Machinations and Monsters (Game Thread-Fantasy Adventure-Open-See inside for Details)

[Yokillernick]

Daryas had seconds to avoid a rather odd looking ball of spines

Daryas fell to the floor with only the stranger's hood in his hand. But I had him . Unfortunately for his the stranger was too fast and Daryas' grabbed had failed. The stranger's face seemed scary. It was white as if it had just been bleached and his red veins stuck out weirdly.

Daryas started planning his next attack, when all of a sudden he saw the stranger lift an arm to him and from the sleeve a red glow could be seen. It was as if the stranger was hiding something underneath there.

"Astor! Go for the sleeves! Whatever you do cut off his sleeves, that's where he hides his magic!" Daryas shouted in a desperate attempt to try and get an advantage in this fight.

But he was quickly interrupted. Out of the ether a ball of spines, with some human features with screamed in agony, shot towards him. Instantly Daryas rolled to the left hoping he would have dodged the ball as he planned to slash at the stranger's sleeves with his katana once he regained his footing.

 

[Terratina.]

Astor, Gorse, Level 1, Harbor, Strangled Serpent

Daryas made a grab for it and only got hold of the hood. It revealed a face as white as a ghost with red lines depicting battles. The white sleeves became soaked with the red of blood as, if from nowhere a strange creature alligator-like in nature appeared and was ready to ram Astor. Astor quickly twisted in an attempt to dodge the brute's ram. Oh yes, this was the tricks of magic.

"Astor! Go for the sleeves! Whatever you do cut off his sleeves, that's where he hides his magic!"

Astor simply nodded again when he heard those shouted words from Daryas. It was a quick observation and could be wrong. Just to be sure, Astor scanned the stranger for any signs of a talisman or charm, trying to see through his mane of feathers as he tumbled through the air in a somersault.

 

[Cybele]

Royce at Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent

Royce was about to argue with the innkeeper to get his gold back when Daryas grabbed the hooded figure from behind. It was a clever move, something he himself would do. Shame it hadn't worked.

Everybody in the inn seemed to be busy watching the fight. Not one to let such a good opportunity pass by the thief casually walked over to the nearest person with a coin purse tied to their belt. Rolling a flash bomb in his pocked in case things got bad, he took a final glance at the fight (it looked like he was going to lose that 3 gold) and then tried to pickpocket his target.

 

[Shadowstar38]

Kabal. Level one. The Harbor

Kabal inspected some of the establishments as he past by them. There were a few unsavory holes in the wall were he doubted he'd get anything done. A relatively more prestine bar caught his ye. "The Strangled Serpent" was the name on the sign above it. It's a pretty interesting name at the very least.

When he walked in, he noticed a fight was going on elsewhere in the bar.

Perfect choice of location. The rabble are tearing up the place.

Kabal decided to stand near the back and observe. He would get to question everyone once this little brawl ended. At least it provided some entertainment.

 

[Raynoson]

Royce at Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent

A Fierce hissing sounded right next to his ear, like a whisper of death and despair. Standing behind him and from the crowd emerged was a Snake Kind. Clearly a part of Gales crew, red sash and similar clothing.

"I suggest you sit down and wait, les-s-s-s you want to lose a hand. This ones fangs gleamed in a cruel smile and were particularly long.

Astor, Gorse, Level 1, Harbor, Strangled Serpent

Daryas, Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent

The Gator was easily dodged, and no real hint of any talisman or otherwise, catching sight of the sleeves inside, tattoos as well covered the arms. Glowing faintly and bleeding like open wounds to soak the sleeves, it was strange.

The ball of spikes unfurled to basically a porcupine, and rammed towards Daryas. The prickle of spines and stab of barbs, few pierced the armor and scraped against his leg. Bouncing back both creatures looked ready to defend their master.

(The circle is about half the size of a basketball court, the tavern is a bit bigger then you think)

Kabal. Level one. The Harbor

Pushed around by the crowd and rabble, Kabal was getting mashed by the tide of them on the outside of the mob.

 

[Cybele]

Royce at Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent


The thief cursed quietly when he heard the voice behind him and turned to face the snake kind.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," he said with a innocent smile, then turned to walk back to where he had been sitting earlier. "Damn scaly maggot. Sticking his nose into other peoples business. Why should he even care?" Royce grumbled with a sour look on his face, not caring if the snake kind heard him or not.

 

[Terratina.]

