics to his warm up, adding flips, rolls and spins on top of the swordplay. Feeling quite ready for whatever was to come, the elf adjusted his cloak and joined the others. The shadow from the hood obscured most of his face, and he said in a rather cold tone, "are we just going to sit around, or are we going to use this time that has been given to us to prepare..."
A predatory grin grew across thalien's face as he stared up at the tower.
Enigma shrugged and waited. in the doorway. he had not gone more then a few inched inside anyway and that was more leaning int to test the floor to make sure that there was no trapdoor right at the entrance.
"Prepare?" Aeo chuckled, "I'm a warlock; I say words things get lethal projectiles tossed at them. What could I possibly do to prepare?"
Thalien shrugged, "perhaps try and meditate, clear your mind of anything that would distract you from your mission... drop anything that would not prove useful for the next few hours... there are many things besides sharpening one's blades that goes into preparation. As my master alway said, those who prepare may not always survive, but it never hurts the odds."
with his little speech complete, the elf headed towards the tower to get a better look for himself
The two constructs finished checking the ground floor, and nothing so far tried to jump at them. "No hazards detected at ground level." DFX said aloud, though whether to himself, his brother, or Enigma wasn't clear.
Both constructs then went for the staircase that went around the tower. Tank went up first, to make sure that it could carry his weight first. They began to proceed up the staircase.
Tarson moved to block Thalien's path.
"We'll go over there once are signaled or there is signs of trouble not before"
Enigma followed carefully poised for flight the instant he felt the stairways give way beneath him . Despite himself and his understanding of the need for caution he was making calculations about the buildings age and likely builder size. He also wondered if there would be a giant crystal in the top floors of the tower but discounted it as unlikely.
Thalien give an annoyed glare at Tarson, he said, "it's not like i was going to get close, just closer, making observations requires a certain level of perception, something i'm not getting this far out..." sheathing his blades, the elf strolled up to Tarson and looked him in the eye and said, "if your going to play these silly control games, you can have fun playing by yourself... i'll have you know, if i really wanted to get to that tower, i doubt you'd have been much of an obstacle... are we just going to stand around, or is there something more productive we could be doing?"
Tarson looked down at Thalien as electricity arched from his stone arm.
"If you do anything to set something off at that tower and put my companions in trouble I will have no issues in killing you. If you wanna go back to being on your own then go ahead. We *gestures to others* work as a team, if you don't like being told what to do then leave"
Thalien quirked an eyebrow at the fellow... obviously he had some control issues, and on top of that, he seemed dead set on playing the elf for anything that might go wrong. Giving a shrug, Thalien silently turned around and headed over to the other elf...
The constructs and Enigma reached the top of the tower without incident. The top was mostly nodescript, except for a single trapdoor. The constructs walked over, looking at it for a moment. DFX figured that, if this was indeed the powerful magical energy source that they were seeking, he shouldn't have much problem detecting it if he focused his magic sense. Of course, since they constructs were made up of magic themselves, the ambience alone of such a powerful source should be felt by them, except the wards DFX set up were antimagic.
DFX stood below the trapdoor, and began concentrating on his magical ability, seeing if he could at least sense the source, or any sufficiently powerful magic, through the door.
Aire eyed the approaching Thalien with a slightly sinister expression, "I have never been one for racial prejudice, but the high elves and the dark elves do not by nature get along. Do not expect me to be all open armed and welcoming you as brethren."
The faerie elf shrugged to no one in particular as she rocked back and forth on her heels, "Tarson is the leader, but I can tell you are used to being a loner. An assassin probably, as you do not have the aura of a mage, your people only train males for two roles that are considered self-sufficient... whatever you call your Battlemages and assassins. I make this requirement of you, accept the direction of the leader or return to your ways as a loner and depart our company."
Aire's seriousness seems to have made a reappearance, at least for the time being.
The magic leaking out from behind the trapdoor painted the vision of any magic user a bright purple.
"Aww, Aire..." Aeo looked over when he heard her serious nature return. "I missed the ever-happy version of you."
He then got up and walked over to the drow and gave him a good look over. "So I hear your women are uh... strict." Aeo let his lecherous smile spread.
