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Post by ๊ง ๐ข๐ฑ๐ช๐ป๐ฒ'๐๐ญ๐พ๐ท๐ฎ ๊ง on Jan 19, 2023 17:34:52 GMT -4
Through everything that was going on, Shari did her best to keep as out of it as possible. She had hoped the mage would be able to do something to properly appease the masses, namely Fangs and Kat.
As the items began to be given out, her heart sunk. That hadn't been what she had asked him for. The source of his magic was still unclear to her, for all she knew those things he was so freely giving out could be simple illusions or something. Being duped would lead to dire consequences if that was the case.
It was funny the mage wasn't able to decide what to give her, materially speaking, because there wasn't really anything she would have asked for had he done so directly. Other than something to make her friends happy... which she already did and was apparently denied. Or maybe he had just misunderstood her request.
Kieg's 'gift' was both a mixture of joy and alarm for her. He seemed happy to accept Krexx's magic as it was, to the point of being made to disappear. She would have to ask him where it was he actually went, when she had the chance.
Wringing her little hands, she was mulling over what to ask the strange mage, to the point of hardly noticing much else.
When the bundle of crushed herbs were tossed in her general direction, she stooped, almost instinctually, to gather them up, cradling them in her arms like they were an abused puppy. Perhaps, she would hold onto them, for Fangs, in case he changed his mind. If they were real, to be able to dream of anything you wanted on command, made her painfully homesick for those she was forced to leave behind.
Kat's voice was barely coming through the turmoil within her mind, leading her to actually cut her off at the wrong moment with her first question.
"Sir," she inquired, staring at Krexx with her big, glowing eyes, "What kind of magic is it that you use? i don't understand how it is possible, what you are doing. It is defying everything i was taught, and even know about."
While she watched Krexx so intently, she missed Kat palming her face and groaning.
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Post by Kieg on Jan 20, 2023 12:45:38 GMT -4
(( Will try to get a post up today or possibly over the weekend, the next week is going to be challenging at work and I will probably be mostly silent through that period, though I may be able to squeak something out. Hope you'll bear with me and thanks for participating so far. ))
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Post by Kieg on Jan 30, 2023 17:53:23 GMT -4
Krexx's face wrinkles in disappointment as Fangs' crushes the herbal ball. "...You don't know what you're missing. ...You could at least have given it back." He sniffs and turns to listen to the Viper woman, pursing his lips through her speech. "The things which are most valuable to me -cannot- be given for you to hold, as they reside in the mind. Knowledge, secrets. Power. All else-" He waves his hand airily. "Chaff in the wind. Trivialities. Not all in this world are shackled to material concerns. I certainly am not." "So... I'm afraid we find ourselves at something of an impasse." Krexx's eyes narrow in assessment. "I have given gifts, -or attempted to- as best I can, as a signifier of respect, and as a token of trust. I have also demonstrated my power, which I hope you will recognize can be used to fulfill my promises of future riches. Helping me to aquire the book will only increase the power which I wield. So, now, it comes down to a simple matter of trust. You can either trust that I will make good on my promise when this job is done and help me, or do not, and be on your way. I won't stop you. I'll even let you keep your gifts. It'll be a galling waste of precious time to find other compatriots for this task, though." He makes a sour face. He clasps his hands together in front of his belt and appears to be awaiting an answer when Shari speaks up; "Sir, What kind of magic is it that you use? I don't understand how it is possible, what you are doing. It is defying everything I was taught, and even know about." A look of extreme puzzlement bordering on outright disbelief crosses the Archmage's face, as he looks aghast at Shari'adune. "... Can you really intend this as your first question? SURELY as a weaver of the arcane arts yourself you understand the fundamantal principles at work, even if these castings are of a higher level..." ...He goes on to give a somewhat overwrought explanation of spellcraft, unable to fully wipe away the look of surprise that appears on his face throughout it. ((Shari, check your PM's. ))With the explanation done, he turns back to Viper. "Apologies for the interruption, but as you see, I am a man of my word. Have you come to a decision, or do you need time to confer with the others?"
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Post by ๊ง ๐ข๐ฑ๐ช๐ป๐ฒ'๐๐ญ๐พ๐ท๐ฎ ๊ง on Jan 31, 2023 14:34:13 GMT -4
"... Can you really intend this as your first question? SURELY as a weaver of the arcane arts yourself you understand the fundamantal principles at work, even if these castings are of a higher level..."
