No organs either. A monster through and through, more far gone than even the spawn of the Elder Beasts. Or maybe it was just a slime. Hah. A slime, in this weather?
A dozen tentacles shot out, and Atzi, with no recourse for retreat whilst Vammy was making her own way out, charged forwards as well. One caught her by the wrist, but without any joints to lock and reinforce its position, it meant nothing.
Indeed. That was the thing about tentacles, about appendages without bones.
In the face of unexpected motions, it could not snap in any direction like a hinge. Like a fist connected to a wrist connected to an elbow connected to a shoulder. And though one caught her wrist, the others simply went past her, the skewering points missing. They settled onto her body instead, dragging against her skin like heavy chains, and Atzi could feel the tendons of her injured leg strain at the weight she bore.
So what though? The faceless, bodyless, soulless freak had approached her, and she had approached it. Gotten up so close now that they were face to face, and getting even closer from there. If she could get behind him, the length of his tentacles would make it impossible to do anything expediently! If she could get there, she could grab him by the waist and suplex his ugly mug six feet underneath the permafrost! Her blood surged a third time, empowered by fury as she struggled against the sheer mass of eldritch flesh!
But Atzi was only human. Her wounds didn’t regenerate in an instant, and her muscles, not her bloodline, was the source of her strength.
She stalled, one meter away, her body almost entirely enclosed by those impossible appendages. Ribs, crushing. Lungs, squeezing. Air, burning. And still, the cultist approached, arrogant in his victory. Her club had no room to swing. Her knife had no room to stab. And it squeezed tighter still, the edges of her vision blackening.
Closer now. Closer.
She didn’t even have the breath to speak now, but as he entered her range, Atzi had a simple two word phrase in mind.
She dropped her knife. Caught it with her foot. Kicked it up into his throat.
And as the blade bit in, she twisted sideways with all her strength, leveraging all that she could to pry his head right off his shoulders.
From the corner of her eye, Lissa watched as Nylah and her stretcher screamed away from her in the direction of the spider lady’s house. Good; Haruno would get the help she needed, and away from danger, to boot. The moth girl had thrown and left a light-energy shield spell or construct in her wake. Impressive, and potentially helpful… but although her Raam strength meant that she could easily wield a longsword one-handed, the difference in technique and weight of using her weapon in an unfamiliar way and technique could be potentially fatal.
With that in mind, she left it there on the ground for a moment, although she gestured to one of the spear-wielding hunters to claim it for themselves. They would probably need it. Lissa wasn’t sure how the acid would react to her own physiology, but together with her own armor, she would rather she take such hits rather than one of the squishier villagers. With some luck, Nylah’s gift would keep them uninjured, or at minimum, alive.
At least it sounded like the hunters knew what they were dealing with, even if they hadn’t expected one at the village.
Reinforced by the hunters, she slashed out at the monster with her sword before yelping as the creature shot out a gout of acid towards her and her newfound allies. The Raam quickly moved to dodge out of the way, pulling the nearest hunter that looked to be in the line of fire with her.
"Assuming that neither of them had taken a bad hit from the nasty liquid, Lissa’s next decision was to gesture for the hunters to begin to flank the chameleon before she charged it from the front, sword raised.
“Futile.” The man approached, his slow, steady and purposeful gait carrying him across the snow covered ground. Atzi had been fully subdued by his estimation, completely and utterly rendered ineffectual as the tendrils tightened across her body. Crushing, binding, breaking. Her bones creaked, her flesh burned. Yet, even so she managed to struggle. The knife dropped to the ground, caught between her toes and plunged into the creatures neck.
Blackened blood spewed from the wound, the creature recoiling, but his grip never loosening as the knife would tear its way through his body.
“Grrrghhhk-” A gurgling noise as its head would fly off its body. A few seconds passed, its body remaining completely still. Perhaps, she had thought, she had managed to best it, but that thought would be quickly shattered.
“Ah, such barbarism...” Suddenly, Pain. More pain. Atzi’s entire body lit up with it. The tendrils released her, only to then reform, impaling her body in numerous areas on her front. “Is this. What you humans. Prefer?” The spikes would withdraw from Atzi’s body as the mans head would slowly start to reform on his body. “Still alive? Your endurance exceeds. Expectations. Shame. You would have made a good…subject.”
More pain. A tendril, lashing out.
Her right arm would find itself laying on the ground in front of her.
“I will…be taking this. Perhaps you’ll be of some use.”
And then, he’d release Atzi. Her body collapsed to the ground, unable to do anything but watch as he’d take her severed arm and proceed to slowly, slowly, disappear into the distance as she would slowly bleed out…vision fading…
…
…
…
The smell of cooked meat.
Her body aching, hurting.
But she was…alive. Somehow.
Opening her eyes would reveal a small cavern, lit just by the light of a fire.
And there, at the other end of the cave, was Maira.
“...You’re finally awake.” She’d say quietly. "Don't move too much...you...got hurt pretty bad."
The goddess huffed, briefly poking her head off screen and talking to someone? It was tough to make it out since Atzi couldn’t read but it said something about ‘son’ and ‘making trouble’.
Current location: Deep Kyr Forest Time: Night Current Objective: Congratulations, you found her! Unfortunately, you now are missing an arm. >/list> Potential Events:
Asvar has mentioned a lack of Ore and that he might know where more are. (A small chunk of ore is drawn here)
Bolcha has mentioned something spooking and eating his fish (Fish bones have been drawn here)
Bolcha has mentioned someone going into the forest and securing more wood (A pile of logs have been drawn here)
Enli mentioned not having enough coins or goods to barter with the merchant Mie, if she comes. (A fox wearing something black over her eyes and what seems to be rolls of marked paper held up in a very serious fashion has been drawn here. Words that spelled ‘capitalism ho!’ were also drawn here above the foxes head…whatever that meant.)
Perhaps there's something you, personally, feel that needs to be done? (The goddess has drawn herself shrugging and looking confused)
The ball of acid thankfully, did not seem to travel very far. The area in front of it was liberally doused with the substance, burning away the snow from the ground and creating a wet, muddy slurry that would make it hard to walk in for likely both the creature itself and the hunters. Thankfully, her quick reaction pulled the hunter and herself out of the mainline of fire of it, only singing both of their armor just slightly.
The other hunter with the spear quickly did as suggested, maneuvering to the creatures side while the other two would remain at a distance, firing a few more shots at the creature, one impaling itself deep in its flank, another embedding itself in its front but neither delivering a fatal injury.
In retaliation as Lissa charged from head on, the creature would charge forward too, opening its mouth wide and lashing out with its tongue once more, the front of it sticking to Lissa’s body as it would attempt to pull her towards it.
“...Gwwwk?” A slightly confused sound as its tongue was now latched onto Lissa, but she didn’t find herself being pulled towards the creature. Instead just held in place as it ran towards her, slightly confused as to why it couldn’t pull her towards it, but still intent on swallowing her.
The hunter that had flanked from the side, had managed to dig a knife into its side, and was slowly climbing up onto the beast's back.
—-------------------
Calra quickly got to work, having the Oni undressed in mere seconds as she’d begin making attempts to stabilize Haruno. A wide gash on her chest and stomach. A blade? Looks like it had already started healing, though. An older wound, but it hadn’t been properly treated. Smaller incisions on her back, chest and shoulders. A few bloody arrowhead was left in her shoulder and back. She likely couldn’t remove them. Luckily no infection. A broken arm. Fractured leg. Wounds indicating some clawed animal did a number on her. A chunk of flesh had been ripped out of her side. Frostbite had started to set in, too.
She was obviously in some sort of battle with other people, and then with animals from the looks of it.
“Nylah, I’ll need to do surgery. She’s got arrowheads stuck inside her and some internal bleeding. Poor thing looks like she was in a battlefield before being attacked by a bear or something and crushed a number of bones I'll have to set. Make some anesthetics and prepare as many healing potions and salves as you can while I start.”
It’d be easy enough to prepare both of those things especially with the things she had on hand. Fresh water for a base, crush the ingredients, then boil it to a broth. Simple enough, they didn’t have time to refine it. The Salves could be made by taking the same ingredients and crushing them into a paste without the water. Better for topical use on flesh wounds.
Upon receiving the headpats, the Goddess giggled impishly, and started writing in her notebook again, wearing a smirk.
Current location: Dawn Time: Afternoon
Haruno at least has been stabilized, though its only a temporary measure.
Probably should get her to a healer of some sort sooner rather than later.
Oh no, some unknown threat!
Potential Events:
Asvar has mentioned a lack of Ore and that he might know where more are.
Bolcha has mentioned something spooking and eating his fish
Bolcha has mentioned someone going into the forest and securing more wood
Enli mentioned not having enough coins or goods to barter with the merchant Mie, if she comes.
Now where could Lazhira have run off too…?
Haruno mentioned something about being ambushed by Yaga.
Perhaps there's something you, personally, feel that needs to be done?
Choosing to ignore Sionna's comments, the elf instead decided to focus on the task ahead: Assessing the fishermen's equipment. At the very least, it all seemed quite satisfactory. The harpoons were serviceable, with a little cleaning, and the other equipment seemed to be in much the same boat.
Of course, it was the harpoons and one other item she was interested in most.
"Maybe a single man might not be able to pull this creature in," she commented, "But it won't just be one man."
Nodding to herself, she turned to face the fisherman.
"We'll need as many harpoons and as much rope as you can spare," said Seelay, "As well as some secure locations to tie it to. We'll probably have only one chance at this, and I'm certain you feel the same way."
Certainly, this was a large, powerful, and dangerous beast. In the water it would be so easy for it to escape in an instant.
Which is why letting it get back to the water simply wasn't an option.
Fish? Fishing. @VitaVitaAR “Ah! I think I get it.” The fisherman replied with a look of realization. “I think if we have your help we can certainly pull it off…hm, maybe having some hunters help too would be good.” He’d start looking through the equipment present. “We’ll need a place where we can lure it…Ah. The shoreline near the old ruins should be good for that I think. Its got high, rocky cliffs around the ocean and has some strong rock we could anchor the ropes too. We could probably use the weirs and make enough bait for it, too…”
The fisherman would grab one of the Weirs.
“It’ll take a few days to set everything up, I think, but if Akando or Soyala help I think we can just pull this off.” He’d hoist some ropes over his shoulder and grab a Harpoon. “I’ll go tell Bolcha to send some men here to clean and repair the stuff. See if he’s got any more sturdy ropes we can have…maybe Calra could drug the bait or something too…hm, I’ll ask…”
“Thanks Miss Seelay!” He’d head out the door, in quite a good mood it seemed. “In the meantime, I’d like to ask you to guard the fish storage so we don’t lose anything else until we’re ready.”
“Hmph, I got ignored.” Sionna patted the top of the elfs head. “Seeelay, come ooon, lets go do something fun! Like tying that Raam’s shoestrings together when he’s not looking!”
The moon goddess struggles with the rod, apparently having caught something huge. Instead of reeling it in though, she herself, gets yoinked off the screen.
Current location: Dawn Time: Afternoon Potential Events:
Asvar has mentioned a lack of Ore and that he might know where more are.
Bolcha has mentioned something spooking and eating his fish
Bolcha has mentioned someone going into the forest and securing more wood
Enli mentioned not having enough coins or goods to barter with the merchant Mie, if she comes.
There could be a way to start diversifying Dawn’s food options aside from its usual fish, berry, and forest animal diet.
Perhaps there's something you, personally, feel that needs to be done?
“Who knows? Only he, and any little bugs that still remain here.” Achel replied with her usual manner. “Be careful. No telling what else is down here. I’ll stay here. If you need help, just shout at the top of your little hollow soul and I’ll come running.”
Comforting.
As Gideon moved from the central chamber, the hallway would eventually turn into a larger room. It was dimly lit, the only source of light being from the lamp Achel had given him, the blue flame dancing jubilantly within the confines of its prison. The room itself could at least be called a study. Ancient, but mostly useless books lining a few shelves against the back. Trying to pick any up would cause it to nearly fall apart in Gideon’s hands. Age and perhaps salt water from the ocean were not kind to preservation, really.
Upon the walls of the room were small protrusions. Circular, with holes in the middle. Scones? Crystals of some sort laid broken and shattered upon the ground. Picking one up would nearly cause one to shatter in his hands as well. Brittle, fleeting things it seemed. Their structure was odd and with all his years of experience Gideon would know that whatever they were, were not native to the region of Dawn.
In the middle of the room amidst forlorn papers and scattered dust and small insects that scurried about was a stone desk, seemingly built right from the floor itself. Smooth curves connecting it to the floor. Upon it were more weathered papers, some bearing the symbol of the Illuminator. They seemed to be mostly just random pieces of disconnected information about various topics. Fishing. Boat building.
There was, however, an interesting bit on something called ‘Illu Crystals’. The page was weathered but the brief writing he could make out said that they were cultivated in places suffused with the Illuminators power and had the ability to entrance those who ‘bathed’ in their light.
Gideon took note of the papers in regards to fishing and boat building. Utilizing the blessing given to him, he would take some time to scan as much relevant information as possible. He had some knowledge of these things from his time with the Valtem, so it shouldn’t have been too difficult to find any new information that could be applied to help Dawn’s sustainable food situation. Still, knowing he wasn’t here to earn a maritime license, the Raam scholar decided to instead stuff whatever articles contained ‘new’ information into his person.