Thalien nodded to the high elf first, "it's not that i can't follow leadership, it's that he..." nodding towards tarson, "seems intent to blame me for whatever goes wrong. from this distance, i for one can't make out any unusual details, or something that others might miss. Tis true that i'm a trained assassin, and as such, perception and agility are among my strongest points... something your leader seems to be completely ignoring."
it was at this point that Aeo said something that brought a smirk to the elf's face, turning to face him, Thalien replied, "i assume your talking of the witches, as they seemed to have become the thing everyone picks up about my race. Though, calling them strict would be the grossest of understatements."
As DFX was reaching up in an attempt to sense the magic, a burst of it suddenly flashed around the edges of the trapdoor. When the flash died down, DFX immediately noticed something was...wrong.
He stood up. "My visual reception sense has been sabotaged. I now perceive all visual input as a strong hue of purple." DFX reported. He looked at Tank. "Bother, have you experienced any irregular effects?"
"...No."
DFX turned to face Enigma. "Have you experienced any irregular effects, fleshling?"
Aire brushed her hair off of her shoulders and letting it fall behind her, "Do you expect him to trust you fully? He did not send you to scout, nor would he. You are a subterranean species, your eyes are designed for low light conditions and caverns that possess limited size and dimensions. To have you scout in the open would be foolish. A surface elf like my self would be a better choice, I can see for miles if the terrain is flat and I can see clearly all around the tower and the surrounding area."
The faerie elf scanned the surrounding area as she had been since they had found themselves here. She grinned mischievously and winked at Cloudchaser, "Tarson trusts the unicorn more than you at the moment. Do not worry though, you will likely have opportunity to prove yourself. Hopefully without serious injury or death for your own person."
Thalien kept his smirk as Aire seemed to think she knew the dark elf race, "actually, that bit about the limited sight distance is a bit of misinformation. We actually posses quite sharp vision, though it is only useful in darker conditions. We seem to posses limited sight because most races are diurnal and as such, only observe us during the day, where the sheer brightness can cause damage to our eyes if we don't take precautions. If it were dawn, dusk, or night, i would be much better off. If you've ever visited one of our cities they are quite immense, and part of my training was to observe from a high tower at one end, to the residence at another... if this confuses you, the city of Grefir Temora, where i was trained, is in a cavern close to a mile high, and the area of the city itself is a rough circle with a radius of a little over a mile and a half."
shrugging he thought for a minute about the city, and even with it's massive size, it had a relatively small population. He added quickly, "i guess part of the reason it makes such a good training ground is that we dark elves like our space... despite the efforts in brute force and magic to make such a place, the population is fairly small and well spread out... nothing like the cities i've visited on the surface"
enigma looked at the construct alarmed. He and been busy checking the stairs when DFX had raised the alarm. "effects? what effects? " he asked concerned "what happened?" looking around but he saw no enemies or dangers " what do you sense?! what did you see?" he asked scared himself. He'd not been using magic nor looking at the source of DFX's trouble trusting the construct to handle the fore or the expedition while he as rear guard checked constantly for attack form the rear. Like the spiders that had closed in after them attack could come form any direction in this case it had come from the for. Everything still looked clear to Enigma but the construct was bothered by something. after all if he weren't would he be asking if enigma For all enigma knew he could be seeing enemies invisible to his eyes and that was not a possibility to ignore.
As Enigma came up to the top of the steps, DFX realized that he didn't even see the flash. "I shall reiterate; My visual reception sense has been sabotaged. I am now perceiving all visual input as a hue of purple. I was attempting to sense and identify any magical energies beyond this access hatchway, when an anomaly consisting of a sudden discharge of arcane energy from around the crevices of this hatchway occurred. My brother seems to be unaffected by this phenomenon.
DFX paused for a moment. "While this condition is...inconvienient, and slightly impairing, it is not debilitating or incapacitating, and I do not seem to be suffering any additional side effects."
enigma nodded. " oh i see. in that the the spell is probably meant as a trap to prevent you form seeing something that is coming" enigma looked around again. "If everything was purple then it was likely whatever the trap was meant to mask would be in the ultra violet spectrum. For the danger to be a shade of purple would be too much of a coincidence. " enigma looked at the arena were the trap door was not quite ready to approach it. " your brother was unaffected?" he asked both intrigued that he was spared and wanting to make sure that at least on of them could see the danger coming if he himself was struck with the strange vision upon examining the trapdoor at the constructs feet.
