Interacting with Aaron and Moses @LokiLeo789.
Contextual Mentions: @Silvan Haven@Lyla@LPRKN@Lmpkio@Hekazu

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Arriving from off world, Harriet found herself in an extremely unfamiliar environment. It wasn't the scenery around her or the people per se, ever world had its unique creatures after all. No the unusual factor was that this was a world rich with magic. It's existence wasn't a surprise for the plant woman, she'd heard plenty about it and seen a little. But her path had lead her into the world of science and technology.

Having learned at an early age that she had zero affinity for magic its pursuit seemed rather foolish. Being stubborn she sought to pave her own way and reputation. All things considered that had been going well. Without telling the whole story her life reeled after she became infected with a organism that completely changed her body and soul. Joining such an organization as The Kindred would have been scoffed at by her old self. But through no logical reasoning of her own it sounded attractive and right.

Though she may feel like she was in the proper place she was still very much adjusting to all of it. Her new biology had a strange connection with nature that she couldn't grasp. For lack of an explanation she could feel the trees and the grass breath with her. It may be nothing but she could swear that it was true. On top of that was the new sensation that The Soul Bond gave her. Being aware of other people beyond her five senses was eye opening and ever so slightly unnerving.

All of this presently confused her to no end as she made her way toward Wesville. The woman's green eyes wandered around from time to time as if she was seeing things when nothing was there. What had she gotten herself into? She would have been much more at home drifting through space than on firm soil. And she was entirely aware of the irony of that given she could take root and live quite comfortably in a single spot. Equipment packed she couldn't shake the feeling that she was not prepared for what they would be facing. Did conventional weapons even work in this situation? Ever the soldier such thoughts ran through her head constantly, running against the grain that her new life was going.

Her lock box hovering beside her the terrain made even a floating box odd to haul around. It contained her armor while her pistol was strapped to her waist and her sheathed blade and Photon Lance were mounted on her back. It probably wasn't that often that a stranger walked into town armed as she was. With the odd link Harriet could tell that there were a number of Kin not that far away. However there were a couple much nearer, likely late arrivals like herself headed to join the others. Despite having a direction to go the less than planned out roads had her doubling back several times as she attempted to intercept her companions.

More than once she was stopped and asked questions by the local guard about her weaponry. However she did eventually find the two she had sensed. The woman really had no idea what to expect, but she most definitely did not expect to see a man with a fro from a time long gone accompanied by a chimp that also had a fro. All things considered it wasn't the most unusual thing she'd ever seen but quite a surprise all things considered. The reaction passed quickly and she approached Aaron and Moses. "Hello there. I don't suppose you've found your way through these streets to the others yet have you?" On a brief reflection it occurred to her that her own appearance as probably just as surprising, if not more. Plant based humanoids were not the most common among the stars. There were others but they didn't quite look as human as she did.

@CoyoteLovely@Lyla@LPRKN@Lmpkio@t2wave@LokiLeo789@Hekazu




Hmmmm, she seems to wield a basic form of magitech. Although perhaps more akin to spells attached to mechanical skeletons than a true melding.

"Your mechanisms will work quite well here." He said as they made their way through the darkening forest. The mage frowned as he almost stumbled over a tangle of sturdy roots. With a flick of his wrist and a thought a small globe of light shot from one hand to hover in the air above the duo, following them as they walked.

"I travel through use of a starship. A completely enclosed vessel capable of flying through the vast empty void between worlds. The trip here was a lonely one. Just me and the ship for about a week."



The vision in the crystal ball was hardly surprising, although the amount of activity in the ruins was worrisome. Things seemed to be worse than he had thought or heard.

"... so.. we're heading to a ruin with a bunch of undead.. and saying we'll end up facing some great evil?" Slowly, Elise crossed her arms. "I'm sure you're telling the truth, but.. how useful is that, really?" The woman looked over to Fionn then. "I'm not sure what you expected to find here captain, but he hasn't been able to see anything we couldn't figure out ourselves.. but I guess he's coming along? No doubt your doing.." At the last quip, she smirked slightly to the man.

Fionn waggled his eyebrows at his Second, the hint of a smile on his face.

"I have yet to regret taking the time to consult an oracle. And if this one wishes to come with us, so much the better. He seems willing to go despite knowing the danger ahead."

Just then he noticed the presence or another pair of Kindred somewhere in the town nearby. The sparks of their souls shining clearly in his mind as he focused on them. It seems that his reinforcements had finally shown up.