Instead, he focused his attention on the papers detailing these ‘Illu Crystals.’ For a moment, he thought of the light shining at the other end of the hallway. Perhaps such a light was the result of such a crystal’s light?
All Gideon could do is read and find out.
The boats seemed to be fairly advanced designs from what he could discern, but he could also tell there was no current means to even make one. Resources, manpower…a lack of trained individuals. Perhaps useful for later, but for now it was indeed, better to spend time focusing on something else.
The crystals, for instance.
Much information in these pages had been lost to time. Many papers that seemed to have information regarding them had been rendered unintelligible, but he could make out a few lines worth of information and dialogue.
“The crystals grow in places suffused with the Illuminators power. Studies show they possess a tight, square structure internally…unfortunately brittle, but excellent source of light…if implanted into humans…grows exponentially…sapience detected from dead implanted…” Nothing about how to grow them, though it seems like they could be…implanted into people? ”Crystal gardens overrun with moths. They seem to like the crystals. Harvest will be lesser this month…”
The Sage stroked his chin at the information, interested in what could be obtained from it. It was always a blessing that Gideon did not need to take notes on such matters, his very mind sequencing this information and sorting it accordingly. Of note, the mention of a ‘garden’ had brought a significant amount of interest to the Raam. He would focus his attention on searching for anything mentioning a garden in this study, whether it was vague notes or even a map of sorts sequestered away in this long-forgotten font of knowledge.
Unfortunately there was little in the way of what this garden might be or where it was. Chances were, well, those living here at the time had no need for such a map or such. He would, however, find a little not scrawled in barely legible letters near the top of a scrap of paper about the crystals.
”Tell that fool Tetrek to close the door to the reservoir! Sea water isn’t good for the crystals in the next room or the books here!”
Quickly noting a potential rise in water levels ascertained by both this notice and the condition of the books in this study, Gideon made sure to take some precautions. Firstly, he would clear the topmost bookshelf of its more illegible books, throwing them to the side in favor of the useful notes he had procured, both of the crystals and the building of boats. He would ensure these shelves were dry enough before doing so, placing a vial of sand from his homeland atop the papers both as a sort of paperweight and a reminder of the things he had left.
When the papers were completely safe, Gideon would then start making his way to the opposite hallway, hanging Achel’s lantern at the head of his spear and using it as a sort of walking stick. Just as he approached the distant light, he would take his glove off from his free hand, attempting to see just what sort of adverse reactions his flesh would have when at least briefly exposed to this crystal’s light…
… At least, assuming this fading light was of the aforementioned Illu Crystals.
The lantern hung from his hook, swaying with each step. Achel for the most part, ignored him as he’d move across the room content to merely watch him as he’d work. As he’d approach the opposite hallway, his assumption was indeed correct.
At the end of the hallway, was a large glowing clump of crystals. Sharp edged, growing from the floor to the ceiling that completely blocked off what seemed to be a doorway beyond. A bit grimly, though, it seemed like the crystals were growing from the skeletal remains of someone that had been here before.
As he’d approach the large cluster of crystals, the light seemed to cause both his eyes and head to hurt a bit. Like a dull, small headache just behind his eyes. As he drew closer, this would get worse. Perhaps best not to linger too much around the crystal, but it did shine quite beautifully and made for an excellent light source.
“No immediate effects on flesh. Must have an effect on one’s mental faculties.” Gideon noted as he did his best to shield his eyes with his empty hand. Taking note of the body in particular, he would remember the notes mentioned something about… sapience in the dead. Did this translate to the dead that have gone through significant decomposition? There were a few ways to test this theory. Gideon would begin with the least threatening.
“If you can speak, then speak. I’ve read up on these crystals enough to know of their peculiarities with the dead.” Gideon spoke towards the direction of the crystals and the remains they had grown from. Of course, he took a few more precautionary steps back, keeping his spear in front of him as a means of protection.
Gideon asked, but as the silent seconds turned into a silent minute, it seemed as though there would be no immediate reply from the crystal bound remains, only the dim pulsing of light from the structure itself.
If speaking to an apparently sapient thing won’t work, then there’s one thing that would definitely rile up the most docile of beings. Gideon kneeled to the ground, looking for a couple of nice rocks before chucking them at the skeletal remains.
The few rocks hurtled towards the crystalized corpse. The rocks impacted the corpse itself, chipping off large chunks of the brittle crystal in the process. Immediately, there was a shrill shrill shriek as the crystalline structure itself started to crumble and chip as the skeletal remains slowly started pulling itself to its feet, a pale white light glowing from the empty eyesockets as the crystalline structure criss-crossed through its body.
Hostile intent detected. Chance of confrontation: high. Luckily, Gideon was in just the right position to retaliate before this crystalline undead could act. He first held his breath, as he made his calculations, taking note to not allow any of these crystals in his lungs for fear of contamination. He then allowed his eyes to scan the crystal mass’s structure, looking for its shattering point; that is, the area where he’d be able to deal the most amount of damage to its structure.
Once this was located, Gideon prepared to strike, allowing the spirit lantern to gently prop onto the ground before quickly lunging towards the crystals, aiming to stop this potential foe before it could act against him.
Gideon lunged forward, spear aimed for the crystallized skeletons center mass as it barely managed to get to its feet. The dull sound of metal clanking against a hard, glassy surface. A hollow sounding groan as the undead was impaled followed by the shattering sound of crystal as the entire structure would quite literally seem to explode from the impact. Shards of the white crystal burst in nearly every direction as it shattered, a bit like glass would have.
The skeleton would fall to the ground, having been swiftly dealt with.
The only thing that remained, seemingly, was the skull, eye sockets still alight with a dull white glow. It was subtle, but Gideon could hear faint whispers coming from it.
The large crystal mass blocking the door had shattered too though, letting him pass through if he wished.
Gideon took quick note of any crystal shards that were both shattered enough to be placed into the scones in the room while also holding onto the light they had once had when grown together. After taking note of their position and making sure not to step on them, the Sage then looked at the glowing skull.
With the immediate danger the crystal posed out of the way, perhaps it may be just as prudent to see what sort of insights Gideon could gain regarding this place. Unfortunately, the skull was the closest available entity that may hold the secrets of what lies further beyond in this complex. With not much else to lead on and a hesitancy to delve deep and unprepared, Gideon lifted the skull up closer, listening to its secrets while being mindful of looking directly into its eyes.
As he held the skull up to his head, Gideon could just make out the faintest of whispers…
“...Light…so beautiful…enraptured…” Not entirely helpful really. “Illuminate the chamber…fill it with his light…open the door…become a child of light…” It would go on to repeat variations of this phrase and words over and over the more he listened to it. Something about illuminating some place with his light. Regardless of what Gideon would do with it, the room beyond the mass of crystals could be entered now.
It led into a hallway, leading deeper into the complex.
Gideon decided to put the skull on his belt for the time being, believing that it would have some use to him deeper into the complex. Once it was nicely secured, he would then sift for one of the scone-shaped shards to carry and illuminate his path forward. He’d hope to be quick enough to resolve whatever puzzle awaited him in the room beyond, hoping to get away from this sickening radiance as soon as he can.
The hallway beyond seemed simple and safe enough. Much of it had been reduced to rubble and a number of rooms had been completely blocked off by said rubble, the doorways little more than piles of rocks and earthen debris. There were only two rooms that seemed safe and stable enough to enter.
One, towards the very end seemed to have once been barred with metal. He could faintly smell the salty air of the sea coming from it. The reservoir mentioned? A door about halfway down had more of the crystalline growth coming from within, judging from the light.
“Salt…sea…the sea…sleeping, dreaming…”
…from the corners of his vision, he might have thought he saw something moving in the darkness, but when he looked nothing was there.
Not wishing to take his chances with whatever may be lurking in the darkness for now, Gideon instead moved back to the previous room, gathering his thoughts. He did not need to delve further, at least not yet. After all, he had gathered just enough information to form his own hypothesis on Achel’s concerns.
Before he entered the main chamber once again, however, he gathered just enough of the glowing crystals to test a few more of his theories out. He would move with a sense of urgency, not wanting to be exposed to these crystals any longer than necessary.
“Stand clear, Gravekeeper.” Gideon called out as he approached closer, not wanting Achel to potentially suffer any adverse effects from the crystals. “These crystals are cultivated from the dead, it seems. My guess is someone or something from deep within the complex is robbing the dead in order to grow these minerals… For what purpose, I’m not quite sure myself.”
Looking up to the chandelier, he traversed the jagged path upwards, making his ascent carefully enough as to not shatter the crystals he was holding. Soon, Gideon would reach the top, pondering just how he should load the crystals into the chandelier.
“Um? I see, I see…I suppose that would explain it.” Jovial, and perhaps as unreadable as ever, the spider watched Gideon’s ascent towards the Chandelier hanging above. “Those crystals…certainly are annoying, hm? Well, don’t worry about little ‘ol me. I’ve too many eyes already, a little more insight wouldn’t hurt, hehe.” She would move away from the center of the room, though, back towards the entrance to the place.
Thankfully the crystal was relatively light for its size, making ascent fairly easy. The chandelier in question was old, rusty, and as one may expect would not have been lit in quite some time. The chains which held it up seemed fairly sturdy though, and likely could hold weight fairly well still. Above the magnifying glass were several rings of metal in a circular fashion…was whatever here once spherical in shape? He didn’t have the time or means to carve this crystal, as brittle as it was into such a shape…but otherwise, it seemed as though it would sit right on the Chandelier.
With Achel out of the way, the only thing left to do now was to follow the instructions given to him. Gideon would place the crystal in its somewhat rightful place, allowing the room to be illuminated with whatever twisted magics the Illuminator had that powered these stones in the first place.
The crystal set in the Chandelier, ancient rusty chains straining under its weight. The pale light filled the upper area of the chamber, illuminating it brightly as the light would then filter into the large glass magnifier below. Upon hitting the glass, the light would be magnified in scope, spread across the floor of the room, just large enough to cover the old emblem engraved into the floor revealing…
That in fact, there was no floor beneath it.
A shaft, lined with stairs leading down further into the complex.
“...hm, curious? So it was an illusion? No, it was definitely real…then does the light connect two different places…?” Achel seemed amused by the development, though she always seemed amused by something.
“My guess is it’s some sort of initiation test, at least with what this skull is telling me.” Gideon noted, gesturing to the whispering device on his belt. “Whatever’s below may be dangerous to some degree, perhaps even life-changing… but if we don’t find answers soon, more bodies may be taken.” The sage concluded, raising his lantern up as he made his descent downward. In truth, while he was still concerned about the graverobbing, he was more driven by his inherent sense of curiosity, something given to him by Grams. For better or for worse, Gideon will always strive to find the answers to the questions laid in front of him…
… and this hidden chamber was perhaps the greatest question of all.
“I will be coming with you.” Achel smiled, following along behind Gideon as he began his descent. “I will be teaching those graverobbers stealing from spiders is a very bad thing, heheh.” Even if he had objections, Achel would be coming anyways it seemed. As the two made their descent further, they would come to the bottom of the shaft, where a large door had sectioned presumably the two parts of this old temple.
Opening it would reveal a chamber within.
A very lived in, quite in use chamber despite the somewhat ruined nature of it. It looked vaguely like some sort of old worship hall. A high ceiling, rectangular in shape. Old pews rotten and broken along the middle. An old grey and gold trimmed carpet run along the middle of it until it reached a statue of what Gideon would likely surmise was a depiction of the Illuminator. Its large, somewhat triangular body was carved of stone. A single spherical stone sat atop it, two horns extending from either side of it. The rest of the room was some sort of workstation of perhaps alchemical purposes. Books lined the far wall, instruments bubbled away…and the stolen bodies of the villagers were unceremoniously piled just off to the side of the statue. A few clear jars full of some sort of black liquid were kept tightly sealed
A man wearing a red robe was standing on the middle of a raised platform in the middle of the room, just in front of the statue.
“...nhn? Oh goodness do I have guests?” The man, as he heard the guests entered, turned around, face hidden behind a featureless white mask. “Well! Congratulations! You both passed the first test! Welcome, welcome, make yourselves at home.”
“A… test?” Gideon asked, confused for the most part. Was this theatrics all a part of a mere trial? If so, then this cult and its practices are much more anarchic than Gideon had initially surmised. Even if the body-snatching was not part of the trial, the Raam could not help but be appalled at the sight of the stolen bodies. Defiling the dead was, to the Sage of Steel, one of the greatest sins of all.
And yet, he could not help to raise his spear in defiance just yet.
“Stealing the dead is an unforgivable crime.” Gideon stated, stepping just in front of Achel as if to guard her from any potential retaliation. In truth, however, he wished to prevent any hostile discourse from occurring just yet. There were some things he needed to know before he was apprehended, or worse.
“The bodies… What exactly do you intend to do with them, anyway? Do you wish to defile the dead, to use the souls of the dearly departed to grow your profane crystals?”