Astor, Gorse, Level 1, Harbor, Strangled Serpent


Astor let out a laugh of glee as the clumsy Gator was dodged with a simple twist. Astor landed on his feet and assessed the situation. While Daryas wanted him to slice to the sleeves, Astor himself was unsure about that as more of the blood-red marking that were more like open wounds than tattoos. If this was blood magic, then injuring the man, or whatever it was would simply to be to the hooded's stranger's advantage. Just more blood for the blood magicks. He landed on his feet only to spring into the air again, this time going for the hooded stranger's head. If Astor could knock him out by grabbing the stranger's head with his talons and knocking it on the hard floor, then the battle would be over. If it worked....

 

[Yokillernick]

Daryas, Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent

The ball of spines managed to hit Daryas. His leg armour was sliced and there was a minor gash on his leg. Damn, I thought I was faster than this. Daryas thought to himself. Quickly running out of idea Daryas saw that Astor managed to evade his attacker and go on the offensive. Hmm if only I could distract the stranger from Astor.

Daryas reached out for his bow and slotted an arrow ready for use.

"He ugly!" he shouted towards the stranger, "How do you like this!" Daryas started firing his arrows towards the stranger and his pets. Now if only the stranger focused on the 10 arrows headed for him and his pets then Astor might have a chance.

 

[Raynoson]

Daryas, Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent

Astor, Gorse, Level 1, Harbor, Strangled Serpent

Royce at Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent

(Ten arrows are a bit much man, even to the best archers and with your bow... I'll say 4, you have next to no real time for 10 in this kind of combat)

Astor caught the hint of a smile upon the white strangers face, side stepping and merely falling forwards, the said arrows from Daryas now looked to hit Astor.

The stranger moving arms seemed to catch three arrows, tearing the sleeves and revealing blood etched arms similar to his head, two small patches quite noticeable missing for Astor and his eyes.
Hands shifted to look more gel and fluid like, the strangers arms quickly dropped covered by the remains of the sleeve.

The last arrow instead was cut in half, a dagger against all things thunked against the bar next to Gale. Curious it dissolved in a soft glow, as if made of light. At the same time Gale spoke, "Halt! Tie."

Voice clear and ringing, a figure emerged from the crowd, no bigger then three feet, yet to thin to be a dwarf, dressed similar to the stranger in white, but instead in black, the hood was quickly pulled down to reveal a cherub like face, with a mop of red hair. Almost disturbing at first, it seemed to shift to looked older.
---

At the bar the news was met with dismay, a few smarter warriors and folk collected, a few of the losers moped, and a female warrior, blade on her back, and steel mail clinking, slammed her fist. Cursing the room grew darker it seemed, stomping out and shoving the crowd aside, she was met with disgruntled looks, and light seemed to flow back in.

Royce was now less for gold, and on worst standing with one Snake Kind at least.

Kabal. Level one. The Harbor

As the fight concluded with the arrow stopped by a dagger light, Kabal managed to get a decent view of the small man and the magic he conjured. It was odd and seemed to come from his sleeves with no apparent signs of casting, or hint of magic.

Then the room grew darker, and brighter as the rabble at the bar over wagers dispersed and shifted.
---
The Women leaving the bar passed by Kabal, and she smelled familiar oddly enough. Like fire and flames ablaze, from a meeting earlier in the day. She had caused the darkness to invade the room, and he could sense the magic as much as others.

 

[Shadowstar38]

Kabal. Level One. Exiting the Strangled Serpent

The fight was over, and things looked to be settling down. He was on his way to find a seat when he strange woman caught his eye. He was sure he'd never seen her before, but something was compelling him to follow her.

"Excuse me miss. Do you mind if I asked you something?"

Kabal kept a safe distance from her, as to not make her paranoid.

 

[Yokillernick]

(Ten arrows are a bit much man, even to the best archers and with your bow... I'll say 4, you have next to no real time for 10 in this kind of combat)

(Ehh, spoilsport =P)

Daryas, Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent

Daryas put his bow away and walked towards Astor. "Sorry about that, Astor." Daryas began, "I just wanted to distract him and I had no intention about hitting you." Daryas turned and walked towards the stranger they had just fought. While walking towards him, Daryas took a moment to think about the outcome of the fight. Phew, that was close. I can handle real weapons but those made out of light, no way. Lucky we stopped before someone got killed.

"Well fought." Daryas said to the stranger, "Might I ask who are you and why did you insist on fighting us? If you want we can talk about this over a beer."