As Krexx spoke, the light in Shari's eyes dimmed gradually at first, until she was basically standing there, staring entirely blankly at him, a slack expression on her face. She remained that way for the entirety of his speech, blinking back to reality just as he finished up talking. It was then her face shifted into silent alarm, eyes blink-blinking over and over as if the blinking would help process what just happened.
Lips twitching a bit, followed by a nervous swallow, and an uneasy smile she bobbed her head to Krexx, in mute acknowledgement that he tried to answer her question, before scrambling over to Kat, bringing up a hand to hurriedly whisper into her ear.
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Post by ๐๐๐ แดแดแด ๐ก๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐น๐ฎ๐ป on Jan 31, 2023 14:57:21 GMT -4
She had to stoop down a bit, to allow Shari to reach her ear. The fact the elf remembered to use the ear that worked - at least - curbed her irritation at having to do so.
As Shari anxiously whispered, Kat's bored expression was first adopted, her eyes looking upward almost into her skull, as if she might find something more interesting than anything that she would have to tell her.
However, the longer Shari lingered there, whispering whatever it was, Kat's eyes quickly darted toward her, narrowing, before skating around to those gathered. They bored into Krexx, sweeping from head to toe a few times. Pinching the bottom of her nose between the web of her thumb and forefinger, the rest cupping her face, she swallowed, before rubbing the hand down the front of her throat.
"Alright!," she abruptly pushed Shari away, clapping her hands together. Her tone was airy, building like a crashing wave, ready to gather anyone in its wake if they didn't roll with it. "We are going to go kill a Fire Roc first."
Her attention swiveled hard to Fangs, staring up at him forcefully, face stern. "We are going to kill the Fire Roc first," she repeated again, this time levelly, holding the lizard's beady-eyed gaze for a time before swinging back to Krexx, "Not because we trust ye."
There was a dubious snort, "But because, I be getting f***king bored, standing around here, listening to yer constant droning. Killing that big bad bird might be just the thing I need to curb that." She drew both hands into fists, offering Fangs a very toothy, fang-filled smile, tone rising, "Some excitement! sh*t to kill!"
When she regarded Krexx again, her face was full of contempt. "We aint after a book, we be after keys to unlock the book, remember asshole? This be yer f***king plan."
Sweeping her arms outward, toward the group, she jerked her chin, "This'll be a good test! I needed to see what Doggo could do anyway," a nod to Kieg, "and I definitely want to see what this one can do." a thumb was jerked toward Fangs. "Getting them keys will be secondary to me own plans. If they please me, there hardly be any reward ye could offer that would top what I can offer them anyway, fer a job well done."
"So let's go, yeah!? Make with the directions.....Mage." It was all she could do not to snort a laugh.
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Post by @sylverdubs on Feb 6, 2023 19:31:58 GMT -4
Fangs snarled at Kat when the woman stared at him but he kept silent while she continued with her plan. The spines on his back bristled slightly though he apparently seemed to agree with her.
''MWRAH! YESSS I GROW TIRED OF ALL THISSS WHIMPERING AND TALKING! WE GO FIGHT NOW INSTEAD OF MAKING THE WATERSSS MUDDY WITH USSSELESS TRICKS!'' He thumped his chest with a fist in an altogether too stereotypical gesture of dominance. Admitedly he was strong enough that the thump it made was impressive enough.
Fangs swung his mace a few times left and right, the spiked head coming close to grazing the others but never making contact. Whether it was intentional or not was anyone's guess.
''BARESSS-THE-FANGSSS MIGHTY WARRIOR, SSSNAKE WOMAN! YOU WILL SSSOON LEARN THISSS!'' He added, in absolutely no humble way at all.
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Post by Kieg on Feb 7, 2023 18:12:49 GMT -4
Kieg politely but quickly takes a few steps back to stay out of the range of Fangs' mace. "Fire Roc! Aye! Sounds interesting!" He smiles pleasantly, taking another step back just to be safe as the mace wuushes by again. Krexx smiles wanly. "Trust me when I say I would certainly have a plan, if it were possible for me to make one. But as part of this... Challenge... The Flame Roc is completely immune to my magics. I cannot harm it, nor can I influence it in any way. Hence my reliance on outsiders in this task." "I can attempt to put together a plan regardless, but I thought it a wiser course to allow you as a group to figure out a course of action, as you are more well-acquainted to you abilities and normal strategies than I." The Archmage crosses his arms. "For my part, I will offer what assistance I am able. I may not be able to combat the Roc directly, but I can provide transportation for you, and magics to enhance your abilities. Once I hear what plans are under proposal, I will chime in with ways I think I can help."
