PaulHaynek

The Epic of Beginnings - Fragments of a weathered scroll

@Rune_Alchemist

I thought Nick was gonna get caught in an upcoming attack before he could make his choice. I'll try to make a post about his decision but if I can't, Nick will stick around just a bit far back from the group.

Arknights: The Dark Woods (ENDED)

Hullo...?

The Epic of Beginnings - Fragments of a weathered scroll

The Journey Begins

~ Unknown Location ~

Interacted with: @ERode, @Pyromania99,@Guy0fV4lor

"Now you can help Isidore out next time we encounter those creatures. And besides, to learn how to cast that magic bolt I had to do what can be summed up as a magical tug-of-war with a demonic pup. I can probably teach you later if you so desire. After all, we all seem to have the ability."

Augusta?

"Wait, we do? And you can teach me? Sweet!" Nick's head immediately to the things he could do with magic. Could he lift stuff up from far away, like the Force in Star Wars? Alright, calm down Neil. Don't get too excited over this. First, focus on the task at hand and get somewhere safe before fawning over magic. "And I don't think Isidore needs help fighting." Especially not now, now that Donovan was with them.

They continued to follow Octavia deeper into the prison-ish complex. As they descended stairs, the surroundings shifted from the smooth black surfaces to rough and old stone walls. Kind of like those ancient Medieval dungeons.

But onward they went, following the demon pup to the bottom of this wretched place. The smell was horrid, something was rotting and Nick had to cover his nose even if the odor was not particularly strong yet. Where was Octavia leading them? Nick had a bad feeling about this, and it was not from his power. At least, not yet. He was not sure if those were bodies on the floor and Nick preferred if he didn't find out.

The hallway they were in were lined with cells. The strange black tar crawled up the walls like vines, sprouting those flower-like plants that spawned Octavia. They were everywhere, even covering the lifeless bodies of wretched experiments. It was then that Nick felt that anxiousness again. This time it was strong, and he was certain it was his power. This place was obviously dangerous, but what in particular.

Octavia stopped at the end of the hallway and allowed Isidore to come and take her chain. They were at a large iron door, wedged open by those black vines.

"Guys, I don't think we should continue this." Nick said, looking a bit dazed. Even if Augusta and Donovan joined Isidore and Octavia, Nick would not move a single inch forward. "Seriously, guys. I think... I think we should get back up. And far away from this place."

He glanced at the black plants made of the tar-like substances. Remembering how Octavia came to be... Hold on, could it be...?

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Fantasy Knight RP

~ Cal Family Mausoleum ~

Interacted with: @VitaVitaAR, @Crimson Paladin, @Krayzikk

The liquid Jarde's allies splashed him with burned Damon Cal. Holy water, Jarde realized. What else liquid could burn undead so? Oil probably, but that was besides the point.

The vampire had to shield himself from the holy water, putting his arm up and unwittingly blocking Jarde's strike to his head. Instead, his sword stuck to his hand and jutted out of the other side. He was impressed at their moves and while the holy water still burned, he whipped his hand to dislodge Jarde's blade and the Iron Rose himself. Jarde and his blade was thrown to the side and the knight tumbled a bit before recovering.

Jarde saw that Fleuri and Nicomede were on the offensive, lunging at the injured vampire. He should be on the move too and so Jarde picked up his sword and got up. However, he didn't join the two Iron Roses for a frontal assault. Instead, he attempted to move behind Damon and strike from the back.

Arknights: The Dark Woods (ENDED)

Riventor

~@Rune_Alchemist~

"Now are you gonna offer me a drink and have a nice chat or just leave me alone out here dry as my canteen?"

Zasada

"Ahh, you're interested in the Shrine then?" Mayor Uma seemed enthused about the topic. "Come in, come in! What drinks would you like? I have all sorts of spirits in my home. Mostly strong ones but I have some for those with lighter livers."

"I'll be taking my leave, then. See you around, Ursus." The Archosaur bid farewell.