"I am not sure if the anomaly was indeed a deliberate trap or spell, but that is an interesting hypothesis. I require more data before proceeding further."
DFX reached up to the trapdoor once more. "I will now attempt to sense magic once more to discern if the anomaly will be repeated." DFX explained, as extended his magic sense again...
"very well" enigma said closing one eye as he watched DFX cast his spell. invoke his magic sense. Hopefully he could counter spell any trap but he was not sure that he could. If not this would hopefully spare him the full effect of the trap. amusing that it was a trap and prove to him weather or not DFX's magic probe triggered the effect.
Aire smiled sadly and sighed, it was sad to meet one of the lost, even more so to hear it speak and take pride in traits of its degeneration. The dark ones had fallen far, so much that the pure light of the sun damaged their eyes and they coveted rocks and caverns.
"A mile high cavern? We have boundless skies. You see well in the dark, but there is a reason why elves can see perfectly in the brightest of daylight and the deepest of darkness. It is so sad that you do not know how weak your blood has become and how far you have degenerated from greatness. The ancient races of the surface elves are not perfect, but we are so much closer than any drow."
The faerie elf paused and gasped lightly, "I am so sorry, I did not mean to compare your base deficiencies to a first race like my own. We come from different worlds, where I am from we were created first among sentients."
Malcurth raised his eyebrows in surprise at Aire, and shook his head. "Wow, quite tactful of you, Aire. I'd love to see you and an angel compare egos some day.. It'd be liking watching stars collide." He said, and smirked.
Searching for magic proves fruitful, as there is plenty leaking out from all sides of the trapdoor. The sensation of purple light was again repeated. It was not harmful/hurtful, but it does prove to be an odd sensation, not unlike looking at the world through the bottom of a purple glass jar.
Otherwise, nothing else happens.
As DFX attempted to feel the magic again, the magical discharge happened again. DFX's vision was still purple. The construct turned to Tank, asking "Do you remain unaffected, brother?"
"Yes."
DFX then turned to Enigma. "The phenomena is indeed reproducable, indicating the source of the discharges is stable. The effect is very unusual, but it does not appear to be damaging. The source has a high probability of being safely approachable. While I am somewhat disturbed about the fact that the general magic-damping wards I placed on myself and my brother did not prevent the effects of the discharges on myself, I still believe we should be able to proceed. Do you have any input to contribute, fleshling?"
"greenish yellow. " said enigma looking around with only the one eye open. then he opened his other eye and looked around. things had a chartreuse overcast but other then that he could still see. " this cant bee good but i';m seeing this in and almost chartreuse light and i don't like it. " enigma fished out a piece of paper and wrote the ward for restore then placed it over his open eye. he wasn't sure it would work in face he was pretty sure it would fail land he had not studied the effect of a restore ward yet. it was part of his studied that began the previous night." alright i'll follow you lead" he said wishing he had some way of knowing what was coming.
Another burst creeps out from the cracks in the floor and around the door.
DFX didn't move in the slightest, but one could tell he was almost confused. "Interesting. You experience the phenomena in a different manner...I am inclined to continue collecting data, but these wards have a limited amount of time before expiration, thus we should proceed immediatley."
Then whatever was behind the trapdoor flashed again. DFX slowly looked up at it.
"Now that is interesting. The phenomena was repeated without any apparent provocation. It is possible it discharges at regular intervals. Most intriguing, and under normal circumstances, it would be most prudent to continue external observation and experimentation. However, as I previously stated, we should proceed immediately."
DFX then reached up to the trapdoor and swung it open, revealing whatever was behind it...
enigma catches the burst and throws his arm over his face to shield himself but it's too late. he's seen the light. blinking he rubs his eye trying not to disturb his written spell covering his one eye. DFX 28 is vocalizing and analysis but enigma is more worried about his pained eye. Eventually the brightness of the flash fades away. some what pensive he looks around to see what if anything has changed.
There is a pause as the door is thrown open, and then another burst of light.
Then, from the room, a voice can be heard. "I think I heard something... is anyone there?"
Were the constructs capable of emotionally showing surprise, they might have do so as a voice emanated from the now open trapdoor. DFX, however, was quick to respond.