The pair were new to the Bond and its uses. Otherwise they would have known to search for him at the very least. Instead at least one of them appeared to be aimlessly wandering the town

Head for well in the center of town. He sent over the Bond to the two Kin. I have set it as the gathering point for our party. I'll meet you there soon with everyone else. We have ammased a pretty sizable group of adventurers who want to help over the past couple days.

Will's stomach rumbled. Trying to see some real scenery during his travels, he had decided to fly over totally untouched lands. This led to a few days without food, as his rations had run out. Now he needed an inn and a large meal. He found his solution in Westville, which seemed to be flowing with some unusual people. Or maybe they were normal and he simply had yet to see them in the world, which he doubted. In any case, they were here and he wanted to meet the heavily armed individuals.

They gave Will something else to think about rather than his hunger, which still bothered him profusely. Will himself wasn't used to traveling in a group like these fellas were making. He had spent too much time traveling from place to place to have formed or joined one. Nevertheless, he enjoyed stories and would try to pry some information from them. Before he went to talk to them, however, he decided he would like something to drink. Will dropped down on the street at the edge of the town center where he spotted a brewery. Inside, he found some refreshing, fruity ale and some bread. He had a small flask filled with the ale and refilled one of his larger flasks with water by tapping it.

Once done, he stepped outside and back into the town center, where he found an outside table to eat his bread and drink the ale. Will ate slowly; he could faintly feel magic wielders approaching. It appeared that he had found the right spot to wait. He also had a thought come to him to explain the others. He had heard about the Kindred before - a story he once heard in a tavern. People who help those in need and those who deserve it while also fighting off the evil in the world(s). If that was the case, then they would be here to fight something or someone evil. Unless they were all armed and dangerous looking for the fun of it. But that didn't seem reasonable.

Will put his feet up and drank his ale. All he had to do now was wait.

@Silvan Haven @Lyla @CoyoteLovely @Lmpkio @t2wave@LokiLeo789 @Hekazu

TC pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. Fucking Amateurs, let her offer the first bid, then counter just a bit higher. Everything is worth what someone will pay for it. TC opened one eye and looked back, abruptly poking his thumb at the sky. This broad was defending her pride and station with her coin purse, let her leave it all on the battlefield.

TC leaned back to watch Nak close this sale. He would peek at the Oracle's cart now and then waiting for Fionn and the girls to emerge.

Grug stared at Elise, mortified at her dismissal of his abilities. Sure she believed him, or so she claimed, but she also refused to acknowledge anything useful coming out of it. The old orc retorted: "Unlike many other oracles, I do not experience visions. I see the future pure, although with how many futures there are it isn't always easy to tell which is the one that will happen. So what I see needs no further consultation... but in exchange, I cannot really tell about the smaller, more insignificant things." He grabbed his cane and rose up from his chair, a bit less peeved about her remark now that he had had the chance to share a piece of his mind.

What remained of his foul mood was quickly eradicated by Scarlett and Fion showing their appreciation for his service, coaxing him to move on with what would come next. "But since we are to make our journey quickly and my legs have never been as good as other folk's, I need to get an animal to pull my cart. And set things in order in here..." He wondered where he could get a good animal in such a short time, as well as how long it would take for him to pack up the things from the shelves.

@Silvan Haven@Lyla

It didn't take long for Mallen and Kobasratha to arrive at Wesville on their way to Doch Mol. They had originally intended to simply pass through it, but the long journey across the desert made it seem wise to carry as much food as possible, and that meant stoppping in Wesville.

While Mallen hurried around the marketplace, afraid his slowness would anger the demon, Kobasratha found an elf woman selling strange metal objects to the people gathered around. Birds, like children's toys, but moving of their own accord. Kobasratha supposed they were not unlike the golems rich mages sometimes used to guard their homes, and had heard of some from other planets which were entirely mechanical and even occasionally independant of their own creator. He decided to buy one himself (both Kola and Mallen could both afford to attend a university, meaning they had access to a minor but substantial sum).

There was plenty of time before they could be on the move again, and while Kobasratha would normally take this opportunity to make a contract, he didn't see anyone who seemed particularly likely to accept one. That first woman to buy a bird perhaps, but the opportunity had passed now. People don't tend to want much immediately after gaining something.

