"Need any help?" Fionn fell into step next to Nakreyya. She turned to look at him, surprise visible in her features. Her knee jerk reaction was to tell him she was fine and she could handle it on her own. Something in his expression stopped her... she sensed he was offering in good faith, and it had been some time since she had assistance with her tasks.

"You will permit me to say that you are a guest of my camp this evening, you do not need to help. However, if you insist, I will not say no," Nakreyya said, inclining her head lightly.

When they started walking again, Nakreyya slowed her pace slightly, moving toward the first of her traps to see if they had caught anything new.

"I would like to thank you, Fionn, for taking a chance on me as we go upon your mission. It has been some time since I have traveled with others," Nakreyya said to him, offering a smile.

@Silvan Haven

Smudge Pixelby

"...Yeah, now you ask," mumbled Smudge, gulping around the lump in a throat that didn't lead anywhere. "Whatever."

Smudge nodded to Nebulous. "Thanks for... Fighting that demon." Her tone was still furious, but she clearly owed him that much. "I'll be f-fine on my own. I don't need you."

With that, IA-920 adjusted its grip on the journal, took a step towards the edge of the road, realised it was facing nothing but thicket only to stagger defiantly into it anyway. It flinched around a spiderweb, extending nerves from its face to help it clamber past the branches.

"And my name is Smudge!" she yelled from somewhere behind the leaves, stomping deeper into the forest as if to spite her pretty shoes.

@Overlord Thraka@Lmpkio

Nebulius watches as the female warrior gulps down her pride and begins to try and reason with Smudge. She even asked for her name, despite her having revealed it just a few minutes ago. Regardless, she was clearly in a petrified state so it could've rolled over Mergoux's mind. She seemed a little less harsh in asking, but it was also clear that Smudge also had enough of the two, more so with the stern warrior. Before she left, she did thank Nebulius for fighting that demon for everyone's sake in this vicinity. He simply nodded at her solemnly as he watches her leave into the nearby woods, shouting back that her name is indeed "Smudge". Once she left, Nebulius turns to the half-elf.

"An unfortunate outcome..." he sighs mostly to himself as he lifts his staff rapidly, "One could've made a new ally..."

---

From their response in wanting her help, Shiluuki was pleasantly surprised and pleased when they accepted her in join in their fight against the undead. At first she considered that they wouldn't want her as they didn't possibly want to get distracted or whatever reason they may have had, but now she finally has something exciting to do! She hasn't quite fought many undead warriors in both her original realm and in Ecetopia, but she knows of the term and what it means.

She continues to watch the two women as she licks her left paw like a cat. The training that's taking place is quite entertaining to the sphinx. The fact that Elise, the so-called mentor, was being surprised again and again by Scarlett's skill in battle was honestly rather surprising, even considering the fact that, according to the older woman, she lost her memories. Clearly it appears she didn't quite loose everything absolutely. Lucky for Scarlett.

Suddenly Elise turns around and whacks Scarlett straight in the face. The impact made Shiluuki slight wince as if she was hurt, but quickly got over it. Once she looks back at the two, she can tell that the latter was actually bleeding. That wasn't surprising considering how Scarlett got smacked like that with the wooden sword. However, upon closer inspection, it appears that she was actually bleeding blue blood. That's unnatural for a human, unless she is secretly part-octopus or horseshoe crab due to their hemocyanin protein being blue (science trivia for you all). Even human veins don't have blue blood. Elise began to wonder if the wooden swords they were using magical. That was when the sphinx got up and approached the two slowly. With her massive paw, she then touches the sword for a few good seconds before putting it on the ground.

"I can sense the magic within objects," Shiluuki explains herself, "But I can confirm to you that these wooden swords are in fact mundane. How curious..."

Basically what she mean't, the swords were not magical, just simply wooden planks. The blue blood coming from Scarlett indeed came from her directly.

Elise blinked as the sphinx trotted over, grabbing Scarlett's practice sword before putting it on the ground, confirming that it wasn't magic. To that Elise just scoffed slightly. "I shook my head.. I knew they weren't magic.." She walked up to the redhead and Shi, grabbing Scarlett's chin in her hand, turning her face over a little before letting go. "In either case, it's just a minor cut." She paused, looking to the sphinx with a puzzled look, then bending down to pick the blade up and handing it back to her training partner. "I'll be honest - I don't know of any creature that bleeds blue. Outside of some spiders, maybe.. but, uh.. I don't think you're part spider," she smirked ever-so-slightly.

