Vertigo

Pokemon: Ascendancy

Sαɯყҽɾ

^{mentions: Fiona @Psyker Landshark, Isaiah @PrankFox, Nordrin @Yankee}
__________________________________________________

Sawyer found Isaiah first, but didn't stop to exchange pleasantries. He dashed right past the dark type leader, croaking out a quick: "Gee, thanks!" in lieu of a greeting.

They heard Fiona far before they saw her, her angry shouts easy to make out even in the surrounding ruckus. Her entire team was out fighting, holding back a horde of assailants from the lab. She was in the middle of mega evolving one of her Pokémon when Sawyer caught a glimpse of them; three Pokémon he'd never seen before. They looked like fucked up amalgamations of a Scizor and a Bisharp - like someone'd plucked out the latter's head and claws and stuck them on the former.

"What the fuck?!" Sawyer spat. He tossed the Pokéballs between his fingers into the fray and immediately went to grab the rest of his team too. Something told him the three abominations weren't just for show. If someone'd played Arceus and started splicing Pokémon like that, they'd damn better be strong.

"Antagonist, Monarch, we're on. Keep yer eyes on the freaks," he mumbled as the two materialized in front of him, followed soon after by the rest of his team. With that, Sawyer cracked his knuckles, searching for the closest thug. No way he'd let his Pokémon have all the fun.

-

Four gym leaders was apparently enough to turn the tides in their favour. Pokémon after Pokémon fell to the combined attacks of their partners, and the thugs weren't spared either. By now, Sawyer'd earned himself a number of bruises, and more than one asshole commanding the Pokémon their very own concussion.

Then came a shout.

Sawyer straightened his back and spat at the ground, looking for the source of the shout. Luckily, it wasn't exactly difficult to find; some loser in a heavy cloak stepped out of the lab, yapping at his goons like a damn Herdier. Prototypes, he'd said. Now what the fuck did that mean? Who were these assholes, and what were they trying to make?

Looked like Fiona knew the guy - so maybe he'd ask her later.

The cloaked guy sent out a bizarre Alakazam, gave an equally bizarre command, and then-- shit hit the fan. Antagonist dropped on all fours and dashed in front of Sawyer, crossing his arms and letting out a shout into the incoming tornado to try and shield his trainer from its impact.

The tornadoes ravaged the battlefield, leaving behind unconscious Pokémon from both sides. As the dust settled and Sawyer found himself on the ground under his Obstagoon, he realized half of his team had been knocked out. He and Antagoonist were only a little worse for wear, but Monarch, Mama and Teddy were out cold, with Stewart trembling behind a glimmering screen.

The remaining thugs tripped over their feet as they fled the scene, but Sawyer barely noticed. His glare was fixed on the hooded man and the Steelix beside him. Fiona was damn right. They'd take this one the fuck down first. To hell with the small fries.

"Stewart, Split your Power with the Alakazam! We ain't gonna be hit by that shit again. Antagonist, Night Slash it - and keep an eye on the others, I'm leavin' 'em to you!" If the two Pokémon knew any more weird moves, he trusted the Obstagoon would protect the weakest among them from impact. "Ruler, y-"

The Slaking yawned, sprawled on the ground.

"... You enjoy your fucking nap", Sawyer mumbled. "You know what to do after. Hit hard. No quarter."

Echoes of a Moonless Night

Youkai: Ayame Sakanoue

Name:

Ayame Sakanoue

Gender:

Female

Age:

479

Race:

Kitsune

Appearance:

Though Ayame isn't the tallest kitsune around, only barely reaching the height of 5'3'', she carries herself with the poise of someone grandiose. Her gestures and movement are graceful and deliberately slow. She'll have you know she isn't about to ruin perfectly fine heels by running or wrinkle expensive fabric by flailing about, so if there's a hurry, you'll carry her or wait. And while she speaks formally and politely enough, her tone makes it clear she considers herself the most important person in any given room.

Ayame's eyes are easily the most expressive part of her, and they readily offer glimpses of her real mood even when the rest of her face doesn't. They are deep brown in colour and often accentuated by red make up. She
has long, dark brown hair cascading down her back, featuring various decorations and hairdos, depending on the day. Though she used to dress only in traditional clothes, she's recently been persuaded to try some of the more modern, easy-to-move-in variations, and she's fallen in love. Unfortunately, for someone as fussy about her appearance as Ayame, she tends to not really understand modern fashion, and mixes and matches clothes at will with no regard to how they look as a whole.

