Lurking Shadow

The Mage Guild of Alsijan

Name: S’Hraa
Time of Day: Morning
Location: Outside, then the kitchen
Interacting with: @Shard@CaptainMarvel
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That’s it… just a little clossser… S’Hraa thought, concealed partially in the ground a few feet from an oblivious fawn. A few feet from breakfast… and lunch and dinner for the next two weeks. Normally S’Hraa would elect to spend the morning resting on a rock, relaxing and absorbing the heat rocks tend to store from the sun, but he spied on a heard of deer. One of his favored prey. For one as experience as he, it was simple to get the fawn separated from the rest, and to lure it towards him. Coiled tight like a spring, he waited on the fawn. 30 feet. 20 feet. 8 feet, when suddenly the fawn showed a change in it’s movements and S’Hraa’s senses were assaulted by a familiar and beloved smell. Fear. Wasting no time he sprung forth opening his maw and in one fluid motion wrapped tightly around the fawn and bit into it’s flesh, injecting his venom into the fawn and crippling it within minutes. Knowing the fawn would attempt to wrestle free he loosened his grip slightly letting the fawn move around more, pump blood faster, and accelerate the effects of the poison. Within seconds the fawn stopped moving altogether and S’Hraa adjusted to ingest it whole. Until it exploded and put S'Hraa's sleep to an abrupt end.

Awakened by what sounded like an explosion, S’Hraa was confused and a little bit upset over being awakened from his nap on the roof and elected to go find the source of the noise. Slithering along the ground silently and cloaking himself with illusion magic, a precaution in case the source of the noise proved hostile, he saw one of the smooth skins carelessly run past. A large specimen with green skin who was caked in fear. Still a little confused, the intoxicating aroma lured him. Remembering that he has not eaten in nearly a month (having spent most of that time getting to the guild), S’Hraa switched gears from an irate reptile to a hungry one and followed the green one to his destination.

Hiding just beyond the threshold, S’Hraa detected several within the area and waited …observing as he always does. Though he is unable to hear most of what is being said within the kitchen, he could sense the movements they make. The green skin grabbed something before bolting out of the kitchen with such speed that S’Hraa felt unable to match.

Tricky smooth skin, speed will be difficult to match. Incapacitation necessary to catch. Perhaps a poison to cripple movements or a hallucinogen to distract…. S’Hraa thought, before having a moment of clarity.

Wait…no. Need to find alternative source of food. Can’t let hunger get control of me, plus harming another guild member will make studies…. difficult. Perhaps one of the others may be able to accommodate me.

Dispelling his invisibility he walked in the kitchen and noticed two Enuri and a wolf. Noticing that the smaller one was preparing a dish, he might be the one to ask. Hopefully there would be a deer or something around. Moving towards Willow, and lowering himself to eye level and stared with a hungry look in his eye for a moment.

”Need meat, preferably alive. I have not eaten in nearly a month and it is starting to get problematic. I considered eating that smooth skin that just left, the fear he emitted was intoxicating and I momentarily lost my senses to my hunger. Do you happen to have any live animals around? Preferably not something like that, S’Hraa said, gesturing towards the wolf too much fur, hard to digest and it messes up my digestive tract."

The Mage Guild of Alsijan

I'm indifferent about uniforms though S'Hraa might object if it is constricting in movement as he switches regularly between walking upright and slithering on the ground.

The Mage Guild of Alsijan

S’Hraa

S’Hraa

Nicknames:Hunter of the Unknown
Race:Tosuri (Ophidian humanoid)
Gender:Male
Age:20

Appearance:S’Hraa stands 5’ 10” (Though, head to tail, he is 7’ 6” long) tall and weighs 225 lbs. He has green scales with the occasional black splotch. He has a few ritualistic markings on his head and body written in an ancient language. He has blood red eyes inset on the sides of his triangular head. In tropical or desert environments he is largely devoid of clothing, otherwise he wears a simple black robe for insulation. Like others of his race, he is venomous and has retractable fangs for injecting crippling toxins in a creature or, thanks to a specialized equipment implanted in his maw that can store crafted poisons to be delivered through his fangs, various poisons for a different effect. Like the snakes he resembles, he also lacks eyelids and, to the casual observer, appears to never sleep but actually takes regular short naps throughout the day.
Personality: S’Hraa is a quiet and passive individual, rarely starting a conversation and usually found silently observing others. In conversations he may initially appear cold and distant, but this is just a guise for those he does not know. He is slow to trusting others but quickly becomes amicable and loyal when someone does. He inherits his tribes’ morals, and strives to display honor, courage, and subtlety whenever possible.