“Souls? Defilement? Nay, nay!” The robed figure laughed. “Dead are dead. A resource like any other. Rotting away here, out of some respect for the gods? Pathetic waste of resources…” He’d clap his hands as the sound of something slithering was heard from above before black globs of slime fell from the ceiling. Spherical in shape, but with hardened bones within their gelatinous bodies. The black slime like creatures would shiver before turning to face Gideon and Achel. “Bodies have quite so many varied uses! Experiments…tools…Manpower…isn’t that right, gravekeeper?”
“...Hmm? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She’d chuckle. “Even if I did…I respect the wishes of the dead above all else.”
“Hypocrite. All of you! Ah well, no matter. You there! Raam! I will make this offer once. The illuminator extends an invitation to knowledge. You could learn anything you want! What is it you want to know?” The man was masked, but Gideon got the feeling he was staring straight through him. “Of Grams? Yourself? Of…the nature of soul? My my, want a curious suggestion…”
“As an adherent to the Forgefather, I believe the dead deserve an honored death, given back to their sworn patron.” Gideon had stated, raising his spear and clenching it tightly. While he did so, he would scan the slime’s body warily, looking for any sign of its weakness. He’s fought enough of these creatures to know that a single, well-aimed strike would be enough to finish it off. “Your God of Knowledge surely should have illuminated you on this fact.”
When this ‘core’ would be located, Gideon spun his spear in his hand rapidly. He did this both to intimidate his foe while also allowing for the arc of his spear’s position to be adjusted when needed.
“Stand down, call off your creature… or I shall enlighten you of why ‘War’ is included among the Forgefather’s domains.”
The cores within these slimes were ever changing, but generally, they seemed protected within the deepest part of the slime - their center of mass. The only thing that seemed dangerous was their extreme malleability and ability to resist blunt force attacks against their bodies.
“Bah. Everyone in this village has the collective intelligence of a rock.” The man huffed as Gideon would flourish his weapon. “Then let me enlighten you…as to why wars are not won through might alone.”
The slimes would swiftly move towards Gideon and Achel, morphing their bodies to use the bones suspended within them as weapons to lash out at Gideon.
Swiftly, Gideon positioned himself to interpose their attacks, using his spear to properly deflect the bones. As he moved, he centered his position within the slimes’ flanks, looking to take advantage of their greatest strength. After all, if they shifted their mass to attack in a certain direction, that would leave less mass to guard their core. With a swift strike to test his stratagem, Gideon lunged his spear into one of the slime’s bodies, directed right to their core.
The slimes would reach out with their bone-tipped tendrils. Not the most effective weapon, but they were sharpened and fast all the same. As Gideon would swiftly move to ones side and strike out with his spear, the weapon would sink into the thing's body. A muffled clink noise as metal hit another hard substance, the slime’s form shuddering before losing shape entirely.
Well, it certainly worked.
But there was about five more slimes, and they weren’t content with waiting for him to finish. Two would attempt flanking him, one reaching out with a viscous sticky tendril and latching itself around his ankle. The other launched a bony spear towards his body. The other three were slowly making their way over to Achel.
The robed man, for now, simply watched with seeming amusement.
Gideon quickly pivoted on his entangled ankle, avoiding the bone spear from striking anything vital before stomping his foot atop the entangling slime’s core. Swiping the sharpened edge of his spear head, Gideon would slice at the bony tendril, looking to sever it entirely from the rest of it. Seeing that Achel was about to be surrounded, however, Gideon would hasten himself.
“Achel, use this!” Gideon called, quickly throwing his spear directed at the core of the slime nearest the Gravekeeper while catching the falling bone spear with his foot, scooping the spear while his foot was bent at an angle. With a swift movement, Gideon kicked up to catch the bony spear in his hands before plunging his newly acquired weapon back into the slime’s body, once more aiming for its core.
Gideon struck forwards, severing the bony spike from the slimes body. It’d respond with an angry wail, retreating just a bit as it would attempt to reform its body while Gideon tossed his spear towards the Gravekeeper.
“E-eh? Weapon?” Achel would deftly avoid a thrust from a bony spike that the nearest slime launched towards her just as Gideon’s spear came hurtling into the body of the slime, ending its gelatinous life with a shuddering squelch as it lost its form. “Ehe, well thank you, don’t mind if I do! Though I must warn you, I have no idea how to use this thing!”
She’d grab the spear, using it to rather clumsily keep the slime towards her at bay.
The one Gideon had squished would find its core completely crushed under his boot would similarly find the end of its life. The one that he had severed the bony spear from had seemingly ballooned in size, lashing out with a number of hardened tendrils towards the Raam, keeping its core just barely out of the way of the Raam’s reach.
Gideon spun his improvised spear like a staff, deflecting the tendrils as he worked on calculating an opening. Well, he’s already found an opening. The issue is moving as fast as his mind could process information. It didn’t help that he also needed to help Achel as well.
“Just hold it with two hands and at their cores! Like digging a hole!” Gideon shouted, waiting for his chance to strike. Still, he wasn’t entirely sure Achel would be able to hold her own. To keep track of two enemies at once in the midst of battle, from two opposing sides of the battlefield… Gideon wasn’t sure if his blessing would allow him to think that far ahead. After all, he was a mere scholar, not fit for the likes of grand battle…
That did not mean he wasn’t going to try.
As soon as he found his opening, Gideon thrusted towards the slime he was facing. However, rather than lunging with his bonespear, he instead jammed his fist into the thing’s body, taking advantage of his metallic skeleton to add greater ripping force into his strike. Clutching at the slime’s core, the Raam would crush it.
“Hmm…digging a hole? Like this?” Achel grabbed the spear by the haft, proceeding to stab downwards. She didn’t quite hit the core of the slime in front of her, but the slime would think, that holding onto the weapon was a good idea. At least, until the gravekeeper would hoist the spear back up…and proceed to sling the slime and spear over her shoulder, sending the slime sailing through the air and crashing into a wall behind her.
It seemed as though, Gideon didn’t have to worry about her. Calculating all the different variables known and otherwise, seemed to indicate Achel would be fine to fend for herself which left him dealing with this thing in front of him. The tendrils would be severed, falling to the ground before him, the hollow space within the slime a groaning, yawning void that tried to pull Gideon inside only to be met with the Raam’s fist as he’d clutch the things core. It’d attempt to envelope Gideon only to then shudder and lose cohesion as the Raam would crush its core beneath his grip.
That left two slimes now.
One gunning for Achel who seemed amused by this entire experience and the other warily eyeing Gideon. The robed man still hadn’t moved.
Gideon eyed the slime that seemed to pay heed to him as well, curious as to why its attention shifted towards him. Wouldn’t it make more sense for it to continue its approach against Achel? After all, between the two, she seemed to be the closer and easier target. Perhaps Gideon underestimated their sentience… or perhaps…
Raising his ooze-covered arm, Gideon held the crushed core forward to the remaining slime, as if to intimidate or perhaps even taunt it. And just as swiftly, he turned to the masked man, chucking the bone spike right for his chest.
The slime focusing on Gideon seemed to back off at the cracking of the slime core in his grasp, its gelatinous body shuddering as it would slide away from Gideon.
“...Useless, aren’t they? We only made one successful one. Well, we didn’t. He did!” The man would say, smiling under the mask as the bone spike was launched at him. He’d deftly avoid it, dodging to the side though still hadn’t moved from where he was. Something about the way he moved though, seemed a bit odd. Almost as if his movements were too floaty.
Not landing his shot on his foe meant one of two things to Gideon. Either his aim was off, or the robed man wasn’t as he seemed. Wishing to believe it was a matter of circumstance rather than the degradation of his own skills, Gideon’s eyes instead searched the room for any evidence of misdirection. Particularly, the Raam searched for any rats of light that seemed out-of-place. After all, this place was hidden away with illusive magic. It would only make sense that the Illuminator's followers were blessed with a similar ability.
And such a fear would soon be founded. As Achel would take a moment to rather clumsily fend off the slime still accosting her, Gideon would notice a rather fresh footprint in the tar left behind by the one she had flung and smashed into the wall behind her.
Noting the man’s new position, Gideon quickly moved, looking for something to better pierce through the veil that the cultist had placed among himself. However, there was a much more immediate threat to take care of.
“Achel! Sweep in a full circle!” The Sage shouted as he ran closer tk her, just a pace or so out of reach as he’d release the possibly sandy fragments of the slime’s core towards the direction of where he believed the man to be.
“E-eh? Like this?” Pivoting on her heel, Achel would do as instructed, spinning the spear she had been given in as wide of a circle that she could have. The next actions, happened quickly. Gideon released his pocket sand, the fragments of the core flying towards the mans assumed position. The spear Achel was using would clang against metal as the illusion spell that had been masking the man fell as he became visible once again from deflecting the spear strike.
“Tsk tsk, smart little Raam…but not enough!” Masked and fully robed, the fragments of the core smashed harmlessly against his clothing as he’d manage to run up behind Achel, grabbing the spider by the waist before shoving a blade against her neck. “Hehe, as strong as you are…as long as someone has a bargaining chip in battle, it doesn’t matter.”
“...aha, this seems dangerous.” Achel jovially replied, completely unconcerned. Shed look at Gideon, still smiling away.
Seeing the situation unfold, Gideon thought of his next words carefully. While he wasn’t keen on negotiating with this crazed zealot, he also did not wish for Achel to be hurt for his mistakes. Still, the Gravekeeper seemed to be hiding something about her. Despite the slimes approaching her, he sensed that she was not in any meaningful danger whatsoever. It seemed that the cultist was not the only one who seemed to wear a mask.
Gideon had then decided the best course of action was to force both their hands in this scenario.
“Bargaining chip? Don’t make me laugh.” Gideon said, something of a mocking smile forming on his face. “She is not Raam. It matters not to me if the Gravekeeper lives or dies, only that I stopped these bodies from being stolen. If anything, the time it would take for you to slice the Chiraltan’s throat would be just enough for me to get to you and crush that pathetic throat of yours.
“Or perhaps you don’t care about dying, so long as you serve your god’s will. In that case, then I will indeed help you with your profane studies. After all, Grams had forged me not to fight and battle, but to study and learn. Every inhumane experiment, every forbidden ritual written in this temple, taught to you by this ‘Illuminator,’ I will do to you. And I will use all the knowledge I’ve attained in my travels, all the treacherous wisdom hidden in this temple to keep you alive through all of it.”
Gideon’s eyes met Achel’s as he gave her a rather peculiar look. It’s as if he knew just what she was hiding, and he wished for her to reveal it as the cultist’s attention had drifted away from her.
The pair of Zealot and Achel both froze. It was almost imperceptible, but Gideon could see a measure of hesitation now in the blade he was holding as it pressed against Achel’s neck. Achel, meanwhile, blinked, smiled innocently and then rolled her eyes with a drawn out sigh and a pout.
“Isn’t this supposed to be where the big hero saves the damsel in distress?” She’d retort jokingly.
“Y-you’re…lying. You wouldn’t-”
“Hmm, Well that’s not a chance I can personally take.” Achel reached up towards the blade at her throat. “So…I guess you want me to handle this, hm? But I don’t have anything to-”
“I’m calling your bluff, Raam!” Before Achel even had a moment to finish her words, the blade would immediately slice through her neck, sending her head tumbling down to the ground…yet…there was not a single drop of blood from Achel’s body. In fact, it was somehow, remaining standing and would proceed, to turn around, and grab the man by the throat.
“Well, that’s not entirely correct. I do have something I can do.” The man attempted to respond, but he’d find an almost invisible wire wrapping around his neck. Sharp, silken thread slowly, slowly, cutting into his skin. Somehow, Achel’s voice was coming from inside her torso now. “Like My body? I had it specially made by a friendly maid!” The man attempted to speak, but the wire was cutting more and more into his flesh as blood seeped from under the mask and robes, drenching the front of his robe in it. “I reeeallly don’t like being mean, but…if there’s one thing I don’t tolerate…”
snap
In the next instant, the mans head was sliced clean off, the body soon falling to the floor with a thud.
“Its those who defile the undead. Gideon? Be a dear and pass me my head, hm?”
The turn of events left Gideon at a loss for words. It was such an unbelievable scenario, yet it all made sense in the end. There was no immediate danger to the Gravekeeper’s life because her true form already sported adequate protection. It was a surprise for sure, but a welcome one.
Letting out an exasperated sigh as his sadistic facade was removed, Gideon made his way to Achel’s… severed head, picking it up and examining it with a fair bit of interest. Was her hair real or synthetic? Was her flesh leather or porcelain? The more Gideon pondered on the nature of Achel’s external body, the more he felt… unnerved. As if he had experienced something like this before.
“... Ah, My apologies. I did not mean to risk your life in such a way..” Gideon stated, bowing his head to Achel’s beheaded form. “If it were truly a gamble, I would not have taken the course of actions I chose… but I was curious. No matter how dire the situation had gotten, I did not once feel an iota of danger for your life. Even with that knife to your neck, I did not once fear for your life.”
Passing Achel’s head back to her, Gideon would stop just a few inches away from her grasp.
“... What are you, really, Gravekeeper? And why did you choose me, of all those in the village, for help?”
