The Irish Tree

Tales Of Shizuyama: Alternative (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

A Heart of Broken Dreams

Name: Vivian

Race: Glacies

Magic/Abilities/Equipment:

• Frozen Soul: Born of ice and feeding off of heat, Vivian's entire body is as cold as ice and outputs an aura of extreme cold. Thankfully for those around her, she can decrease this freezing aura's potency to only bring the temperature down a few degrees. When brought to full potency, Vivian can use her aura to freeze the ground solid enough to "skate" across it with her limbs of sharpened ice.
• Frozen Heart: Glacies have frozen themselves, heart and soul, for their Queen. As such, while many Monsters are susceptible to demonic energy, Glacies are highly resistant to their monstrous nature and can hide their presence from Monster detection spells rather well.
• Vaganova grand pas de glace: With their long graceful limbs and culture of arts, Glacies of the Queendom of Lyonesse fight not with spells or weapons, but with a combative form of dance similar to human ballet crossed with figure skating. Swift graceful movements are emphasized, as frozen limbs are sharpened to stand at toe-point and slice through man-made armor. Dances can be freeform, or follow plays much like human ballet, and even though the movements appear wasteful and full of openings, many soldiers have found themselves bewildered by the speed of ice cutting through steel.
• Waterswan's Wings: A classic ballet in Lyonesse tells of the beautiful swan queen, born upon a lake of pure crystal who fell in love with a hunter who saved her from a pitch black vulture. Endebted to the man, she wove her feathers one by one into a vest as thanks, only for the man to meet his end before she finished. The swan's tears descended on the lake, freezing in the icy waters until they formed Lyonesse, its Queen, and her tears in turn made her subjects. Of course, its all just a story, but many young frostlings' imagination is sparked by this story of lost love, resulting in many aspiring to take part in the royal ballet. This garment, made of fabric so fine as to be near invisible, is a mark of honor for Vivian as one who played a part in the royal ballet. Provides marginal magic resistance, and is enchanted to never fray or tear so long as it is worn.

Personality:
An emotionally stunted diva that has trouble relating to others, Vivian can often come across as incredibly curt, to the point, and melancholy. And...she is! But, as one gets a bit closer to the icy dancer, one can start to see the façade that's there. The inability to not scrutinize others due to expecting scrutiny of herself, the walls she built to peer past but never cross...beneath everything, Vivian is most scared of being hurt, and is almost incapable of trusting most. She seems to have at least opened up to Lady Kyouko enough to admit wanting to help, but is hesitant to trust in others, or rely upon them for help.

Background:
"Work hard, and you too can bear your heart upon this stage! Bare your souls to the Queen, and dance until your heart is freed!"

Such were the first words that Vivian remembered, proclaimed by one of the Queen's most loyal knights. Born to the underwater city of Lyonesse, populated almost exclusively by Glacies and aquatic species that could tolerate the cold, Vivian grew up around those with identical dreams to her. To serve her queen, to hone her skills to perfection, to defend her home, and to relive the fairy tale ballet ballads of old. Body, mind, and soul were harnessed to their utmost limits, training through grueling weeks where she didn't stop to rest. Every glacies of Lyonesse shines like a jewel, but Vivian would settle for nothing less than the top.

Hard work didn't always provide results, but for Vivian, raw passion burned in her frozen heart. To outdo those around her, to shine for her Queen, and to one day see the sun...those dreams drove Vivian through her life. But, dreams and passion alone aren't all life is worth living for. Make no mistake: Vivian is endlessly talented, dedicated, and hard working. But this isn't the story of a girl who did everything right. Toes were stepped upon, friendships broken, ties severed. To reach the top required sacrifice, and Vivian would sacrifice anyone and anything to exist at the top. For her soul to be free.

Callous and melancholy, Vivian was only alive upon the stage. Outside of it, her heart was icier than any Glacies. Love was only for the Queen. Time was only for the dance. Words were only for "yes" and "no". Rest was only until the next show.

When finally her dream came true, Vivian shone brightly upon the ice. The Queen watching, the city in silence, rapt attention all upon her in the Royal Ballet.