Biography: S’Hraa comes from the Hri’Saa tribe renowned, by those who have heard of them, for being some of the best hunters in the world. Taught virtually after hatching how to hunt, few develop skills that have no practical use in hunting with alchemy being the most common. Almost everything the tribe does revolves around hunting. Though there is the occasional competition during hunts, it is not to see who can catch the biggest animal but rather the rarest. This is where S’Hraa excelled.

At only the age of seven, and on his first hunt, S’Hraa has somehow managed to catch a legend. The elusive Pochak. This cold-blooded creature is not rarely caught because it is particularly large or fearsome or agile, but that it is almost completely invisible, with all knowledge of it’s existence gleamed from the occasional tale of a ghost or the tracks that led to no animal. When questioned how he found such an animal, S’Hraa simply stated that he just knew it was there. It was later determined that this was his natural affinity for Animancy manifesting and enhancing his senses. This is a rare ability as nearly everyone else in the tribe develops an affinity for Illusion.

There were some conversations over this strange development with many considering this to perhaps be a blessing or a curse of some sort. Regardless of the meaning, S’Hraa quickly became one of the best hunters as his affinity allowed him to sense the aether and its interactions in the environment and essentially allowed him to see the ‘aura’ of any living creature. As a side effect, this was also a boon for his poisons as it led to a deeper understanding of how his alchemical concoctions reacted with a live animal. While initially he was only able to see the aether, it was not long before he developed an understanding of how to manipulate it and quickly became the most valued healer in the tribe and was able to heal virtually any non-fatal wound or disease. S’Hraa did eventually developed an affinity for Illusion, but to a lesser degree than his peers.

It was not until recently when Brood Minder Sha’His died from natural causes did S’Hraa start to question the limits of Animancy. He started to wonder if there was a way to prolong life, perhaps even indefinitely, without all the effects that come with being undead but rather staying alive in the first place. Is there a way to live without time claiming your body? Asking around got little more than a worried look and conversations ending abruptly. Only one of the village elders, the Keeper of the Esoteric, actually give some information. It was little more than a tale of an ancestor many generations ago, another Animancer as it turns out, seek the same question. This individual did something so grievous that it led to exile, and to never be heard from again. It was clear to S’Hraa this tale was meant to deter, to inform this path would likely lead to despair, but he was not shaken.

Knowing he would learn nothing here, S’Hraa elected to venture elsewhere for his answers and left the tribe. From one of the smooth skins that occasionally trades with the tribe, he heard of a guild of mages. Perhaps there he may find the answers he seeks. Perhaps S’Hraa will only end up as another legend like the nameless individual before him, or perhaps the tribe will come to hear from him again. With the question burning in his mind he sets off for either glory or doom.

Affinities: Animancy and Illusion
Craft: Alchemy, specializing specifically in debilitating poisons
Magic: S’Hraa being a capable alchemist and animancer has blended the two into a singular art. He is able to quickly discern an affliction and a suitable remedy in most cases. Using restorative magic for wounds and potions to ease the pain as well as speed up recovery. When hunting he can locate major arteries and veins and inject toxins for faster acting symptoms, using this method for defense or offense would not be much of a stretch. He can also sense any living creature from up to 30 feet away, even through barriers up to three inches thick (assuming said barrier does not block magic in any way) and this may be further refined through further training. He can detect the identities of those he sense if he recognizes the aura. This sense is independent of his sense of sight and he can detect others even while blinded, in low light conditions, or other instances that may impair him visually.

As far as Illusion, he can make himself and up to two other creatures similar in his size almost completely invisible (though this does not make them quite, remove their scent, etc). This also requires some concentration and if he were to be surprised or otherwise distracted he might drop the effect). He can hide his tracks (such as footprints) and of those with him for up to an hour. He can also create visual illusions up to 10 cubic feet big.
Skills:Excellent hunter and tracker

Stealthy

Shares many characteristics of snakes, details in other

Other: Being cold-blooded, he suffers in environments lacking sufficient heat, normally in cool environments he off sets this by wearing an insulating robe this, however, provides little mitigation for extremely cold temperatures incurred naturally or magically.