The gravekeepers head was…immaculately crafted. The skin seemed similar enough to pass for normal skin. The hair, seemed just as soft and silky as any hair…in fact, running his hand through it it seemed like it might indeed, actually be some sort of silk material. What he could tell though, was that under the fake skin was an immaculately crafted porcelain serving as a skeleton. Inside the head was a hollow space, though, big enough for a small creature to be able to climb into. Numerous strands of silk seemed to cross to various parts inside of the skull. Plucking on one would cause the mouth or eyes to move.
“Ehe, no need to apologize. Curiosity is healthy to have and it was amusing watching you forcing my own hand, hehe. Hmm, but to answer that question…” Achel’s body would grow still, arms outstretched seemingly ready to accept the return of her head. A few seconds later, from the neck of the puppet…a spider, about the size of ones palm would pop its body out of the hole. Its body was white, speckled with orange and covered in a few bits of fur here and there. “Hello dear, its me, Achel! Just a friendly little spider. I’m sure you’ve seen my bigger brothers and sisters if you’ve ever seen a caravan of ours.”
“... Ahh, I see. A clever use of Chiraltan silk, if I do say so myself.” Gideon applauded the craftsmanship of Achel’s guise. It was quite poetic, given the Sage’s knowledge of the nature of insects and their exoskeletons. “I am familiar with those born under Tythera’s stars, yet I can’t say I have met one of your stature, or skill with the weaving of silk.” Placing Achel’s head back in her arms, Gideon would bow his own once more.
“Still, you did not answer my second question. Why me? Even among the strangers of this village, why put your trust in a bulky and obtuse Raam to traverse these delicate crypts?”
“Ehe, lets just say I’m a special little spider even by our standards…” Achel responded, though there was an odd wistfulness to her voice as the spider in question would disappear back inside of the puppets body, its limbs accepting the head and bringing it back up to her neck.
“As for why I called out to you…hm…you know how my kind have a special connection with Ealdir and Tythera? All I can say is that…it felt right, you know?” She’d hold the head tight against her body, a few strands of silk attaching it firmly to her shoulders. Nothing too unusual about that. Chiralta were somewhat infamous for giving such cryptic and not exactly easy to logic out answers. “Mhm, a few repairs…should be easy, ahem. Also…well…A hollow soul such as yourself, perhaps I felt a bit of kinship, hehe…”
Gideon would be certain at least, he wasn’t getting the whole truth out of the spider, but she didn’t seem like she was going to answer much more unless pressed.
“... I see.” Gideon simply nodded, taking note of her comment revolving the nature of his soul. He pondered for a moment what this meant, but did not choose to press further. Instead, he looked back to their environment, specifically the slimes and the dead cultist.
“I presume we shall be returning the bodies to their proper resting places. As far as this mess goes, though, what should we do about it? Do you plan to bury this misguided soul among with the rest of the villagers?” Gideon asked, kicking at the beheaded body of the man. “And what of the slimes?”
The slimes in question had slithered away from Achel and Gideon both, taking shelter in the dark corners of the room.
“Hmm…I’ll take the dead back to the crypts. Its my job, after all to ensure these souls are guided to the afterlife.” The spider giggled softly, walking over to the cultist. Slowly, she’d pull off the mask from his head, frowning as his face was revealed. “...hm, don’t recognize him. Not part of the village? Or more of the illuminator’s tricks?”
Still, Achel would collect his head, turning back to smile at gideon.
“Hehe, doesn’t matter. Its my job, after all, to see souls where they go in death…especially those…of sinners.” A decidedly sinister giggle came from the spider as she’d pivot on her heels, grabbing Gideon by the shoulders and attempting to usher him out of the room. “The slimes seem mostly harmless so don’t mind them. I’ll clean everything up and take care of everything. Ta-ta now the crypts are no place for the living or undead unaffiliated.”
Gideon nodded in agreement with Achel, believing it best to leave everything to her for now. Still, he wondered about just what could be used here. While he wasn’t tempted to join the Cult of the Illuminator just yet, he still believed what was down here can be used for the good of the village.
“Let me help you clean this place up some time. I have to meet with the hunters not too long from now, but I believe we could convert even this part of the crypts into something that can be useful for the village. A place of research, perhaps, except this time not dedicated to a malefic deity… if I have your blessing, of course.
“As for the slimes, I believe they too can be put to use for the village. Making more of them is clearly out of the question, but if their mere existence isn’t antithetical to your duties, it could benefit us to have them serve a purpose instead of roam around aimlessly. And if I could study them more, I can figure out a way to stop more of the Illuminator’s followers from harming Dawn further.”
In any case, Gideon agreed that it was time to leave for now, although he made sure to grab the papers of research he had left and marked for himself in the study before ascending back to Dawn. He’d also make sure to help barricade the lower chambers where more of the crystals were growing, as well.
"Now now, no need to rush. There's plenty of time for the both of us, ehe...come back in a few days, mhm? Oh, and if you could keep my little secret a secret, that'd be wonderful, eheh~"
And with that, the two would head out of the old ruins, back through the main crypt, and back out through the chapel once more.
Lissa felt a bit surprised at her own temper, feeling herself grow uncharacteristically heated over a simple fight against an equally simple monster. Then again, she had seen witness to a town devasted and laid low by twin disasters, only to be beset once again by a third, and likely not final threat, all before its inhabitants had time to get back on their feet.
The karmic injustice of the matter tugged at her heartstrings, even as she wrangled with said overgrown lizard. She was thankful that it wasn’t actually overgrown, at least for its own species.
Because of her own little charge, she was in no position to dodge the monster’s chameleon tongue once again. This would have been a larger setback had it been full-size, or if she wasn’t actually a Raam, but even she was surprised when its pink tongue shot out, found purchase, tugged… and just barely made her stumble as she braced against it.
Well, well, well. That was a mistake she would be taking full advantage of.
With a flick of her wrist, she dug into its outstretched tongue with her blade to sever it. For a moment, she waited for the beast’s momentum to carry itself over to her before she finally moved, keeping in mind the movement of the hunter clambering onto it.
“Now!”
Once it was finally upon her, she drew herself low, so that the chameleon could almost pass above her, before she thrusted upwards with her sword, to tear into the beast from its vulnerable belly.
If she timed the move correctly, then her hunter friends would be delivering the coup de grace moments later. Not leaving things to chance, however, she made sure to quickly pop back up and pirouette on her feet once the creature passed, bringing her sword up once more incase the monster proved more resilient than she had calculated.
"Gah! That stupid fucking muscle head!" Vammy complained as she held onto the hostage and the dog. It wasn't really too much a struggle for her, thought the hostage bitch wasn't helping much in that regard. "And you calm the hell down!" She said to the woman as they started to near Dawn. Perhaps it was because she knew the area quite well, but it took her no time to make it back to town as she slid into town. "Ummm... Where to... I wonder if Lazhira's home... It'll be really hard for me to explain to anyone else why I have this woman, a dog and not the muscle brained dumbass I left with."
With that, she rushed right back home, hoping that her landlady would be home. As she arrived, she didn't exactly see the cutie, but she set the mutt carefully. "Oiii~ Lazhira! I'm home. Got us company." As she exclaimed that, she looked around for some rope and found it. Nice, sturdy and more than enough to bind a stupid cult lady. She tossed the woman on her back and hopped on top of her, pinning down the hostage's legs with her butt. Quickly, she tied up the woman's hands so she couldn't use them and then took some more and tied up her feet so she couldn't run. Nothing too difficult for such a powerful demon, after all. "Lazhira!? You home?"
As Nylah watched Haruno be undressed, the sheer extent of her wounds beyond what she'd been able to see made the Mothraki's bite her lip nervously as she worked to make the anesthetics and as many salves and healing potions as she could. Her hands would become sore just trying to grind some things down in the first place, not to mention the drain from pushing her magic so far and so fast to get back to the village. And yet her own ache felt somewhat secondary, the focus shifting to the injured oni on the table. Just what had happened to her? What events had sent her into a battle, against animals, and then running all the way to Dawn?
She had no clue, but she hoped to be able to ask the oni girl later at the very least. But for now? She had to keep working.
Wait, how many herbs had she just gone about crushing? No, wait, that was likely enough. Yes.
Ok, put them in the fresh water as the base. Good-
[coplor=tomato]"Ah!"[/color]
A small, quiet peep from the Mothraki came out as she nearly dropped the herbs she crushed so far.
No, don't fumble-fingers! Almost lost some of her ground up herbs Thanks the gods she hadn't been near the fire-
"When you set your mind to something, you need to focus. See what you are doing, but don't become blind. Control your breathing, and let your hands do the work."
...Yes. That was right. Just like mother had told her when practicing. Similar to what Miss Calra had told her when training in this in prior days. Don't let the other thoughts of what happened get to her. This was what she needed to do, and someone's life was on the line. Yes.
Breathe. Controlled. In. Out.
Get some of the crushed herbs mixed with the water, and get that water over the fire to boil into a broth. Remember how long it took to make a salve while the water is boiling over the fire. Get more of the crushed herbs she had and grind it into a paste without the water. Keep an eye on the fire, let the water turn the right color for the broth. Good.
Bit by bit, Nylah would make the medicine she best she could for Miss Calra. Indeed she seemed to gradually become more focused. Serious. Calm. Just like she was back in the woods trying to help Haruno stabilize to get back to the village again.
If she wanted to help her mother, if she wanted to make her better again, she had to do these things to her best ability. No matter what.
***Kyr Reed acted as a sort of coagulant as well as sedative. Made people calmer…not particularly useful for treating frostbite on its own, but it was useful for staunching bleeding or injuries. Could be crushed into a paste with a variety of other things to achieve various effects. Wind-Leaf acted as more of a stimulant. When properly mixed with Kyr Reed it made salves and healing poultices good for bolstering the immune system and promoting natural healing. Coral Moss and Slug mucus were a bit harder to find, since the slugs only could be found in shallow water during the day, with Coral Moss being found in damp sea caves off the coast near the Goddess Spear. Slug Mucus was good for making topical salves for alleviating pain, while Coral Moss, when exposed to certain other substances actually heated itself to temperatures good for gentle rewarming of frost-bitten areas.
***Making anesthetics and preparing healing potions and salves.
It’d be easy enough to prepare both of those things especially with the things she had on hand. Fresh water for a base, crush the ingredients, then boil it to a broth. Simple enough, they didn’t have time to refine it. The Salves could be made by taking the same ingredients and crushing them into a paste without the water. Better for topical use on flesh wounds.
***
***
-{Enthralling Dust} (Racial): Mothraki produce a potent pollen like dust upon their wings. Merely by existing they spread this where they go, though it's mostly harmless if not inhaled in large quantities. Causes hallucinations and dulls one's senses. As one may expect, people tend to frown upon this sort of thing.
-{Journeyman Light Magic}: A magic encompassing pure light and illumination, ranging from harmless orbs to light up one’s path all the way up to rays/beams of light as attacks to even light barriers and other light constructs such as swords and spears and shields and so forth. A versatile magic that does not call upon the fire of the sun, but does have its myriad uses and capabilities.
-{Novice Herbalist}: Non-magical practices of a healer, ranging from identifying or figuring out the use of new herbs and recognizing familiar ones, to making things like certain poultices and healing-based alchemy/potion-making, to how to handle wounds/injuries and such using these things.
-{Herbalist's Bag}: A simple leather bag with a well-built shoulder strap, that is filled with a good number of many types of herbs, a good amount of bandages, and finally tools to make tonics, poultices, and potions alongside a scare few pre-prepared ones that are within the bag itself. She usually wears it around most of the time.
-{Small Knife}: A gift from her mother, made with a smoothed-out bone handle and treated with certain oils, mainly used to help cut things like vines and plants when out collecting herbs and so forth. Also a very niche emergency self-defense tool.
-{Food}: A small pouch sitting on her opposite hip that contains a few strips of preserved game meat and a few dried edible herbs from the local area. Not much in amount, since it was meant to be snacks for heading into the woods to gather herbs before 'that' happened.
-{Wristband}: A simple little bracelet made of pretty stones dyed in various colors, carefully having had a hole made through each, sitting on a band made of twisted and treated leather strips. Worn on her left wrist and given as a gift to her by her mother. How long it took to acquire or even make is unknown.
-{Cuteness}: She is a definitely cute moth girl. This is inherent to her existence. Yes.
Thankfully for the demon, lazhira was indeed, home. She didn’t seem to have been home for long, as it looked like she had just started cooking.
“Vammy!” She’d greet the possessed elf with a friendly smile before it swiftly turned into a frown at seeing the woman she was carrying and Tallen. “...Vammy I know you have, uhm, urges, but kidnapping people is wrong okay? And oh gods, is that Tallen? What happened?!” Wanting to know a bit more about the situation before doing anything else, Lazhira would help Vammy tie up the still struggling woman, putting her in the houses store room and gagging her while she’d lay Tallen on the ground near the fireplace.
After making a few basic healing salves and putting them on the mutt, she’d listen to what happened. She was extremely concerned for Atzi, but there was very little she could do now, instead she’d make sure to tell Akando and the other hunters in person tomorrow if Atzi hadn’t come back by then.
