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

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Ohlawdylawdy

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Cybele said:
Royce at Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent
"Well friend, what is it they say about dwarves?" Krieger asked with a smile while offering Royce one of his drinks.
 

Terratina.

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Astor, Gorse, Level 1, Harbor, Strangled Serpent

As soon as Astor said his request, Geniah wordlessly slithered over to a large table in a quite corner of the 'Serpent. From what he saw, Astor concluded that Geniah was well known and well respected at this establishment, because as she as sat down, or rather coiled up on the chair, a waiter ran up to take their order and it was delivered in good time. She had ordered the same for both of them and seemed to be enjoying his choice of food and drink. The shandy was stronger than he anticipated but the bread and the chowder helped soak the alcohol up. While he began to eat, Astor soon discovered just how hungry he was and resisted the urge to ravage the food. Geniah spoke again, indicating the crowd that stared towards Gale.

"Many are coming for the Hunt, and they will be tested..." She said.

Remembering the ad plastered high on the Wall, he silently nodded as he tore another piece of bread off, mopped up the fish soup with it, chewed for a bit, then had another sip of shandy. He soon found a fondness for the faintly orange drink, as bubbles and the taste of lemons and malt played about on his taste-buds. Astor looked around again, and saw the dwarf was still getting drinks and watched as the bartender poured out each beverage with care. He then scanned over the gathered crowd, weighing up the competition.

"Some strong, some weak, some here only for the coin..." He mused, "I wonder who will be chosen for venture..."

As much as he wanted to run to Gale and offer his services for the Hunt, in an attempt at patience he resisted the urge and continued to wait. After all, he seemed busy and the food had yet to be eaten, as Astor had barely made a dent in them.
 

Cybele

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Royce at Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent

Ohlawdylawdy said:
"Well friend, what is it they say about dwarves?" Krieger asked with a smile while offering Royce one of his drinks.
"That they can drink until they're stone drunk and still work a forge better than most humans?" Royce asked, grinning, and politely refused the drink.
 

Shadowstar38

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Kabal. The Wall

Kabal was beginning to shake slightly. The ride down in the crane was far too slow for his liking, and made even worse by the scent of delicate human flesh surrounding him. He tried his best to let his mind drift on something other than hunger, and laid his eyes on the harbor below.

He zoned in on the waves. Every rock of the hips in the water creating a silent melody. His shaking was dulled for the moment, even if only for that moment
 

Ohlawdylawdy

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Cybele said:
Royce and Krieger at Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent
"Well friend I can guarantee that I can drink you under the table, but not all dwarves know the secrets of the forge. Like me for instance! I haven't worked a forge in my entire life!" He said laughing.
 

Raynoson

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Terratina. said:
Astor, Gorse, Level 1, Harbor, Strangled Serpent
Cybele said:
Royce at Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent
Ohlawdylawdy said:
Krieger, Level 1, Strangled Serpent
(No more wait folks, sorrybut my keyboard is broke and I'm using a pad)

As if by an unseen signal the crowd entered en masse, all a little tense and spread like each was after the other. Some were jovial or in groups, others easily matching. It was a motley crowd, and a hush almost descended by nature as Gale hissed.

"Welcome one and all, many of you know me, others only as a name on poster. I'm Gale of Gorse, Merchant, Hunter, and Chief of the Salnass. You have all come for a position on my True Hunt, the danger you face will be great, and the reward greater if we succeed. While you will be compensated and given ample payment for time and deeds if we fail, know that an honest job awaits any who see it through."

Confident and well spoken like a true leader, not a stumble or word out of place, this was Gale shining bright as ever.

"We will be Hunting 3 beings from the tale of the Seven Knights and Her. Though you may not be familiar or are, Geniah my Keeper of tales shall explain."
With a bow and sweep of arms he directed over to Astor and Geniah.

Clearing her throat and rising, she spoke like the ocean. Unstoppable, and vast... "Seven Knights there once were, and one kingdom they defended for Her. She was fair and did care, and was always there. The land she ruled was at peace, until rose forth a terrible beast. The knights slew it quick for it was sick, destroying home and hearth brick by brick.
Though it died it unleash terrible things from the inside, they flew over the land staining all in hand. Causing brothers to pray on brothers, sisters on one another, and even the very animals were torn asunder.
She was shocked and most surprised, as her world began to die before her eyes. Calling her champions seven she bade them hold, the evil that made the heart cold. Each would take a piece, and hold it till their spirits ceased, fighting back the demons within, and never letting them begin.
She could not force them to do what had to be done, but each agreed one by one. Their resolve would not falter, and nor would the unthinkable occur. For they loved Her and the land, each as a women or man."