He is carnivorous and hunts prey when needing to feed, swallowing it whole. Depending on the size of the prey, he can go up to nearly three weeks before needing to hunt again.

Compared to other races, he has poor vision and poor sense of hearing.

He is fond of snakes and tries not to injure one when possible and dislikes those who do not do the same.

The Mage Guild of Alsijan

Well, this took me a bit longer as I was doing some research on snakes but I finally finished. Somehow it still ended up Herbert West-y as I was writing it so I think I got that cheeky reference in.

S’Hraa

S’Hraa

That is not dead which can eternal lie
So that with strange aeons even death may die

Nicknames:Hunter of the Unknown
Race:Tosuri (Ophidian humanoid)
Gender:MaleAge:20
Appearance:S’Hraa stands 5’ 10” (Though, head to tail, he is 7’ 6” long) tall and weighs 225 lbs. He has green scales with the occasional black splotch. He has a few ritualistic markings on his head and body written in an ancient language. He has blood red eyes inset on the sides of his triangular head. In tropical or desert environments he is largely devoid of clothing, otherwise he wears a simple black robe for insulation. Like others of his race, he is venomous and has retractable fangs for injecting crippling toxins in a creature or, thanks to a specialized equipment implanted in his maw that can store crafted poisons to be delivered through his fangs, various poisons for a different effect. Like the snakes he resembles, he also lacks eyelids and, to the casual observer, appears to never sleep but actually takes regular short naps throughout the day.
Personality: S’Hraa is a quiet and passive individual, rarely starting a conversation and usually found silently observing others. In conversations he may initially appear cold and distant, but this is just a guise for those he does not know. He is slow to trusting others but quickly becomes amicable and loyal when someone does. He inherits his tribes’ morals, and strives to display honor, courage, and subtlety whenever possible.

Biography: S’Hraa comes from the Hri’Saa tribe renowned, by those who have heard of them, for being some of the best hunters in the world. Taught virtually after hatching how to hunt, few develop skills that have no practical use in hunting with alchemy being the most common. Almost everything the tribe does revolves around hunting. Though there is the occasional competition during hunts, it is not to see who can catch the biggest animal but rather the rarest. This is where S’Hraa excelled.

At only the age of seven, and on his first hunt, S’Hraa has somehow managed to catch a legend. The elusive Pochak. This cold-blooded creature is not rarely caught because it is particularly large or fearsome or agile, but that it is almost completely invisible, with all knowledge of it’s existence gleamed from the occasional tale of a ghost or the tracks that led to no animal. When questioned how he found such an animal, S’Hraa simply stated that he just knew it was there. It was later determined that this was his natural affinity for Animancy manifesting and enhancing his senses. This is a rare ability as nearly everyone else in the tribe develops an affinity for Illusion.

There were some conversations over this strange development with many considering this to perhaps be a blessing or a curse of some sort. Regardless of the meaning, S’Hraa quickly became one of the best hunters as his affinity allowed him to sense the aether and its interactions in the environment and essentially allowed him to see the ‘aura’ of any living creature. As a side effect, this was also a boon for his poisons as it led to a deeper understanding of how his alchemical concoctions reacted with a live animal. While initially he was only able to see the aether, it was not long before he developed an understanding of how to manipulate it and quickly became the most valued healer in the tribe and was able to heal virtually any non-fatal wound or disease. S’Hraa did eventually developed an affinity for Illusion, but to a lesser degree than his peers.

It was not until recently when Brood Minder Sha’His died from natural causes did S’Hraa start to question the limits of Animancy. He started to wonder if there was a way to prolong life, perhaps even indefinitely, without all the effects that come with being undead but rather staying alive in the first place. Is there a way to live without time claiming your body? Asking around got little more than a worried look and conversations ending abruptly. Only one of the village elders, the Keeper of the Esoteric, actually give some information. It was little more than a tale of an ancestor many generations ago, another Animancer as it turns out, seek the same question. This individual did something so grievous that it led to exile, and to never be heard from again. It was clear to S’Hraa this tale was meant to deter, to inform this path would likely lead to despair, but he was not shaken.

Knowing he would learn nothing here, S’Hraa elected to venture elsewhere for his answers and left the tribe. From one of the smooth skins that occasionally trades with the tribe, he heard of a guild of mages. Perhaps there he may find the answers he seeks. Perhaps S’Hraa will only end up as another legend like the nameless individual before him, or perhaps the tribe will come to hear from him again. With the question burning in his mind he sets off for either glory or doom.