This was what lead him to ask about the wagon, pushed to one corner of the market like no one really wanted it. Apparently it was the shop of a local oracle, gifted in his talents, and orcish as well. Strange for his species, but it explained the disposition the locals seemed to have towards him. It intrigued Kobasratha. Did the oracle already know what he and his allies planned to do? Would he even recognise the demon, hidden as he was? That would make an interesting conversation. Kobasratha stepped into the wagon, standing by the door with his arms folded as he waited for the group that had already arrived to be finished.
@Hekazu@Silvan Haven

"Your mechanisms will work quite well here." Fionn said to Nakreyya, she nodded - pleased by that information. A second later she heard him stumble and reached out to help him. He flicked a wrist, and light flared over his head. She frowned lightly, taking a moment to look around and see if he had startled anything - either animal or bandit. Seeing neither immediately, she turned half of her attention back to Fionn, keeping the other half on their surroundings.

He was not a forest traveler, that much was clear. She could see the world well enough to see roots and rocks and places of potential problems. She wondered if her eyesight was more acute than his - but that would be difficult to figure out through mere conversation, and wasn't really all that important. Her mind had wandered off too long, Fionn started speaking again.

"I travel through use of a starship. A completely enclosed vessel capable of flying through the vast empty void between worlds. The trip here was a lonely one. Just me and the ship for about a week," he said.

"Star-Ship. Yes, I have been on one, once. Anzu took me through the dreams of a Captain of such a vessel. I did not stay long. As I said, my magic interrupted their instruments. They were not able to sail as effectively with me there. I did see out a window to the stars all around. I remember it being a lovely sight, one that you can not have found from a planet's surface," Nakreyya nodded, glancing up at the sky as she spoke. "It is then that I learned how small my world had been. It was quite the shock. There are so many places I could not have imagined, sights I may never know I did not see. However, I have asked Anzu to find worlds that resemble the one I came from, so as not to be a burden on the Star Sailors."

She paused a long moment, understanding that her words had not left much to discussion, there was more she wished to say, but it took time to find the words that conveyed her thoughts. "I know much of lonely journeys, Fionn. I have been alone for some time, with only Anzu at my side. It is safer for all. I do not know how much time has passed, years seem to be malleable depending on where I am located. Days are shorter or longer, seasons come swiftly, or seem to yawn into infinity. I know that time has passed, I can see my age in the mirror each morning, but I am no longer able to say how many summers have passed since I left home. Perhaps it is best I do not know."

***********************

TC pinched the bridge of his nose and gave her an indication that she should go higher. She recognized the expression of annoyance, and made a mental note to ask him later as to what she had done wrong.

Barter was odd, to her. She understood it from a logical standpoint - but she'd never had to do it when she was back home. She'd been Noble, rich... money flowed to and away from her easily. Now that she was a nomad, she had been interested in understanding more of the art of barter, but had never had a teacher to show her what she was doing right or wrong. At the end of the day, she did not mind being "cheated" on price, as long as she and Anzu could cover their basic necessities.

Adding to her confusion was the notion that anyone would pay a gold for a toy bird. She would need to ask the prices of basic items here to understand the worth of a gold in this place. Where she was from, a gold was the cost of finery, or custom weapons - not the price of curiosities or toys.

She was gratified when the woman purchased the bird for a gold, and she slipped the coin in a pocket before selecting a bird and giving a brief overview of it's operation (thus showing it worked, as well). She handed the bird to the woman and bowed as the woman departed with her toy. She glanced to TC to see if she could get more information as to what he thought her starting price should be, and saw that he was looking toward a cart across the way. She settled on simply doubling the cost for the next customer, so as not to disturb him from whatever he was seeing.

As people started to gather, Nakreyya had to move from the front of her booth to the back to talk with them all. TC may not approve of her bargaining skills, but she was undeniably cordial to each customer, treating them as though they were nobility each time they approached her booth.

@Silvan Haven @Lyla @LPRKN @Lmpkio @t2wave @Hekazu

@CoyoteLovely@Lyla@LPRKN@Lmpkio@t2wave@LokiLeo789@Hekazu




An interesting look into what effect orbital mechanics and frequent interplanetary jumps could have on an unprepared interstellar traveler. Fionn didn't think he had ever met anyone so thoroughly lost before.

It didn't seem to bother Nakreyya though. She was where she was and the Elf did her best to survive no matter how strange and unknown the world. Most people would have died long ago had they been placed in her position.

It was hard not to admire her.

"If someone offered you the chance to go home, would you take it?"



"Leave the horse to me." Fionn said to the old Oracle just before someone else entered the wagon. It was a woman, good quality clothes and fairly fit. Not enough weapons to be a normal adventurer though, perhaps a mage of some kind?