Scarlett just stared at the blue stain on her hand for a few moments before looking to Elise, then up to Shi. "I'm.. not really sure what to say.. or think.." Lowering her hand slowly, grabbing the offered wooden sword as she seemed to ponder the revelation for a few moments. "Unless.. I'm.. something - like a magical being? A golem?" In truth, Scarlett could think of nothing else that would explain the present of the strange pigmented blood. Taking in a deep breath, she looked to Elise, noting the sweat still beading off of the woman's forehead while she hardly felt tired - in fact, she felt like she hadn't lost any energy at all. "... that would explain the whole.. not having to eat.. and sleep thing.." she muttered softly in thought.

"Yeah, it would," Elise admitted before reaching for Scarlett's wooden sword, deciding it was time to stop. Scarlett had made amazing progress as it was, in only an hour's time. Enough that Elise felt confident in letting her loose against the undead, even skeletons. Walking only a couple feet away as she hooked the practice blades back on her back, she turned to Shi all of a sudden, realization painted across her face. "Wait - you can sense magic in objects? Can you do that with living creatures too? Maybe if we knew how much magic was in her, we could better understand what she is." The redhead frowned softly at the reaction of her companion, moving a hand to rub her arm self-consciously. Elise knew her well enough however, in the few months they had spent together. ".. not that she's a thing mind you. Even if it turns out you're a golem, you're as much of a person as I am." She reassured the girl with a resounding confidence that seemed to ease Scarlett's mind, forcing a slight smile across her face.

@LMPKIO @Antarctic termite

Mergoux curses under her breath, angry at herself. She sighs and calls after the girl.
"Fine! Go then! "
She growls and mumbles under her breath, angry at how she dealt with the situation.
She sighs then looks over at Nebulius.
"Thanks for killing the demon... Guess I owe you then..."
She double checks her gear and looks at him.
"Think we should tail her? Like I said, there are plenty of bandits out here, and I don't- Well if she really is just a kid, she shouldn't have to endure what they'd do to her"

Lying unconsciously on his side in a vast grassland was a rather imposing figure. He was in the center of a massive crater from when he impacted the ground in a thunderous crash after his limp body fell from the sky. Boasting a height of 2 fully grown men and a length of 3, his stature alone deterred most from crossing his path. His size was hardly the thing to fear, however. This beast was a mutant, possessing 2 conjoined bodies much like a Centaur. Though this particular creature instead harbored traits of Griffins throughout his dual frame.

Tharraleos was this avid traveller's name and was far away from home at the moment. What he remembered before his vision fading to black was an intense light and energy painfully coursing throughout his body. Now here he was, unresponsive in a foreign world. For a warrior who even rests with his senses alert for threats, it was odd seeing him so vulnerable. Although he would gradually regain his composure and begin the process of figuring out what exactly has happened and where to go from here.

-

"You owe me nothing." the alien responds to Mergoux as she thanks him for saving her butt from the demon.

The warrior quickly double checks her gear and then looks back at him again, asking if they should follow her just for her safety. Nebulius thought for a quick second before responding.

"It's your choice, Mergoux." he remarks to her as he looks at the direction where Smudge trailed off, "If you feel that she is worth saving, despite all the conflicts, then perhaps. If you disagree, then its perfectly logical. It all comes down to your decision."

---

"I usually can sense the magical properties in living beings through touch, yes." reiterates Shiluuki to Elise, as she looks at Scarlett, "But there are some exceptions to it, which depends on the character. Sometimes I may not see something due to either too much magic or some mysterious aura within a person. However, this is often a rare case, for I should be able to sense the magic from within her. Stand still Scarlett dear, and hold out your arm. This won't hurt one bit."

With that said, Shiluuki lifts one of her paws and touches Scarlett's arm. It takes a few seconds of concentration for Shiluuki to have the answer.

(Continue @Lyla, as if Shiluuki said the answer)

@lmpkio @antarctic termite

Mergoux looks after where Smudge vanished, considering for a moment.
"...We trail her. At least until she's out of the woods. Safer then." she says.
She looks back at Nebulius.
"And don't dismiss a debt. It's bad luck." she cautions. "Now lets go, I'm not sure how fast she travels or how far she's gone."
She slides her helmet back on and follows after the trail left by Smudge crashing angrily through the brush.