 

[Terratina.]

Astor, Gorse, Level 1, Harbor, Strangled Serpent

The stranger's smile said it all as Daryas's arrow bit into his back, causing him to stumble mid-leap and fall to one side with the pain. But he did not scream, oh no, Astor just bit the inside of his cheek and groaned. His warrior spirit and pride wouldn't let him. Astor held the notion that only boys and inexperienced younglings cry. Recovering, he stood and went off for another attempt only the announcement that the match was over.

"Halt! Tie."

With that, he just followed Daryas to the other hooded stranger, still with arrows sticking out of his back. The wounds would be attended to later, the memory of the healing salve's itchiness still raw in his mind. Nevertheless, they would bring some trophy scars and he had gotten another tale to tell to his tribe. A smile returned to Astor's face as he addressed Daryas.

"Sorry about that, Astor." Daryas said, "I just wanted to distract him and I had no intention about hitting you."

?You fire like a loose cannon, friend." He joked, "But I think you could apologise by paying for treatment."

He then turned to the other stranger, the smile quickly fading from his face to a more serious look.

"Who is he to challenge others just for an easy win?" Astor said with a scowl, pointing to the stranger in white, "Who are you, you hooded ones, anyway?"

 

[Raynoson]

Kabal. Level One. Exiting the Strangled Serpent

"You smell." Saying blankly and without turning around, "Go seek your answers else were." Tone saying it all she continued moving. Her destination unknown, and still visible amongst the crowds.

A few more bar goers quickly went about and left as well, sad at the spectacle or afraid, either way people were shuffling back and forth from door to the outside.

Daryas, Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent

Astor, Gorse, Level 1, Harbor, Strangled Serpent

"My associate an I will answer all questions once business deals are finished." Smooth and with a tone not matching the looks, the black hood looked to the white hood approaching Gale.

Brief exchange of words unheard, with people even sitting near him straining to hear. After a brief moment Gale whispered in reply and hissed in clear anger, his eyes narrowing to murderous slits.

"With that I believe our exchange is over, business is incomplete, I bid you good bye, fare well, so long, enjoy your trip, and etc." The black hood nodded to the white hood and they left rather quickly and in a rush, leaving answers alone, and questions unasked.

Gale obviously in a peeved mood motioned for Astor and Daryas to move out and go to Geniah, her fingers with strings glowing faintly, as if making a bizarre Cats Cradle.
----
Soon a small procession of people pushed and shoved to be next... It looked to take some time.

(Feel free to converse and etc.)

 

[Raynoson]

Kabal. Level One. Exiting the Strangled Serpent

Daryas, Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent

Astor, Gorse, Level 1, Harbor, Strangled Serpent

Royce at Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent

Krieger, Level 1, Strangled Serpent

<spoiler=OOC>If you are busy or no longer interested in playing then feel free to tell me, if you are still interested or care to comment on the RP on how it is/was going, then feel free to PM or tell me in the OOC thread. I'm open to advice and suggestions to improve the game among other things in my methods and actions.

 

[Yokillernick]

Daryas, Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent

"You fire like a loose cannon, friend."

Daryas laughed. "It's true I could use some more practice but all this ale made me a bit tipsy. We're lucky someone didn't get hurt badly!"

Daryas now turned to face the stranger, his face turned serious again. He carefully listened to the exchange between Astor and the hooded man. Unfortunately for them, the hooded man seemed to grow bored with their conversation and just threw up excuses at Astor. Daryas watched the stranger walk away. He totally blew us off! . However Daryas had grown bored of this conversation and turned to Astor, his ally in the last fight.

"Well met my friend." Daryas said, "We didn't have time for proper introductions what with the fight and all. I am Daryas of Llarom as you might know." he continued extending a hand, "And who might you be that you are so willing to help someone who've never even met?"

With his hand still extended waiting for Astor, he turned his head and spoke to Gale. "Well we've seen to have passed this little test. Now care to tell us what we are supposed to be doing next and also when are going to get a move on ?"

Spoiler: OOC for Ray

Ray my advice is that for the people to actually converse they have to have met one another or have a reason to talk to each other. You can't just expect them to randomly go up to a stranger and start a conversation. What you need to do is move on with the story to the next part which is the Hunt. That way people will be able to interact with one another and have a reason to do so.

 

[Terratina.]