Personality:

While Ayame looks kind and harmless, almost serene from afar, let not appearances fool you. The second she opens her mouth, you know she's a headache waiting to happen. She's fussy, bossy, and expects her every whim to be catered to. She loathes work, especially physical, and takes every shortcut possible to laze around, explore the human world at her leisure or indeed, just groom herself. She has no problem throwing away her pride and acting like a damsel in distress, even if she was fully capable of solving a situation herself, and tends to hold onto comfort tooth and claw. She's cunning as well, as foxes tend to be, and isn't afraid to use it to get what she wants.

With that said, there are things that can indeed get this lazy fox moving, even if begrudgingly. For one, she's morbidly curious. Having lived a very sheltered life, everything in the modern human world is a wonder to her, and she simply cannot sit idly by if something piques her interest. Unfortunately personal space or personal belongings aren't words she's awfully familiar with, so if she takes interest in something yours, it's now hers. She also loves to learn, and a good book is an effective way to get her to mind her own business for a time.

Ayame is also aware that with the contact she made, she did agree to put in work when called for. And while she might complain throughout, she isn't one to betray promises - much less let someone she has grown somewhat fond of die because of her. Come now, she isn't a monster! Besides, she isn't suited for living alone, and servants are difficult to come by in modern age.

Background:

Ayame can hardly think of anything more boring than truthfully recounting her almost nine hundred years of life. While one would think a mischievous fox could fit a number of adventures into an almost millennia of existence, Ayame spent most of that time living a sheltered life in a mountain village of her kin, praying to gods dictated to her by tradition and duty. Every few hundred years she managed to slip away unnoticed and cause mayhem in the form of a human woman, only to be forced to flee and hide away when a few people too many grew suspicious of her. There were times when the kitsune had such a bad reputation that even innocent women were accused of being one of them, and times when their existence was thought but a myth.

Ever since a particularly bloody conflict a few hundred years back, however, Ayame's clan withdrew deeper into the mountains and swore off all contact with humans altogether. Ayame, wounded from a fight, didn't argue for once. Being the daughter of the village chief, she found she rather enjoyed the way others worried for her and carried out whatever menial task she asked while she was recovering. She got used to being pampered, and used to living comfortably. And so passed the centuries.

Then, only a few decades ago, travelers found their way to the kitsune's haven. Youkai that told peculiar tales of a changed world, one in which humans and youkai had slowly learnt to coexist. They spoke of their travels and the wonders of modern technology, and Ayame's wanderlust and curiosity alighted anew. She listened, wide-eyed like a kit, and soon found herself sneaking out from the comfort of her home to see this supposedly changed world.

But where she was once as cunning and resourceful as they came, a life lived in lazy luxury had left her unprepared for... well, basically anything. She soon found she couldn't really take care of herself, being unfamiliar with both the concept of work and the world around her. That was when she met Karin, and entered a contract with her. Her powers, in exchange for a guide in an unfamiliar world. The two have their differences to say the least, but there certainly have been no dull moments in their travels.

Abilities:
Years of not really using her powers have dulled them to a great degree, but she still has command over the basics. If she's the one fighting, she prefers to do so from afar, in contrast to her partner's more direct approach.

- Ayame is able to create and control lightning, as well as mold it into different shapes or imbue it into objects. This is her most offensive ability, and the pair's primary means of combating the Grudges.

- While she hasn't possessed people in hundreds of years and has greatly forgotten how to do so, Ayame can still affect the minds and senses of others. She can make them see or hear things that aren't there, give them brief visions or haunting thoughts, and even influence their actions to a degree. The target's own personality and strength of will affect how much she's able to do, and Grudges are immune to being influenced - though they can still be made to suffer from illusions of various sorts.

- In a similar, illusive vein, Ayame can make herself invisible for a time. This doesn't mute sounds however, and the use of lightning will break the invisibility.

- Finally, she can turn into a fox. Just. A regular fox. With an exceptionally shiny coat.

Skills:

Nothing of particular note. On the contrary, you've probably never seen a person as useless at any sort of house work.