Allegro giusto...waltz...moderato...

Like a machine she danced, marvelously cutting the ice under her feet with such movements the theater had never seen, or would see again for some time. The curtains fell, the roses were thrown, and the last bow was taken...

And, behind those closed curtains, the limbs of Vivian had reached their breaking point and snapped. Flawless ice meant to last a lifetime broken down into irreparable pieces. To freeze new materials into place for a Glacies was child's play...but there was an ugliness to it as well. Perhaps it was a punishment. Her one moment in the spotlight was her last, as the ruined Vivian was wheeled off by those she despised as talentless, tended to by those she'd severed her heart from, and her new, blackened limbs made of beautifully cut obsidian inlaid with gold, all replaced save her left hand, the one left clutching the rose at curtain call.

She would never be the peerless, perfect ballerina the Queen had once seen. Would never take to the stage out of fear of her movements, now slower, weighed differently by the lovingly crafted replacements for her body, became a sluggish thing that she hated most of all. And so, she would leave Lyonesse behind without a word of thanks to anyone. Not for those who cheered for her, cared for her, or yearned for her return to the stage. A broken thing had no place in the perfect Royal Ballet.

Making her way across the ocean, Vivian would find herself at odds between a Varjan vessel and a boat from a no-name, no-consequence island called "Shizuyama". Something stirred in her chest upon seeing humans fighting their hardest. Their ugly, hard-fought battle, wherein they had no choice but to shed their lives, their bodies, their very souls for it. ...What purpose was there, in lives so small, so talentless, ignorant and indifferent, that she felt might as well have never been brought to this world at all?

...But, even ugly, shattered things, flailing as desperately as they can and wailing at the world were beautiful in their own way. With one grand movement that seemed to jump from the moon itself down, she would sink the Varjan ship with a gargantuan slice along its hull, before gliding along the water once more.

...Perhaps...here, her heart really could be free.

Da Roolz!

"Hm. So many types of people...I don't know how you stand this heat. And humidity. But, you're rather lucky. Not many would get the chance in all their lives to see a Royal Ballerina, especially not outsiders. Keep your eyes on me, if you want to be impressed."

I arrive!

Magus Reaver: Scions of Sorcery

Hector Wyland

@Polaris North, @PaulHaynek, @AzureKnight

---

Hector puffed his chest up a bit at having his name be recognized, content that someone actually knew who he was for once. Even a minor noble enjoyed a good ego stroke now and again. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Imre, he said before bowing in kind.

With everyone inside the carriage, Hector would relax a bit, proudly adjusting his rifle's holster over his shoulder while Herne idly slithered along his shoulders, the Master and Summon enjoying a bit of a rest after a spirited sprint. The last carriage ride had been filled with lady-puke and general discomfort, so Hector was glad that he would just get to enjoy the light breeze, and sights of the countryside. Hector wasn't in the know on what Ruecian was speaking of, but, if they had to fight some sort of plague beast, Hector was confident enough that he could prove a match for it.

...He was, in essence, absolutely "feeling himself."

Then came the call from the driver for everyone but Imre to step out. A problem had arrived, and bullets may in fact be the solution! Hector would leave the vehicle with the others, staring at the gathered brigands in their veils and hoods. Their weapons seemed wicked in design, but...well, Hector had a far more wicked weapon waiting on his back. Shavis had three to deal with and Ruecian had two facing him down, leaving five to charge at Einer and Hector. "Herne!" the sniper called out, the ghost snake responding with a hearty hiss before launching itself straight at the closest of the attackers. When he would swing upon it however, he would find that the snake lacked a physical body to truly "strike", in turn meaning nothing would happen.

But that moment of "nothing" was all Hector needed to have one of the five a little bit behind. Enough distance that now, Einer and himself could handle two each, with Hector's rifle being quickly brought out with a bullet already loaded in it. "[Smite!]" Hector called out, the incantation for his Thaumaturgy complete as he fired one shot, the range making it difficult to aim, and only managing to hit a little off-center of his arm...only for Hector to see the shot continue going, the arm now having a fist-sized hole in it.

