A Heroic Trial
@Click This
And so the battle ensued. Lazhira ran off to the creature's side, skirting just outside of its effective attack range and kiting the smaller slime creatures to her.
“Hey you dirty blobs, over here!” Narkissa could see Lazhira using more of that strange ‘light’ magic to fight with. It was difficult to make out what exactly she was doing, but it seemed like she was able to handle herself, using the odd light magic to seemingly deflect blows whilst at the same time harming the blobs that attacked her, rarely directly attacking herself.
Narkissa had to focus on the blob in front of her, however.
Its body had already mostly reformed. The blue light within seemingly to shimmer tauntingly as its body roiled. The black slime began to shape itself at one end, creating an almost fist shaped blob. At the same time though, Narkissa’s own spell would fire off. The stream of pressurized water this time taking a somewhat different shape. Rather than a stream, it was just a fast moving ‘bullet’ of water. It would peirce its flesh, burying itself within.
As much as she hoped, it then violently reacted as it superheated itself. Encapsulated by the slimes body, the steam had nowhere else to go as it expanded. Its body bubbled and began to deform as the bubble of steam expanded until it could no longer contain itself within the weak prison.
The slimes body exploded on one side, sending a rain of black slime, bones, and whatever other viscera made up its body all over the area. Its own attack seemed to fall short of Narkissa, slamming into the ground just next to her as a gaping hole in its side threw off its aim..
Within the center of its body, a blue stone shimmered weakly. The slime however was still not down for the count. She could see its body attempting to still reform. She’d need to act fast to put it down for the count.
Dungeon Diving ho~!
@Crusader Lord@Crimson Paladin
Leannah would wander about the library, bookshelves full of old tomes that seemed to be mostly foreign to her. Perhaps is she dedicated some time to going through each in a painstaking manner, she could find something but time was probably something she didn’t exactly have much of, here. The fact that there was potentially someone else down here and potentially something
else probably meant staying in one spot for a long amount of time unwise unless she was extremely confident in her abilities.
The tower carving she checked, was indeed hollow. Seemingly fragile, too. As though it was made to be broken. The contents of the carving was...well, something to be sure. A necklace made of smooth, carved stones strung together. The centerpiece was an ultramarine colored teardrop shaped gem. A star shape had been carved into it. She would also take the necklace from the other statue in hand. It was heavy, much heavier than it should have potentially been for its size.
She would then walk over to the bust of what she assumed was the God of Knowledge...and would place the necklace retrieved from the tower on it.
…
…
Nothing happened.
Even using the stone necklace would achieve nothing.
It was clear that the necklaces were important though. One of stone, one carved gem. One came from the tower, one from the carving of what she assumed was the Goddess Delphiti...then, perhaps, what was the statue of the woman in the back with the vase? It couldn’t be just for decoration, could it?
Perhaps she was recreating some legend symbolically here as she assumed.
Clearly the hand was reaching for something, but if it wasn’t this necklace, then what, perhaps was it? She took something from the tower...but then what was taken, and who took it? If it wasn’t the god of knowledge, that took whatever this necklace was supposed to represent...more clearly looking at the statue in the back, there was something carved at the base of the pillar.
“Thus, the exodus was made. The beloved Sage led from the place of birth, the heretics cursed to remain. The moon wept once more, the cistern overflowing, and brought life back to the land. This, would in turn give birth to Knowledge, which in turn gave birth to the desire for the secrets of the Oceans. Desire turned into actuality, and thus a seal was made by their accord.”
Her eyes would also find the vase hollow, with something resting inside of the vase. A small, crystal sphere.
Novak continued, concerned for his partners safety but knowing that he at least, should make sure there was nothing immediately life threatening in the area. Checking the paths, he saw the same rooms Leannah would have. A room with a pedestal, and a hallway that would curve so he couldn’t see around it. The darkness of this area did indeed feel rather oppressive...its use as a living area once quite apparent. The kitchen had not been used in a long time, and the bunks were full of beds that had been haphazardly made, remnants of robes and what was once perhaps a lively area left behind. As he donned the mask, darkness would envelop his vision again...but soon, the greyed out world would return. Motes of light floated in the air around him as he would look at his surroundings.
