Vertigo

DanMachi: Alter Oration [DEAD]

Orario did not disappoint as far as liveliness went. Even at such an early hour, the city was brimming with life - far more so than any place Ayame had ever seen. People of all shapes and sizes filled the streets, flowing through the city like a colorful stream. They left a melody in their wake, one comprised of chatter, clatter and the pitter-patter of people going about their day.

To many, Orario was no doubt an oasis of diversity and vigor. It certainly had been to Ayame, when she'd first arrived to the city. She'd slipped out of her carriage bright-eyed and hopeful, ready to embrace the inevitable fortune that would fall onto her lap once she set foot into the bustling city proper.

But that was half an hour ago.

"Can you not watch where you're going? The gods gifted you with eyes for a reason! ... Ack! You-- must you sell fish out in the open? It reeks! Wait, it's-- gods, it's not the fish that reeks, it's you! Have you not heard of a bath!? This is foul."

Ever so slowly, it had become clear to Ayame that Orario was no oasis. Nothing was ever still. It was never quiet. And no matter which way Ayame tried to turn, she never quite managed to avoid bumping into someone the second she dared let her gaze wander. Worst of all, though she'd been wandering the streets for quite a while now, no one had yet to approach her with a promise of riches. What gave? She was supposed to be able to earn a fortune in this city, yet she couldn't recall the last time she'd felt quite this unfortunate.

Did--- did someone touch her tail again?!

That was it.

Ayame yanked her precious appendage and pressed it against her chest, stomping her way forth as quick as her clearly-not-made-to-stomp-on-cobblestone shoes would allow. She wasn't going to take this anymore. She may not have been the richest person alive any longer, but her performances and adoring fans had provided her with enough money to keep her appearance prim and proper enough to befit a lady. She deserved better than to wander some stuffy streets in search for--- for something she couldn't even place a name on.

"Think," she mumbled to herself as she went. Think. How exactly would one earn a fortune here? She'd heard of adventurers and a labyrinth, but--- but surely she wasn't expected to actually partake in hard labor to earn her keep? That was--

Oh, what was this now?!

A small crowd had gathered square in the middle of the street. Even when on her tiptoes, Ayame could only barely see why; from the looks of it, there was some sort of an argument going on. Over what, Ayame could not tell - nor give a care about. What she was concerned with was that these people were in her way, and she was tired of having to be the one to constantly try and not bump into people. This time, she would absolutely, positively, not budge.

She shoved her way closer to the epicenter of the problem, then directed her words at the loudest members of both factions.

"Excuse me!" she shouted sharply, all her frustration over the day's events poured into her tone. She stood with one hand on her hip, the other still clutching to her tail. Its tip was twitching. "It would appear the lot of you are lost. If I'm not mistaken, the the livestock merchant is back that way," she pointed further along the road. "Perhaps you wild boars should go make his acquaintance. You look as though you need some domestication. This street is for people to walk on, and you're making that quite difficult. Please do take your bickering elsewhere."

DanMachi: Alter Oration [DEAD]

Heyy, unfortunately I won't be able to post until tomorrow after work ): If that means being booted from the rp, I understand and apologize, but yeah, things are out of my control. Perhaps Ayame got cold feet and backed away from her adventuring gig at the last second and went back to street performances, heh. Or got mauled on her first time down. Either way, I wish you guys all the best!

Fire Emblem: Crestfallen

Thanks for letting us know, I wish your grandmother all the best!

(D&D 5E) The Tyranny of Dragons, Part 1; Hoard of the Dragon Queen

I can tell that Caw basically made a ranged attack and missed with an 8. I can put that into literary form tomorrow after work. Sorry for the extra delay, hasn't been my week >>

(D&D 5E) The Tyranny of Dragons, Part 1; Hoard of the Dragon Queen

Hey, sorry I've been mia. Shoulder injury + sickness delayed my plans. It's getting better though, so I'll try to get a quick post in asap! I plan to try and catch up everywhere on Sunday at least, but I might be able to get a small one in even before then.

DanMachi: Alter Oration [DEAD]

Heyo, sorry I haven't posted yet. Managed to get sick in addition to the shoulder injury :'D it hasn't been my week.