Affinities: Animancy and Illusion
Craft: Alchemy, specializing specifically in debilitating poisons
Magic: S’Hraa being a capable alchemist and animancer has blended the two into a singular art. He is able to quickly discern an affliction and a suitable remedy in most cases. Using restorative magic for wounds and potions to ease the pain as well as speed up recovery. When hunting he can locate major arteries and veins and inject toxins for faster acting symptoms, using this method for defense or offense would not be much of a stretch. He can also sense any living creature from up to 30 feet away, even through barriers up to three inches thick (assuming said barrier does not block magic in any way) and this may be further refined through further training. He can detect the identities of those he sense if he recognizes the aura. This sense is independent of his sense of sight and he can detect others even while blinded, in low light conditions, or other instances that may impair him visually.

As far as Illusion, he can make himself and up to two other creatures similar in his size almost completely invisible (though this does not make them quite, remove their scent, etc). This also requires some concentration and if he were to be surprised or otherwise distracted he might drop the effect). He can hide his tracks (such as footprints) and of those with him for up to an hour. He can also create visual illusions up to 10 cubic feet big.
Skills:Excellent hunter and tracker

Stealthy

Shares many characteristics of snakes, details in other

Other: Being cold-blooded, he suffers in environments lacking sufficient heat, normally in cool environments he off sets this by wearing an insulating robe this provided little mitigation for freezing temperatures incurred naturally or magically.

He is carnivorous and hunts prey when needing to feed, swallowing it whole. Depending on the size of the prey, he can go up to nearly three weeks before needing to hunt again.

Compared to other races, he has poor vision and poor sense of hearing.

He is fond of snakes and tries not to injure one when possible and dislikes those who do not do the same.

Just a few ideas

@TaliPaendrag

I'll probably go with that for the sake of simplicity as long as you are fine with me having a few things different about the culture which I'll justify them by maybe being separate from any 'main' tribe, . I'm at a convention right now so I prob won't get a sheet filled in till early next week after I get ba k home on Sunday.

Just a few ideas

...
Also, I'm glad that you like the idea of healing magic being able to animate objects. :D It always seemed to be a natural way to extend the idea of healing magic to me....

@TaliPaendrag

having an occupation of animating things makes kind of makes me want to name my character after a certain scientist *cough cough*

Hider

but that wouldn't really fit the nomenclature I've been sticking to so far among a few other reasons. A good lesson in 'Just because we can, does not mean we should' though.

You did not really specify what details you need (physiology? culture? a brief history of thier existance and what they as a race have accomplished?) So I'll just have a quick summary of a few of the things I think would be important in no particular order. I am willing to budge a bit on anything to make it fit better for the RP if needed.

Serpent people are essentially very large snakes with limbs and share many traits including venomous fangs and a keen sense of 'smell'. Culturally they are fond of alchemy and have crafted all sorts of manner of potions and poisons for nearly any purpose. They are carnivorous and, only possessing fangs, are incapable of chewing and swallow prey whole to digest over several days. Normally they eat something nearly as large as they are and can go a few weeks before requiring any more sustenance. As a society they value hunting above nearly all else and are all taught to abide by a set of ethics valuing stealth and a clean kill. They are generally friendly to those of other races and may help others if they are able to.

That's all I can really think of right now, if I missed something let me know.

Just a few ideas

@TaliPaendrag

I'm cool with beast races, especially as I was going to use one I prototyped a bit from the Serpent People in Lovecraftian mythos. Anatomically they are essentially the same but I do differ on the society and culture. Still working on the character but am thinking going with an Animancer would be fun. Was wanting to do something with healing and the added bonus of animating things allows for some interesting writing. If you'd like a quick overview of the race's physiology, culture, etc let me know. They look like this and average slightly taller than the average human

Serpent people

Just a few ideas

@TaliPaendrag

I'm interested in the mage guild, I have a custom race I might use that might fit in a guild setting.

RACC : Hearts of Darkness

@BirdofParadise
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While Nuthrix awaited their response, he noticed that one of the pair seemed agitated while the other seemed to be calm. They both had weapons ready, but decided aggression was not a viable choice and holstered their weapons.