Nodding to her in respect and love like a sister, Gale watched the reactions of the silent crowd. "The three we seek are the Twins, shape shifters, one of carnal force, the other of desires fire. Along with their watcher and holder, the Magus of Slumbering Wonder, are aim is to not kill, but capture if only for a day." At the story and proposal many left post-haste, those that remained looked determined.

"We are 20 strong of my most loyal tribe and allies, but more are always welcome. You will be tested, for this is not for the meek. Show me your talent,and answer a single task." With a wave to the Tender, a circle glowed on the wood, expanding and pushing the crowds from the center. Amber light it was, and anyone could tell with remote knowledge as a circle of reflection. Made to hold and protect, it was great to display, or hold rowdy bar fights.

"If you pass you will be briefed and a small payment for just passing will be given."

No one entered, some meek, and others watching.
 

Raynoson

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Shadowstar38 said:
Kabal. The Wall

Kabal was beginning to shake slightly. The ride down in the crane was far too slow for his liking, and made even worse by the scent of delicate human flesh surrounding him. He tried his best to let his mind drift on something other than hunger, and laid his eyes on the harbor below.

He zoned in on the waves. Every rock of the hips in the water creating a silent melody. His shaking was dulled for the moment, even if only for that moment
Finally as if no time passed the elevator reached the bottom, shuffled off by the crowd and dispersing, where to from here? Narrow alleyways in the dark, the slums obvious in sight for more personal desires, any number of taverns and inns.
 

Terratina.

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May 24, 2012
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Astor, Gorse, Level 1, Harbor, Strangled Serpent

Astor watched as the crowd gathered around the pub as Gale began to speak. He spoke of True Hunts, dangers, and rewards. Then he beckoned over to the secluded table that Astor and Geniah were sitting. For a moment, Astor was apprehensive of being the centre of attention, having just devoured a colossal meal, but it was Geniah who the spotlight fell upon and she rose to it. Telling a story with a clear, but heavy, voice of a tale. Astor had already experienced the pleasure of her story-telling once, and he though himself lucky by experiencing it again. The whole crowd was mesmerised and totally immersed in the story-world, but the spell was broken when she finished. Then Gale spoke again, from his tender tone, Astor guessed that the two were as close as siblings. As soon as he stopped speaking, a circle rose from the wood, pushing the crowd outward. To Astor, this mean one thing: trial by combat.

No-one stepped forth to meet Gale's challenge, so Astor took it upon himself to be the first to rise, more out of foolhardiness than actual bravery.

"I am Astor of Air," He spoke, standing tall, "I will take this test."

Astor decided he had nothing to lose in this. If he failed, so be it; if Astor succeded, his purse would be filled and this True Hunt sounded like a good way to make his Great Journey truly Great.
 

Yokillernick

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Daryas, Gorse, Level 1,Strangled Serpent

Daryas thought about it for a minute. Hmm, this True Hunt sounds very dangerous to say the least. But experience taught Daryas where there's danger there's most likely a good reward as well. However to even take part in this Hunt, Gale seemed to want to test them. Daryas watched as the crowd formed a circle and watched another man, Astor his name was, stepping forward.

Daryas decided that since joining the Hunt could be his only way out of his new miserable life. So without a second thought he stepped forward at Astor's side.

"And I am Daryas of Llarom. I too will take this trial, if it proves I can join the Hunt."
 

Raynoson

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Terratina. said:
Astor, Gorse, Level 1, Harbor, Strangled Serpent
yokillernick said:
Daryas, Gorse, Level 1,Strangled Serpent
"Eager you both are, but you have already proven yourselves, perhaps you don't know how, but you have..." Gale chuckled at their initiative, smiling still.

"If they have proven themselves, then allow me to best them, in arms, or in wit."

A voice spoke, the crowd shoved aside there stood a figure, arms and legs in cones of white cloth, a lithe figure and voice to match. Not much taller then 5 feet, and wearing a simple leather tabard on the chest, the face was hooded in white and kept vision of the face away from sight.
No visible arms, perhaps magic was afoot? Even then the person could have concealed arms as they stood, barley facing Astor and Daryas, waiting on Gale.

"If they are willing and no murder occurs." He said with a hint of indifference.
 

Shadowstar38

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Kabal. Level 1. The Harbor

Finally making it to the bottom, Kabal strode away quickly and down to a dark alley. He took only small peeks behind and in front of him to make sure he was not being watched before tearing open his food bad in a rush and chewing on the live preserving flesh. With the hunger subsiding, his mind could finally focus on the task at hand.

The elemental had to be found. How he would accomplish this was anyone's guess. Kabal figured that the best way to tackle it is gather information. What better place to find that than in a popular hangout? If he remembered correctly, there was a tavern close by. With his meal done for the moment, Kabal set off to the nearest one he could see.
 

