ReusableSword

Of Blood and Magic

Victor Astorio

Victor Set Salem down after they cleared the forest. The count waited patiently for the attendant to clear his vison and soon he was able to see once more. The proctor took his medallion, the duo was soon greeted by a very happy looking princess Ryner. Her comment made him smile and he nodded towards her, “Your highness, it was definitely a different kind of challenge but one that I enjoyed.” Pausing for a moment to look over at Salem giving a slight laugh at his weary attitude of the situation. “I am quite curious though, were those illusions planned or going off of our own experiences and memory’s?” he had a vague idea of how exactly the illusion spells for the test worked but wasn’t too sure himself.

Salem seemed rather insistent on leaving, he didn’t blame him. For once victor could understand him being tired. Victor would still wait for her response before heading back to the tent with the boy. “Well it seems my Mage is rather tired we should be heading back. If you still have others out there missing by sunset I would be happy to help locate them.” The large vampire highly doubted that she would need it still he figured it wouldn’t hurt to offer.

Stepping up to the tent that they were motioned too, the count set the figurines on the table in front of the next proctor and expected to receive his confiscated blades and shoes. “After this, we can go back to the dorm and rest. I think today will make up for one of your workout days so you can take tomorrow off and count it as a bonus rest day. Still have to do your stretches and get your day light in though.” He spoke quietly towards Salem while he put his shoes back on. “If you still have questions, they can be answered at the dorm. Oh and thank you for the compliments earlier.”

@Trainerblue192

Halo: Aegis Team

Grikgar /Grik/ Seeker

// Unggoy Ultra // Demolitions and Artillery // Location: Planets Surface

Grikgar waited for the Lekgolo to move out as it seemed a few of the humans where the first to get out and into the fray. Their tactics mirrored his own being the first out and last in just not as well trained to begin with. Tasuma rushed forward after a few others making itself a living barrier between them and the trench the pelican had made. A Spartan took up a position behind the hulking alien, he seemed to be using weapons better suited to go after the sentinels that didn’t have shields.

Grik moved quickly up behind the hunter pressing his methane tank up against the armored giant. He did this to ensure that his weak spot was better protected and so that he could move with the Lekgolo’s movements and not against it. Running head first into the thick of it was how he inspired the best out of the grunts he used to lead, never backing down, never running. Charging his pistols the Unggoy began to fire the balls of tracking green plasma in two directions. One was being fired towards the robots low to the ground and the other was being fired towards the ones still coming down.

Charged plasma fire was very good at downing and destroying the machines on their own at times let alone their ability to strip shields and stop electronics. This also had the chance of killing the sentinel without it setting off its secondary explosive and rendering it partially intact. There were still more targets highlighted on his visor but the grunt focused on the bots that were closest to them while staying out of the way of the Lekgolo’s footsteps. “Watch for secondary explosions!” he called out.

I, the Demon King, Will Summon My Own Damned Heroes!

Ardur The Mighty Hipixie

To Glory > Tactical Retreat /// Adventuring day 5 // Evening > Night / Location - The edge of the shimmering pool > Hopeful moving toward the exit

The water was cold and refreshing yet it all ebbed away when he saw the carnage the others had been dealing out. The sheer amount of undead crushed or beaten below their feet somewhat reminded him of some of the civil war battles where piles of the dead began to form their own small hills. Yet even through this carnage the monsters kept coming. Ardur could see the vast numbers of them, a slow moving mass with one pulsing red gleam behind them urging them forward. This core was very dangerous.

Trent was the first to notice his return while the high pixie healed his spider friend. The boy and the others all seemed to be taking quite the beating. Ardur only paused for a moment to use monster Analysis I on those monsters he could see to try and feel out the opposition. Before he could tell the boy to pay attention the sword shot out from the water behind him and sliced a lizard in half before clattering to the ground.

After healing mother slime, he could see that the next step was retreating out of here. A hard fought idea but there was little choice for anything else. They were ill equipped and prepared for the fight but they had to keep going or be over run. Asura seemed to have the same thought as he was healed, yet Trent had a good point. It would be giving them the advantage.