...Oh, he was absolutely feeling himself now!

"Herne! Back to me! [Self Order: Control Left Arm!]" The sniper called out, his snake diving back out from the Earth, slithering up his leg, and seemingly "diving" into his arm, the limb gaining a slightly purple glow as Herne's head poked free of his wrist. The closest brigand facing Hector would swing at him with a wicked looking scimitar, the sniper barely managing to dodge back enough that he wouldn't get slashed across his chest. He didn't have time to pull the lever for his rifle to get another shot off, so Hector would entrust a single command to Herne:

Spin that rifle by the lever. In a coordinated move only possible thanks to his spirit's help, Hector would spin the gun by his middle and ring finger to deflect another swing from the scimitar, the motion carrying just enough force to open the bolt, sending the spent cartridge directly into the left eye of his attacker while Hector moved the bayonet to slide onto the gun. By the time his assailant recovered from the brass hitting his eye, Hector would change the angle of his arm to spin the gun once more at a lateral angle, the knife-tipped barrel slicing at his opponent's sword-arm as Herne kept on spinning. However, it seemed that the bard was having trouble with his opponent. Hector had an opening, and would level his rifle at the burly axeman’s chest before firing, not channeling another Smite due to him suspecting this rifle had more than enough stopping power for a brute of his size. "Are you alright?" he called out, turning his attention back to the wounded scimitar-wielder.

Tales Of Shizuyama (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

Liliana

@Enkryption, @AzureKnight

---

After getting her eyeballs properly cleaned by some very sanitary salt-water, Liliana was still rolling around in the boat screeching about her eye pain when they arrived. Teary-eyed and squinting, she would roll off of the boat and onto the shoreline, noticing some seriously ominous laughter coming from Alice's direction.

Getting up, Liliana would approach with Whimsy on her back. "...Lady Alice? I'm um...I-I forgive you for choking me and I'm sorry about accidentally tripping you, so um...are you alright?" she asked. She'd never seen Alice like this.

Eula

---

Blow after blow was intercepted by Eula, until one with far more power knocked her off her feet. The killing blow was only stopped thanks to the swordsman in white and red, whom Eula had never seen before. Slowly getting up with her elbows, Eula felt as if something inside her had broken from the mace hit to her stomach. Some internals were leaking collant, some connections severed. Her internals were working to fix the damage, but that could take hours of rest to fully heal. Standing, Eula could feel her left eye growing a touch dim, some internal connection having been strained enough from her standing to make seeing difficult.

"...Why?" Eula asked to Kazenosuke's question, seeking the answer herself.

Why did she let herself be destroyed to intercept fatal blows for humans?

Why did she join a conflict, an actual war, where she would have to fight humans and protect humans?

...And why did thinking about that answer cause clear coolant to leak from behind her malfunctioning eye.

"...Mm. I think I understand myself now," Eula said, already turning back towards the fighting. Her lips curled into a slight smile as she looked back to Kazenosuke, her broken arm now dangling from the barest bits of internal wiring and cables.

"That's because I-"

"Well, its because we made her to-"

"Love humans too much to see them die."

Before she could say anything else, Eula was back in the fight as she had been, fighting to protect rather than destroying anything.

Magus Reaver: Scions of Sorcery

Hector Wyland

---

Collab: How to blow 2k gold on a really cool gun

Hector had to admit, he wasn’t opposed at all to a little drink of whiskey. ”Whiskey’s fine by me,” he said, removing his rifle from his back and laying it upon a nearby table. ”I was looking to up the firepower on my rifle, if at all possible. My most recent fight against Makara made me realize that its lacking in penetration. …I’m not…the most talented Magus here, so I want to have every advantage I can in a real fight.”

The old man promptly tossed the eye-patch toting noble a full flask, straight from his stash which never seemed to run empty. "Ah, if I recall young man, I believe that was the same mission that dancing Alchemist girl went on as well." He said, walking away from his desk. He grabbed an old chair and put it at Hector's feet. "Take a load off." He said. He then grabbed another and placed it so that he'd be sitting right in front of him.