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((Time to come up with a plan! Unlike some games/threads where this is mostly an exercise in figuring out that the GM wants you to do, I actually have no solution thought up for this problem at all! This is more of a creative writing project; make up your own way to achieve the objective of killing the Flame Roc and/or getting the Key from it. Don't be afraid to improvise and be creative! As long as it isn't blatantly impossible, there's a good chance it'll probably work! Things you know about the Flame Roc: + It's a giant bird. + It's on fire. + Mostly it is seen around the Tormented Spire, or in the skies over Stonefalls. + It appears to be building a nest on the Tormented Spire. ))
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Post by ๐๐๐ แดแดแด ๐ก๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐น๐ฎ๐ป on Feb 11, 2023 18:14:21 GMT -4
Kat didn't move, as Fangs swung the weapon around. Instead, she stood her ground with a slit-eyed expression, darling him to strike her with it.
Still, she wore a slight grin. He was on board for her plan. That was one less thing to worry about. Now... she had to worry about how to take down this bird.
Krexx was apparently speaking, but she paid little attention, it seemed, to whatever was coming out of his mouth now.
"Aye, aye Ayyyye," she drawled, waving a placating hand at him, "yer useless, we know." her own arms crossed tightly as she turned to look around her surroundings a bit.
After a moment she continued, "If ye can manage, transport us close to the beast, but not on top of it. I want a chance to assess it, before we go in maces and sh*t blazing. After that," she turned her amber eyes to the mage, "Ye can piss off until we be done. The plan be very simple, we gonna kill the f***ker and get what ye need, then move on to the next challenge."
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Post by @sylverdubs on Feb 12, 2023 11:21:15 GMT -4
''NESSST YESSS!'' Fangs said, loud as usual. ''WE PUT PUNY ELF IN NESSST IF EGGSSS ARE PRESENT. ROC WILL HESITATE!'' He reached to Shari an would make her step forward as if presenting her for the first time, unless she moved out of the way.
''ELF USE COLD MAGIC FROM FAR. SSSAFE AND OUT OF THE WAY! WEAR WET HIDESSS, LESS BURNED AFTER!'' He nodded, gesturing to Shari who seemed to be his ace-in-the-hole despite his apparent opinion of her. ''WET ROPESSS AND HOOKSSS, BRING ROC TO GROUND AND THEN WE SSSMASH IT!!!'' This last part was demonstrated, quickly uselessly with another brandishing and swinging of his mace which smacked the ground noisily.
''SSSNAKE WOMAN CAN USE BOW. FANGSSS AND BIG MAN HAVE LONGER WEAPONSSS!'' Fangs, clearly into it now, thumped Kieg on the shoulder with a fist.
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Post by ๊ง ๐ข๐ฑ๐ช๐ป๐ฒ'๐๐ญ๐พ๐ท๐ฎ ๊ง on Feb 12, 2023 14:59:08 GMT -4
The diminutive elf was thrust forward. She stumbled a bit awkwardly, freckled cheeks suddenly burning with color.
As Fangs barked out his plan, she merely stood there, tugging at one of her braids, and rubbing at the side of her nose, smiling weakly. "Well, y-yes, i suppose i could do that..."
Her words mostly drowned out by Fangs' continued idea.
Nodding again, she smiled, more earnestly this time, "i will do m-my best, whatever i am told to do!"
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Post by Kieg on Feb 13, 2023 20:30:21 GMT -4
Kieg is knocked halfway over by Fangs' enthusiastic thump, but doesn't seem to care too much or even notice, as enraptured as he is by the thought of getting into a fight with a bird.
"Aye! That sounds like a great plan! We ground it with hooks and then pounce on it! That's brilliant, Fangs!"
He looks in the direction of Krexx, who has floated a few yards away and appears as though he is being afflicted by a monumental headache.
"Can you do all that?" The nord asks.
The Archmage scowls and nods. "Yes. I can conjure strong ropes, steel hooks, and even cold water. It'll take but a few moments. I can even transport you all near the top of the peak, close enough to the nest to observe the Roc, but not close enough to attract it's notice. ...Though I warn you all, the terrain there is less than hospitable. A single mis-step and you may well plunge down the entire mountain."