A zombie pixie caught him off guard with a curse spell while he was thinking about what to do next. The chill of the curse he was sure he had felt before. While he watched Trent start to maneuver towards the sword Ardur called out to Dhulfiqar feeling Galantine’s courage dissipate while heat and anger grew with in him. At the very least he learned only one of their boons could be active at the same time. Before he could react to anything more Trent reached the sword.

“AEGUS!”

Trent’s yell made him look over to him, the boy looked older for some reason, like he hadn’t slept or eaten in days. Perhaps this is what the sword was talking about when it spoke of needing more mana or maybe what the effects of mana drain look like on a human. Either way, the sword howled almost making his head hurt as the sword seemed to glow slightly and Trent yelled again. Whatever he was casting was taking a lot of mana to accomplish.

“DEPTH CHARGE!”

The water from the pool rose up from behind him and followed the blade down to the floor as a condensed sphere. The pressure from it reminded him of a fire truck hose, the enemy’s caught in it responded like they were hit with one. Flesh peeled, bones cracked, stone reshaped, and all were sent back, most to the floor. Ardur tried his best to analyze what he could of what he just saw but was unsure what he would gleam from it. Trent was on his knees now but at least their exit was clear enough.

Ardur looked to Trent and the others, “Get him up and out of here, now is our chance to go!” He ordered, the anger in his chest getting the better of him. “Steve web the broken ground to slow them down more and follow them out.” Ardur knew charging into battle would mean death, still he was in a stone cave with a cracked and broken floor in front of him.

Picking up 4 stones the Mighty High Pixie used his strength, Physical conditioning, point strike, and acquired anger to throw the stones at the closest enemy’s and the downed skeletons. Stopping for a moment to try and pull the mana of the earth to the stone. Somewhat like he did for meditate only instead of pulling the mana into him he pulled it into the stone. With this stone Ardur used the full ability of his strength, skills, and rage to target the distant red gleam of the dungeon core. Fully aware that it likely would not reach he tried anyway, "Point Strike!" he yelled as he threw it, much like a base ball pitcher. If the others had started to move on by then, Ardur would follow picking up more rocks and throwing them at the closest enemy’s as they made their retreat.

@Zeroth
@Kazemitsu

Ardur's character stats

Level: 7
Steve Level: 4

Health: 100%
Mana: 0%
Stamina: 25%

Buffs:

Debuffs:

Inventory: bow horn venison x15 lbs.
+Cooked bow horn venison 5 Lbs.
+Rubber Frog skin Backpack - This item is more elastic than it looks. Can hold 15 Small Items. The number of items held may be affected by larger items that take up more space. It is more durable than most raw materials due to its rubbery composition, but without proper care it may degrade over time.

Clothes:
+Beetle Bracer - This item for your Arm makes you feel slightly tougher.
+Bone Breastplate - This item for your Torso makes you feel slightly tougher.
+Grass Skirt - This item is fragile and flammable, but serves as decent clothing.

Weapons:
+Sharp Stone
+Beetle Mandible - Rather hard and sharp on its own, it might be sturdy enough to refine.
+Old Leg Bone -

Current Party: Asura, Mother Slime, Steve, and himself... I guess Trent is here too

Magic/Skills: Shield II, Lesser Flight III, Minor Heal III, Physical Conditioning I, Fire Resistance I, Taming II, Fireball I, Stronger II, Crafting II, Muffle I, Inspire I, Guidance I, Spell chant I, Use light equipment, Meditation I, Point Strike I, Keen Sight I, Material Analysis I, Monster Analysis I, Alert I, Lesser Cleanse I, Mana Strike I, Faster I, Throw Item I, Stone Shot I,

Kills for current level: 1x skeleblin, allot

Quests:
- purify an Item for Galatine

Long term Quests:
- bring a hero to Undine the sword in the pool.
- find a way to worship all 3 sun spirits.

Other:

Halo: Aegis Team

Grikgar /Grik/ Seeker

// Unggoy Ultra // Demolitions and Artillery // Location: Planets Surface

Grikgar loaded onto the pelican with the others and watched as the rest of his gear was taken to the mammoth. The rest of the team seemed tense and quiet, at least the same could be said about the former covenant when they were about to drop into combat. The Unggoy was sure he would find many more similarities before his time was finished with the humans. The seats of the pelican were still just as uncomfortable and his straps didn’t work to well with his tank. So he opted to stand within arm’s reach of a seat and behind the Lekgolo as the pelican left the human warship.