"I heard that mission took one hell of a turn. The alchemist girl had drunk some nasty waste, and something about a guy who could regenerate? Weird shit." Childes said, downing a bit of his drink. "But, enough about that. Lemme see yer rifle there, son. If ya don't mind."

Hector would deftly catch the flask, unscrewing the top and taking a swig. Strong, but it had a good flavor. He would hand over his rifle, saying: ”Here. I just hope that I can prove more useful next time,” the noble said, capping the flask and setting it on the table. ”Dancing, huh? And, half of that ‘weird shit’ was caused by Scarlett to begin with.”

"I’ve no doubt!" Johannes said with a hearty chuckle. "Now then, let’s have a looksee…" He held the gun in various positions, inspection and making a few vocal sounds to signify deep thought. "Top-notch craftsmanship, chamber and other inner-workings made to resonate with mana, of course they can’t forget the gaudy decoration." He took out the weapon’s magazine, inspecting the bullets. "Yep, everything down to bullet count and size is standard Flugell issue."

He put the mag back into the weapon, then set it on the table. "I imagine you make good use of your snakey friend to rid yerself of recoil shock and ensure precise aiming in all scenarios, am I right son?" He said, walking away toward a work bench for a moment, promptly setting the gun down on it. "Making armor piercing rounds ain’t nothing to write home about. But, there’s more we can work on."

He then turned to the wayward noble. "With your permission of course."

”You’d guess right on how I use Herne to stabilize. And, feel free. What did you have in mind,” Hector said, then asked. Any help was invaluable, as Hector needed an edge over dangerous enemies. His bullets weren’t anywhere near as effective on the Makara as he’d have hoped, with him needing a clean shot straight through the skull to get them to stop at all.

Any beast that charged with a metal slug barrelling through it was just as terrifying as any Malfested.

"Gonna exchange the barrel so it can fit the new bullets I'll be making for ya, for one!" He said, putting the gun back on the workbench. Walking over to a storage cabinet, Childes swung the door open and grabbed what looked to be a utility bag of sorts, various tools could be seen poking out of its openings and crevices. He placed the bag beside the gun, opening it up and taking out a few tools.

"In addition, I'm gonna throw in a couple of nifty tweaks to spruce up the mana channeling. The metal generally used in these models is the cheap shit." He chuckled. "And, of course, some new big boy bullets to go along with your upgrade. "

Soon, the lab would be filled with the sounds of tinkering metal and electrical sparks. When the old smithy went to work, no one knew what to expect…

Hector liked the sound of upgrading the barrel and mana channeling. Enough so that he’d stay and watch from a distance, appreciating the older craftsman’s work as he made Hector’s peashooter into something more akin to a proper magus’ weapon. Something that he might have to grow into, if he was being honest with himself.

After a few more minutes of tinkering and metal clanking, Hector would hear a distinct clicking sound that signified that Johannes had finished his work on the gun. A satisfied grin sat on the man’s face as he held the gun in his hands. "You’re gonna love this!" He snickered, handing the gun back to the sniper. The metal used to upgrade the chamber was of a higher grade as promised, along with being able to resonate with magical energy to a higher extent. Only someone who’s used the weapon for a long time would even notice the difference in the way the weapon now felt.

"Hang on for a minute while I whip some bullets up for ya!" He continued, walking over to another bench. "Care for another flask?"

While more booze was tempting after the last little quest he’d been on, Hector didn’t think getting sloshed was a good idea. But, the sniper was eager to check the gun, able to feel the subtle thrum of power from it, as the new conductive material resonated with the faint spark of magic in Hector. With mechanical precision, Hector would disassemble the gun piece-by-piece, admiring Johannes’ handiwork in a way that only someone who knew his weapon really could. ”This is incredible…and the weight feels like its hardly increased. You really are some kind of genius,” Hector said, reassembling the gun and having it back in working order within a single minute. ”How can I repay you?”

"Glad you approve, damn well better!" Childes said, laughing to himself. Having pulled out a rusty ammo machine along with some crafting materials, he had answered Hector without turning his way. One had to wonder why Johannes would use such an old looking contraption, judging by the spots and marks of grime on the device he must’ve had it for decades. He was right at work, regardless, with more sounds of clanking along with the grinding of fine dust.