Cybele

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Royce at Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent

Royce leaned back and watched. It looked like Gale was going to test them and two had already stepped forward and were about to face off against a man in white robes but the thief was in no hurry to join them. Given the chance, he preferred to find out a bit more about this test first and it was always good to find out others strengths and weaknesses.

Digging around in his pockets for a while, Royce took out three gold coins. "Three gold on the feathery one winning," he said to no one in particular and put the gold on the bar where everyone could see.
 

Terratina.

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Astor, Gorse, Level 1, Harbor, Strangled Serpent

He had stepped forward and an elf had done the same. He introduced himself as Daryas of Llarom, the only thing Astor had heard about that place was talk of a magic tree. No doubt the longbow strung on his back was made from such a thing, as for one moment, it seemed to glow, then the glow was gone the next. Astor moved his gaze to the elf's face, it was mostly covered by a mask that robbed him of sight of Daryas's lower face. From what he could see, Daryas was certainly an elf, but shorter than he had expected. Astor had heard tales of a graceful, beautiful and slender people that were like the tall trees they loved so dearly. However this one was almost the same height as him. Astor was pulled from this musing by Gale's remark.

"Eager you both are, but you have already proven yourselves, perhaps you don't know how, but you have..."

Gale chuckled heartly, revealing his forked tongue. Astor was somewhat disappointed, if the test was just to see who would come forward, then it was just like those silly tests Raban had given him. Tests where the goal wasn't the goal with the only purpose of proving something or was a roundabout way to teach a lesson. He folded his arms in frustration, proving yourself to Astor wasn't about words, it was about deeds.

"If they have proven themselves, then allow me to best them, in arms, or in wit." A stranger said as he weaved out of the crowd, revealing himself to be a small man, with all features concealed, "If they are willing and no murder occurs."

Now, this would make up for the earlier disappointment! Astor smiled to himself, of course he was willing. He looked up and unfolded his arms to greet the stranger. If Daryas was hoping to conceal his identity, he had failed, that tell-tale scar that ran from his right eye like a trail of a tear was still visible. The stranger knew how to hide his face, with a droopy white hood. No arms was visible. Astor suspected that magic was afoot, and then was there was that possibility this fellow was some sort of Beast Kind, born without arms. Astor's musings were interrupted by a shout.

"Three gold on the feathery one winning."

Astor's smile widened as he replied, "I hope you are pleased by more than my feathers, gambler."

He then turned to the short stranger, "I am willing, let us name the terms then."

I have the intuitive and now the vote of condifence, so why not?
 

Yokillernick

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Daryas, Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent

"Eager you both are, but you have already proven yourselves, perhaps you don't know how, but you have..."

Daryas paused for a moment and let out a small sigh of relief. For a moment there he thought he would have to fight off ten people all at once. But he was happy with the result and was about to make his way back into the crowd when all of a sudden a stranger appeared from within the crowd.

"If they have proven themselves, then allow me to best them, in arms, or in wit."

Daryas studied the stranger for a couple of seconds. No visible weak spots. For all he knew the moment Daryas moved he would be striked down by magic or something far worse. He thought for a second. Maybe if Astor accepted then he would to as now he would have some help. But his thought we interrupted by a nearby person who was just itching for a fight.

"Three gold on the feathery one winning."

"I would rather avoid a fight with an opponent I know nothing about. How about you come out from under your hood and prove there's no treachery afoot. I would hate to lose my money to some cheap tricks."

Daryas turned his head slightly to Astor and whispered so that no one could hear them. His face was concealed still.. "If he wants combat we can attack at the same time and we'll take him down before he can start his magic tricks."
 

Terratina.

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May 24, 2012
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Astor, Gorse, Level 1, Harbor, Strangled Serpent

Astor waited for the hooded stranger to name his terms and began tapping his foot in impatience as he watched Daryas answer the man's question. His words marked him out as an elf of caution. The kind who would wait in shadows, crazily prepared with barrels of powder and other such overkill. Other than that, Astor didn't know what to make of the lanky fellow. Sure, he was masked, marking himself as somebody wanting to be hidden and that stank of treachery. But so was Astor, the roc's skull eclipsing his face. However, that was for a different reason entirely. The elf tilted his masked head and whispered into his ears.

"If he wants combat we can attack at the same time and we'll take him down before he can start his magic tricks."

Now the whole inn sank of treachery, there was smoke, now where were the mirrors? He lean back in the same manner as the elf and whispered back.

"Such treachary is advantageous, true. But there could be treachery of his own..." He whispered, "On your signal we'll pounce, but let's humour this stranger for a bit."
 

Raynoson

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Terratina. said:
Astor, Gorse, Level 1, Harbor, Strangled Serpent
yokillernick said:
Daryas, Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent
Cybele said:
Royce at Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent
Small bets soon piled up, the bartender managing it all and giving out odds and his best guess, handing out wooden tallies, it seemed a common sight to him.