The Kuranta mayor led you inside and into a well-decorated hallway. It was fancy, but not urban fancy. Hints of age were present everywhere. "Your friends are staying at the northern outskirts? Oh dear, the chicken lady up there isn't very hospitable. She's very protective of her sister. She isn't a menace to anyone so we just leave her alone. As for the other house..." Uma took a moment to find her words. "It was burned because... it was struck by lightning! Yes, it was very tragic for Hannah but that's just what happens sometimes." It was an obvious lie.

Uma then led you into a nice and wide chamber. It looked like a living room with one side having a pair of fancy wooden chairs with velvet pillows and a brightly-burning fireplace and the other side being the Shrine: A shrine that encompassed that entire side. A shelf containing the framed photos of various Kuranta people lined together was the centerpiece. Surrounding it was various exotic candles as well as all sorts of shiny gemstones. Vases of beautiful flowers joined the decorations, well-maintained judging from how healthy the plants were.

"The Shrine has protected this village since time immemorial. Kept out the Cursed Rock and all those who are afflicted with it." Uma began to explain before pointing at the photos. "Those are the village's ancestors and through the Shrine, they defend Riventor and its townspeople from harm. So long as the Shrine stands, the Cursed Rock cannot touch us."

---

North Riventor

~@Lunarlord34, @LiverisGood~

"Calm yourself Wu! They shouldn't be far. You were all together just recently correct? Then they shouldn't be too far. Double back and search the area,"

Medivac

"No, no! You don't get it! The forest, it takes people! It's already taken a number of us. We can't just head in there and find them. They're lost! I know, I've tried!" Wu angrily retorted.

"Wu, calm down. He didn't know yet." Ibon's words managed to calm down. She was scared but she knew things needed to calm down. "I'm sorry, Medivac was it? We're all a little on edge right now. But Wu's right, finding people who got lost in these woods is not a simple task." The Medic witheld what else she knew about the forest for now. "Leave the woman with us, you two. We'll try the door again while you go talk to the person in the tractor."

Wu nodded in agreement, still disturbed that another Operator was missing.

-

Radiant and Medivac left the madwoman with the three Operators back at the house that reeked of chickens. The odor could still be smelled at the tractor but it was a bit weaker. As soon as they arrived, a scared and raspy male voice greeted them. "I-it's not my f-fault! I know it doesn't s-sound, t-too great... My v-violin... it's, it's a bit... broken. I w-on't play a-anymore... S-sorry... Um, sir and ma'am? H-have you b-been in that hut? The Chicken Lady's h-hut? You're not afraid of h-her? Y-you're b-brave!"

The person was still under the tractor, his features hidden. "And... H-have you seen h-her? The Pretty Lady? S-she's... the most beautiful lady in the w-world! I w-watch her through the cracks in the window. S-she ch-changes when I watch her... g-gets more beautiful. I p-play for her... I want her to be h-happy... Because s-she doesn't seem to be... The Chicken L-lady locked her in that r-room... She... she keeps her there! She envies her! She won't allow anyone to s-see her... E-even me! I t-tried to r-r-release her... But the Chicken Lady! She ch-chased me off! S-she always does!"

A Guild Adventure: An RP with Monster Girls! (ENDED)

The Things We Do For Love
~@13org (FYR & ADA), @ShwiggityShwah, @Rezod92, @Restalaan (DIT & YNG)~

The Kikimora was taken aback as Yang and Ada's allies trickled in one by one. First was a knight-looking fellow Sir Reed, then the Viera Freyr and the Siren Haley. Then came three fliers, Kira, Ozzy and Margaret. Last to arrive was Ditzy but he was not late at all. On the contrary, he arrived just when the party started.

"A crude kidnapping is a little unrefined for your kind, don't you think?" Margaret told the Kikimora quartet.

"I was given no choice. All other options were exhausted." One of the Kikimoras replied. Their arnis sticks were at the ready, willing to take on the group despite being outnumbered and probably outmatched. "I will not be deterred by numbers or skill or anything. Nero shall be mine!"

Two of the Kikimoras charged at the group. Kira reacted with a dive bomb on their path, intent on releasing a shockwave of air. However, she was suddenly hit with two precisely thrown arnis stick which knocked her out the air. Courtesy of the third Kikimora who stayed behind in the cart. "I got you, Kira!" Haley flew in to catch the falling Beelzebub.