As for what to do with their prisoner, Lazhira insisted they didn’t do anything yet and instead wait a few days. Not that Vammy had to listen to that, but Lazhira wouldn’t help her if she didn’t.
Heaviness and heat. Like a blanket put over her head, suffocating her with every breath. Pain thrummed with heart throb, her body questioning always what her mind told it to do. A being that could not die. That grew greater and greater mass with no limit. That could call for tricks of the mind to intimidate. A monster then, guided by the grace of an unkind god. That thing lurked within the Kyr Forest, seeking subjects to turn towards their perverted faith.
That thing then, would have to be handled. And if she was thinking of all this…then she had to still be alive, no?
Atzi opened her eye. A cavern, warmed by fire. She brought her hand towards her left eye, feeling for her eyepatch, only to realize, dumbly, that only a stump remained of it, bandaged up by rags. The left raised though, unsteadily. Pressed against the leather that remained. Good. It was still there. Just an arm. Better than expected. Praise the Gods that she lived still. Her gaze shifted towards the one that spoke up, her little savior.
…
“Maira!”
The pain didn’t matter, and wounds that reopened would reclose again. In that moment, after a day of sheer unadulterated bullshit, from Rimebeasts to cultists, Atzi could feel nothing but relief that through it all, the little huntress herself hadn’t turned into a one-armed corpse collapsed in the snow. She half-stumbled, half-crawled, and fully tackled Maira, remaining arm wrapping around her waist as Atzi pulled her into an embrace.
“Gods above, you’re alright! I was so worried! What even happened back in your cabin? Who was that?”
“Ahaha, Atzi! Atzi!” Maira responded with a lighthearted giggle as Atzi almost tackled her over. She’d help hold Atzi on her feet, hooking an arm under Atzi’s and pulling her into a hug. “You’re-going to crush me-” The huntress jovially teased her friend, pulling herself rather easily away from Atzi. “Now stop. You’re going to hurt yourself more.” She certainly wasn’t lying. Atzi’s entire body was begging her to stop. It was a wonder she was able to even move with the amount of blood loss and wounds she had. “I’ll tell you what I can, but really. Lay down or I’ll leave and you’ll be on your own. We don’t have a lot of time.”
That probably wasn’t an empty threat. Maira was certainly known to help hunters and other that had collapsed or gotten lost in the forest either by patching them up or leading them to the village, but she didn’t have patience for those that didn’t help themselves.
“Yeah,” Atzi said, both jubilation and adrenaline receding slightly as she realized that her friend was indeed healthy, whole, and real. “I’ll give it a break.”
With some care, she settled herself down against the stony rock, wincing as uneven points pressed against her back. Slouching forward would have been even worse though, so the one-eyed, one-armed woman tolerated the pain for now. Her right shoulder shifted back and forth, a phantom limb grasping for the contents of her pouch. Then it stopped. Whatever, she could think about the adjustments later.
“Tallen’s alright, if you were wondering. Vammy got him and one of the cultists out. Girl’s got some arms on her, for someone so skinny.” A pained chuckle sounded. “So, what’s the sitch?”
“Tch,” Maira cast a glare to the side of the cave at the mention of Vammy’s name. “Why’d that demon help me, now I owe it a favor…” She’d settle down next to Atzi, quickly shoving the thought out of her mind as she’d grab a cut of dried, salted jerky and held it out for Atzi to eat.
“Honestly…I don’t know…” Maira shook her head. “It started just as the blizzards started to die down…” The smaller woman would go on to explain what exactly had happened. She had been having weird things happening most of the blizzard. Tallen being on edge the entire time, flashing lights outside her house. Firewood being stolen - someone even breaking into her house while she was sleeping, but taking nothing and doing overall nothing up until the final day.
“Those mask wearing cultists tried to…kidnap me.” She’d frown. “They took Tallen, too. Managed to kill one of them and escape through the window but…I didn’t get too far in the blizzard before they had me surrounded. Brought me to some altar. No idea where, I didn’t recognize it. Kept me in a cell for a bit.” The huntress looked away from Atzi as she’d snuggle up next to her. “I managed to get myself out, though not before making off with something that looked important to them. Some sort of…crystalline sphere thing. I ran off and hid it somewhere, and now they’re after me.”
Atzi craned her head down slightly to bite the jerky, before pulling it in and chewing on it as she chewed on her thoughts as well. Cultist kidnappings reminded her of the disappearances in the village. Ones where no body was found, ones that had been presumed to be due to the Rimebeasts. But perhaps that was not the case. Perhaps…
The larger woman leaned into Maira as she snuggled closer, the two sharing warmth in the cavern that dripped with the dampness of melted snow. It must have been hard, being alone in the woods, pursued by madmen driven by obscure goals. Atzi was all the more happy for it, that the little huntress was fine then. Someone else could figure out the crystalline sphere deal.
For now though, she was content to nod along with the story that Maira told. “It’s good that you’re safe now though. Trust the little fairy of the forest to get out of situations that’d leave a big lug like me all mangled up.” She laughed at that, wondering how much of a lecture she’d have to endure from Achel after this. How long it’d take for her to adjust to having one less arm. How many years it would be before she could start working leather again. “But what’s the plan here then, Maira? We just make a break for the village?”
“Mhm, I don’t think I’d be safe in the village, Atzi…” Maira frowned, glancing towards the ground. “I don’t think most in the village are involved, but…I’m safer out here where I can well…trap. Plan. Ambush.” There was the snapping of a branch outside, Maira’s head immediately swiveling to the cave entrance.
“...and call it selfish but, I feel like if they get their hands on it it’ll be bad. Real bad.” Maira stood, walking over to the opposite side of the cave, gathering a leather pack full of what was likely supplies for her. “And I don’t want anything happening to anyone else in Dawn, and if they’re focused on me and this sphere, that’s less time they have to be focusing on…doing whatever else it is they’re doing.”
“Ok, but,” Atzi slapped her leg, where the arrow had gone through, as if to emphasize her injury…only to let out a long, pained hiss. “Ok, yeah, that was a bad idea. Fuck.” She shook her head. “Still, point is, Maira, I’ll still need your help to get back to Dawn. Not going to tell you to stay there, yeah? But, like…”
There was a part of her that didn’t like relying on the newcomers, but they were perhaps the best bet the village had in coming up with a solution versus psychotic cultists that didn’t die. “There were some new people who came in while you were gone. A huntress from Tamaln and a warrior-sage Raam. They’ve done good work around the village, y’know? And maybe, well, not telling you to stay or anything, but maybe they’d have a better idea of what’s going on, if you tell ‘em what you’ve seen and heard? Don’t think an arrow or two will stop squid-face over there, if ripping his head off didn’t.”
She bumped into Maira teasingly. Another bad idea, considering how her own body wanted to murder her for that, but this time Atzi was ready for the pain.
“And may as well see Tallen before you go ghost, right?”
Mira responded with silence as she’d watch Atzi try and move. Unreadable as ever, when she was lost in thought.
“...fine.” Maira eventually relented after a few brief moments. “I’ll help you back to the village...but I’ll only be staying a few days, and I’ll be doing it at your place. After that I’ll be heading back to the forest.”
That was good enough.
“Been a while since we’ve had a sleepover then,” Atzi laughed. “Hope you won’t mind the mess!”
“...the first thing I’ll be doing is cleaning and I don’t want any backtalk from the one-armed fool.” Maira retorted. “Come on. The sooner we can get back the better. The weather will probably be fine and I don’t want to be caught carrying dead weight out here.”
Harsh words aside, Maira never left Atzi’s side as she’d help the larger woman through the forest. It was dark, and perhaps questionable that Maira chose to travel at night but she seemed insistent that it was for the best, especially after that thing got something to ‘experiment’ with in the shape of Atzi’s arm. No doubt they would be occupied for a while. Especially if that demon ran off with one of their own.
No doubt they’d be either silencing said snitch soon, or making Vammy regret her life decisions even more.
As the beast charged, Lissa would find her blade meeting its mark. The blade cut into its tongue, a painful bellow as this time, it was completely severed. This did not stop its momentum though, for it was far too large and not agile enough to perform such quick maneuvers - and it seemed to hope it could crush Lissa with its impressive body weight. Undeterred, Lissa would strike upwards, the blade sinking right into the beasts soft underbelly. If not for her more sturdy build, the beast would most certainly easily had crushed her, yet, that didn’t happen.
The moment the blade sunk into its body, it’d topple over with a pitiful croak, blood spilling from the beasts wound and liberally coating Lissa as it’d roll over onto its side. The hunter that had been clamoring up its body managed to keep his footing, and with a swift spear thrust right where the beasts brain was…it’d stop twitching altogether.
The two archers lowered their bows, a little cheer coming from the three of them as the beast fell.
“Well, seems I need to thank you.” An unfamiliar fourth voice met Lissa’s ears as a huntress approached. Soyala, was her name she thought. “Luckily that was just an adolescent. Its scales hadn’t hardened yet and its poison isn’t quite as potent…still, taking one out isn’t a simple feat.” She’d walk over to the downed beast. “Well, this should help with the village food issue for awhile if we can preserve a lot of its meat. I’ll have Bolcha send someone out here to carve it up.”
The huntress was brief, and a bit curt as she’d not even ask for Lissa’s name before walking back off towards the village. Well, now that was over with, she was fairly free for the rest of the evening, but it was getting fairly late in the day now.
It was a tense, long, hour of attending to the Oni. Calra, though she was skilled in medicine, herbs, and pharmacological things, surgery and doctoring like this wasn’t quite what she was good at. Still, she was the best one in the village at it for now. Cut the Oni open. Remove the arrowheads. Stitch up the organs that were bleeding. It took nearly every bit of Calra’s focus to simply perform as needed.
And the bones? How was she even walking! Her arm had been bent completely out of shape and her ankle was completely crushed! Not to mention the several fractures to her upper leg and waist. With a liberal application of healing salves to ensure the Oni didn’t bleed out what little blood she had left, the spider would eventually, do everything she could.
She’d place the now stitched up Oni on a bed away from the other patients suffering from frostbite.
“...mhm, I’ve done everything I can. I’ll ask Akala for some divine intervention later.” Calra yawned, stretching her arms and body. “Ehe, I don’t give out compliments a lot, Nylah,” She’d lean over and pat the Mothraki on the head. “But just for now, You did well. Go home and get some rest, okay? We’ll just have to trust in Haruno that she’ll pull through.”
Indeed, the pair had ended up working until after nightfall…and it was likely time to end the day.
And so three days would pass in Dawn. Following successful hunts and regulating how much the village hunted, they village for now, was well off enough as far as food goes. Still, though Seelay was guarding the storehouse and she would encounter no one trying to pilfer any fish in the interim, the creature itself continued to make itself known on the frozen shores of the ocean. It seemed like it was getting progressively more violent, too - one of the fishermen had been pulled under by it.
Hopefully though, she could pull off this plan of hers without a hitch.
Maira would bring Atzi back to the village, much to the relief of everyone to see Atzi alive. Maira made a point of not telling everyone she was alive, electing to find her way to Atzi’s home during the night at some point. She did exactly what she said she was going to do, too, cleaning up Atzi’s place whether she wanted to or not.
Also cooking.
And making sure Atzi wasn’t over exerting herself with her new lack of an arm. After a checkup from Calra and Akala though, they both said she was entirely fine and the wound was healing fine. Didn’t stop Maira from fussing over Atzi slightly, though. Achel was doubly concerned for her too, though in her usual ways of informing her to value her life more. She offered to make Atzi a new hand. Of the skeletal kind. She didn't sound like she was joking.
Haruno hadn’t woken for the few days, though after the day had passed the color had returned to her face and her breathing was far more regular. Calra made a point to find and thank Lissa for her assistance as well, and that the herbs the two of them gathered would certainly be worth the headache. The spider also made Nylah work much harder, and the Mothraki would find herself incredibly busy in the past few days. Collecting herbs, stocking up on salves.
Lazhira and Vammy would spend their time taking care of Tallen and also dealing with their new guest, who was proving to be quite resistant to interrogating and was doing her best impression of a rock. Lazhira had for now, prevented Vammy from doing anything to her, but it was becoming increasingly obvious they should probably think about something else, since she also had yet to tell anyone else about their…friend.
Gideon would for the most part find himself being watched by a certain little spider constantly, with Akando asking him for assistance with a hunt again over the few days. Also helping to help forage for edibles and supplies from the forest for later use - mostly consisting of berries and the occasional fruit bearing tree.
And so, another day would rise in Dawn, and as usual Enli would start the day by calling the villagers to the church.
“I want to thank everyone for their hard work these past few days.” He’d begin simply. “As it stands, we have plenty of food for the next few weeks and Bolcha has informed me that we have a decent amount of wood to be used for fire and construction. With any luck we’ll be using it to rebuild some of the houses damaged by the blizzard and the Rimebeast. That monster stealing our fish and hurting our fishermen is still out there, but I’ve been assured it will be taken care of today.”
“Aye, the little miss Elf helping us has come up with a pretty good plan.”