The Death Knight's Squire [D&D 5e One Shot]

Wager, the Warlock

Name ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Wager Age ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ 38 Gender ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ He/him Sexual Orientation ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Bisexual Languages ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ - Common - Infernal - Abyssal Specialties ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Wager specializes in subterfuge (deception, persuasion), assessing others (insight) and to a lesser extent, knowing bits and pieces of arcane lore (Arcana). But really, he'd say his real specialty is his dashing smile.

Warlock - Chaotic Neutral - Tiefling ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Personality ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Wager is the type to look suspicious even when just breathing, and that seems to suit him just fine. He isn't one to worry needlessly - or even when needed, really - and takes most things in a stride. In his almost forty years of life lived to the fullest, he's heard every insult, faced every setback and survived impossible odds so many times he's earned his moniker. To this day, he lives for thrills and is disconcertingly willing to risk it all for a moment of adrenaline, fame or pleasure. He's hedonistic and changes his mind more often than his clothes - which says a lot, considering he owns more hats than one can count. But though he comes with a long list of vices, Wager isn't a bad person per se. He's sociable and pleasant enough a person to talk to as long as you don't try to engage in any serious topic that'd bore him. And though he is self-serving and irresponsible, he never sets out with the plan to cause others mischief or harm. On the contrary, he is willing to help whomever as long as there's something in it for him. Sometimes a thanks will do; other times he'll do it for the experience alone. If you've got a face he fancies, he'll help and treat you to a drink afterwards. Now isn't he a gentleman? Background ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Name any profession of ill-repute, and Wager's likely at least dabbled in it. From a decoy to a thief and a smuggler, he spent his younger years trying to get by through whatever means necessary. The older he got and the more connections he made, the wider his job opportunities - and the longer his list of enemies. Eventually, he grew tired of a life lived constantly on the edge, and made an earnest attempt at turning over a new leaf. For a couple of years in his mid twenties, he ran an honest business and managed to get on his feet as a respectable member of society. But old habits died hard, and he soon found himself missing the thrills of his previous life. His risk-seeking behaviour led him down a rabbit hole of gambling, and he soon found that he could make a better fortune playing cards and throwing dice than he ever could in his mundane day job. Especially if he, well, took some liberties with the rules. He found success, enemies, danger and glamour, making a name for himself in one of the land's largest cities - until a certain incident a year or so ago. A peculiar, drunken man out of coin decided to bet a small, ugly statuette of a misshapen man in lieu of cash, and Wager happened to win it. He had half a mind to throw the abomination away, but ended up finding out it was more than met the eye. Apparently, it was the prison of a Genie - an Efreeti, to be precise, and it had absolutely not been meant to be gambled away on a drunken whim. It didn't take long for it to dawn on Wager that he'd gotten involved with some dangerous lot, and so he took his belongings and skipped town before anyone could come chasing after him. Since then, partnership with a Genie has given Wager some new-found powers - and another surge of risk-seeking behaviour. Starter Equipment ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ - Hollow Statuette - Arcane Focus - Scholar's Pack - Leather Armor - Dagger x4 - Dice Set - Fine Clothes - Lucky Charm .................................................................................................................................................

The Death Knight's Squire [D&D 5e One Shot]

@Vertigo You get the con mod as normal! I wrote it confusingly. So it's max HP + con + roll HP + con.

@Benzaiten

Alright, gotcha!

The Death Knight's Squire [D&D 5e One Shot]

So I just realized we should have rolled for our hp at level 2 - I took average out of habit. Can roll and edit that in instead.

Edit: Aaand the roll is a 5 anyway, so no change there! :D

Edit #2: Actually, wait, just realized we might be using custom rules for HP? Since normally you get your constitution modifier added every level, but according to the first post we only get it once for a level 2 character. Is that on purpose?

The Death Knight's Squire [D&D 5e One Shot]

@Vertigo Just a heads up, your picture isn't working (at least for me)

@rocketrobie2

Interesting, I wonder if Postimage pictures don't show up for people in certain countries (USA?) or something, cause the link works on all my devices and my local friends have never had an issue either - but this isn't the first time it happened internationally. Changed it to Imgur, should hopefully fix it!

Echoes of a Moonless Night

The Kitsune

Name:

Ayame Sakanoue

Gender:

Female

Age:

479

Race:

Kitsune

Appearance:

Though Ayame isn't the tallest kitsune around, only barely reaching the height of 5'3'', she carries herself with the poise of someone grandiose. Her gestures and movement are graceful and deliberately slow. She'll have you know she isn't about to ruin perfectly fine heels by running or wrinkle expensive fabric by flailing about, so if there's a hurry, you'll carry her or wait. And while she speaks formally and politely enough, her tone makes it clear she considers herself the most important person in any given room.