Not too far away, huddled around a fire, are a dozen or so men dressed in the ragged, mismatched clothing of robbers and bandits. They sit around the fire, passing around a cask of ale and planning a stakeout on the nearby road for some highway robberies.

"It's rare. That's good, that means this will probably work." She motioned to Scarlett before Shi asked to put her arm up. The redhead followed the directions given to her, letting the bigger sphinx sense her inner magic. After a few moments, Shi seems noticeably surprised, shaking her head and explain she sensed nothing. "Wha- ... really?" she asked, leaning on one of her hips and crossing her arms with a thoughtful expression. "... so that means... either she has a strange aura, or too much magic in her? What does that even mean?"

Without waiting for Shi to explain, Scarlett seemed to take a stab in the dark, shrugging. "Maybe ... it means.. um, whatever I'm made out of, is.. really unusual, somehow? But.. golems aren't unusual, are they? Nor have I heard of one that is particularly powerful or full of magic." Elise just shook her head for a few moments as they both seemed stumped. The pair allowed Shi to interject her own thoughts on the matter regardless.

As the sphinx spoke, Elise took in a deep breath and started to walk away. "I really should find Fionn - this might be important. Um.. you two can stay here if you want, or go by to the camp.. either way, I trust her care to you Shi. Not that she really needs it. Do need to get her a sword though before we reach the ruins," she added, realizing as talented as Scarlett was, that she probably needed to wield something. Unless she surprised them all again and could utilize martial arts. 'At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised.'

Nebulius stood still for a moment before acknowledging with her statement and walking behind her. For him, this girl was nothing more than a mere stranger. To him, it simply doesn't matter if she comes out of that forest dead or alive. But if his new partner wanted to go and track her till she's out of said woods, he'll simply go without complaints with little to no hesitation.

After mentioning to Mergoux that she doesn't owe him anything, she responded by warning him that its bad luck to 'dismiss a debt'. While its simply polite to have someone return the favor of being saved, Nebulius feels like he can take on anything in this world. Of course, he's only been here for the past hour or so and clearly doesn't know of what other threats that might be lurking in the shadows. There's only one way to find out.

As they tread deeper into the forest, Nebulius suddenly sees a fire coming from within a clearing just twenty meters away. His aura pulsates as it begins to determine their aura. They were indeed more on the dark grey side. Perhaps these are the 'bandits' that Mergoux was talking about.

"There appears to be a campground nearby." he says, pointing towards the clearing, "If there are these so called bandits, I recommend we tread around them as not to reveal our location."

He didn't fear these bandits, but rather he doesn't want to disturb them.

---

Shiluuki took only a moment before finally putting down her paw. She looks rather surprised with the results.

"Curious..." she breathes, "It appears I can't sense anything within her. There's... a faint something, but I can't determine what it is exactly."

Elise was also puzzled by this, while thinking that she has magic but only that its locked behind a strange aura or that she has too much magic within her. But before the sphinx can respond, Scarlett considers the possibility that she might be a golem of some sort. Shiluuki mostly dismisses that idea.

"Golems are often made from inanimate matter, like rocks, ice, lava, etc." she explains, "Scarlett appears to be a living and breathing organism... Although I must say, its odd that you don't eat or sleep, dear Scarlett. But if you are indeed a golem, you're a kind that I've never seen before."

She was simply just letting it out there. Maybe Scarlett's a golem, maybe she isn't. She's not quite sure herself. Regardless, Elise needs to talk with some other folk elsewhere, leaving Scarlett in the sphinx's care. They've met for only an hour's time and she already trusts Shiluuki to take care of Scarlett while Elise was away? Perhaps in normal circumstances it appears that she might've gotten a bit too comfortable with her, but thankfully for Elise, Shiluuki isn't the one to tell a riddle and eat any victims. The sphinx nods as she watches her leave. She turns to Scarlett just as Elise leaves the scene.

"So, darling." she speaks to Scarlett, "It appears you two have a camp nearby. If it's alright with you, mind if I come over to see your folk? I'm awfully bored just sitting here and reading this book of mine."

