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Post by ๊ง ๐ข๐ฑ๐ช๐ป๐ฒ'๐๐ญ๐พ๐ท๐ฎ ๊ง on Mar 23, 2023 7:43:28 GMT -4
Shari had seen the bird inhale, and knew Krexx was about to die a horrible death. Just as she was ready to let off a spell, however, she noted a different shield appear. Her arms lowered, and she relaxed slightly. Of course! The mage had powerful magics at his disposal to one degree or another.
Her focus then shifted to Fangs, and she narrowly avoided getting clocked in the head with a chain, "Goodness! You almost-" Then she saw what he was doing. "Alright!" she mouthed breathlessly.
The roc's legs were braced too far apart to weave the chain around both legs, and she was far too small to weave a chain that size by herself across the expanse with the sticks everywhere as well, so she began trying her hardest to weave the heavy chain about the ankle with the key on it, and using a stick as thick as would fit in one of the links to help ensure it didn't just slip off.
Kat's call to her did not go unheard, but there was little she could do other than try to help Fangs with the chain at the moment.
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Post by Kieg on Mar 24, 2023 20:00:58 GMT -4
Red Viper's four shafts strike deep and true into the Roc's head and neck and the bird flinches back, opening it's mouth to vent a shriek of agony accompanied by billowing dark orange fire. Krexx drops from the beast's mouth in the process.
The Archmage falls to the ground alarmingly limp, but seems to gather himself a moment later and begins to crawl to the side, head down so as to not attract attention, now-tattered robes trailing steam and smoke.
The Flame Roc lurches off it's nest to pursue Viper, taking just one step off it's nest before it's other foot is arrested by the chain that Shari just finished securing moments later. It tries to flap it's wings to regain it's balance but these too are restrained by the chain thrown over them and the Roc shrieks in surprise and fury as it topples over, it's body clear of the nest but it's legs now sticking over the nest sideways.
Unable to reach Viper from where it landed, it cranks it's mouth open and shrieks a blazing plume of fire in her direction.
Kieg hauls down hard on the chain wrapped around his arm as the bird strains it's wings against it and manages to both keep his feet on the ground and the chain more or less taut. Better yet, he can see the key everyone is talking about! He's willing to bet that a swing or two of his greatsword would probably be enough to get that whole lower leg off, if he really put hit back into it. The bird's neck is also a tempting target, stretched out on the ground like that. Dilemma!
But he can't get any closer without letting the chain go slack, which would release the Roc's wings. Which would... Probably be bad... Right? So there's nothing to do for now but continue hauling in the chain and be disappointed. He spends an extra moment to check on Shari'Adune, who seems unhappy but more or less all right.
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Post by @sylverdubs on Mar 24, 2023 20:54:48 GMT -4
... and then Fangs drew his long spiked mace.
With the roc now toppled and clearly unable to self-combust if it wasn't airborn, the advantage remained on their side as long as it couldn't fly.ย
Bows were for humans and weaklings anyways.
Fangs used the charred limbs of the nest as a jumping board, propelling himself into the air and bringing his maul back then up in as vicious an overhead, downward chop as he could manage, aiming for a wing joint or close enough.
''RRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!'' He growled, finally voicing something.
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Post by ๐๐๐ แดแดแด ๐ก๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐น๐ฎ๐ป on Mar 25, 2023 15:25:25 GMT -4
Seeing Krexx fall, she waited a second. Hearing nothing from him, she snarled, "Yer WELCOME!"
Ungrateful piece of shi---
Her eyes widen, seeing the Roc now fixing its murderous gaze on her. Usually one who loves being in the spotlight, now was NOT the time for such a thing.
Muscles tightening and bunching, she prepared to dodge, though noticed at the last second the Roc was falling, and that things seemed to be going according to plan. Kieg was being useful, and the lizard was going full balls to the wall. He wasn't aiming for the right place though, she was about to call out when the roc inhaled and aimed at her.
sh*t!
Using the strength she had coiled, she executed her leap to the side, headed for anything that may provide her some shelter from a flame blast.
"GO FER THE NECK!" she howled as she rolled.