Ayame's eyes are easily the most expressive part of her, and they readily offer glimpses of her real mood even when the rest of her face doesn't. They are deep brown in colour and often accentuated by red make up. She
has long, dark brown hair cascading down her back, featuring various decorations and hairdos, depending on the day. Though she used to dress only in traditional clothes, she's recently been persuaded to try some of the more modern, easy-to-move-in variations, and she's fallen in love. Unfortunately, for someone as fussy about her appearance as Ayame, she tends to not really understand modern fashion, and mixes and matches clothes at will with no regard to how they look as a whole.

Personality:

While Ayame looks kind and harmless, almost serene from afar, let not appearances fool you. The second she opens her mouth, you know she's a headache waiting to happen. She's fussy, bossy, and expects her every whim to be catered to. She loathes work, especially physical, and takes every shortcut possible to laze around, explore the human world at her leisure or indeed, just groom herself. She has no problem throwing away her pride and acting like a damsel in distress, even if she was fully capable of solving a situation herself, and tends to hold onto comfort tooth and claw. She's cunning as well, as foxes tend to be, and isn't afraid to use it to get what she wants.

With that said, there are things that can indeed get this lazy fox moving, even if begrudgingly. For one, she's morbidly curious. Having lived a very sheltered life, everything in the modern human world is a wonder to her, and she simply cannot sit idly by if something piques her interest. Unfortunately personal space or personal belongings aren't words she's awfully familiar with, so if she takes interest in something yours, it's now hers. She also loves to learn, and a good book is an effective way to get her to mind her own business for a time.

Ayame is also aware that with the contact she made, she did agree to put in work when called for. And while she might complain throughout, she isn't one to betray promises - much less let someone she has grown somewhat fond of die because of her. Come now, she isn't a monster! Besides, she isn't suited for living alone, and servants are difficult to come by in modern age.

Background:

Ayame can hardly think of anything more boring than truthfully recounting her almost nine hundred years of life. While one would think a mischievous fox could fit a number of adventures into an almost millennia of existence, Ayame spent most of that time living a sheltered life in a mountain village of her kin, praying to gods dictated to her by tradition and duty. Every few hundred years she managed to slip away unnoticed and cause mayhem in the form of a human woman, only to be forced to flee and hide away when a few people too many grew suspicious of her. There were times when the kitsune had such a bad reputation that even innocent women were accused of being one of them, and times when their existence was thought but a myth.

Ever since a particularly bloody conflict a few hundred years back, however, Ayame's clan withdrew deeper into the mountains and swore off all contact with humans altogether. Ayame, wounded from a fight, didn't argue for once. Being the daughter of the village chief, she found she rather enjoyed the way others worried for her and carried out whatever menial task she asked while she was recovering. She got used to being pampered, and used to living comfortably. And so passed the centuries.

Then, only a few decades ago, travelers found their way to the kitsune's haven. Youkai that told peculiar tales of a changed world, one in which humans and youkai had slowly learnt to coexist. They spoke of their travels and the wonders of modern technology, and Ayame's wanderlust and curiosity alighted anew. She listened, wide-eyed like a kit, and soon found herself sneaking out from the comfort of her home to see this supposedly changed world.

But where she was once as cunning and resourceful as they came, a life lived in lazy luxury had left her unprepared for... well, basically anything. She soon found she couldn't really take care of herself, being unfamiliar with both the concept of work and the world around her. That was when she met Karin, and entered a contract with her. Her powers, in exchange for a guide in an unfamiliar world. The two have their differences to say the least, but there certainly have been no dull moments in their travels.

Abilities:
Years of not really using her powers have dulled them to a great degree, but she still has command over the basics. If she's the one fighting, she prefers to do so from afar, in contrast to her partner's more direct approach.

- Ayame is able to create and control lightning, as well as mold it into different shapes or imbue it into objects. This is her most offensive ability, and the pair's primary means of combating the Grudges.

- While she hasn't possessed people in hundreds of years and has greatly forgotten how to do so, Ayame can still affect the minds and senses of others. She can make them see or hear things that aren't there, give them brief visions or haunting thoughts, and even influence their actions to a degree. The target's own personality and strength of will affect how much she's able to do, and Grudges are immune to being influenced - though they can still be made to suffer from illusions of various sorts.