Seeming to have finished, the new bullets were put into a magazine case, enough for about three or four reloads. Each of them held about six bullets; he tossed the cases up and down in his hand with intriguing precision.

"Well, son…" He began, responding to Hector’s question. "Since we both work here, it only makes sense that I make yer job easier. HOWEVER, those parts and materials ain’t cheap, and my vendor seems to agree! Normally, the fine tune and chamber replacement run ya a fine sum. Not to mention I threw in these babies as well. But, since I like ya, I’ll give ya a discount this time. How’s 2,000G sound? I hope that won’t hurt ya wallet too much, the missions y’all lot completed should paid a hefty sum."

Given that the quest awarded a suspiciously equal amount to that price, Hector was eager to say: ”Mm. Its a deal,” while also making a note to check his own finances once he was alone with his ledger.

"Pleasure doin’ business with ya, youngin' ' Childes said, shaking his hand and handing him the cases. "Tell me how she treats ya when you get back from whatever mission you decide on! Will ya be needing me for anything else, Mr. Hector?"

”Not that I can think of. But, I’ll be sure to come to you for anything else weapon-related I might have in the future. I’ll be sure to tell you about its performance when I return. Thanks for everything,” Hector said, glad to have spent some money to ensure his future at the tower.

…Though…now he had to find a mission that suited this newfound firepower. Or one that paid enough to make back the difference. Departing from the workshop, Hector would check the board and immediately be drawn into the idea of the escort mission. High pay, potential monsters, and a scion of the Molnar family in need of aid…it couldn’t be more perfect if Hector staged it himself. His father was already disapproving of him being at the tower, but perhaps a job like this would put the tower in a favorable light amongst nobility…and help in the upcoming review by the church.

With the newfound bullets and adjusted rifle, Hector would rush headlong to the meeting place, a fair bit behind those who had already left for the quest. As such, he would be arriving a touch later, just as everyone was making introductions. A healthy bit of cardio never killed anyone.

@Polaris North, @PaulHaynek, @AzureKnight

The sniper would make his presence known as he cleared his throat, saying: ”My deepest apologies for being late! I thought my gun could do with some tuning up,” before he would bow slightly to Imre and her servant, saying: ”Hector Wyland, at your service.”

Tales Of Shizuyama (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

Eula

---

Takeshi offered two options to Eula: To go back and check on the others, or to keep on pressing the assault with the other warriors of Shizuyama. To her, the only option was to ensure that someone as significant to the region as Takeshi was for him to go and check on the situation. "You're more tactically minded than I am, Takeshi. I will make sure to break through the Varjans here," the automaton said, taking a few steps past Takeshi to rejoin the fighting.

"Oh, and..." Eula would turn back, smiling slightly at Takeshi. "I wouldn't mind learning from you, after this battle. I still have a lot to learn about humans...and I have heard people understand one another when they exchange blows. I look forward to it," the automaton said, before running off with sword in hand, wasting no time as she did what Takeshi asked of her. Her mission was to protect as many soldiers as she could, even if she herself was forbidden from lethally dispatching of any Varjans.

"Laguna? Can you hear me?"

"Of course I can, silly. We didn't give up our audio processors. Those were easy to salvage for her."

Humans were fundamentally flawed creatures. Arrogant, prideful, violent, hypocritical, cowardly, contradictory...so why?

Why was she born to love them so much?

Why did this world love humanity enough to have Monsters love them too?

Eula couldn't think of an answer, as she intercepted a lethal blow for a soldier, her stout arm parrying a Varjan axe, before a blast from her arm stunned the attacker long enough for him to be finished by another. But, even the person she just defended wasn't safe, as an arrow hit him through the eye. Again and again, Eula would save two, lose one, advance three, be knocked down, and have to stand again. It was a game of attrition, one wherein Eula was a Queen that could never take any piece on the board.

She could only bear with the reality of war. She couldn't save anybody. She couldn't kill anybody. She couldn't do anything but hope for victory from others, all while her hands were forced to remain clean of blood.