The rocky decent down towards the surface was actually calming to him. It had been a little while since he was on a combat drop and it was a welcome change no matter who he was flying with. He was going over the mission plan again in his head when an alert pulled him back to reality. Apparently the ancient’s constructs did not like the human ships just flying around their space. Hearing what was happening, the Unggoy dug his claws into the floor the best he could while holding onto the leg of the Lekgolo and the chair straps then braced. He felt the pelican take the hit, the steep incline and speed of the drop, then the shaking and rumbling of a crash landing.

He didn’t fall or lose his footing, the others around Grikgar seemed ok as well. Performing a quick equipment check and finding everything to be in order. The rest of the team where stacking up and giving out the last bits of advice on their adversary’s. The Lekgolo spoke up about going out and drawing fire, a job normally meant for him in any other circumstance. Grikgar would not let it go out alone. Drawing his dual plasma pistols he stacked up behind the hunter and waited for it to push out, “Grik is right behind you.”

Of Blood and Magic

Victor Astorio

“Behind you now are paths laid bare where nothing but life once stood. Take your left and find your home without a backwards glance. Keep your eyes ahead now lest wandering thoughts drag you down.”

Victor listened carefully at Salem’s words, and thought about it for a moment before continuing. “Behind you now are paths laid bare where nothing but life once stood? So the path is clear with hopefully little in the way of obstacles. Take your left and find your home without a backwards glance? The left is the correct path to take from here just don’t look back.” A short pondering of the last few words again, “Keep your eyes ahead now lest wandering thoughts drag you down? Huh sounds easy enough knowing this place there is a catch. O well I feel the temperature dropping slightly from when we started, the sun is coming.”

Staying out too see the sun was not something he was looking forward to. Obviously for him it meant extreme discomfort but for the both of them it was failure. This was not an option. Stepping forward towards the way Salem directed the duo continued on their path through this very interesting mind field.

The next thing to come for him seemed rather disturbing and instantly put him on edge. There was no sound down this path, not even his own footsteps seemed to be muffled in the early morning air. Then the sound of footsteps behind him caught his ear, then breathing and a low growl. Whatever it was seemed bigger than even himself. The stench of rot and death drifted past them on a warm moist wind almost as if it was right behind them.

The count didn’t walk faster or turn even if all of his instincts were telling him to either run or fight, instead he relied on his training and quelled his reflexes with deep breathing then laughed. “You know Salem, we were taught to ignore our instincts at times. In order to stay still at whatever cost to avoid detection. My father had large dogs trained to sniff us out while we were hiding, they would bark and growl at us anything to get us to move or run. You see when dealing with dogs that have a trainer or handler we are taught to trick the man behind the hound and not the hound itself.” Victor was talking rather loudly to drown out the sounds behind them.

“One of the things they taught us to do to control these instincts is to belittle the threat or make it funny. Normally you would imagine it and keep it to yourself but I think I can make an exception.” He thought for a moment before continuing, how could he make fun of this thing that would make both of them feel a little better especially after that last challenge? Victor smiled, “Arron how did you get off your leash? Did your master give you permission?”

He was shouting into the forest now, not once looking back. “I doubt you had the balls to sneak off on your own after he neutered you. And what is that stench? I can’t tell if it’s because you have been licking Varis’s boots or chewing on them. That must be why you’re out here then, he left you on the porch again and you decided to run away like a lost puppy. You can’t find the princess so tried coming after my mage huh!?” he was still smiling as he walked, “you can try it too Salem.” He spoke then yelled again, “Well I got news for you pup. Salem here is a whole lot better than you, rode a vampire, faced off against a ghost from my past, and even had the brass balls to run into danger and have the gull to kill a fellow mage. I wouldn’t trade him for a puppet like you any day.” The large vampire was well aware this was a bit out of character for him but frankly he was tired of this as well and just maybe he could get Salem to laugh at the situation or at least feel better with a complement.