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Post by ๊ง ๐ข๐ฑ๐ช๐ป๐ฒ'๐๐ญ๐พ๐ท๐ฎ ๊ง on Mar 25, 2023 15:32:47 GMT -4
Taking in all the commotion, Shari did her best to cheer everyone on.
Seeing Krexx manage to stand after his fall, she sucked in a breath, then shot off a long range healing spell to try and help knit anything serious, before refocusing on what was about to happen to Kat, and everyone else if Fangs wasn't able to redirect his swing- or even if he did, she had seen what birds were like when you cut off their heads.
In this case, she would help take care of two proverbial birds with one stone.
Changing her mindset, she gripped her staff as she stumbled her way out of the nest. Soon as she made it out, she cried out and slammed her staff down, one hand sweeping outward toward her friends.
Instantly, shields made of ice enclosed everyone!
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Post by Kieg on Mar 28, 2023 11:52:22 GMT -4
(( Getting slammed with RL stuff, hoping to get a chance to write today or tomorrow, hopefully thurs at absolute latest. Thanks for your patience! ))
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Post by Kieg on Mar 28, 2023 19:02:00 GMT -4
((More Roc Music: (get it?) www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7ECTqXQ-fI )) ((Just as a lilโ reminder to everyone, you can also control the Roc; itโs not just the property of the GM. In this case you should feel free to let your own attacks land and have effects if you want, or likewise have the Roc attack your char if you want. At this point you are free to kill it as well. Thereโs no rules except have fun. ))
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Fangsโ mace crashes down directly on the Rocโs wing joint with an awful thunk and crunch. How much damage has been done isnโt immediately evident from under the cloak of ember-spitting feathers. But the bird certainly feels it. Its taloned feet rake furrows in the rock of the plateau and deal crushing blows against the outer ring of its own nest, snapping branches as it struggles to rise.
It tries to sweep its wings out in earnest for the first time since landing; a motion that Kieg, even braced against it, is powerless to resist. The Nord is snatched off of his feet at the end of the whipping chain like a doll and briefly becomes a bird himself before slamming down against the rocky mountaintop, bouncing once and rolling twice before the chain wrapped around his arm halts his momentum towards the cliffโs edge. He stands up almost immediately, shaking his head to clear it. โWhoo, that thing is STRONG!โ He laughs, taking a moment to bend one of his spaulders back into shape. The fightโs still on and Viper is screaming to hit this thing in the neck and that he can do! He blinks one more time to make sure his vision is clear and then charges in, his free hand coming up smoothly for the handle of his greatsword and just as smoothly closing on completely empty air. Huh. Guess it got knocked off when he was flung. This presents a bit of a problem. Leaping over Krexx (still crawling and steaming, but looking a little better, Kieg is pleased to note) he decides he doesnโt have time to go for his backup weapon, so instead he clenches his fist and puts all his weight, strength and momentum into a full-body haymaker, tipping on one leg and slamming his gauntleted fist downward directly between the birdโs blazing eyes. Gratifyingly, this seems to actually do something! The birdโs fire-screech cuts off in a surprised squawk as its head is bounced between Kiegโs fist and the rocky ground, ending the firejet in a blizzard of sparks before it catches up with Viperโs evasive roll. He only has about a second to feel happy about this however, as the birdโs head whips in his direction. Kieg barely snatches his arm back before the birdโs beak can gnash it off, and reflexively he grabs onto the Rocโs head as it smashes against him, preventing further bites. This was not going according to plan at all!!! Just as the heat radiating from the Rocโs near-molten beak and blazing eyes seems on the verge of searing him, a cooling force seems to settle over his skin and armor. โI punched a bird, this is a really good fight!!โ He blurts out, straining every sinew for leverage as the bird tries to roll itโs head and crush him against the ground. โCan anyone find my sword???โ ((Due to Fangsโ hit the Flame Roc can no longer flap hard enough to get airborne, though itโs wings can still move (the one that was hit a little less so now.), and it could potentially still glide))
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Post by @sylverdubs on Mar 30, 2023 8:11:49 GMT -4
Though Fangโs preferred weapon was the spiked maul as it offers both a visually intimidating aspect and is great for breaking bones, itโs not the best weapon for striking giant beasts. It would only bruise it and maybe cause a few small holes to leak blood.