"Mm. I think...if she thinks like that...maybe the world will be kind to her. Don't you think?"

Tales Of Shizuyama (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

Eula

---

In the heat of the fighting, Eula couldn't keep up with the Varjan onslaught. She did what she could to preserve as many lives as possible while fighting her way through, but a one-armed machine could only do so much against a tide of arrows and steel. The barriers at her back would at least stop the Varjans from advancing any farther, but there was no chance for many to retreat before their time would be up.

Eula would be blind to the archer that had her dead to rights, her attention only caught as she heard the arrow he fired deflected by swift steel, Takeshi himself had rode out to engage in the fighting, and had saved the automaton from an early end. "Thank you, Takeshi!" she would call out, before facing off against the two Varjans approaching her. Being forced to nonlethality was its own sort of curse, given that Eula had 0 actual options to permanently deal with these soldiers. The warrior approaching with a horizontal axe sweep would find Eula had ducked low under his axe, far lower than a human normally could by laying her legs completely flat into a split to narrowly dodge the attack. The automaton would then firmly plant her one good fist into the soldier's armor, putting a dent in it while also sending him flying into his sword-bearing compatriot.

Once the varjans were on the ground, Eula would run over and use her one functioning stun gun to neutralize them both, then grabbing the sword-bearers weapon. She couldn't kill with it, but it made fighting against armed soldiers much more manageable. Her technique was clumsy, and in all likelihood her raw reckless strength would simply break the sword, but it was a better defense than nothing at all. With how thick the fighting had grown, she could only fight at Takeshi's side and hope that there was a way to break this siege...

The Little Hamlet

Sorry for taking so long. Posted and Crowsted!

The Little Hamlet

Cornelius Bojangles

Interacting with: Joe Bob, Townsfolk,

Hearth Town Square - Adventurer's Guild|| Wheelin' and Dealin' || Down in the dumps...

Well, at least the produce was moving!

And so were the people.

With nary a word after they bought the produce beyond some hushed whispers.

Cornelius wouldn't dwell on it though, packing up his makeshift stall back into his wheelbarrow. One of his crows would peek its head out and give a brief "Caw".

"Well let's see...carry the four...divide some junk out...oh! In about 230 more Market Days, I'll have enough for that fancy toupee. No, wait, gotta buy fertilizer with this, so uh...what's five times six again Joe Bob?"

"Caw"

"Huh. Really? Crazy. But, uh...make that 530 market days. But, one'a these days we'll have a bumper crop and you'll all get all the good corn and seed you can eat! That's a promise," the scarecrow said, reaching down to gently scratch and rub underneath the crow's chin, before starting to make his way out of the Market. He had to pack everything up to not be a nuisance, after all.

Just as he was fixing to leave though, one honking big bell rang out throughout the town. Turning his head towards the newly renovated Adventurer's Guild, Cornelius would start making his way over to check out what was what. He didn't actually know enough about the town's history to know much about the guild. But, it sure was new and exciting! Peeking his head in, he'd check in, as would several crows that poked out of various patches on his tunic.

Tales Of Shizuyama (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

Eula

---

The siege upon Terauchi temple had begun, with the swarm of Varjan soldiers proving a formidable tide of steel and bodies. Eula was out an arm, and didn't have the element of surprise to try and ambush some. The sad reality of it was, in a grand scale conflict, a weapon that couldn't kill people was nothing more than a hindrance at best.

Kerry's look of resolution was what she'd expected. Kerry likely expected Eula to return and fight her, but...that was irrelevant at the moment. All consequences needed to wait while the siege was repelled. Human lives had to be saved, even if it meant pushing herself to the point of non-functioning. Eula would hold the line alongside the others, firing off the occasional bolt of stunning energy, or using her metallic arms to shield others from thrown projectiles.

She needed a chance to break through, to find the commander, and incapacitate him. In all likelihood, the mage she encountered earlier was who she was looking for...and without the element of surprise, she could only hope that she would stand a chance against him with one malfunctioning arm.

The Little Hamlet

Waiting for peeps to buy a square tomater.