@Trainerblue192

Of Blood and Magic

Victor Astorio

Being attentive to how Salem reacted to his words. Victor wanted to see how the boy would react, and he was pleasantly surprised. The boy did not seem to be upset by his explanation or horrified. The only thing he saw on Salem’s face was curiosity. Victor did think that forcing a mage down this path for nothing more than to experiment was a bit harsh even for him. Still, being able to use this type of magic or at the very least defend against it was always a good thing to know. The count could only hope that his mage would use this information wisely.

Soon the look of curiosity on Salem’s face turned to pain while he coughed. It did seem that the plant mage had gotten a few spores in his lungs before he finished the fight. The boy soon keeled over in pain from coughing up what looked like small roots. This fight sure was intense and Ryner did not pull any punches in her challenges. Victor was deciding what to do next when the flower on the end of the sword began to glow and then shine, it was so bright he had to avert his gaze.

When he opened his eyes they were in the dark forest once more, the vampire watched as the flower floated around them and landed back onto the pedestal where the lantern began. His sight soon began to fade with the dimming light of the flower. He had just enough time to see it land and pick it up before his sight entirely vanished. Putting the now ruby flower with the cat figurine, the count looked down to where he could hear his mage breathing. Slowly the vampire picked up his mage, this time holding him in his arms like he was a small child. “Where too now Salem?”

@Trainerblue192

Halo: Aegis Team

Grikgar /Grik/ Seeker

// Unggoy Ultra // Demolitions and Artillery //

Grikgar had learned several new things on human etiquette and was quite fascinated by it. Next time he would remember to eat in an appropriate manner around the other humans. The others did not seem to be too fond of his antics thus far, the Unggoy was aware of this but didn’t let it show. Picking up his helmet and wiping off the rest of his food he followed the Spartan Ben around the ship.

The next stop was the holodeck, a training simulation computer. It wasn’t something he was used too, Grikgar was far more interested in watching some of the other humans in the area do what they were doing while the others trained. Always curious to the stories and lives of the humans, he was not afraid to ask any of them about their life stories. They varied so vividly that it was always interesting to learn more even if it was fake.

The Spartan he had been following earlier came and got him at about the same time a notification for mission start popped up in his helmet. Grik was able to grab the crate with his gear in it on their way to the meeting. Once he arrived and began seeing the images of the construct on several nearby screens as well as the others that had begun to get there gear ready he knew that the mission was about to start. At least he did feel lucky, yet again he found himself starring at another relic.

The Unggoy straightened his posture, with a deep breath he sighed opening the container. He listened as the major spoke while he affixed his weapons to him. The smooth silent way he got his gear together said he was used to it. Plasma pistols checked and placed on his thighs, plasma grenades on one side of his belt and plasma charges with extra ammo on the other. He was very careful and practiced as he checked his gear, the hiss of an extra can of methane to top his main tank off, his cloaking device making him disappear for a moment then come back, and finally a small flash of his energy shield coming online.

Looking up for a moment to see the mammoth as the major gestured to it only for him to quickly return to prepping his gear. The final two things the Unggoy prepped was checking the blade of his ODST combat knife and securing it to his left shoulder. Then picking up the rather large and bulky fuel rod gun, checking it carefully for damage or foul play, then loading a cluster of ammunition into it taking care to keep the safety on.

Grikgar closed the crate but kept it close to him he would need to take it with him onto the mammoth just in case. He stood quietly cradling his cannon in his arms it was almost as if his personality changed. Going from a childlike aloof Unggoy to a serious battle hardened elite. He knew what was expected of him and now that their mission was starting it was time to be professional, it was time to show why he had the rank of Ultra. "Grikgar is ready for combat mission Commander."

Halo: Aegis Team

Unggoy like sea food but technically............... yes

Of Blood and Magic

Victor Astorio

Victor quite enjoyed breaking in the door to the cabin but knew he would have to wait to enjoy the moment for another time. Vines and grass were starting to grow up around the sword now and risked cutting off his ability to grab it or destroying it all together. He quickly reached for the blade and began pulling it out of the floor. The vines were quick to constrain him and the blade keeping him pinned for just a moment.