Fangs had no interest in waiting for the bird to veeeery slowly bleeds to death.
Fortunately Kieg supplied the answer to his problem. A quick visual survey of the plateau and he found the Nordโs discarded greatsword lying on the ground.
โHUMAN! HOLD BIRD!โ He shouted to Kieg as he charged the birdโs neck. Another vicious downward swing and the bladeโs edge struck true. Hot blood splattered on both Kieg and Fangs.
The argonian seemed almost entranced, growling, laughing as he continued his attack, swinging the sword ceaselesslyโฆ
((Thatโs probably the (several) killing blow(s). At this point, unless the bird manages to shake off Kieg and move away, Fangs will continue striking until he cuts off the head. Itโs awesome that we get that freedom though I think a narrated decision in fight ends would make things simpler. Fangs willl likely end up wholly covered in roc blood, either way (and I guess Kieg too hahaha) ))
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Post by ๐๐๐ แดแดแด ๐ก๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐น๐ฎ๐ป on Mar 30, 2023 18:40:59 GMT -4
Righting herself, and dusting off, Kat stood cautiously, taking in the scene.
She struck a pose, hands on her hips, chin tilted upward, like a ship's captain standing upon the bow. Proud, assured, and content with how things were going.
Seeing Kieg fly around, she laughed merrily. This was some of the best entertainment she had had in weeks.
"Aye! That's right, Fang! Right th- Ayyyye!! Ha-HAH!"
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Post by ๊ง ๐ข๐ฑ๐ช๐ป๐ฒ'๐๐ญ๐พ๐ท๐ฎ ๊ง on Mar 31, 2023 12:09:09 GMT -4
In amongst all the turmoil, Shari sent a brief healing spell toward the mage, to help with anything that might have been life-threatening.
Just as she did that, Kieg was bounced around. Her eyes went wide with alarm, "Mister Kieg! Are you-" And then he was laughing. She exhaled and shook her head, so grateful he wasn't seriously hurt.
As the bird struggled around, one of its feet knocked against Shari, sending her backward hard, into the brambles that were the nest.
Squeaking in pain, she gritted her teeth and did her best to stay out of the way, lest that happen again.
Closing her eyes for a moment, she cupped her little hand over her arm, healing herself, though her shoulder still hurt. Seems it might be dislocated, something her healing spells couldn't deal with.
"Please," she called out to Fangs, "Be careful!"
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Post by Kieg on Apr 1, 2023 23:18:58 GMT -4
(( As a side note to Sylver's side note to my side note; you're always totally free to pass results to the GM if you like, it's all about whatever makes you most comfy. Just wanted to remind folks that they can take more freedom if they want or have a cool thing they wanna do. It probably wouldn't be a great idea to handle things this way with newer players or showboaters but I figure we're all plenty experienced and have good storysense ))"Okay, I can hooooooooold!" Kieg grunts and wrestles against the bird's powerful neck muscles, his hands filled with forge-hot feathers the length and width of longsword blades, only able to hold on at all due to Shari'Adune's protective magics. He would really like to get another good punch in, but it's taking too much strength and concentration to just Hold. This. Thing. Still!! Fang's first hit with the greatsword makes the Roc's neck jerk, almost strongly enough to sweep Kieg off his feet. Scalding hot blood splashes across his armor and the parts of his face not covered by the helmet. But with each successive strike the bird seems to get weaker and weaker, until the bird's head is all but limp in his hands. Once he senses no resistance at all anymore he lets the huge animal's head out of his grasp. It drops to the ground lifeless. "Whew!" He exhales cheerfully. "I guess that's that! Great job, 'Fangs!" He gives the giant Argonian a hearty thumbs up. "A lot of people think they only need one big guy on a team, but it's actually really useful to have two! Or more, rea-" His speech stops the instant he notices Shari holding her shoulder and he rushes over, the color drained from his face wherever it isn't covered with still-hot blood. "Are you hurt??" he asks breathlessly, looking her over. He winces as he notices odd set of her shoulder, but looks a little relieved. That'd happened to him plenty of times and he'd learned how to set it right himself, after a few hits and misses. It was never pleasant, but he could do it. "I think I can fix that for you," he says, his big callused hands hovering near her small shoulder but