“Just be careful with the harpoons.” Asvar grunted from the side. “Still runnin’ short on iron and any I’ve got is going to help repairs. I’ve been having Raezleth look into that vein I mentioned with her Stone-singing but we’re having trouble findin’ it.” He’d glance around for a moment. “...speakin’ of, looks like she’s run off again. If anyone sees her, give her a good talkin’ too will you?”
“What about Mie? Any sign of her?”
“Nylah and Lissa found Haruno gravely wounded a few days ago.” Enli responded with a frown. “She’s been in a coma since then, but judging from her wounds-”
“I can speak for myself, Chief, thank you.” Opening the door to the cathedral and brusquely walking past some gathered residents, was a still injured Haruno. Her body was still covered in bandages and it looked like Calra had been in the middle of replacing them when she had got up and walked off.
The spider in question was not far behind her, a none to pleased expression on her face though she seemed fine with letting Haruno be up and about.
“Apologies for my rather sorry state, but you have my gratitude for looking after me.” Despite being a bit unsteady on her feet and breathing heavily the Oni seemed just as formal and polite as she ever was, bowing deeply to those present. “Mhm, I’ll get straight to the point since Miss Calra is exercising great restraint at the moment. We were attacked by the Yaga and Krysa - urk-cough-” The oni began, though was soon interrupted by a fit of coughing.
“Yes yes, sit sit. Let me finish bandaging you. Drink this.” Calra would pull Haruno onto one of the pews. “And let me do the talking.” She’d turn towards those gathered. “Mie was attacked by the Yaga and Krysa in the northern snowfields Haruno barely managed to break their siege out of Mie’s camp and was hoping to receive some assistance from us...”
“Apologies for imposing, it does not look like Dawn is in any shape to help…” The Oni lamented, leaning on Calra.
“You hush. Rest. I’ll let you lay on my abdomen if you be a good patient~”
“That is…not good.” Enli frowned. “Mie’s goods would be a great help now…though that still leaves the issue of not having too terribly much to trade with at the moment as well…I’ll talk with the hunters and other residents. I don’t know if we can help much without knowing more of the situation, though.” Haruno didn’t respond with anything other than a nod.
Well, that was certainly something.
“Oh…and before everyone starts their day, Achel informed me the crypts are currently off limits to everyone but Akala and myself.” There were a few questioning cries from those gathered. “I understand your concern, but Achel likely has her reasons. If there is nothing else, Akala and I shall be in the back. I have something to discuss with her personally.”
The priestess had been present the entire meeting and gave a friendly wave to those gathered.
Lazhira was currently standing off to the side, seemingly contemplating something herself.
Of course, you didn't have to be attending this meeting at all if you didn't wish to be. There are plenty of other things to do in Dawn, or to have already started on for the day if you already had something you wished to do...but you may miss out on certain information.
Maira of course, was nowhere to be seen. She was holed up in Atzi's house keeping a low profile, likely not to stay for more than another day or two if Atzi wanted to bring someone to speak with her.
The moon goddess is watching a rat, a fox, and a hound chase each other in circles. Current location: Dawn Time: Morning Potential Events:
Asvar has mentioned a lack of Ore and that he might know where more are. Apparently Raelzeth is having trouble locating it with her stone-singing.
The fish problem remains as of yet solved.
Apparently Mie was attacked by the Yaga and Krysa and is held up somewhere in the Northern Snowfields.
Enli mentioned not having enough coins or goods to barter with the merchant Mie, if she comes. Perhaps he himself have some ideas on this.
The Crypts are off limits. Did something happen?
What could Enli and Akala be discussing?
There could be a way to start diversifying Dawn’s food options aside from its usual fish, berry, and forest animal diet.
Perhaps there's something you, personally, feel that needs to be done?
The past few days, well, were busy. Busy getting caught out and chewed out by Maira, of course. Though there was the ever-looming danger of the cult, it was honestly hard for Atzi to really be all that concerned about her missing arm. It was, after all, just an arm, an arm belonging to just a human. What were they going to do? Cure it and eat it? Boil it in a soup? Pin it up to a wall as a trophy, as a warning to others? Maybe it would have been spooky if they had taken Vammy’s arm, but if it was just big ol’ Atzi?
There were other things to worry about…or praise! Plenty of food to eat and wood to heat, as well as that terrible waterbeast about to meet its demise (and provide even more meat) was all great news to have. Though Mie’s situation looked to be dangerous, Atzi was unfortunately not in any real state to go help. She was pretty sure she could beat up some of the Yagas with just one fist alone, of course, but considering how Achel lectured her after her return…
Yeah, she would either get cocooned by the Chilralta or shot in the legs (again!) by Maira. And well, even if she didn’t have a clue what those cultists were doing, she wasn’t exactly going to keep mum about it either. Rising up from her seat at the church, the muscular woman let out a slight wince as her knees protested from the effort. She swayed to one side still, not totally comfortable yet with the whole ‘lacking her dominant arm’ deal, but those were irrelevant too. Others had lost their lives or their wives, their kids, their homes.
An arm, when her dearest friends were still alive, was a cheap price to pay considering the situation she had found herself in.
“Enli!” Atzi called out, then turning towards the Raam there as well. “And Gideon too! Help a girl out, would ya? Got a buncha stuff in my house that, well, can’t really do anything about right now, so uh, yup!”
She motioned for them to come after her. The Raam made sense, considering the whole ‘steel body, tough guy’ deal, but Enli? There were a couple of weird looks from the others, and Atzi quickly stacked on another lie.
“And yeah, Enli, it’s like, y’know? If there’s anything that could be reused for village stuff, check em out! Just doing some cleaning and…”
The woman continued to blabber on as she half-dragged the elder and the sage to her little home, gradually bringing them further away from the rest of the populace.
“...and basically there’s a cult lead by this guy who didn’t die even after I ripped off his head with my feet and then he took my arm and apparently kidnapped Maira too but now here she is to explain the story properly. And have you heard of magical stones used for rituals before?”
It had been an eventful few days for the demon elf. Well, not as eventful as it had been for everyone else, probably. She did her best of making herself useful. By useful, one would of course mean staying out of everyone else's way. She mostly did stuff Lazhira in taking care of their two new pets. One was a lot more cooperative than the other of course, but that one was an injured dog so there wasn't much surprise there. The uncooperative one was starting to wear on her. Really. Why wouldn't she just fess up information? Or anything, really. She was like a stone. Vammy was fully ready to notch the torture up a few degrees but Lazhira wasn't letting her. A shame, really.
Still, that was fine for now. No odd force had come to the village and assaulted her or kidnapped the chick yet. She had talked with Atzi and Maira... And it was kinda gross. That woman? Thanking her for saving the dog? Yuck. It felt gross. Well, like, felt like she won some non-existent war, but still. She'd feel almost better if the woman had shot a half dozen arrows at her.
Now? Lazhira went ahead of her to the town meeting for the day. She was gonna show up at the last minute again. No need to stand around and let all the villagers stare at her and wonder if she was gonna eat their hearts or something. Instead, she'd make herself a bit productive. She scratched the dog behind the ears a small bit before standing up. "Damn fuzzy mutt." She mentioned before opening the door to where the prisoner was. She was about relatively in the same spot as before, laying there in some sort. "So, you need food? Water?" Nothing. "Guess not."
Vammy used her leg to roll the cultist over before kneeling down to pat the woman's butt a bit. Perhaps a little more, but that was besides the point, really. "Now, if only you'd lighten up a bit, be less dedicated to this illuminaughty thing and talked a bit... I wouldn't have to do this." So, she grabbed one of the cultist's feet, took off any footwear... And started to tickle her with her rather long nails. There was really nothing of note. No noise, though she seemed to be holding back her facial expressions. That was a good sign at least. But... She needed to get going. "Welp, that's that." She dropped the woman's foot and left the room, closing the door behind her. "Alright, dog. If she leaves that room somehow... Just knock her down and sit on her or something. I think you can handle her." Unsure if the dog even understood, she left for the town meeting.
The demon made it there swiftly just as it began and took her spot standing next to Lazhira. "I'm here, Lazhie~" She cooed in her friend's ear. As the conversation went on, she slowly slipped her hand around Lazhira's waist and listened. Occasionally, she would lower her hand trying to get a grab at her friend's butt. Every time she went, her hand was slapped away or moved away until the very end of the meeting when she quickly moved to give her a little smack. "Hehe~ Gotcha." She teased, moving away a small bit. "Haaa... Lots of crazy things happening and the thing I still can't believe is Muscles over there only missing an arm. I for one am shocked." She seemed unnecessarily happy despite everything said being anything but. "So, what's on your mind, Lazhie? You've seemed rather distracted. And not by me."
A pat on the head from Miss Calra. It brought a small flush to the Mothraki's face at the tie, as in all honesty Nylah hadn't expected it as she had gone about trying to help clean up in the aftermath. Blood soaked up from the floor and table, gathering used cloth to wash the next day, putting up the unused herbs and taking care of the fire, but nothing she felt would get her such accolades. Well, something a simple as a pat on the head and a 'good job' anywho. She'd just been doing her own job to save a life, and it had been Miss Calra herself to really do the major work. All she'd done was support, which was something she was glad to have been able to do at the very least.
Yet her teacher seemed to be in good spirits, and it was enough to ultimately put a small smile of gratitude on Nylah's face at the time.
Simply to watch Calra work had been something she'd admittedly done a lot more of than she'd expected, all as she'd primarily gone about making the potions and poultices and such things to provide as best as she could. Stitches. Bone setting. The exposed muscles and tissues and any kind of organs that could be seen from where the Mothraki had worked. Like she couldn't totally look away...or perhaps didn't want to. She wanted to learn more, and this in part was true for why she'd been looking, but likewise she'd felt like keeping an eye on the injured oni still too. Out of habit. Instinct. Care. Haruno had been her patient to stabilize and get here, and it was a miracle she'd been able to.
It had made her think back to those days she'd been first learning all of this, and the first sight of blood and viscera of even some small kind. She'd nearly fainted on the spot! But she'd gotten better. And better. And better at seeing it and working around it at least. Learning to focus when it came into the picture, and to keep her mind on the tasks. Or, well, perhaps in reality 'numbed' was the particular word that described her adjustment process thus far into her learning. Desensitized, but not ignorant or uncaring by any means. If that made any lick of sense.
Safe to say she'd been happy to head home, the caress of the moonlight on her skin a reminder of the peculiar situation she had with the moon goddess herself. She could see this display and these things, and even a tiny goddess she could interact with in her head! It was crazy, like madness, and yet it was real and something she only knew about her own situation of having to deal with. Were there others? She had no idea. Yet was that not fitting in the end somehow? A mystery, shrouded in moonlight in that little regard when it came to the whole span of things.
Whatever was to come, she had gotten home as soon as she could to finish caring for her mother. Sleep was good, but to reduce the fever and such using a small humble bit of the leftover herbs was mandatory in her mind. Ensure a cool cloth was nearby. Make sure she was as comfortable as possible. Wait until she fell asleep before Nylah herself went to bed. In short, the nightly ritual ever since mother had fallen ill.
One more day. Please. Keep hanging on until she...until she could find the solution for this. For this illness. For all of this stupid mess!
This was the only parent she had ever known, for better or for worse, and she loved her dearly. She didn't want to lose her, nor would trade her for that matter, for anything in this world that she could imagine or dream of.
...
...
...
Wood. Food. Enough to get them through the next few weeks at least. And a plan to take care of the fishing issue? Perhaps that would even more so help the food matter, though at least that giant chameleon hadn't been a waste of an experience after all. Maybe.
Even though seeing the meat-removed remains the next day had left the Mothraki feeling uneasy anywhere near the tongue of the thing. Felt like it was going to shoot out and eat a moth salad at any second! But she'd wanted to collect some poison from it in a few vials to keep with her, and that was what she'd gone out to do the next day after getting up especially early.
Not a pretty sight to watch it get butchered, but she'd seen that sort of things before with her mother.
And beyond taking care of her mother, and heading over each day to check in on and try to help Haruno, she'd tried some lesser excursions to replenish her own herb and poultice and potion supplies. She'd given all she'd had at first to Miss Carla, but with time and some patience she'd at least been able to get a personal stock back up. Just barely enough though.
But today? She had an idea, but first...
'BONK'
The light hammer of justice would come down toward Vammy's head from behind once more, sound and fury erupting from the silence as it brought a hopeful end to the waist grab. It had become a habit of trying to improve sneaking up on the strange girl in service of saving Lazhira. Almost like a game, even if Nylah herself did not find it openly funny.
"Give her room the breathe, you lecher!"
With a simple but visible 'humph', the Mothraki would look to her childhood friend with a smiling face despite the small amount of concern easily read in Nylah's eyes otherwise. She would gently take the other girl's hands into her own for a moment.
"Don't listen to her, Lazhira. If anything is troubling you, we can talk later if you'd like! Same spot we used to go, like always."
Nylah spoke as reassuringly as she could, if nothing else.
She couldn't just let a friend look troubled and not offer help, not when she seemed so concerned over something or troubled. She could tell after all these years when Lazhira had something on her mind well enough. But she didn't want to force herself either. Whatever the case would be though, whether she would get a response or not, the Mothraki would eventually bid Lazhira a friendly 'farewell' before heading to her next target. She had serious business, and it was not going to be easy to say perhaps.