There was something off about her though. It was like a bad smell had suddenly wafted through the open door of the wagon. Only instead of his nose Fionn felt it in his soul. The part of him that he used to reach out and work the forces of the universe.

The feeling dragged forth a particularly unpleasant set of memories.

Blood painted metal walls. Dozens of bodies laying broken and scattered across the chamber. A horned face staring at him from the middle of a grisly pentagram.

"Oh, hello. Are you here to see the oracle as well? " He strode forward and offered his hand. " My name is Fionn. Might I ask yours?"

I'm hungry.

Yer always hungry.

You never feed me ever.

I fed you my milk toast a' the Nightingale Inn!

I don't remember that. Can I have a hambone?

I denne have any hambones, I didne eat any meat for breakfast. And I canne afford it.

I love hambones.

I know ye do but I don' have'em.

Wait! Who's that guy?! Look at that guy! That is a weird strange guy!

No he's not, keep walkin'.

He looked at you. He was going to bite you. But I would bite him first because I am a good guy.

Ye're a coward and a liar.

I am a good guy, I would never let anyone bite you ev- DOG!

Ye're- WHOA!

DOG! DOG! HI DOG! HI! FRIEND? HI! HI! FRIEND? FRIEND? HOW ARE YOU? HI! FRIEND?

CALM YER BLOODY ARSE DOWN YE MANGY BEASTIE!

Patty was pulled like a rag doll by her Saint Bernard, chiding the salty dog as it lost it fell all over itself by the sight of another hound as they passed the gate, hopping around like a madman with his tail waving as if caught in a whirlwind. Less chiding and more surreptitious growling as it were, which gave the wee lass a few stares that she shrugged off as she dragged her stupid mutt toward the bazaar. Supplies were on the list today, just a double-check of what she could nab before setting out. The time to act was now, she could tell. She'd only been there a day, but little Patty had enough experience under her belt to tell that when a cavalcade of freaks started showing up they were about to do great things. Strange people from strange lands, armed to the teeth with odd weapons and foreign armors, looking stronger than she was to boot. The Gnome looked out place herself, though her coat was closed there was no hiding her backpack or the swords she had on her, looking more like a child playing "mercenary" than the treasure hunter she was. She wouldn't be outdone either way. They could be stronger, more powerful, and as well-equipped as they wanted to be. Patty would just have to be that much smarter, quicker, and less conspicuous.

The road had been a harsh mistress on her journey, now entering its third week. From the grassy wilds of the Green Glades to the Vil'Khul Forest the entire trip had been both dull and stressful. The open seas were a lot more entertaining when anything could happen, and the open and free salt-filled air was welcome on her skin. On land it was just hot and humid and she had to run from wolves sometimes or stab assholes in the kneecaps. Landborne for three weeks and she'd already had no less than four attempts to rob her, and not good ones either. Chumps from the backwoods didn't know how to set up a good ambush. But it'd all be worth it after she had snuck her way inside The Keep of the Dead and rooted out what valuable artifacts that lay within. Doch Mol, the seemingly impenetrable stronghold of the once-living. Not if she'd had anything to say about it, she just hadn't been there yet. Patty first caught wind of it from a merchant at port telling wild tales on his way out of Norbank on a schooner. The Gnome wasn't one to listen to such falsehoods yet something about it grabbed her, coaxed her, and soon she was hearing it everywhere. From her burglary in Lansque for the mayor's opal ring to her voyage down the coastline of Gilden, the story remained to tempt her until she decided that no Lord or Lady on the Western Seaboard had enough guarded a manor to satisfy her urge to challenge herself anymore.

Which had brought her to Wesville. And time was running short. She'd awoken early that morning from a fitful sleep at the Nightingale Inn to begin gathering her pack and strategizing 'fore the sun broke over the horizon. She had her tools of trade plus the telescope she'd borrowed from her last time aboard a ship, a bear trap she'd found in the woods that she cleaned the rust off of, and some holy water she'd gotten a priest to bless a few towns back in Salerun in exchange for getting rid of some pests in the belfry. It struck her to buy a crossbow but that might be too bulky. Besides, she wouldn't need it if she never got caught. All that was left were some odds and ends, but her purse was growing lighter by the day. Healing potions were a priority yet she might have to take some the dishonest way. It may as well be a good day to practice, it was the last place she'd be able to do so before she was deep within the lifeless lands.

I liked that dog. That was a nice dog. We are friends.

Aww I love ya ya hopeless moron, Patty growled from her throat, giving Fisher a rough scratch on the scalp.