not touching it. "It might hurt a bit, but it'll be fast. Do you want me to?" A dozen or so yards away Archmage Krexx rights himself at last, leaning heavily on his staff. He limps a short way to what remains of the Flame Roc and, with great dignity, arches his back and spits on the dead bird, watching the spittle sizzle on it's feathers with apparently a great deal of satisfaction. "Oblivion take you," he snarls, his voice ragged. This done, he turns his head to fix Viper with a narrowed, flat gaze. "You..." -The wheels in his head seem to tick for a moment- "...are an effective leader, but in the future, consider that I am better able to serve as a distraction on my feet and in posession of my powers than being roasted alive in the beak of some monster avian. It may have been more than luck that allowed you to prevail without any further aid from me, but next time it may be different. ...I can predict your answer; either 'it was more fun that way', or 'you needed to be taken down a peg' so unless there is anything else you feel you need to convey, let's finish up with this: I won't threaten, but if I am treated like that again, the nature of our association will become unsatisfactory for me. The deal will be off. You are not the only able-bodied adventurers on the face of Tamriel. You were the ones that arrived first. Even so, I am impressed by your formidable natures. We've come this far together, let's finish what we started." He takes a deep breath and turns wearily to regard the dead Roc again. "Now how do we get that damned key off it's leg? What do you think would part quicker? The chain or the bird's foot?"
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Post by @sylverdubs on Apr 3, 2023 14:36:01 GMT -4
((Going to take a bit of liberty here with the roc eggs, for the sake of Fangs and the scene!))
Fangs blinked away the blood in his eyes, passing a scaly wrist over his snout to wipe away the sizzling mess though it only served to smear it more. His chest, arms and face were covered in blood. He reversed the grip on Kieg's giant sword and thrust the tip into the roc's breast, lodging the blade there.
He then turned, picked up his maul from the ground and made his way to the nest, clambering in. He spared Shari not a glance and instead... moved to an egg. With a fist he thumped the closest egg, testing its resistance. A growl and a shout and he brings his maul crashing down on top of it. Setting the weapon aside once again, he pries off a piece of shell, dips his arm into the egg up to his shoulder and comes out with a scooped hand filled with yolk. Noisily he slurps the goop, lets out a cry of victory with his other arm in the air and goes back for more.
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Post by ๊ง ๐ข๐ฑ๐ช๐ป๐ฒ'๐๐ญ๐พ๐ท๐ฎ ๊ง on Apr 5, 2023 11:47:50 GMT -4
"Y-yes please," she nodded gratefully to Kieg. It was rare she ever got this kind of injury, she was glad he was here to help.
Her eyes strayed to Krexx, pleased to see he was moving, and talking. As he addressed Viper, she coughed and looked away, knowing better than to stare, and also already having a good idea what the Breton's reaction would be to it.
Fangs' show had been impressive. She tried to clap for him as best she could. "You did such a lovely job Sir!" she nodded to Kieg a moment, "Everyone did!"
When he pushed past her to one of the eggs, her head tilted, watching him. "They aren't very far alo-" she began to offer, before he found out on his own.
"Ah, yes." she laughed softly. "Well deserved treat!"
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Post by ๐๐๐ แดแดแด ๐ก๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐น๐ฎ๐ป on Apr 5, 2023 12:08:52 GMT -4
Kat smirked heavily.
"I dunno, I think if I hadn't been here, oblivion woulda took ye instead." Her tone held a small degree of mirth.
His head turned to fix Viper with a narrowed, flat gaze. "You..." -The wheels in his head seem to tick for a moment-
"...are an effective leader,-"
She nodded to his first words casually, "I know."
"... but in the future, consider that I am better able to serve as a distraction on my feet and in possession of my powers than being roasted alive in the beak of some monster avian."
"I dunno about that. I think ye did a fantastic job, flailing around like a fish." her arms crossed tightly, pierced brow raising as he continued.
"It may have been more than luck that allowed you to prevail without any further aid from me, but next time it may be different. ...I can predict your answer;-"
Her eyes rolled, head tilting to the side as both her brows raised expectantly.