@CoyoteLovely@Lyla@LPRKN@Lmpkio@t2wave




Fionn returned the smile easily. It was an expression that crossed his face often enough.

His instincts were turning out true once again. Nakreyya was a lonely person with a long, storied past behind her. She needed to be with other people, companions, even if she didn't want to.

"Thank you for coming with us." He returned."New companions are always welcomed by the Kindred and your skills sound invaluable for the adventure ahead."

There was a few moment of companionable silence as they came upon the first trap. A rabbit had been caught in it and the pair knelt to disassemble the snare and prepare the small animal.

"I couldn't help but notice a few things." The young man said as he worked. "You know nothing about this place and while your clothes and equipment could fit in well enough your knowledge of mechanics would be world class here."

He shot her a glance over the rabbit.

"You aren't from this world are you?"

@Hekazu@LokiLeo789



The group (plus a sphinx Elise and Scarlett had picked up in the forest) made their way into Wesville about midmorning the next day. The place was on the way and there was an oracle here. Fionn intended to see if they had anything helpful to offer the party before the adventure began in earnest.

"Elise and Scarlett are going to come with me to look for the oracle. If the rest of you have anything you need or want before we get to the ruins this would be the place to get it.

@Silvan Haven @Lyla @LPRKN @Lmpkio @t2wave

"You aren't from this world are you?" Fionn asked, looking at her over the kill, she let him take the creature as she pulled the trap down with precision - this was something she'd done a thousand times before.

"No, I do not believe I am, though it has been some time since I was on the world of my origin. Perhaps I simply do not recognize it anymore," she smiled somewhat wryly - there was no joy in the eye that he could see. She placed the trap in her bag and motioned in the next direction. "I do not understand what you mean 'world class'... I sense that you are from this world - yet you understand mechanicka - are there none among your world who do as I do? Where I am from I am certainly considered to be among the best, but I still have much to learn... or, would have, had I not left. And if I have not already asked too many questions, what are "Kindred"?"

Nakreyya was starting to feel skittish again - she didn't like the idea of standing out in a crowd. That tended to lead to bad things for her in the long run. Anzu was attention enough, when he demanded to come into town with her - the idea that her eyepatch (which she was not entirely sure she could live without anymore) might draw attention to her was disconcerting. She had gone so far, looking over her shoulder all the while - hoping against hope that her past would not find her... blending in was her disguise, she needed to belong where she was. She had thought this may be the place to do so - but perhaps she had misread the situation initially.

****

As they approached the city the next day, Nakreyya slowed down just outside of town. She held Anzu's reigns tightly in one hand, staring at the town ahead of her. The great Nightmare stared ahead dispassionately, he seemed not to care if they continued forward or not.

"I... am not certain this is a good idea... should Anzu and I wait here?" Nakreyya asked. She thought, perhaps, she was being irrational - they were traveling a Sphinx, after all, but perhaps Sphinx were more common here. She could not be sure.

@lmpkio

Mergoux turns to stare at Nebulius in indignation.
"...Skirt around them? Like hell we are. We execute the scum! They shouldn't be left alive to hurt anyone!" She growls angrily.
She draws her crossbow and creeps towards the fire, ready to shoot them if they really are bandits.

She sees several rough looking men swilling grog.
She nods to herself and takes careful aim.
"Alright you scum..." she mutters as she pulls the trigger, sending a bolt careening into a man's throat. He claps his hands to his throat and gurgles weakly before collapsing across the fire, his body lights up and fills the area with the foul odor of burning flesh.
Mergoux draws her Claymore, yells a warcry and sprints at the men. As they rise she hacks at one's throat, killing him in a spray of blood then deflects a sword strike from a third man. The remaining two close in on her as she kicks out at her foe's knee, then slams him with the pommel of her sword. She is forced to back up slightly as the other two close in and begin assaulting her with thier weapons.

Kobasratha had investigated something that had, as he put it, intrigued him. He had discovered a copy of Notes on Rzailian Archeology in the home of his host, and, in his boredom, had flicked through to see if there was anything of interest inside. He found Doch Mol, and Karnarouri's Pillar. Inscribed upon the pillar was an ancient, poem-like writing. It described, as far as Kobasratha could tell, some sort of powerful necromancer and seer named Karnarouri. It was hardly a solid lead, but if the Cult could somehow recruit Karnarouri, it would add to their power dramatically. Even if not, the crypto-archeologist that wrote the book described the presence of bodies "a thousand generations dense". Hardly a minor resource for one who knows how to harness it.