Pets! Pets pets pets I love pets pets are my favorite thing! *sniff sniff sniff... sniffsniffsniffsniff* MEAT! MeatmeatmeatIlovemeatmeatismyfavoritething!

The sailor once again lost what little control she had over her idiot pooch as the Saint Bernard bounded up to a quite popular booth crowded shoulder to shoulder to get a look. As the mangy dog began to smell and lick tentatively at the heels of the people in the rear Patty would approach, standing on her tiptoes to get a better look at the wares. Something this popular was either incredibly valuable or absolutely useless junk that happened to be gaining traction as the great new fad. She had to angle her way around the table a bit but soon the woman hawking whatever it was began giving a sales pitch over what she was selling: birds. The one-eyed fair one from on the other side of the booth was selling little mechanical bird trinkets and it was at that moment that Patty decided that the answer was "both". A neat little doodad to most, but a precious tool it could be. And Patty had to have one.

Her emerald eyes grew transfixed on the flapping machinations chirping about the stand as the cogs in her brain turned. A machine like that could make a nice distraction or a test for traps, she might even be able to barter it if the fad picked up enough. But not only that, she was devising a plan to take one. Right in plain sight. As everyone watched. A vacant grin crept at her lips as the scouting began.

Patty took a strategic position on the far side of the table as the demonstration went on, one with a clear line of sight as she practiced what she'd do and say. Mind made up, ready to act, a little flying automaton flew its way from the table where her tiny hand reached out to meet it. The expression on her face was one of feigned wonder as she held the shiny fake sparrow, peering back up with childlike glee.
"I think this one likes me!" she gushed to the sensible chuckles of the crowd. Patty extended her hand once more for the toy to flutter back to the table, turning about to leave with a soft wave and convincing pleased smile to the crowdgoers. Some clapped at the demonstration before returning to clamor at the magnificent toys as they were before as Patty grinned to herself and stuffed the real machination into an inner pocket near her chest with her back to them.

The "flying bird" had been flapping against her Mage Hand as she guided it to her palm, and when it "left to return to its place among the other birds"... it never really left. Nor would it be there in a few moments. She doubted anyone had noticed her Minor Illusion with the dainty wave of her free hand. She was just an innocent little girl caught up in the magic of the next generation of toys, after all. People'd be gullible enough to believe that. The one-eyed lass had enough birds anyway, it wasn't as if she was going to miss a single one of'em disappearing. With a hand tugging at her collar to hide the movements of the freshly-stolen automaton until she could safely place it into a more discreet pocket, the wee lass brought two fingers to her lips to give a loud signalling whistle.
"Fiiiiiiiisheeeeeer! Get a move on ya daffy cur!" The Saint Bernard ceased his inspection of the interesting smells of boots and the the booth with the meat lady to flop after the tiny woman, disappearing further into Wesville's market to gather last minute odds and ends.

@CoyoteLovely @LPRKN

@Sophrus

Vaulthuz stalked the village as Mortan and his servants hunted the majority of the villagers, he was searching for any hiding inside the houses with his newly raised servant following behind him. The undead had a strange purple substance that glowed eerily covering the place where Vaulthuz had slit it's throat, although it did not seem to prevent the blood flow as the corpse would occasionally gag and release a small stream of blood from it's mouth.

Vaulthuz entered one of the houses towards the edge of the village and found a single man cowering in the corner, he would have laughed if the man didn't seem so pathetically intent on holding onto his life with a volley of pleas and offers that he knew a creature of his status could not fulfill. However, as the Bonemelder entered the building a man holding a pitchfork emerged from one of the corners he was unable to see before entering and lunged at the lycan. Before Vaulthuz could react his servant threw himself in the way and impaled himself on the points. This by no means killed the creature as it pulled it's way across the steel and reached for the mans head, breaking it with a wet snap. As the man fell, the pitchfork remained impaled in the zombie for several moments before falling out releasing a torrent of blood from the three wounds. The undead shuffled along as though nothing had happened to the next man, although it was noticeably sagging in whatever direction it moved now.
As the undead strangled the life out of the other man in the room, Vaulthuz contemplated if a spell capable if repairing his servants the way they are repaired after being resurrected would prove useful. He shrugged to himself before casting the reanimation ritual and leaving the corpses to be transformed into his servants.
Vaulthuz then made his way towards the location of Mortan, erupting into a mass of shadow and speeding to the lich where he worked in several moments, he reformed several metres away and simply observed the lich's work, releasing blasts of purple energy at any villagers he saw which stunned them for long enough for the undead to descend upon them.