The room that Leannah had fallen trapped in, showed little. Bright white light filtered in from the cracks in the door that had separated them, but also curiously a single line of light would trace between the bricks which made the walls, curving all the way around the wall towards the unknown path. It seemed as if he wanted answers to what was in that room now, he may need to travel that way.
The Pedestal room however, was perhaps, far more lively.
As he gazed inside, he could see humanoid figures. Whispers began filling his ears, but they were too distant, and too numerous to make out. If he decided to enter, the figures made of light would disperse, and a series of images would light up on the pedestal. In descending order
A crown.
A sphere.
A trident.
A single, vertical eye.
And lastly a chain link.
What these meant, he certainly had no idea as of yet. Looking around the room would show what seemed to be claw marks carved into the wall creating what seemed to be tally marks in various places. If he took the mask off, the figures of light would disappear entirely. A closer inspection would indeed, though, reveal images carved into the pedestal carved into the wall, but no tally marks. ‘I’ was carved by the Eye, a II was carved by the sphere. III by the Crown, IIII by the Trident, and a IIIII by the chain link.
Nobbu and the Fox
@VitaVitaAR@PKMNB0Y
The duo approached the grove, the unsettling peacefulness of the area doing little to dissuade them from walking towards the small shrine. Nobbu would then take a bit of the reed, remembering Lazhiras’ words. Focus inward...and then attempt ‘igniting’ it. It certainly wasn’t something that seemed to come as easy to her as others. She could certainly feel something, but it was...distant. Almost somewhat strained, like she was trying to feel for something in pitch darkness.
A few more moments of trying, though, she would achieve something. Between her fingers a small flame would form. It would first shoot upwards, and nearly threaten to engulf the reed entirely in flame, but after a quick flash of heat it would die down, only causing it to smolder and the edges of it start to burn. A scent similar to what Misaki might know as ‘weed’ would fill the area. It seemed like she could easily practice with this more, and eventually get better with it given time.
Placing it on the Altar would let it still burn, as Nobunaga took the old wooden flute and would start to play. It took a few tries to get the notes right, the old flute didn’t seem to be doing its job very well, but soon enough the warlord would start.
An upbeat airy tune would fill the area. It would even overcome the quiet feeling of the forest, as the feeling of being watched would turn from unease to something feeling of approval. The deer within the grove would lift their heads, turn them to the pair with seeming interest. Even the small fawn which had followed them would approach, at least realizing that these two didn’t pose a threat to it now.
It would be when Nobunaga eventually finished whatever performance she gave, did something finally happen. The wind gently began to blow, a relaxing and calming breeze, reminding one of perhaps a spring day. From the edge of the grove, a tall deer whose antlers reached the branches of the trees above began walking towards the pair, its long legs gracefully stepping across the ground.
“...the scent of the reed and the melody of the wind...” It would say in its airy voice. “It has been a while since the village has visited...yet you are not of the village. Another pair of outsiders, seeking an audience...and you too, carry the scent of the moon.” It would say. “...hm. Regardless of my thoughts on that, allow me to say that was a pleasant tune, human. If only others could perform such instead of making such racket with their words and instruments.” It would raise its head proudly. “You stand before the Kyrnith. The Elder Beast of skies and wind. Upon my rest rest the skies, keeping them from the unworthy. My breath is the gentle breeze. What brings thee to my domain?”
It tilted its head to the small fawn.
“...I do believe that one desired a reed you were carrying on you.”
Wayward builder
@Guy0fV4lor@PaulHaynek
The older gentleman looked up at Donovan, unable to say anything as the construction worker placed a firm, but gentle hand on his shoulder. He was nothing but a washed up old man, doing his best to simply keep the village running and going in the face of a slew of problems. Bounty from the forest drying up due to the danger. Lack of children...lady Mie even saying this was going to be her final trip here.
He would still say nothing as they left.
He watched them leave, slowly taking a seat, watching the back of that man as he left the house.
...perhaps he had been too passive in how he was handling things. He had his suspicions, but had been cautious to take action for fear of upsetting the fragile peace they had. But...perhaps. Perhaps something else could be done.