Kobasratha spoke, but not naturally. He spoke words which echoed and did not fade with distance, at least for those who knew how to harness their power. Those that did not would hear gibberish, and the sound would act as any normal sound for them. But for Vaulthuz, and the rest of the Cult, it was audible in a tongue clearer even than their own.

"I'm going to the University of Eceterum Alacis. Seek out Karnarouri. His Pillar, and the ruins of Doch Mol, may hold answers as well. At least one of those who excavated the site, Mallen Jex, wrote of it in a work on Rzailian archeology. I have only found more questions there, and have attempted to seek the author out, but you may see what I have missed, should you choose to follow that route. The aboroginals may know something as well. Karnarouri will be able to help us, and it appears likely he would, if we free him. Join me, or follow your own paths. I believe that with him, this planet will be ready to fall."

@Silvan Haven @Lyla @CoyoteLovely @Lmpkio @t2wave

Fionn had decided that the group should approach the ruins from the Wesville side. This rag tag band would stop here to get some info from an Oracle. As much as TC preferred the sights and sounds of a big city like New Bastion, the first city didn't claim to have an oracle, and if it did TC didn't know where to find it.

Elise and Scarlett had lead a stray back to camp. TC had joked that if they fed it, it would keep coming back. The joke was quickly redirected towards his expense and how much of the deer he had put away. Skank didn't seem to like the Sphinx, but they may have been the fact that part of it was the biggest cat she had ever seen. Either way she kept her distance. TC was still not sure how he felt about the sphinx named Shiluuki, the creature was so alien to him. TC could not get a read on the beast, but it seemed far more intelligent than his usual bag of tricks.

TC rode Skank right past Nak, talking over his shoulder as he went, "Don't feel special sweetheart, I'm sure some Hedge Wizards rode into town on a stranger steed. I heard of an Elementalist that use to ride inside a Gelatinous Cube from town to town. Your gonna get some stares, but you just tell em, "Ey you pork-pegging peasent fuck, get outta here, fuggit about it.""

TC rode up to Fionn," Anywheres you want us to meet boss? After yous find your fortune cookie?" I think I'll head to the herbalist, see what swill I can swindle from that mudhut."

Scarlett had lead Shi back to the camp and introduced the sphinx to the others as they trickled back. Before long though, they were headed off, though Elise hadn't interrupted Nak & Fionn, deciding it best to wait 'til later to confront the man about her discoveries.

As the group approached the city, Elise seemed a bit more quiet than usual, merely following Fionn's lead as he instructed the group. She had hinted at wanting to talk to the man privately at some point, but had not rushed him in the matter. So she simply kept her awareness about her. Scarlett also seemed quiet, though it seemed less purposeful and more out of not having anything to say. Though she gave thanks to Nak a couple times more for the wonderful toy bird, which she still carried in her pack with pride. As Fionn called her name in meeting the oracle, she didn't seem surprised, as Elise normally insisted on bringing her along. She quietly wondered if that'd change now though, seeing as she could somewhat hold her own now.

Nebulius was taken back by Mergoux's sudden aggressiveness towards these folk. He watches as the woman began slaughtering the folk one by one, shooting a bolt at one's head, setting one on fire, hacking one's throat. It soon appears that they too had weapons with them themselves, but either way they appeared to be no match for the experienced warrior. The victims' auras were rather varied, but mostly on the darker side. They must be some bandits. He would simply stand by or even help his partner in an attempt of doing something good, but his kunami was beginning to tell him no. He was leaning more towards the good, when he should be balanced. He needs to commit a sin here. But how could he do it?

Should Nebulius kill Mergoux and be done with it? No, that'll be too far down the dark path. Should he simply let her do her thing against them? No, it wouldn't be enough. There was only one thing to do. Using his telepathic control, he echoes into the minds of a more frightened robber on the farther side of the campground. He begins to communicate to him by simulating voices into his head, warning him to "Run". The man was confused at first, not knowing what to do, but he instinctively began to drop his weapon and began running before Mergoux could have the chance in killing him.