Shoulder's been getting better though (and I swear to god my left arm is buff af now, I've used it for everything to let the other rest), so I'm pretty sure I can get a post in by Sunday latest!

D&D 5E: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

Posted! I meant to have Ardour address the group (especially since said group changed just now), but I wasn't surer if that messed up anyone's plans... So I left him quietly enjoying the darkness for now.

As for his position, hmm, he'd likely move closer to the corridor where he can see everyone and also see forward. He'd probably like to be somewhere somewhat close to the front for reconnaissance purposes and such. Gotta put that stealth to use.

D&D 5E: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

Theatrics. How foul.

Ardour wished he could've stood further away from Durnan and his unprompted display of lung capacity, but with the crowd gathered so close, there wasn't really any other place for him to stand. Discontent, the tiefling struggled to find a proper pose and expression for the occasion. He was no stranger to being peered at by curious eyes, but never before had he felt quite as exposed as he did now, deliberately placed on a stage. Every murmur was a breach of privacy, every pair of eyes a strung bow ready to let loose a gaze as sharp as an arrow.

The only fact Ardour could take solace in was that he wasn't the biggest freak present. A tiefling was an unwelcome sight, but a lizardfolk and tortle alike were foreign and strange, certainly worth many more a raised brow than him.

The finger Durnan jabbed at the group's direction seemed far more threatening than it was probably meant to be - as did the question he presented, and went without answer to for an uncomfortably long time. Out of the corner of his eye, Ardour glanced at his companions. He had little hope any of them were capable of producing a satisfactory answer.

Just as Ardour was about to let slip the first descriptive word that came to mind - one that was unlike to be too flattering - Aurix saved him. Or, rather, her horse did, disrupting the scene with the calm gait of a horse unaware of its own heroic deed.

Saved by an animal... if Ardour were any more superstitious and believed in ill omens, he would've likely turned tail while he still could.

As it turned out, quite a few members of their little entourage did just that. For reasons not entirely clear to Ardour, half of their group slipped into the crowd, soon replaced by a man they'd only met briefly prior. Was it cold feet that drove Lin and the rest to abandon the task? Or, perhaps...?

A hand on his shoulder tensed Ardour's entire body, his hand nearly moving on instinct to tear at the offending presence. He retained his composure through sheer sense of will, a small, feral glint in his eye the only sign of a fate that had nearly awaited the man that dared touch him so carelessly.

By the time Ardour spoke, the glint was almost gone. "We're in agreement, my friend," he offered in a civil - if cold - manner, sliding away from him just in time to catch another string of words directed at him. It was Aurix, impatient and generous enough to pay for his share, as well.

Ardour gave a light bow, his usual smile in place as he gestured towards the abyss. "After you."

As one would expect, the dungeon below was dark, illuminated only by Lauk's crystal. But darkness was a friend most dear to the tiefling, and its embrace a welcome respite from the million-eyed crowd above.

DanMachi: Alter Oration [DEAD]

I see! Alright, that works quite well, just firing colorful flames into the air as if they were fireworks. That way it would have combat utility later on too once she gets her falna and starts directing it at people.

And heh, she likely has to be in bit of a danger to change her ways evenually, so I wouldn't mind that either. You did mention spell slots in plural, though, so I also assumed the illusion wouldn't be the only thing she has throughout the adventure. :P

But I can go with the flame option, aye.

DanMachi: Alter Oration [DEAD]

Alright, gotcha! I wasn't sure how exactly magic works here, but what I hoped was that maybe some spell could be used as a means of entertainment in addition to combat (in this instance, ironically, she would've learnt the magic as a form of entertainment at first and only realized it had combat applications once she used it to save the little girl). Like, hmm, say, if the spell was originally her creating dancing flames on her palm or something, and then later on realizing she could actually just yeet that fire at someone too, ha.

Illusions were actually another idea I entertained, so if that works, I don't mind using a spellslot for that either. It fits her theme, and while it probably doesn't have much direct combat application, I could see it being a good utility spell to compliment more offensive spells. It could work as a distraction, for example, or if they ever need to trick info/goods out of someone, or so on.

I'll check out the PM next!