Donovan would then make his way to Mie. The midday sun slowly starting its descent, now, as he would ask one fo the guards for a ‘Gambeson’. The masked Oni would simply stare at Donovan. For a moment, awkward silence.
“...well I don’t know what that is.” The owner of the establishment would pipe up, making her presence known by walking into view. She’d wave off the Oni that Donovan attempted to speak too. “But I like the name of it...also don’t bother the Oni. They’re not supposed to speak with anyone but me or Haruno.” The diminutive, fox tailed merchant would lean over a nearby table, smiling at Donovan cheekily. “Two of those eh...hmhm.”
At least it did seems he had something comparable. Perhaps not exactly a ‘gambeson’, but from what he could tell it seemed like it might be a decent equivalent, for now at least. Rather than a single shirt, it would be something of a few pieces of cloth armor covering his upper chest, shoulders, with a thick cloth armor covering the rest of his stomach and midsection.
After seeing how much money he had, Mie would click her tongue.
“Tsk, just barely not enough here.” She’d nod with a frown. “But since I’m so nice, I’ll tell you what. One of our Kamaitachi’s ran off after one of our workers left it untied. Don’t worry, these are docile and don’t usually hurt people as long as they stay fed and happy.” She said, passing a small bag of what seemed to be a few fruits to Donovan. “They love these, and will probably find you if you hold it long enough. Should follow you once it does, so bring it back and you can have the armor.”
Nicholas, meanwhile would have split off to find this pair from Chagawa. Asking around the town, he’d learn that they left and headed into the forest. He’d also run into Haruno would would say she thought she saw them head into the forest and head towards the ‘Kyrniths Grove’. She would also tell Nicholas where it was and the easiest way to get there.
It wouldn’t be too difficult for him to simply head there without much issue if he wished it.
Send Feet Pics
@Cu Chulainn
“...hmph, you were supposed to find your way here yourself.” The voice would gruffly reply. “One learns nothing by being led by the nose.”
“Let him go.” Soyala said, turning quickly and hand going to a dagger of her own. “The Illuminator also teaches that we should consider opportunities when we see it.” The dagger would press harder against Malphas’ neck briefly, before it would withdraw. The one that had accosted him would move back to where he had assumedly been before. Just out of sight. One wouldn’t be able to see him if they entered normally without looking back.
Malphas would recognize him as a hunter from the village that he had seen previously.
“Fine. I’d likely end up on the receiving end of his experiments if I did.” He’d grunt, folding his arms. “Go on, but the Illuminator has left to watch the show elsewhere.”
“As expected. I’ll make sure Malphas here understands what is happening.” Soyala would relax, as the stone behind them cracked and would return to its seemingly solid state. If Malphas followed, Soyala would lead him further into the cavern, where it would open up into what was some sort of temple.
Plush white and gold colored carpet led from the entryway to an idol against a far wall, and upon the walls themselves...hung paintings of...well, it was difficult to tell some of them. Some were of a man ripping his own face off. One was of an odd contraption. Some sort of...plane? It was difficult to tell. Some were of more abstract sort. It was difficult to take them in, and looking at them made Malphas’ head hurt slightly. The entire room felt vastly different than the rest of the more primitive lodgings and outlook of the village of Dawn. The emptiness of the room felt oddly oppressive.
“Right, here we are. The actual temple.” Soyala said with a nod. “We...moved here to use the old one as a decoy.” She’d say with a nod. “His lordship will return shortly, but I will relay to you what he likely would ask of you.” Soyala would smirk. “Someone stole something from him. A...key and a memory if you will. We want outside help in returning it. Someone in the village is likely the culprit, and that...girl known as Lazhira is the most obvious one. And also the one currently in the decoy. She’s probably looking to steal something else with the help of those other outsiders.”
Malphas could make out a few more hunters he saw in the village here. Seemed like most of them were on the the Illuminators payroll, so to speak.
"Doubtful she died from that fire. Seems those allies of hers have some divine help themselves."
Danyel
datadogie
The Red Seelie
rush99999
Xiro Zean
Cu Chulainn
Alfhedil
Ojiro Mashirao
Gerlando
Izurich