Would the man commit more crimes now that he ran? Nobody can say. Perhaps he may, perhaps he may not, but the fact that this was a bandit, mean't that Nebulius began to balance out his kunami by a little bit more.

That 56% Holy / 44% Sin ratio has now turned to 53% / 47%. It wasn't completely balanced, but it was a small step that he took. And Mergoux wouldn't even know that he would've done it, unless she too was a telepathic being herself for some reason.

---

The next thing the sphinx knew, she was introduced to the others at the camp and basically joined their growing party. Who knew that she would be in a group this early on? Well, early for her at least, 6 months isn't quite that long for her, but regardless, she finally didn't have to wonder the realm alone! She finally has friends in the form of Scarlett and Elise, as well as future friends and acquaintances with people such as Fionn, Nakreyya, Harriet, and TC (well, who knows about him). What adventures will they travel towards in the future after fighting the undead? She's not so sure. However, she simply could not wait till then.



The group rises from the campsite and travel to the city of Wesville. According to Fionn, the leader, an oracle was located there and while he and the twin girls try to find it, the rest should try and find some useful items before going to fight the undead in the ruins on their magnificent adventure. As the land, Shiluuki was already interested with this city, one she hasn't been to before.

"Sounds fine with me." she replies to Fionn. She then looks at a library building nearby and became quite curious. She smirks at it before turning back to Fionn, "I'll be inspecting the library over by the corner of that avenue."

As she walks towards it, she begins to hope that there's some new spell books that can be found in there. Hopefully there's at least one or two, though more would be a nice treat.

Grug was sorting the back shelf of his store and home as he could feel the wagon shifting slightly. Somebody had decided to visit him! He returned to the job hastily, trying his best to get everything on display quickly, rather than in the most pleasing manner. He eventually failed as one more necklace hung in his fingers as the door opened and sunlight poured in, but he played it off by placing it onto the table in the middle of the room. "Welcome to my humble abode! Now, if you only would close the door behind yourselves, I've quite poor eyesight in brighter conditions. As you likely know, have yet to meet one that didn't, I am Grug, the Oracle of..." he began his usual spiel, but as the door was closed and he saw the people before him, his voice suddenly lost much of its weight. "...Gruumsian...", he managed to mutter.

He leaned onto his staff and tried to move closer, but was a bit too hasty and almost fell down. With that incident sorted, he chose to remain in place and instead asked the three to move closer to him. "Would you come a bit closer so I can see you better? You look an awful lot like..." He looked over each of them individually, giving each of them five or more seconds to make sure his mind was not playing tricks on him before he began, now in a much more controlled velocity, making his way behind the table.

"Yes, there is no mistaking it...", he muttered as he sat down and brought his healthy hand near his crystal, staring into it as he did a few motions with his hand. He soon ceased that and placed his hand against the table, now giving his attention back to the three. "You", he began, pointing at the man, "in my visions they call you Fionn. You", he turned to face Elise, "would be Elise. And that leaves you to be... what was the name now... it was a colour I'm sure... Ah, Scarlett!" he finally finished, having finished introducing the people he had only seen in his visions until now.

"You are on your way North, are you not?" he asked to know for sure. While in the vast majority of the futures he saw before him, these people were present at the site, with some bad luck this reality might well need convincing. "A great darkness looms over the future. A darkness that will have to be fought. And you, I, and many more have appeared in my visions, facing against a group of people wanting to raise an ancient might at the ruins I believe to be your destination!"

The Oracle tried to read the faces of the people that had sought him out. Would they believe him? Would they ridicule him? Would they even consider bringing him along? Right now, he couldn't tell. Perhaps it was due to all of the words he just threw at them with little chance to reply in between.

@Silvan Haven - Fionn Harken
@Lyla - Elise Hartell & Scarlett

@lmpkio

Mergoux finishes off the other two bandits, then howls in rage as she sees the last one get away. She knows there's no catching him, as he's in normal clothes and she's got some rather heavy gear on.
She turns in anger upon Nebulius and walks up to him, her face clearly furious under her helmet.
"Why did you let him escape?! Why didn't you put him down like you did that demon?!" she shouts at him.
She wipes blood off the front of her armor absently, then brings her sword down on the neck of one of the bandits as he moves slightly in his death throes