The two Kikimoras continued, unhindered. One of them targeted Yang while the other at Ada. Their maid attire belied their speed and skill, they were fast with their strikes even matching the speeds of Yang and Ada. Sir Reed decided to jump in and help, particularly Ada.

"Worry not, little milky lizard." Sir Reed, a skilled warrior, flawlessly aided Ada with his longsword and put the pressure on that particular Kikimora. "This is foolish! Surrended and maybe we can talk this out!"

Meanwhile, Ozzy made for the bound Nero, landing beside the wagon, but the fourth Kikimora blocked him. "Oh no, you don't." Margaret came to Ozzy's aid. She swung her wing at the maid monster and crackles of lightning sparked and struck the ground of the opponent. The Kikimora evaded and Margaret landed beside Ozzy, but then she was suddenly tackled to the ground by the third Kikimora.

The fourth one advanced with incredible speed at Ozzy, her arnis sticks at the ready.

Arknights: The Dark Woods (ENDED)

@Crow

Mmm, I'll go with Sanzakura on this one.

A Guild Adventure: An RP with Monster Girls! (ENDED)

@ShwiggityShwah

Ah, Ozzy and the others can make it to Yang and Ada.

A Guild Adventure: An RP with Monster Girls! (ENDED)

The Things We Do For Love
~@Stern Algorithm, @13org (FYR)~

"One of the cooking contestants got kidnapped, and we're trying to seal off the fair so they don't get away. Some are heading for the entrance, others are going to the port. I'll try to contact the authorities. If memory serves, Sister Riñas said she was hosting the quiz game, right?"

Sylvia Altissima

"I see. Quite the predicament we have ourselves here." Sir Reed remarked. "Say, who are the ones that went to the entrance?"

"Yang and Ada." Neil quickly answered.

"Right. I'll go and meet up with them. They might need the help. Sir Freyr and Miss Haley should probably come with me too." Reed declared. "You three are gonna try to find the Dark Priest, right? Well then, let's not waste anymore time." The knight then took off to the port's entrance to give aid to the monk and monster.

"Neil, stick close okay? We don't know what the Kikimora wants, but you can't risk you getting kidnapped too. We'll try to find Sister Riñas so she can alert the authorities, and maybe we'll find Ozzy too."

Sylvia Altissima

"Don't worry, I'll be care-- Whooaaa!" Neil was startled when the Liliraune's vine wrapped around him and lifted him up in the air. It took moments for him to process what just happened, being suspended in the air and all. "Uhh, uhh, umm..." He stuttered his words, flushed. "I-I-Is this really necessary, you two? Who-who's gonna carry you around?"

Fortunately for the three, the port's denizens were more than happy to point them to Riñas direction. She was found at the port's church. It looked saintly and white, unbefitting of her kind but she was just outside and talking to some other people. A group of four: a human, a Lamia, a Harpy and a Centaur.

When she was called, she immediately reacted. Noting the alarm in the Altissima sisters', she made haste to the three guild members. "Wh-What? What is it?" She quickly asked. "And why is Mister Neil up in the air? Did he do something wrong?" She pointed at the young man held by the Liliraune's vine.

---

~@ShwiggityShwah, @Rezod92, @Restalaan (DIT)~

Kira Gigas

"Margaret! You should come along! You get to see how male monsters and the Guild work together! Heck of a learning experience!"

Ozzy Skyway

Margaret took a large breath in to calm down, returning to her species' well-known stoic and calm nature. "This... is a lot to take in." She said in a quiet tone. "First, a multitude of male monsters. One is an incredible discovery on its own, but an entire group? Unheard of, practically miraculous." She looked at Ozzy and Ditzy. "And now, a kidnapping in this peaceful old port. Does your presence always invite such... excitement?"

"Regardless, we should inform the authorities. Miss Kira, was it? Do you have any specifics regarding this kidnapping?"

Arknights: The Dark Woods (ENDED)

Hey guys, since no one has posted yet and I've ran out of time, the update will be postponed to next week and give everyone more time to post.