Not that she'd get to talk to Enli before he seemed to get dragged off by Atzi. The same Atzi she'd shouted at after seeing her with only one arm now! What in the world had happened?! She had no idea, and any chances to talk in-between had been taken up with so many things going on in general. It was frustrating, to sum it up in one word. But watching the dragging-away did make her stop and raise an eyebrow to say the very least.
Nylah would keep an eye out for Lissa, though ultimately would head on over to where Haruno and Calra were before standing next to them. Her eyes glanced again over the bandages and other wounded parts she could see of the oni, carefully so, her brows furrowing for a moment before she spoke:
"I know Miss Calra is helping you as well, but...please, please be careful."
She tried to put a hand on the oni's shoulder for a moment, touch as worried as her face was notably concerned. Even so, Nylah did hesitate for a moment. Like she was trying to formulate words in her head, but was afraid to say it. The right words? No idea if they would be that. But she had something she wanted to ask regardless. That much was visible and apparent about her as well.
"I want to ask you something, but if you don't wish to tell me then I will respect this. I do not wish to bring up anything you are not comfortable with.
However....could you tell me anything about the situation at Mie's camp when you left? Injured persons, supplies, umm, if the Yaga and Krysa said anything useful. Anything that might help give us more of an idea in detail."
Anything that could make a potential rescue that much more viable. How long they might last, how bad the pressure from the attackers was, how much medicine might be needed to help the wounded. Things like that. It was a desperate stab into the dark, but if they could learn something, anything useful at all, maybe it would create an opening to help somehow.
She'd already thought about bottling containers of her own scale dust, but trying something alone would not be a good plan either. Lissa she knew had been out to help with her before, but even then after the incident with the chameleon...ugh. She was trying to think of something. Anything to help after something else had gotten her thinking.
The moon goddess is watching a rat, a fox, and a hound chase each other in circles.
If all else failed, all she'd have left to try to do alone would be talking to Akala and seeing what a magic user like herself could do.
Things were going on beyond this, she could tell. So much to do, so little time, and she was only one person. The best she had was light magic and herbalism on her side, among any other things she could try to learn maybe to help the village. Even Lazhira seemed troubled, one of her best friends, and she wasn't sure if she could do anything to help.
But focus on the next task. Get the next thing done. Yes. This would work, as it was all she could do somewhat.
@Rune_Alchemist (And @ERode secondarily just because of a small Atzi mention in the post)
-Herbs/Herbalism Knowledge:
***Kyr Reed acted as a sort of coagulant as well as sedative. Made people calmer…not particularly useful for treating frostbite on its own, but it was useful for staunching bleeding or injuries. Could be crushed into a paste with a variety of other things to achieve various effects. Wind-Leaf acted as more of a stimulant. When properly mixed with Kyr Reed it made salves and healing poultices good for bolstering the immune system and promoting natural healing. Coral Moss and Slug mucus were a bit harder to find, since the slugs only could be found in shallow water during the day, with Coral Moss being found in damp sea caves off the coast near the Goddess Spear. Slug Mucus was good for making topical salves for alleviating pain, while Coral Moss, when exposed to certain other substances actually heated itself to temperatures good for gentle rewarming of frost-bitten areas.
***Making anesthetics and preparing healing potions and salves.
It’d be easy enough to prepare both of those things especially with the things she had on hand. Fresh water for a base, crush the ingredients, then boil it to a broth. Simple enough, they didn’t have time to refine it. The Salves could be made by taking the same ingredients and crushing them into a paste without the water. Better for topical use on flesh wounds.
***
***
-{Enthralling Dust} (Racial): Mothraki produce a potent pollen like dust upon their wings. Merely by existing they spread this where they go, though it's mostly harmless if not inhaled in large quantities. Causes hallucinations and dulls one's senses. As one may expect, people tend to frown upon this sort of thing.
-{Journeyman Light Magic}: A magic encompassing pure light and illumination, ranging from harmless orbs to light up one’s path all the way up to rays/beams of light as attacks to even light barriers and other light constructs such as swords and spears and shields and so forth. A versatile magic that does not call upon the fire of the sun, but does have its myriad uses and capabilities.
-{Novice Herbalist}: Non-magical practices of a healer, ranging from identifying or figuring out the use of new herbs and recognizing familiar ones, to making things like certain poultices and healing-based alchemy/potion-making, to how to handle wounds/injuries and such using these things.
-{Herbalist's Bag}: A simple leather bag with a well-built shoulder strap, that is filled with a good number of many types of herbs, a good amount of bandages, and finally tools to make tonics, poultices, and potions alongside a scare few pre-prepared ones that are within the bag itself. She usually wears it around most of the time.
-{Small Knife}: A gift from her mother, made with a smoothed-out bone handle and treated with certain oils, mainly used to help cut things like vines and plants when out collecting herbs and so forth. Also a very niche emergency self-defense tool.
-{Food}: A small pouch sitting on her opposite hip that contains a few strips of preserved game meat and a few dried edible herbs from the local area. Not much in amount, since it was meant to be snacks for heading into the woods to gather herbs before 'that' happened.
-{Wristband}: A simple little bracelet made of pretty stones dyed in various colors, carefully having had a hole made through each, sitting on a band made of twisted and treated leather strips. Worn on her left wrist and given as a gift to her by her mother. How long it took to acquire or even make is unknown.
-{Cuteness}: She is a definitely cute moth girl. This is inherent to her existence. Yes.
The defeat of the overgrown lizard was a bit anticlimactic, all things considered, but in an ideal world, such a thing should be. Lissa was a lot more relieved that the entire fight had gone on with no casualties, and the thing provided food for the village, which was about the best outcome that anybody could ask for, even if Lissa still need to have some words with the Mothraki girl about her fight or flight responses.
At least with that over, Lissa was able to check up on the injured Oni girl, and overall, relax from a job mostly well done. As it happened, it seemed the girl would survive, but more concerningly, there had been other adventures going on about the village while she and Nylah had their own. It seemed there had been some incident on the other side of the village. Lissa had to look into it further, but it seemed there had been some deaths according the rumor mill. Mostly, though, Lissa simply helped out with odds and ends for the past few days, occasionally popping in to see how the injured were fairing.
It was only until Enli called another gathering did things become interesting again, and not really in a good way, as the injured Haruno more or less staggered into the meeting, delivering concerning news. The other happenings in the village were also troublesome, but Lissa immediately focused on what had happened to Haruno, and by extension, Mie. She had been hoping to engage with the merchant on behalf of the village, using some of her own skills and funds to help with their rebuilding, but with said merchant and her caravan stuck in the snow and potentially besieged, those plans were out the window.
Rather, Mie herself needed help, and from Haruno’s tale, her situation seemed dire.
Lissa was of a mind to volunteer to go look for the merchant herself, nodding in agreement at Nylah as she asked her questions. “I think… it would be mutually beneficial if Mie made it here. If her situation is as bad as it sounds, I would be willing to join any expeditions to help, however small it may be. It would leave a bad taste in my mouth if we just ignored their plight, regardless.”
It was another day in Dawn. Another day of hard work managing the village's food supplies and ensuring they weren't overstepping their boundaries in any way. Another day of research, piecing together the small bits of information he had gathered from his dungeon delving. And another day of study, having properly taken some soil samples of the nearby wilderness. With a bit more time, Gideon should be able to prepare an almanac detailing all the flora and fauna of Dawn within detail. Perhaps this could even be used to figure out a more renewable food source in this harsh, cold land.
Of course, improving on Dawn's logistics was not the only thing Gideon was busy with. He was hard at work with the spear as well, training and drilling himself on the many spear techniques of his people. There were threats about, both outside Dawn's borders and from within. Gideon needed to practice his techniques, improve upon them so that he could potentially teach the hunters of Dawn how to handle these threats more efficiently. Thoughts of a proper militia had come to his mind within the past few days. The Sage of Steel just waited for the village to stabilize until he brought the suggestion up.
There were a few things that interested Gideon in particular during the town meeting, particularly the attacks made by the Krysa and Yaga. While the time spent with both groups had been varying degrees of strange, especially in regards to the Yaga, Gideon felt like something was off with such an attack. Either Mie carried something of spiritual significance to either party, or the people of Svyataya Zemlya are under some strange influence. It was something he wished to look into, although his... experiences with the Yaga had caused Gideon to stay his hand in mentioning anything. After all, he did not want to interject with a potential accusation against a merchant like Mie, who would have things the village would desperately need. Not without evidence, at least.
In any case, it seemed Gideon would be preoccupied with other matters, especially as he was dragged off by a mountain of a woman along with Enli.
"I-I'm a mere scholar! I'm sure one of the other laborers can help you with what you need!" The Raam protested, on deaf ears. Once again, he was plagued with the burden that was his formidable physiology.
Of course, when Atzi had told her tale, Gideon seemed to be a bit more cooperative. He had a similar encounter with a cultist, although it possibly wasn't one as deadly as craftswoman's. At least, he didn't seem to believe so. After all, the cultist he had fought did seem to die after his head came off... and dealing with the slimes posed no risk to Gideon's extremities. He wondered, if only for a moment, just what Achel was doing in the crypt now that it was cleared, and why she chose to close it off.
"Magical... stones, you said?" Gideon rose an eyebrow. He had an idea of just what Atzi might be referring to, but he held his tongue. "Well, there are a few different sorts of minerals that can be used to aid in various rituals. I've not looked too much into magic given my people's incapability of practicing the mystic arts, but I'm sure I can narrow it down if you described them a bit better." Of course, given how integrated the cultists were in this town, Gideon was hesitant to reveal all he knew, even in the privacy of Atzi's abode. He also feigned ignorance in order to to draw as much information about these crystals from the others as possible. After all, he did not want what he hypothesized to muddle any information given by the others.
“Weh!” Lazhira responded with a small shout of surprise, not having felt or noticed Vammy approaching. She’d shoot the demon a glare, before shaking her head with a giggle. “Only thinking about how I’m gonna dunk you in holy water…though knowing you, you’d enjoy it.” She’d respond with a small huff, not saying anything once more as she noticed Nylah approaching again.
She couldn’t help but to laugh as the hammer was swiftly brought down on Vammy’s head.
“Hehe, thanks Nylah…its fine, just thinking about some things…but maybe we can talk later, sure.” She’d turn her attention back to Vammy. “So what are you up to aside from being a menace as usual?” She’d scoot a bit closer to speak lower. “...is our friend talking yet? I might…have ideas if she’s not, but I might have to uh, call in a favor from someone I’d really rather not speak to.” She rubbed the back of her right hand nervously.
“Ah? Does this welp not trust us? You should be more assertive on our prisoner friend, Vammy…or let me pilot this body for a bit and show you how to make a prisoner squeal like a bird.”
The moon goddess seems to be thinking... Current location: Dawn Time: Morning Potential Events:
Asvar has mentioned a lack of Ore and that he might know where more are. Apparently Raelzeth is having trouble locating it with her stone-singing.
The fish problem remains as of yet solved.
Apparently Mie was attacked by the Yaga and Krysa and is held up somewhere in the Northern Snowfields.
Enli mentioned not having enough coins or goods to barter with the merchant Mie, if she comes. Perhaps he himself have some ideas on this.
The Crypts are off limits. Did something happen?
There could be a way to start diversifying Dawn’s food options aside from its usual fish, berry, and forest animal diet.
Perhaps there's something you, personally, feel that needs to be done?
“...you’re…Nylah? Calra’s apprentice right?” Haruno responded with a wince. “And I don’t believe we’ve met.” She’d offer Lissa a small smile.
“Keep it short you two.” Calra interjected a bit quickly. “She needs more rest.”
“It’s fine…If they’re helping I need to give them as much information as I-cough-ugh-can…” Haruno slumped slightly in the pew, breathing becoming a bit heavy as Calra would tap one of her feet irritably and make Haruno instead lay down on the seat she was on.
“We were following our usual route on our way to Dawn. You know how the northern fields just…end? A huge cliff that just drops off for a long ways? Well, we had just made our way up the pass that connects the base of the cliff with the top of it when we were ambushed by the Krysa and Yaga.” She took a few seconds to steady her breathing. “We managed to retreat a bit further up into a small valley, but its a dead end. We put up our defenses and dug ourselves in after an initial clash. They seem to be…ha…trying to starve us to death. Those…rat…cowards and filthy mongrels I’ll kill every single one of-ghhhk-ack-cough-ha…”
Calra forced the Oni to drink something from one of her vials.
“Oni…are tough, and we were well supplied. Casualties weren’t too severe, but…it took a small team of five of us to try and break through their siege…I was…the only one who made it. We’ve had a good relationship with them until now, so I…I don’t know why…I asked Lady Mie and she simply said that the Krysa were being unreasonable.”
The moon goddess is watching a rat, a fox, and a hound chase each other in circles.. Current location: Dawn Time: Morning Potential Events:
Asvar has mentioned a lack of Ore and that he might know where more are. Apparently Raelzeth is having trouble locating it with her stone-singing.
The fish problem remains as of yet solved.
Apparently Mie was attacked by the Yaga and Krysa and is held up somewhere in the Northern Snowfields.