Krexx does not seem as though he is terribly opposed to that concept at this point and time.
"Ah.. Wait..." Kieg's face suddenly tenses up. "Shari'adune... The part with you in the nest, it'd be dangerous, aye? ...I could maybe go in the nest with you, try to keep you safe?" The blonde-haired Nord looks to Krexx again, pleadingly. "Can you make me look like an egg?"
The archmage looks back at Kieg as though a snake had just asked him for gloves. "Yes." He says, after a long moment has passed. "I can make you look like an egg. Temporarily."
"Oh, good." Kieg smiles happy, the situation apparently resolved as far as he's concerned.
"I'll go in the nest next to Shari'adune, then. Maybe I can throw the hooks, too, when it gets close!"
He rubs his shoulder absently. ...Why does his shoulder hurt, anyway?
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Post by ๐๐๐ แดแดแด ๐ก๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐น๐ฎ๐ป on Feb 16, 2023 14:32:14 GMT -4
Looking both impressed and a bit shocked that such ideas came out of the over grown lizard, Kat nodded slowly, a slow smile touching her lips as she eyed Shari up and down, when she was thumped forward.
"Aye! That sounds like a great plan! We ground it with hooks and then pounce on it! That's brilliant, Fangs!"
"Aye," she began slowly, still trying to process how such ideas came out of a lizard brain, "actually tis. Only," she frowned, "Why bother with ropes at all. If anything, use f***king chains."
Her eyes rolled as she crossed her arms, "We be killing the thing though, not taking it fer a f***king walk. f***k the ropes and chains. If we be near its nest, it'll stay close enough. Although," she rubbed her chin, "I suppose if we could get at least one GOOD chain on it, be it around a foot, through a wing er whatever, that would help bringing it down while we rip it apart."
Kieg continued rambling.
The blonde-haired Nord looks to Krexx again, pleadingly. "Can you make me look like an egg?"
"Wait.. what? An egg? Are ye f***king serious?" she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Look, Shari can handle her own self. She aint as weak as her little tooth pick appearance lets on. Ye don't need to be turned into no f***king egg." a loud snort, "An egg! f***k man. Just stick some bushes on yer back and ta-da, yer a bush. But ye can't be IN the nest with her. Yer gonna need room to swing, and she's gonna need to not worry about getting knocked out by a chain in order to keep casting."
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Post by ๊ง ๐ข๐ฑ๐ช๐ป๐ฒ'๐๐ญ๐พ๐ท๐ฎ ๊ง on Feb 17, 2023 12:16:23 GMT -4
It felt like everyone was talking over her head. Which - wasn't hard, because factually they were, since she was so little.
As everyone spoke, her head turned, eyes wide, listening to them. This was certainly sounding like it was becoming quite complicated!
Unconsciously, a small hand found its way to one of her braids and began twisting as she chewed on her upper lip.
"Auuhm... um.." the free hand rose as her head dipped a bit, "i really don't mind doing whatever it is i am told."
A grateful smile was presented to Kieg, though her cheeks were filling with color from Kat's compliment, "Thank you, Sir, for your concern. I should be ok in the nest by myself, you need not worry. Worst case, i cannot see the mother crushing her own eggs. So if i am nestled with them, i should be in the safest place of anyone."
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Post by @sylverdubs on Feb 26, 2023 8:16:33 GMT -4
((Iโm done staring at palm trees and drinking piรฑa coladas. Iโll reply to this ASAP))
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Post by @sylverdubs on Mar 1, 2023 11:42:28 GMT -4
Fangs started wheezing, sounding like a broken bellows that just ran a marathon. It likely took some time before the others realized he was laughing. He actually smiled, it was not a pretty sight.
โHUMAN VERY ENTERTAINING! I LIKE YOU HUMAN! YESSS BECOME EGG! SSSNAKE WOMAN AND I WILL KILL THE BIRD! YOU JUMP OUT, EGG THAT SSSAYS BOOO!โ It also likely wasnโt clear at the moment if he was joking or not.
โCHAINSSS TOO HEAVY FOR PUNY HUMAN TO THROW!โ He proclaimed, no less loudly and thumped his well-muscled, bare chest. โONLY I AM STRONG ENOUGH TO TRHOW CHAIN!โ Bares-The-Fangs aptly concluded, puffing up his chest and throwing his shoulders back. Probably erecting several โspines of challengeโ or something.
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