The shoppers flooded to Nak's display as he had intended. Soon he couldn't see her through the throng, and she was to busy to see him. She's fine, the old broad can hold her own. TC heard another dog billowing barks at Skank, who was tied up outsid the market. A gnome slightly taller then TC pulled and yanked the dog away from her. Get a hold of your Mutt, toots. Don't want no Mutt mounting my mount. He watched her gain control of the dog and work her way to Nak. This gnome seemed well traveled, and possibly shady. TC didn't buy the "I'm cute and innocent cuz I'm small" act, in fact he looked down on it. Show some dignity.

Just then TC caught a whiff of something. A smell on the verge of memory. It brought up visions of The Greedfather, or the quasits that sometime delivered his missives. Something infernal was in the marketplace. If it was the Greedfather or here on his behalf, it would have reached out or signaled TC by now. TC eyed the crowd quickly, but nothing came of it. A demon wouldn't be walking around in his doomsday best, it would look like anyone. The Gnome, the dog, the rich woman, anyone. Something wasn't right.

TC got up and walked over to the oracles cart. If the group was indeed being followed or intercepted by something infernal, he would want Fionn to back him up and, churning up from his deeply buried soft side, Scarlett to be safe. TC looked back from the crowd to the cart as the door closed, he had caught the glimpse of a woman entering. TC turned his back to the wagon and leaned against the wheel. He rapped his knuckles on the wagon and shouted to its occupants, " Ey Cap, we getting this trip rolling this century or are the girls still getting their dainty palms read. Fuck the lottery numbers, we gots bigga fish to catch. And my nose is itching something fierce out here."

@Corporal Lance@Silvan Haven@CoyoteLovely@JaceBeleren@Lyla

"If someone offered you the chance to go home, would you take it?" Fionm asked as they claimed another trap, and another small beast

"It will sound dramatic to say, but there is no 'home' to go back to anymore. Not in the deepest sense of the word. My planet exists. My city exists. My tower exists, replete with all the wonders that were contained within... however, the things that made it home are no longer," Nakreyya replied, her eye looking somewhat distant as she spoke. "So, no, I have no reason to go back there - nor any desire to see what it has become in my absence."

She felt her shoulders relax as she spoke to Fionn. He was - if she could forgive herself the pun - a kindred spirit. His eyes held the shadows of darkness in his past. Though he was certainly younger than she, he was well traveled, and not nearly as adrift. She was ill accustomed to people such as him, and his envoy. He was in the company of interesting people, and they seemed genuine.

"How about you, Fionn? Do you consider your Star-Ship your home?" She looked him over as she spoke.



Nakreyya's eyepiece alerted her to the magic being used, though she couldn't see what specifically had happened. It had been such a long time since magic had been used around her that the stimulus from the eyepiece surprised her. She clutched the side of her head near the eyepiece for a moment, before shaking her head clear. The only back retreating from her stall was the small and "innocent" one. Nakreyya glanced over and watched the small one for a moment, noting features to follow up after the crowd around her stall died down. She ultimately decided the loss of one bird was not enough for her to abandon the people shopping before her. She would lose more business than was prudent for one small theft - and though the principal of the thing still mattered to her, she bent to logic.

She simply made a note that she would try to find the small thief later. Any use of the thief's magic would make her easier to trace, and perhaps they would have a conversation about propriety at some future date.

She watched TC as he moved through the crowd. He seemed bothered by something for a moment, as if he too had sensed the magic. Though she did not believe he was as concerned about the theft. It must be something else. Behind her, Anzu raised his head and sniffed the air, snorting it. That was odd. He did not usually pay much mind.

Whatever the issue was, if it had both TC and Anzu on alert, Nakreyya felt she needed vigilance.

And yet - all of this had to happen while she kept a smile over her features. She apologized for her headache, explained it was a glitch in her eyepiece, and continued to make the necessary sales to the individuals before her at her stall.

@Corporal Lance@Silvan Haven@LPRKN@JaceBeleren@Lyla@Hekazu

First mission

'TING'... 'TING-TING'. . . 'TING'. 'THWACK!'

"Ughh... Peter." Says a tall faceless man in a fine suit standing behind a dull unlit control console. "Can you see if those primitive lizards are nearly done attacking our ship yet?" Niyati verbally asks aloud to an empty cockpit.

Somewhere outside the executive transport ship an inquisitive angry family of kobolds were fiercely attempting to defend their barren patch of marshland against the giant metal bird that just came dropping in with a burnt out rear stabiliser.