With a scream from outside the grass and vines went limp releasing their grasp on the blade and sending his back into the wall. Standing up Victor quickly moved out the front door to see that Salem was victorious and the other two lay motionless on the ground. He witnessed the lord clap his hands twice before moving off into the forest. With their task done victor began to walk down to Salem making sure to punch out one of the cabin windows on his way down.

“You handled yourself rather well with the mage and his minion. However, next time before jumping into a situation be sure to read the environment first.” Gesturing up towards the cabin, “there was a light up there, vampires don’t need light. The lord himself would not make such an accommodation for any mage or human.” Victor kicked the mage over onto its back picking up the mages wand and attempted for a moment to remove the mask before standing again.

“This one is known as Edmond, it’s not his real name. Like you he is a plant mage. However.” Pointing the sword at the pile of dust that was once a vampire. “This is what happens when an Astorio perverts plant magic, this one uses magic to distract while planting spores in its victims chest while they breathe. Eventually they become puppets like that one.” The count looked over his mage and any injuries he may have obtained then offered the hilt of the blade with the glowing flower to Salem. “Honestly I think those tactics are only useful to spread fear or to be used on a vampire that is otherwise useless because it limits our physical prowess, but does tend to make them more durable.”

Halo: Aegis Team

Grikgar /Grik/ Seeker

// Unggoy Ultra // Demolitions and Artillery //

Continuing to follow the commanders down the hall at a quick pace. Grikgar was now entirely curious to find out what this mess hall was all about and what kind of ‘food’ these humans had. Where they just nipples and used solely for nutrients or did they have comfort foods? All questions that were answered when they got close to the room. His senses were already being bombarded with different smells. Unggoy where particularly good at following their noses and this room already didn’t disappoint.

There were a lot of people in this large room, rows of tables bordered with what looked almost like tall vending machines adorned with a holographic monitor to dispense food. Grik had grabbed two plates after watching a couple of marines press a few buttons and see their trays fill up with food. This simple aspect of their life was almost a dream to the Unggoy. He was well aware he wouldn’t find anything familiar so he knew there was a lot of guess work to it.

He spent more than the others did flipping through the pages and acquiring what he thought he wanted, even going as far as asking some of the marines what they were getting. Not very many answered him with food items. Soon he found himself carrying two trays loaded down with drinks, various carbs, and more than a few extra helpings of seafood. He seemed very proud of what he had.

Finally setting his things down on the table he awkwardly sat down in the seat given to him. The two fire team leaders seemed very intent on their discussion and he payed them no mind other than having to look around the pile of food to see them. The Unggoy took his helmet off and placed it next to him on the table, a smaller portion of the mask remained over his nose for him to breathe exposing his small but scarred bald head, green eyes, and small sharp teeth.

The little guy seemed intent on sampling everything first before digging in. he was obviously unaware of how to properly eat things, taking a bite out of the side of a banana without peeling it first was a sign of this. These things did not bother him, small bones in the fish? Devoured, Shells on crab legs and claws? Crunched. The grunt also did not use any of the utensils that came with the tray picking up and eating everything with his hands. Until he came to what he was told was a ghost pepper, the marine that told him about was laughing when he said it so it couldn’t be that bad right?

He didn’t sample this one even if he should have, instead Grik just popped it into his mouth and quickly chewed then swallowed. After a few silent minutes of him to really think about how it made him feel, it soon occurred to him that his mouth was nearly on literal fire. Eyes going wide he sat up straight coughing, he felt like he was choking and began scrambling for something liquid that he had gotten. During his commotion of trying to grab one of the bowls of seafood chowder, one of the two plates fell to the floor spilling the other half of its contents. At the same time, he guzzled down the warm soup to extinguish the fire inside him, clearly making a mess of himself as not all the white chowder made it down his gullet.

The empty bowl fell to the floor, the grunt laid back in his chair exhausted, “why… why does plant hate Grikgar?” Grik slowly sat up and began cleaning himself off. The grunt decided that maybe that was enough food for him and instead opted to take a drink of coffee instead. The taste compared to the pepper was heavenly. “Grik thought you said there were no drugs here?” he said as he kept drinking the coffee. Did these humans possibly create a monster hyped up on coffee? Possibly, only time will tell.