"-- either 'it was more fun that way', or 'you needed to be taken down a peg' so unless there is anything else you feel you need to convey, let's finish up with this: I won't threaten, but if I am treated like that again, the nature of our association will become unsatisfactory for me. The deal will be off. You are not the only able-bodied adventurers on the face of Tamriel. You were the ones that arrived first. Even so, I am impressed by your formidable natures. We've come this far together, let's finish what we started."
Sucking in her lips, she wet them carefully, lips parting as she licked the back of her molar, before clicking her tongue. "Listen here, asshole." her tone was controlled, though her amber eyes were narrowed and flashing, "ye don't know a f**king thing about me. Especially, what I may er may not say."
Glancing to the Roc she continued, stepping up to stand beside the mage, giving him a side eye, "Did it coz I fcking wanted to. Actual, terrified bait, be much more f**king effective than boastful, idiot bait slinging useless magic er words."
Her head slowly turned toward him, eyes sweeping from his feet up to meet his own unblinkingly, "Ye gotta have 'umf' to back up words, little man. Right now, ye don't." she spat to the side, "Not when it comes to me, er this group. I am gonna continue to f***king do what I feel be best to get the job done. Yer alive, yer still squawking, this part of the job be done, thanks to me. Just like the next part'll be done, and we will get what we wanted; and ye, will get all that ye deserve." dark lips tugged into a very toothy smile. "Would take ye time to find replacements, setting ye back. Even then, tis doubtful ye would find people as capable as what ye have seen. So just shut the f**k up with yer 'non' threats and let us do what we do."
He takes a deep breath and turns wearily to regard the dead Roc again. "Now how do we get that damned key off it's leg? What do you think would part quicker? The chain or the bird's foot?"
Eyes rolling again at his question, she walked toward the bird's foot, looking to Fangs who was slurping up the spoils.
Without much warning, she too let out a howl at the top of her lungs, pumping a fist in the air. "Hey Lizard, show this twit how easily ye can hack that birds leg off."
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Post by Kieg on Apr 6, 2023 13:54:32 GMT -4
With his hands hovering near ShariโAduneโs dislocated shoulder, Kieg had prepared a distracting question (โWhich do you like more, Snowberry jam or Raspberry Jam?โ) to momentarily get her mind off what was about to happen. If someone was expecting the pain theyโd tense up, making it worse when the joint was re-set. But the little Elfโs mind has apparently just wandered off all on its own. So as Shari is commenting to โFangs excitedly about his egg, Kieg takes the opportunity to pop her shoulder back into its proper place as quickly but gently as he can in a single, practiced motion. The big Nord may not be bright, but heโs far from clumsy. Krexx listens through the entirety of the red womanโs speech with a mostly unchanged expression. At its conclusion he winces at her loud yell to Fangs, then sighs. โI see. You were paid in advance, our association is ended. Goodbye.โ In a snap of fingers and a blaze of whirling, green/maroon fire Kat, Fangs, Shari and Kieg find themselves at the base of the Tormented Spire, not far from where they originally hatched their plan. From here the plateau where they stood a moment before is cloaked in smoke and fog; from this distance and vantage it is impossible to tell what may be transpiring up there. The span of a few heartbeats later, a magical rift in the air opens and the remaining Roc eggs tumble out, the one โFangs punctured slopping a bit of its contents onto the ground as it drops six inches to the scorched earth. (( Obligatory Line disclaimer: As a Narrator Iโm not peeved about how things are turning out, etc. Itโs a factor of Krexxโs personality that he wouldnโt put up with this any more than he already has (Less, actually, but I wanted to try to keep things on the rails.)
I hope people will forgive a bit more godmodding from me in that I didnโt really give anyone a chance to react before the teleport, but after some consideration I felt like it is appropriate for the level of powers this guy has access to, (Shari at least understands what is going on, and Kat probably too.) Again I have to stress Iโm treating him less like I would a player character and more like an NPC boss. Finally I hope people will trust that Iโm not running this thread just so I can powertrip with Krexx No spoilers but the point/plot of this thread is to uncover his story and flaws.
So, depending on how people feel the thread can potentially end here or continue, let's do 1 round or responses and then I guess figure out which way to go.
))
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