The Hooded stranger merely nodded and seemed to think for a few moments, "No holds barred, magic, weapons, anything is free for use. Loss if one admits defeat, free-for-all, or both at once, I care not how you attack."

The voice lithe as ever and hard to place in a specific gender without seeing them, the body shape told man, but voice spoke otherwise.

Shadowstar38 said:
Kabal. Level 1. The Harbor
A few places stuck out, a small hole in the wall was nearby, the people coming and going just as fast as the tide, "Anchored Barrel", another had a sizable crowd and could be seen in the distance as the "Strangled Serpent".

Smoke rose over the ocean as fires and chimneys kicked in to life with Gorse, breathing with the sea breeze.
 

Yokillernick

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May 11, 2012
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Daryas, Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent

Daryas waited for a second and thought. No holds barred? Now I'm certain there's some evil magic here! Time for a cunning plan.

Daryas turned around and saw that Astor was still at his side. Thinking quickly he came up with a brilliant plan. He leaned slightly so he could whisper to Astor without anyone noticing.

"Alright Astor, pretend to refuse and walk towards the person, pretending you are trying to get to the bar behind him. Once we are both behind him we jump him. Alright?"

Daryas, so it would not arise suspicion was the first to speak up to the person, who seemed ready and willing for a fight.

"I'm sorry my friend but I can't help feeling you want to trick us with some evil magic here, so me and my friend are going to have to refuse." Daryas said while starting to make his way towards the person. After a couple of seconds he was behind the person.

Daryas' arms shot out and grabbed the stranger from around the head immobilizing him for a second at least.

*Grab*

"Haha, got you!" Daryas exclaimed in triumph, "Now, Astor get him!"
 

Terratina.

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Astor, Gorse, Level 1, Harbor, Strangled Serpent

The hooded stranger announced his terms: no holds barred. Astor smiled, it was a chance to see if the stranger would regret saying that as poisoned blades blended into chunks of meat and flesh. But then again, this stranger was clearing up to something, like an experienced fighter picking on the young 'uns for an easy victory. He sighed, this was either going to be a long and hard battle or be completely one-sided. Plus there was hardy any round for moving about with tumbles and dodges, let alone aerial assault. Astor wondered whether Daryas would turn traitor and turn this into a free-for-all, which was answered with another whisper from the masked elf.

"Alright Astor, pretend to refuse and walk towards the person, pretending you are trying to get to the bar behind him. Once we are both behind him we jump him. Alright?"

Astor gave a subtle nod and preceded to act the part of the honour-bound warrior and shook his head, some of his shamanic jewellery shook as well, "You wish to defeat us with conjured storms and lightening bolts. With tricks. I will have to decline."

Daryas echoed the same sentiment in turn, ""I'm sorry my friend but I can't help feeling you want to trick us with some evil magic here, so me and my friend are going to have to refuse."

He followed Daryas as he walked away from the hooded stranger. A faint hint of a smile could be seen on Astor's face, as he was eager to repay the tricks of the hooded stranger with one of his and Daryas's. The crowd parted readily and the some of the bets were soon taken back by the gamblers. They stopped once Daryas had jumped out and grabbed the man.

"Now, Astor get him!"

Astor leaped with his glassbone daggers drawn, ready to use the pommels to beat the man into submission. He wanted no murder, well here was no murder. Pity the fight wouldn't be fought with just might and mettle.
 

Ohlawdylawdy

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Cybele said:
Royce and Krieger at Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent
"I'll take that bet!" Krieger said throwing down 3 of his own coin. "I WANT TO SEE SOME BLOOD!" he screamed. "Oh and when you're done killing each other count me in on this hunt!"
 

Raynoson

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yokillernick said:
Daryas, Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent
yokillernick said:
Daryas, Gorse, Level 1, Strangled Serpent
(Remember it is TRY, not DONE for actions, you "tried" to grab the head, not you grabbed the head.)

Slipping through and falling forward Daryas caught the hood and managed to yank it off rather then have it catch on a clasp or anything. Simply wound around the head, it was a piece of cloth now revealing a shaved head, the face white as a ghost, and with red lines tracing the entirety like tattoos.

Depicting a battle of beasts and creatures alike, it seemed almost vibrant and alive as the blood in ones veins. One hand raised to Astor, the other towards Daryas, the sleeves seemed to blossom with red.

An alligator like head and front body charged out to ram the approaching Astor, red as blood and like a drawing, it looked all to real. Daryas had seconds to avoid a rather odd looking ball of spines, beady eyes and nose barely perceptible amongst what screamed pain.

Both came from within the sleeves, and the magic-user spoke nothing, the face looked to in between to tell the gender still.