"I, the living construct designated D-F-X-twenty-eight; my brother, the living construct designated B-R-T-seventy-five with the additional designation of "Tank"; and the fleshling designated "Enigma", are currently present at this location."
There is some muffled discussion: "there's someone there!... I don't know how many... No, I don't know that either! Look, if you want to run this portal, you're more than welcome..."
Towards the constructs and Enigma: "How many of you are there?"
enigma decided to let the construct handle this. " go on DFX " enigma said. " you're leading this expedition after all." enigma mind whirled about whom the voices could belong to. that combined with the magic burst led him to believe that they were magic users. probably captive magic used at that but that would mean that the door was some kind of one way portal. he puzzled over weather or not to mention this to DFX for a while.
Getting Enigma's encouragement, DFX did continue. "I stated the designations of all whom are present in this location, which totals three if you are unable to perform such a basic funtion as counting. If you request it, I will reiterate our designations."
"Quickly. You have to hurry. We've managed to keep the portal open for a few days, but it's starting to collapse. If you want to get off that world, you've get to get up here now!"
enigma didn't fully trust this even so if it was a chance. they should consider it. " shall we alert the others?" he asked DFX "or do you suspect a trap? " he added in a whisper
DFX did not know what the unknown voice was talking about, but he answered both Enigma's questions with, "I am unsure. We should collect more data about this unusual situation, expeditiously. Brother, please assist in elevating me to that level."
DFX noticed that the trapdoor was too small for him and his pack to go through at once, so he removed it first, and then reached up to the trapdoor and began pulling himself up, with Tank giving a boost. In short order, DFX (still with purpled vision) was up on the level of whatever was going on. He looked around...
Standing in the middle of the room was a stone column, split in the middle to form a rudimentary "O". The rest of the room was a stone circular room, approximate 12' radius, lined with dusty paintings of various landscapes. The floor was covered in a thick layer of dust, and a single skeleton lay on the floor against the "back" wall of the room. It, too, was covered in dust.
Through the column, the room looked similar, except for the fact that the room was completely devoid of dust. The paintings looked fresh. There was even a small camp setup in the room, with a fire (who's light, it will be noted, did not touch the purple glow of the room DFX was in).
Standing in view of the column was a girl, approximately 18 years of age, dressed in the garb of a ranger or hunter. She looked road-weary and a little thin. She stared curiously for a moment at DFX before greeting him.
"It's good to see other travelers. We've been trying to contact anyone we could, shifting the portal every few days if we hadn't seen anyone. You're the first travelers to find us, and none to quickly. The enemy is working against us, trying to block the magics we're pushing through the column, trying to block us from connecting with anyone else. If you want to get off that world and get over here, you have to hurry. I can already feel the portal weakening, and I don't know how much longer we can keep it open."
DFX quickly took stock of what he could observe, noting the disparity between the room he was in and the "other" room. He replied to the person on the other side with, "The portal, is it anchored to this column? If the magic is bound to an inanimate object, I may be able to render assistance and stabilize it."
She took a moment to find the meaning of DFX's words, then replied:
"The column is what causes the magic. Each of these columns, in each of these towers will, at some point, open a portal to another tower. My companions and I theorize it's some kind of magical discharge, a release of the pent up magic the towers tap into from their surroundings. We managed to control it for a time, searching out other towers, but our enemy is now fighting out magics. I don't know that you'll be able to do any better. He's very powerful.
"From what we can tell of the worlds, you must be on one of the harsher ones. One of the adventurer's that joined up with us termed them 'outworlds'. We have seen many of the towers, like the one you are in, that appear abandoned. These all seem to exist on outworlds. As you can see, we are not on one of these planes, but on a populated, more friendly world.
"You must hurry, quickly, before the portal closes. We have but seconds."
DFX considered what the fleshling was saying. Despite her insistance, he was already thinking of several basic operations to help with the portal, the first was simply virtue of two people stabilizing both ends should make a difference. Besides, there was no way he could leave now by himself; all his companions were back at the camp. These were the only fleshlings he ever "cared" about, besides his Forging Father, even though his brother would always come before them. Though, he didn't even know for sure if this whole thing was trustworthy, but then again, this could be their only chance off this world in the near future, and if she wasn't exaggerating (as DFX had discovered fleshlings are prone to do), there may not be enough time for eveyone else to arrive. It was a lot to make a decision on, a lot of factors to consider, and, ultimately, he had to choose between several things. DFX's magical mind processed the avaliable information, and arrived at a course of action.