Enli mentioned not having enough coins or goods to barter with the merchant Mie, if she comes. Perhaps he himself have some ideas on this.
The Crypts are off limits. Did something happen?
There could be a way to start diversifying Dawn’s food options aside from its usual fish, berry, and forest animal diet.
Perhaps there's something you, personally, feel that needs to be done?
“A-atzi? I really need to speak with Akala…!” Enli replied, a bit forcefully as he was dragged away from the much stronger youth. “It’s very important!”
“...Mhm, don’t worry about it, Enli.” Akala replied giving a sleepy wave. “We can talk later. I need to speak with Achel anyways…”
“R-right then…well…” Needless to say, he was questioning why Atzi needed him of all people to help move boxes and cleaning. He might have been the elder and oversaw the day to day and general direction of the village and gave orders, but when it came to craftsman stuff he was no expert.
He’d follow along Atzi quietly, giving a polite nod and a friendly greeting to Gideon.
“...Maira?”
“...Enli.”
“Oh thank the goddess you're alive!” Upon entering Atzi’s abode, he was greeted by the friendly sight of Maira’s face. The elder quickly ran over, making sure what he was seeing was in fact, real as Atzi went on to explain what had happened. He visibly paled as she spoke, the gentle hug he had been giving the younger woman losing its grip as he’d bring a hand to hold the middle of his forehead.
“Now of all times our past has to come back to haunt us.” Enli sighed, speaking in a hushed tone. “Maira, Atzi, I’m sure you’re aware in the past that Dawn was once a place where most of the inhabitants worshiped the Illuminator - Iva’Krorh, the God of Knowledge. It was during my grandfathers time, not to long ago really.” He’d begin, keeping his voice low and glancing towards any windows that Atzi might have had in her home. “...but Maira, tell me what happened first.”
“...Mhm.” With a simple nod, Maira would recount to Enli and Gideon the events of what happened during the tail end of the blizzard. The breaking and entering into her home, the cultists attempting to kidnap her. Her barely managing to escape, followed by being caught. Tallen getting separated, her being brought to some old ruin or church place and tossed in a cell. Her escaping said cell, stealing an orb and then hiding it somewhere followed by hiding out in the forest.
“Haaa, its just one thing after the other…Gideon,” He’d turn to the Raam. “Nothing we say leaves this room, understand? We can’t be certain who we can trust at the moment. Not Achel, Akala, Akando, Soyala - anyone.” Assuming there was a mutual understanding here, Enli would begin.
“I was just a boy barely old enough to walk at the time, but during my grandfathers time, the village worshiped the Illuminator primarily, alongside Delpithi and Rifelshka. That’s who that church was originally dedicated too, even. During my grandfather's tenure as chief, an…unfortunate event happened. The leader of the church went…too far, in his research and study of the Moonless Era. He stumbled upon something sealed here, beneath Dawn. He tried to use the influence of the church and the Illuminator to unseal it. Had it not been for the fortune of a group of travelers having aided us, he likely would have succeeded. After that anyone who continued to worship the Illuminator was thrown out of the village.” He sighed. “The stone you mentioned are likely one of the key’s to this seal. There are two in fact. It's one of the reasons that he didn’t succeed - he could never find the second one.”
He fell silent, feeling it was a good time for others to ask their questions and let the information sink in.
“I don’t know what this…thing is you mentioned, Atzi. But if it truly is something as you described then it is likely some sort of sick or twisted experiment made by this cult.”
The moon goddess laughs…her hair briefly turns into tentacles. That was just a trick of the light, right? Right. Current location: Dawn Time: Morning Potential Events:
Asvar has mentioned a lack of Ore and that he might know where more are. Apparently Raelzeth is having trouble locating it with her stone-singing.
The fish problem remains as of yet solved.
Apparently Mie was attacked by the Yaga and Krysa and is held up somewhere in the Northern Snowfields.
Enli mentioned not having enough coins or goods to barter with the merchant Mie, if she comes. Perhaps he himself have some ideas on this.
The Crypts are off limits. Did something happen?
There could be a way to start diversifying Dawn’s food options aside from its usual fish, berry, and forest animal diet.
Perhaps there's something you, personally, feel that needs to be done?
While some had been sleeping in the village, preparing for the next day, the fishermen and Seelay had decided to wake early, getting an early start on their endeavor to hunt this beast that had been pilfering their food. No better time to get started, really. Soyala had elected to put herself on this mission too, wanting to assist for whatever reason. The place the fishermen had chosen was a small alcove some distance out into the sea. The water was fairly deep, and the cliffs created a half circle around the beach. A perfect place to ambush something.
The hunters had positioned themselves along the shoreline, hiding amidst the rocks and snow after dumping the bait near the shoreline where the water was shallow enough for one to walk in.
Now all they had to do was wait for the beast in question to show up.
It would take a few hours, but eventually they would see the water out at the shoreline ripple. Something was moving fast towards the shoreline! The hunters would immediately stand at alert, while one near Seelay would grip the harpoon in his hands tightly. He’d pass her one and prepare themselves to ambush it the moment it’d pull itself on land. A few lights could be seen under the water as the creature moved. As it approached the shoreline, the hunters would tense…and then nothing.
The hunters collectively held their breath, tension filling the frigid morning air.
And then then there was a cacophonous crashing noise, the tension breaking in a thunderous cracking of ice as a figure crashed through the surface of the ice.
It was…humanoid? Vaguely so, but standing nearly fourteen feet tall just from its ‘waist’ up. Seelay and the hunters were about as big as one of its arms, and there was no telling how big its lower body was too. Its body was covered in red, almost seaweed like follicles. It was hard to make out any other features in the dark, but the small blue bioluminescent lights that lit up spots on its back and chest at least gave it a somewhat feminine appearance.
As water dripped from its body, it reached for the bait. The hunters seemed to be waiting for Seelay to make the first move and follow her lead.
“Just keep runnin’, princess!”
“Ah-hah-hnn-I…am!”
“Well run faster! I know we’re shorties but you gotta put more oomph in ye step!”
“Easy-ha-For-ha- you to say miss dwarf!”
“Weh - Stones there’s another one here!” Tumbling down the side of the Sky’s Reach, came a duo of unlikely travelers barreling down the snow covered rocky slopes. Behind them? A towering humanoid about seventeen feet tall. Its skin was an icy blue, its body covered in thick fur armor and in its hand was a large spear. In front of them? A second slightly taller one, wielding a club. “Sage’s curses! Leuca! Left, left!”
“Eeep!” Leuca, the elf, barely managed to avoid a hefty swing from the giant in question, diving towards the side before sliding a few feet down the mountain side, ending up face planting right into a snowdrift. “Eirhild…ah…nngh…”
“On yer feet, girl.” Eirhild grabbed Leuca by the shoulder, pulling her to her feet. “I don’t fancy either of us becoming a snack for a giant! And that uh, whatshername- lady would fry me and I don’t fancy becoming a dwarf-kabob on her sword!” With the two giants closing in on them, Eirhild pulled Leuca along for a few steps before she got her feet under her again. The elf turned her head, looking back towards the mountain that she was fleeing from.
She knew her friend could handle herself, but at the same time…something about this seemed…wrong. Why had the Apostles been waiting to ambush them? Who was that Riley fellow who seemed to know her guardian?
Gideon considered what had been said carefully, relaying these past events with the ones he had gone through not too long ago in the crypts. This chamber in the church was indeed something concerning, especially considering Gideon might have already had a gander of what it looked like. Achel closing the crypts and rushing him out expeditiously was also something quite strange, as well. Was he being played in all this, a scheme in the spider's web?
Whatever the case, the primary issue was this cult's resurgence while Dawn has been left vulnerable. As much as Gideon wished to prepare for such an insurrection, he also did not desire striking at the cult at this time. A reactive approach seemed better than a proactive one, in this case. After all, the members of the cult are also members of the village. They needed to rebuild with as much numbers as they could muster.
And besides, Gideon had his own interests with the Illuminator cult. Interests that would just as likely be meddled with should they be quashed too early. Quite frankly, he was tired of playing in the hands of higher powers for now.
"I'm sorry to say that I have little experience with the Illuminator's Cult, being an outlander and all. I don't wish to dwell further into the dark secrets of Dawn's residences, either, as I don't feel it's my right as an outsider to be a part of such plans. So unless my expertise is needed, I'll be going elsewhere." Gideon stated coldly as he stood up. "Ah, and you have my word that nothing that has been said so far will ever leave my lips. Raam's honor."
The Sage would proceed to make his way to the door, apparently not interested in being part of such a scandalous conversation. However, before he would make his leave, he instead stood before the exit. Perhaps he had a change of heart?
"... Enli. How much do you trust Achel? Do you think she would work with the Illuminator's cult? The little spider asked for my help the other day, and we ended up finding a sort of shrine to the Illuminator deep beneath the catacombs. I'm guessing this was the shrine you were referring to?
"After we had unearthed this shrine, she was quick to rush me out of the crypts. I surmise this may have something to do with her closing the catacombs. For what reason, I'm not sure. It may be your best place to look, though. Just be wary of any glowing crystals down there. I've come to believe they have mind-altering effects. I hope you are able to find the perpetrators for your own sakes, Atzi and Maira, and I'm sorry for the misdeeds this cult has committed against the both of you."
If he was not stopped, Gideon would then make his leave, not wishing to concern himself with the cultists further at this time.
"Fortune..." Atzi murmured, eyeing Gideon, then recalling all the other strangers that came into the village recently. The Raam offered little that she could consider helpful though. As a matter of fact, if not for his good work before this, she would 100% have planted her fist into his face (probably breaking her bones but definitely breaking his veins) for even suggesting that Achel was suspicious in any way, shape, or form.
It appeared, though, that Gideon was not pulled into this by the same fortune that those travelers from years past have been pulled into, and the Sage of Steel was more Steel than Sage. So she didn't bother to stop him on his way out. Didn't bother, but...why the fuck was he apologizing? The sting of her stump, the twitching of her phantom limb, all fed into a certain distrust. A budding dread, perhaps. Atzi let out a breath though. She could recognize when she was thinking too hard about courtesies, looking too deeply for malice. Gideon, after all, hadn't been with Achel while she laboured over the countless deceased who had to be placed inside the catacombs.
Didn't change though, that there was a shrine beneath the church. The same shrine that...
Atzi stopped. Thought.
"Could they have connected it?"
An undying body, possessing inhuman appendages and strength just shy of her own. A shrine that they needed keys for, lying right beneath the church. The dark-skinned woman could feel her mind fraying at its ends, trying to wrap it together. But it was certainly possible, wasn't it?
"Like, if they were looking for the stone, they would already know about the shrine. And if they knew about the shrine, they would want to get to the shrine. So like...tunnels? Easy to do if they don't die and have lots of arms. And going from the shrine to their church? Makes it easy to sneak into Dawn too, so Achel would want to close it up." Atzi moved to scratch her head, but only her shoulder moved up with that intention. She scowled. Shook distracting thoughts out. "Honestly though, Enli, could we just like, break that rock? I'm sure Bolcha's got at least one sharp chisel in his shed."
"Geh!" Vammy exclaimed as she was bonked over the head. She gritted her teeth and gave the moth a dirty look. AS she walked away after saying her piece, the demon snapped her fingers and a small wisp of flame slowly followed her. Eventually, it would end up in front of her face and give a small pop noise with some text for a small few seconds hovering in air. "Watch your ass, mothie." And Nylah would most definitely be able to question how literal that this warning was.
That aside, Vammy turned her attention back to Lazhira. The girl scooted in closer to speak quieter and so Vammy did the same. "I'm about as much a menace as anyone else~" The demon said, before continuing. "But I don't want you to have to ask favors from people you don't want to ask them from. Besides, I had some rather nice ideas to try and get her to talk. I had a small bit of success so far, actually. After you left, I might have tried tickling her to see if I could get any reaction. I think I can. You, me and our hands are all we need to make her giggle until she can't breath any more. 'Course, I could maybe physically torture her but honestly, there's no fun in that." Vammy seemed to have considered the option before, that much was for sure.
The demon shrugged a small bit, unsure fully. "Anyhow, we can head back home and try some real stuff to get her to talk. I for one think we should both work at tickling her. Well, there's other things too but this is the most fun idea for me. You have any other fun ideas?" Vammy seemed ready to head back home as she slightly moved herself closer to the door.
“Just a helping hand passing by,” replied Lissa, returning her smile with her own. “You were out for most of it, but Nylah and I got you back to the village.” There was also the whole fighting off the giant chameleon thing, but she really didn’t need to know about a superfluous detail like that. She slipped into a nearby pew, giving her some space to rest and to allow Calra to fuss over her patient while she gave more details on her ill-fated trip.
“Forgive me, but given I’m not from around here, I’m not too familiar with the Kyrsa and Yaga, though I’ve heard of them in passing.” She frowned as the girl descended into a coughing fit, but it did sound like they were in a dire situation. She couldn’t help but to grimace further when she elaborated that she set out to the village with an entire party.
“Did she say why they were being unreasonable? I’m of a mind to at least scout the situation myself. I can’t in good conscious sit still to let them be sieged out until starvation, and the village needs the caravan, too.”