Tapping the empty space of a hollow ring strapped around his wrist Niyati attempted to start a holographic conversation with his mechanic. "Have you figured it out yet? We aren't too far away from the rendezvous point. Perhaps it would be best to proceed by foot from here on out."

The crew was in fact not too far from their destination. The exact circumstances of their job were not yet clear but the client they were to meet resided in a nearby forest.

"Primitive magical planets..." Niyati stated with a telepathic thought as he straightened up his suit. He would have to find a new image to wear if he planed on venturing forth.
Tapping his com's device he talked to all available crew.

"I'll be moving forth on foot. I am suspecting trouble from the both the locals and the environment. I will need capable escorts. Who will be joining me?"

---

_{Call out to
@Leotamer's Characters: PTER17 onboard AI
@Mataus's Characters: Will the traveler
@Antarctic Termite's Characters: Flak Macaque
@Verdaux's Characters: Lyra
If you are currently on board or nearby.}

---

"...both the locals and the environment. I will need capable escorts. Who will be j-"

A long, sharp object that may have been the tip of a bayonet smashed through the loudspeaker, followed by a long groan: 'Oh fuuuck oooooffffff.'

Flak Macaque's head reappeared from under his forearms, eyes shut tight as a fat ailing sixty-year-old man's shirt buttons. Without turning on the light, he slapped his alarm clock into the corner, fumbled for a long stick of rebar, smacked Heidi's power button and lumbered into the hallway, a huge jug of cold espresso in his paw.

It was empty by the time he made it to the roof.

---

Shading his eyes with a long palm, Flak Macaque sat on his butt, as monkeys tend to do. Somewhere below him, a gang of reptilian thugs stomped up a storm. He licked the rim of the pitcher as if wishing for a final taste to soothe his passage into Morning Hell, then hung it on one finger and let it fall.

Bump, bump, tumble it rolled down the side of the ship and onto the ground below, where it was met with yelling.

"Ya know, you'd have more luck if ya just formed a union," offered Flak Macaque dejectedly. "Like seriously, have you fellas even heard of conformance to stereotype? I swear I caught one of you saying 'big metal bird' just now, like fuck off."

There was a sheepish pause.

"...I was being ironic," muttered a lizardy voice.

Yeah, yeah, thought Flak Macaque. Heidi waved a metal strut to the crowd.

"Dude, though," continued the kobold, clearly trying to make up for her embarrassment at being called out. "It's a UFP core world, we see spacecraft all the time. We were kidding."

"Whatever," acquiesced Flak Macaque. "Got any durries?"

Mumbled negatives. Flak Macaque sighed and pulled his fingers through the air, trailing a fine mist of ash that resolved itself into a paper roll. He took a tin of tobacco from his toolbox and tapped it as the next kobold spoke up.

"Say, what's a goblin like you doing on a demon ship anyway?"

"Fucked if I know," shrugged Flak Macaque, and lit all three cigarettes in his mouth. "I didn't pay for this bullshit."

Murmurs of sympathy from his fellow vectors of petty evil. All in all, thought the monkey, pretty normal start to a Thursday.

@Dark Light

A whirling boot-up sound was made. Peter made an audible sigh over the intercom of the ship. I was in a low-power state while trying to recover from your last adventure, and now we are already on another. Ugh, what do you want. Oh the kobolds. Well it isn't like they have weapon targeting systems I can scan. Ship diagnostic programs are reporting no damage, but the external cameras do show the kobolds have stopped. Likelihood of kobolds damaging the ship : 0.01%. Likelihood of kobolds damaging personal : 30%. I could fire the ship's weaponry, however that would likely over kill with a high chance of damaging the terrain and attracting on wanted attention. This is why we need a sand cannon."

Kobasratha shook the offered hand, and replied "My name is Kola. I'm here for academic purposes with my colleague, Mallen Jex. We're headed for Doch Mol, an old dwarven ruin in the wastes, and this is our last stop before we plan to arrive there. The first time, though, we faced danger. Undead, mostly. Nothing we couldn't either defeat or avoid, but it meant that we couldn't get very far into the ruins, which is why we're back. It made sense to visit the oracle, and if we got a bad reading, perhaps hire some bodyguards to ensure things go more smoothly this time. In fact, you seem like you know how to swing a sword. If you're not busy, and if you're willing to do that kind of work, perhaps you could help us out."