Astor, Gorse, Level 1, Harbor, Strangled Serpent

Astor scowled as the hooded ones departed and Gale seem to share the same sentiment as a hiss of hatred escaped his lips. Daryas, however was in an entirely different mood, laughing at the three arrows stuck in Astor's back and his lack of aim, then extending a hand to Astor in a bout of good humour. Geniah just waited there for the pair to come forward, Gale was obviously too angry at the moment to discuss the matter of the Hunt. The stinging bite of the arrows had dulled into a dull throb of pain, particularly noticeable when he flexed his shoulders.


"Well met my friend." Daryas said, "We didn't have time for proper introductions what with the fight and all. I am Daryas of Llarom as you might know." he continued, "And who might you be that you are so willing to help someone who've never even met?"

"Well met, I am Astor of Air." Astor nodded, shaking the hand. Then he cracked a smile as he joked, "Just a noble soul who would take three arrows in the back for a friend."

Astor then moved over to Geniah, not wanting to be on the scene when Gale's anger erupted and he had come to trust her counsel and was now seeking it.

He turned and asked in a casual manner, all the while watching the hypnotic motion of her glowing fingers, "What do you make of that, then?"

 

[Raynoson]

Daryas, Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent

Astor, Gorse, Level 1, Harbor, Strangled Serpent

Royce at Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent

<spoiler=OOC>If you are busy or no longer interested in playing then feel free to tell me, if you are still interested or care to comment on the RP on how it is/was going, then feel free to PM or tell me in the OOC thread. I'm open to advice and suggestions to improve the game among other things in my methods and actions.
Astor

"Let me tend to your wound, as for the two they have strong primal magic about them..." The cradle of magic washed over his back, the arrows sliding outward and turning to dust as they touched the ground. Such magic was often aided by tools to empower natural magic. The wounds closed and a gentle warm came from them almost soothing.

"I spare no expense for those who have potential with magic aid, and I see you have much of it..." A soothing hiss and gentle voice, Geniah's tone was honest like a prediction. Whether she was to be right was to be seen in the coming times...

Daryas

"Many others are vying for a position as well, we shall go after I review them. Go see Geniah next to Astor, she will heal you..." Gale was curt, quick, and pissed. Going in the ring he looked to be testing others one on one. Quickly dismissing a few eager folks with a flick of his tongue.

Royce

"So you hate the scaly ashturds as vell? I Will drink to that!" A brawny hand slapped Royce on the shoulder, the voice belonging to it thick with an accent of the north.
"You are fool to try and steal, Gale is said to have emeralds in eyes, let him see much." Paused with drinking, the figure swept around next to Royce, a man like figure covered in a pile of furs with a floppy to match.

(Ugh busy but more coming)

 

[Cybele]

Royce at Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent

Back at his seat, the thief resumed eating his breakfast which had gone cold already.

"So you hate the scaly ashturds as vell? I Will drink to that!"

"I won't be naming any of my children after them, that's for sure." Royce replied, then almost spilled his drink when the stranger slapped him on the shoulder.

"You are fool to try and steal, Gale is said to have emeralds in eyes, let him see much."

"My good Sir, I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about," the thief said, sounding genuinely hurt, "Me and steal? Why the very thought sends shivers down my spine!" Royce grinned and moved to the side a bit to give the stranger more room to sit.

 

[Raynoson]

Royce at Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent

"me and steal?"The man let out a booming laugh, "You are funny man, I hope you live if you go on journey."

 

[Terratina.]

Astor, Gorse, Level 1, Harbor, Strangled Serpent

The magic washed over him like a wave of warm, knitting the flesh together and extracting the arrows from his flesh. Apart from a faint glow from the magic, there was no sign of any wound. If Astor was still in his snarky mood, he would have made a remark about not getting a 'souviener' for his trouble, but Geniah and clearly spared no expsence as she said and Astor was stunned at her kindness. Something like this was enough for some members of his tribe to pledge their life and become one of the Honour-Bound, who never returned lest they would break their oath. Astor wasn't one for oaths and pledges though and he was sure that Geniah wouldn't mind not having him follow her about for the rest of her life.

He turned to her and gave a slight bow, "...Thank you. Both for the healing and your kind words. I hope I can live up to them."

For once, Astor didn't really know what to say. He hoped those words would be sufficent. But Geniah's words puzzled him; sure he had prefered the study of magic over the study of powders and poisons, but he had always been treated as a simple boy by his peers and elders. Just another boy thinking that he can take the whole world no and win. Casting those thoughts aside, he waited for the auditions to be over and for this adventure to begin.