He made the decision.
Turning for a moment, DFX actually shouted down the trapdoor, in a very rare toned voice. "Brother! Call for our companions, immediately! This is a matter of extreme urgency, make haste!"
DFX then strode over to the portal. "I cannot leave now, and I will attempt to aid in keeping this portal open. I have extensive and intimate knowledge, experience, and insight into bound and enchanted magic. My ability to influnce this situation is not to be underestimated." DFX didn't know whether or not he'd be able to make enough of a difference to keep it open long enough for everyone else to get here, but he was going to try. This kind of thing was what he was made for. He had to be able to do something. Placing one hand on his chest, he dispelled the antimagic ward he had around himself.
He reached out and placed his hands on both sides of the "O" in the collumn. He began feeling the magic with his own, trying to puzzle out its workings. "Analyzing magic structure...attempting to synchronize with arcane stream..."
***
When Tank heard his brother's voice, he knew something wasn't right. DFX never had a toned voice like that. This was important.
Tank went over to the side of the tower in the direction of the camp, and "bellowed" in the loudest voice he could put out.
"FLESHLINGS! GET OVER HERE NOW!"
Malcurth nearly jumped clear out of his fur at Tank's sudden bellow. He had been enjoying a quiet nap, but now looked like a rather frazzled snowball of fur. "What the.. who what.. huh!?" He managed to stammer as he struggled to his feat, and then took off running towards Tank as he tried to clear the fog from his mind..
Tarson didn't even look at the others as he started sprinting towards the tower.
"Time to move"
Aire drew her shield and faced it towards Cloudchaser, with a bright flash of light, the unicorn stood no longer upon the earth. As she turned to follow the others, her shield now displayed a statant unicorn.
The faerie elf was rather quick for a lady in plate armor, but it was quite special armor and she was an equally special elf.
"How far off are your companions...? This isn't going to stay open much longer..."
Enigma looked into the distance they were coming quickly but time was short and he had no distance spell that could help them. he walked in the room his ears still rigging from tanks shout. Perhaps he could lend his magic keeping the portal open. summoning his magic light magic in one hand and dark in the other he approached the portal. "lets see if we can wedge it open a little longer" he said
Thalien bolted ahead of the others, gliding across the ground as if he were a shadow instead of some living thing. His movements were almost too smooth to seem natural, and the grace he displayed made it obvious that he was in peak condition. The assassin moved for the tower, then slowed as he reached it's base, waiting for their so called leader to, well, lead.
"I do not know precicely how long it will take for my companions to reach this location." DFX said to the person on the other side of the portal. As he was analyzing the magic structure, the portal spell itself was quite beyond his immediate comprehension, but the spell was anchored to the pillar, and that part DFX could understand and influence. As Enigma offered aid, DFX said, "Allow me to direct your energies."
DFX focused on the supports of the spell, the framework binding it to the pillar. As Enigma put energy into the spell, DFX conducted it into the foundations of the portal, adding his own energy as well, reinforcing the magic and stabilizing its bond to the pillar.
Aire had decided it might be best to utilize a bit of short range teleportation. She skipped a few steps and immediately fell into a run for a fraction of a second before blinking out of existence.
The elf reappeared, bounded up and burst through the trap door expecting there to be trouble. Her stance was one of sword and shield.
"Ye called and I am here. Thee others will be up momentarily... what goes here that an alarm was raised for action?"
"Quickly! Through the portal!"
"Yes" said Enigma tersely through gritted teeth. "i'm not sure how much longer we can keep this portal open." that was it. Enigma could not spare any more breath to explain what was going one. this was harder then flying and he was using both of his best magic's light and shadow at once. he knew that mixing the two of them together properly could greatly augment their power but just summoning them together was tiring. if 28 had not been directing the magic he shuttered to think of what would have happened. he was going to need some extreme resting time after this. he hoped that the potions in his pack were still fresh enough to help him recover. after all he didn't expect that he'd be given a month to recover like the last time his tried this trick some 20 years ago for his magic instructor.