Kobasratha had learned from centuries of experience how to lie convincingly, though a large part of what he had said was true, just true for Kola and Mallen rather than himself. The only difficulty was the aura that demons, especially relatively powerful ones like himself, emanated. While the untrained might dismiss this feeling, those accustomed to its effects could catch on very quickly, though it would be difficult to blame an attempt on Kobasratha's life on "a funny feeling" if they couldn't prove his species. In any case, a contingent of bodyguards would definitely be useful in dealing with the undead residing in Doch Mol, though Kobasratha would have to find a way to get to Karnarouri first, and resurrect him in secret. With so many creatures present, it didn't seem too difficult.

There was a hesitant pause by Niyati. Hard to determine on an expressionless face yet still it was there, and it was unlikely to go unnoticed by the familiar and perceptive AI. In the delay of his reply the distant sound of fruitless external attacks ceased to echo within the ship.

"Well, at least that is over then." Niyati replies as he taps away on the faded console trying to bring it back to life. Giving up he walks towards the exit.

"So Peter, in absence of a sand cannon, how would you recommend we proceed? Oh, and I don't believe I need to say it but make sure you keep a close watchful eye on that monkey of ours, would you. "

Before exiting the cockpit Niyati scans the ship and its perimeter for the thoughts of his crew and that of the creatures outside. Gathering the locations of everyone in question. Once content, he makes his way through the crew lounge, passengers lounge and towards the boarding ramp.

He wouldn't admit it but the ship had been disappointingly empty as of late. It was what lead to missions such as this. Forced to accept nearly anything that paid. Niyati was no beggar, but he couldn't afford to be a chooser either. Not right now.

One last telepathic role call went out to the crew as the captain asked any who were eager to join him at the loading dock.

---

_{(@Leotamer-PTER17) (@Mataus-Will) (@Antarctic Termite-Flak Macaque)(@VerdauxLyra)}

---

Will was wiping the ale off his lips when he heard the telepathic call for escorts (^^). Will had two options: go help his mercenary group or he could go help the Kindred. Either one would fulfill his need for adventure, with the Kindred task looking better in that adventure category. Will took another swig of the fruity ale before deciding what to do. The Kindred wasn't going anywhere and Niyati seemed ready to go. The decision would be easy, then. Go with who is closest to setting off.

Will left a few coins on the table and then took off, soaring into the air with his mana wings. It didn't take long to reach the large piece of metal called a ship. Will landed right near the boarding ramp, noticing Niyati. "Niyati," Will said, his eyes scanning the ship. "I'll never get used to this thing." He dispelled his wings and walked onto the ramp. "Anyone else in yet? And hey Peter, I know you're in there somewhere."

@dark light

"Trying to control the less-evolved primate is an impossible task. As for the kobolds, I predict a confrontation will not lead to any major damage, other than the possible psychological damage of knowing that you murdered sentient life."

He heard Will call his name, and then projected a voice out towards him, "My code is unfortunately installed within the computer system of the ship. I do not exist within physical space. The closest thing is that my code would be physically imprinted in the ship's computer, but is not like my code moves around cyber-space."

@CoyoteLovely@Lyla@LPRKN@Lmpkio@t2wave@LokiLeo789@Hekazu




Nakreyya was a woman adrift on the sea of dreams. Flitting about from world to world on the back of her Nightmare steed.

It must have been something painful, to cut her roots away so thoroughly.

"It is my home away from Home.' He said in reply to her question. " I have a home, many friends and a loving family. Pretty big family actually. More of a clan if I'm being completely honest. A chuckle accompanied the words.

"But my calling is out here. A candle in the dark, doing what little I can to bring light to those who need it."



Fionn clamped down on the jolt he got the instant the woman, Kola, took his hand. He didn't let any of it show on his face or in his body language but he was suddenly on high alert. The unpleasant feeling and hints of memory solidified into steel certainty.

Yahnweh be with me I'm shaking hands with a demon.

He withdrew his hand and listened as the demon, of all things, gave him a job offer.

"Doch Mol, huh? Isn't that the place mentioned on Karnorouri's Pillar? Why would you want to go to a place like that?" The mage said while crossing his arms.

Fionn could make an educated guess why the demon wanted to go there though. Karnorouri was a Lich and his phylactery had never been found. Five hundred years ago a Kindred paladin had hunted down his hidden city and sealed him away, dying in the process. It had been a death blow to his empire as the surrounding nations teamed up and destroyed the leaderless country.

The land was now known as Rzail. Desolate and barren, it had never recovered from that terrible war.

And with a Lich still sealed away somewhere below it.

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