- In a similar, illusive vein, Ayame can make herself invisible for a time. This doesn't mute sounds however, and the use of lightning will break the invisibility.

- Finally, she can turn into a fox. Just. A regular fox. With an exceptionally shiny coat.

Skills:

Nothing of particular note. On the contrary, you've probably never seen a person as useless at any sort of house work.

Aesithas (D&D 5e Homebrew) - On Hiatus

I have fallen extremely ill with Covid. Prior to this I was focusing heavily on work and a few planned trips and neglected to keep you guys informed. If you guys are still keen on this, I will be flipping the proverbial hourglass and having the pirates appear when I recover and make my next post. So let me know what you guys have decided to do. This is a potential timeline of 5-12 days, plus time for me to write.

@Fading Memory

Ooff, I feel you on the covid, hope you feel better soon :/

And I'm definitely still up for this, aye.

The Death Knight's Squire [D&D 5e One Shot]

All done, here ya go.

Name ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Wager Age ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ 38 Gender ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ He/him Sexual Orientation ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Bisexual Languages ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ - Common - Infernal - Abyssal Specialties ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Wager specializes in subterfuge (deception, persuasion), assessing others (insight) and to a lesser extent, knowing bits and pieces of arcane lore (Arcana). But really, he'd say his real specialty is his dashing smile.

Warlock - Chaotic Neutral - Tiefling ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Personality ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Wager is the type to look suspicious even when just breathing, and that seems to suit him just fine. He isn't one to worry needlessly - or even when needed, really - and takes most things in a stride. In his almost forty years of life lived to the fullest, he's heard every insult, faced every setback and survived impossible odds so many times he's earned his moniker. To this day, he lives for thrills and is disconcertingly willing to risk it all for a moment of adrenaline, fame or pleasure. He's hedonistic and changes his mind more often than his clothes - which says a lot, considering he owns more hats than one can count. But though he comes with a long list of vices, Wager isn't a bad person per se. He's sociable and pleasant enough a person to talk to as long as you don't try to engage in any serious topic that'd bore him. And though he is self-serving and irresponsible, he never sets out with the plan to cause others mischief or harm. On the contrary, he is willing to help whomever as long as there's something in it for him. Sometimes a thanks will do; other times he'll do it for the experience alone. If you've got a face he fancies, he'll help and treat you to a drink afterwards. Now isn't he a gentleman? Background ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Name any profession of ill-repute, and Wager's likely at least dabbled in it. From a decoy to a thief and a smuggler, he spent his younger years trying to get by through whatever means necessary. The older he got and the more connections he made, the wider his job opportunities - and the longer his list of enemies. Eventually, he grew tired of a life lived constantly on the edge, and made an earnest attempt at turning over a new leaf. For a couple of years in his mid twenties, he ran an honest business and managed to get on his feet as a respectable member of society. But old habits died hard, and he soon found himself missing the thrills of his previous life. His risk-seeking behaviour led him down a rabbit hole of gambling, and he soon found that he could make a better fortune playing cards and throwing dice than he ever could in his mundane day job. Especially if he, well, took some liberties with the rules. He found success, enemies, danger and glamour, making a name for himself in one of the land's largest cities - until a certain incident a year or so ago. A peculiar, drunken man out of coin decided to bet a small, ugly statuette of a misshapen man in lieu of cash, and Wager happened to win it. He had half a mind to throw the abomination away, but ended up finding out it was more than met the eye. Apparently, it was the prison of a Genie - an Efreeti, to be precise, and it had absolutely not been meant to be gambled away on a drunken whim. It didn't take long for it to dawn on Wager that he'd gotten involved with some dangerous lot, and so he took his belongings and skipped town before anyone could come chasing after him. Since then, partnership with a Genie has given Wager some new-found powers - and another surge of risk-seeking behaviour. Starter Equipment ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ - Hollow Statuette - Arcane Focus - Scholar's Pack - Leather Armor - Dagger x4 - Dice Set - Fine Clothes - Lucky Charm .................................................................................................................................................

The Death Knight's Squire [D&D 5e One Shot]

Rolled my stats here, and the two arrays are:

14
11
13
16
13
15

and

11
13
12
11
10
11

I'll keep the first one! Should be able to get a sheet up tomorrow.