This pleased Nuthrix and allowed some new thoughts. Not all of the humans were incapable of realizing the best course of action. Nuthrix was aware of some sort of conflict between major factions, conflict means a reliable source of biomass to assimilate. Perhaps after he amasses enough power and territory, he can come to a mutual arrangement with one of the factions. If not, he will make it so through force or perhaps other, subtler, forms of manipulation.

"Our choice is we go on our own way… But uhm, may I ask what you are doing... and hmm... why you need them sacrifices.”

A good choice, your health will benefit from it. As for your question, I was merely performing a ritual with my priests. You can see how that ended. I hold no malice for others, but any action taken against the Hive will be reciprocated. A few moments of interference will delay me a week, more humans will need to be provided and the process of preparing them for a ritual is time consuming.

As for the why… it is simply what fuels our magik. When we bargain for power, something must be offered, something must bleed. My offer stands, if you are willing to bring victims, you will be compensated. The only catch is that they must be alive. Beyond that their state of health does not concern me. If you are unwilling, it would be best to forget what you saw as you leave, you won’t benefit from knowing of me. If you need to, you may find me here for the time being. At least until I can expand my influence further. My minions will await your return…

Having said that, Nuthrix retreated into the woods with the Hive Priests back to the cavern further in. The aura of dread seeming to leave with him. The Ghasts followed shortly after, having picked the clearing free of any human remains. The only indicator of the even happening would be the stone monoliths and the faint smell of blood.

RACC : Hearts of Darkness

@Kuchenlein
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Naflhai

Nuthrix thought, sensing some humans approaching.

They can’t interfere now, if the ritual were to be interrupted at this stage…

But before finishing his thought, he directed his Ghasts to incapacitate them without bloodshed as their unpurified blood may taint the spell. Well, at least that was the plan before one of them left the camera flash on. While a flash is merely annoying to most, to the Hive Priests (which are adapted for dark environments) this sudden change in light is painful causing one of them to fumble and miss the sacrifice. This would prove disastrous, and with Nuthrix and the Hive Priests briefly were at varying degrees of shock.

The red mist in the center, which have been feeding off of the essence of the sacrifices, was now interrupted much like a blood vessel clotting and the heart is unable to pump blood. After a brief period of inactivity, the mist began to fluctuate wildly before condensing into a miniature storm with blood red clouds. While it lasted briefly, it was no less terrible and electrocuted the remaining sacrifices and a Hive Priest to death rather painfully before dissipating.

You ignorant humans made a mistake coming here…

Nuthrix communicated mentally

Interrupting a uln’vulgtm as demanding as this has dangerous effects, it was fortunate that it was relatively harmless this time around. Not that it matters much as I don’t intend for you to leave.

Sensing a change in Nuthrix's mood, the Ghasts altered their gait. Switching from intimidating (like a beast growling) to a more offensive charge. While the humans had the advantage of range, they did not get to make much use of it due to a combination of being outnumbered and fear. In the chaos, it was clear they needed to choose either fight or flight but the result was the same. After a few minutes it was still 15 Ghasts but the Humans fared poorly, being reduced to little more than several piles of discarded limbs and organs, some even being chewed on by a Ghast. Although one of them managed to elude his pursuers presumably with the camera as well. Time would tell is this would amount to anything...
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@BirdofParadise
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Meanwhile two other humans approached from the other side of the clearing, arriving just near the conclusion. The Ghasts moved to intercept with the same ferocity that doomed the earlier group before being stopped by Nuthrix.

They had only just arrived and have not done anything yet, plus he could sense… some sort of aura about them that gave him pause. He saw no reason to be aggressive at this time despite his bitter mood. He allowed the humans the chance to leave, but they foolishly interrupted the ritual and ruined a week of preparation. He will offer these humans a similar choice.

What do you hope to gain approaching this slaughter? There is little more here than death.

Nuthrix communicated, gesturing to the grisly remains of the soldiers.

These fools interrupted a ritual and paid for it with their flesh and blood. As long as you don’t repeat their mistake I won’t seek you any harm and you may proceed elsewhere. Now, unless you can offer me some humans to sacrifice I suggest you leave unless you would like to feel the strength in our bite...

Nuthrix then gestured to the Ghasts covered in gore. Most of them were waiting impatiently at his side, waiting for the command to attack. A few of them were hungrily gnawing on the marrow and sinews on human bones and fighting amongst each other for the scraps. While technically Ghasts did not need to eat, He felt it would help to sell the trouble they would face.

So? make your choice, anything to say?

Nuthrix waited for a reply