|
|
#
?
Jun 10, 2022 19:37
|
|
|
|
| # ? May 27, 2024 16:57 |
|
|
An Art Gallery Sponsored By King Tevin The art (or, for three of them, themselves) is smuggled in easily as anonymous donations. As before, an anti-magic field is draped over the pieces of art so as not to elicit attention, much like the cursed artifacts before. Some of the art is appreciated. "The Contemplative Woman" immediately draws eyes, as does Sweetheart's Rose Arrangement and Flitzi's "Deadly Apple". Stanley-err, "The Perfect Servant" is admired for craftsmanship and the juxtaposition of the mechanical with the mundane. "It's a commentary on how we treat those beneath us, as mere machines carrying out our will. The artist clearly wants us to treat our butlers, maids, cooks, and cleaners with the respect they deserve." The woman next to that critic rolls her eyes and walks away. (One observer catches Stanley's eye, though he doesn't show it, considering how still he must stay. Agnetha Aldeen, the Wylden headmaster. When the old witch looks at him, she seems puzzled. Tilts her head. Taps a finger on her chin. Then shakes her head and walks away. Recognition? She apparently left the party shortly after.) Other pieces of art elicit confusion, as people debate their meaning. Noah's piece in particular is talked about as either an incompetent fool or a genius of abstract art. The skeleton pieces that remained nameless were dubbed a reflection on mortality. But all of that was just the prelude. Sadly the King could not attend himself, but there was plenty of upper-class folk in attendance, alongside the artists themselves. All three of the hiding folk immediately feel the quiver of magic in the air as the anti-magic spell Gurenai weaved undoes itself, and the art's effects are felt. Sweetheart's vines spread out, ensnaring the building and a few rose thieves. Trakk's totem pole attracts those nearby into a fruitless climb, others die from drinking the water of Jane's fountain and having their minds implode. Pinion's spreading gas covered the floor, the cast-off skeleton parts of McRibs nibble and bite, and people cry in the fetal position in front of Flitzi's painting. Noah's portrait does absolutely nothing. Its low quality is already its curse. Meanwhile, "The Contemplative Woman" reveals her true form, as do "The Perfect Servant" and "Bag". The groups are inundated from the harmful magic so they can perform their tasks: Gather everyone who's still alive to be turned into slaves like Malcolm's village, and nick anything valuable to be sold, whether that be pieces of art or jewelry on the noble's bodies. Once everything and everyone of value has been gathered, the three make their escape. quote:Combined Total: 197 The Night "There's a deer monster who you won't see coming until you're already dead." "An evil fairy who can read your mind and whisper evil thoughts into your head!" "I heard of this awful goblin who commands a legion of evil animals! Giant rats and ravens!" "There's a giant gnoll. Her smile and evil laughter haunt your dreams..." "An evil human wizard who sold his soul for eternal youth and magic power!" "A skeleton horde who will never stop and never give up. They will pursue you with all of their power, never relenting, never tiring. Break them apart and they reform again." These are the rumors that swirl around the monsters. There's truth in them, naturally, but a grain of truth just makes lies more believable, doesn't it? And the fear? Oh, the fear is wonderful. People hug together, shivering in their huts. It makes taking them all in so much easier. The first village was the demonstration. This was the real deal. It is silent and swift, this kidnapping of villages. Everyone works in harmony, first, the rats, ravens, and skeletons gather the layout, then everyone spreads out for the capture. After a certain point, it becomes a well-polished routine. And after a point, the new slaves have joined the rest. quote:Combined Total: 448 The Chapel With every new piece of information gathered by Trakk's various disciples and subordinates, a clearer picture emerges. Firstly, he's obviously not sealed in Pandemonium. That was where he was born, it would only grant him strength. Pandemonium was a parallel plane of existence to the mortal one. If the prison wasn't 'parallel' to the mortal world, maybe it was 'perpendicular' instead. Using that as a leaping-off point, eventually, they found the prison's boundaries, if nothing else. Where the "locks" were in place. The problem was that the prison was more like... absence. You knew where it started and ended but it was... you could only 'see' it out of the corner of your eye, and if you looked at it dead-on it disappeared. But still, they knew where it was, and it didn't move. That was a start. Once Trakk's portion stopped, Pinion's took over. With the 'where' figured out, now was the 'how'. The Crystals which had formed the seal drew their power from the land. Mountain, Desert, Ocean, Forest. That was the power of this plane. But the True Crystal was more than just a synthesis of the four powers of the others. It was higher. Above... Heavenly. Maybe that was why they couldn't perceive the prison. The divine and the monstrous, are opposites. So only mortal humans could perceive it. ...and they had one on hand. And so, Gurenai, Xelemax, Trakk, and Pinion sat around a runic circle in the chapel, the crystal that had relayed the Lord's commands at the start of this operation visible, with Noah in the center, sitting cross-legged, eyes closed. Bitey and her babies stand in various spots in the circle, adding a bit of extra mana. Noah's runic patterns start glowing. He slowly shifts, standing himself up, holding his wand out. His eyes are closed. He pulls back as if winding up a punch. Then he thrusts his wand forward. The runes glow, his eyes open, and magic strikes forward. It is ugly, unrefined, and more than a little basic. But it works. The prison is struck. A "dent" has been made in it. The purple orb glowed even brighter. Gurenai smiled. A voice rang out. Unlike before, where the Lord's voice was small and quiet, it is now a bit bigger. "Finally. I have been working on my out, to no avail, but now I can make progress. Thank you for this. All of you." quote:Combined Total: 206 --------------------------------- Unlike before, this time Noah is called into Gurenai's office, alongside Lickspittle and Stanley. "...Noah. Up to this point, I have regarded you as... mostly an annoying fly. But Xelemax has put his trust in you, and it resulted in you damaging our Lord's prison. Merit must be recognized, even if I do not like you." In his hand, was a Shadow Bud. His tone lightens a little when it comes to the other two. "Stanley, your idea was quite clever. Plus, your keen eye managed to snag us quite a few treasures. For that, you are rewarded." Another Shadow Bud. "And Lickspittle! You have been one to watch ever since the beginning. You might not have reached as high highs, but you've been a consistent help ever since. For such diligence, here is your reward." And the third. "You have been planted, and you have budded. Now, let us see if you bloom." ---------------------------------- quote:TASKS FOR THE COMING WEEK quote:FLAVOR QUESTIONS: Junpei fucked around with this message at 22:36 on Jun 10, 2022 |
|
#
?
Jun 10, 2022 21:11
|
|
|
Jane Doe She/her/they. Age: Seen a Few Battles 1d16 Weredeer Ambusher 2d6 Controlled Form 2d6 Ruthless Fighter 2d6 Carnivorous 2d6 Pronged Attacker 2d6 Vengeful Soul 2d6 Equipment: Darkness Kukri Pair 3d6 Cloak of Fog 3d6 Enduring Potion of Greater Invisibility 3d6 Spells: Blur Notice 2d6 Spy Moth 1d6 Lieutenant Shadow (Kobold) 2d6 Obscured Bastards 1d6 Rumors spread quickly, and reaching back to her Jane couldn't help but puff up in pride. But she wasn't just a deer. Sure, she was a weredeer, but she wanted the outside world to fear her, specifically. She would spend time sharpening her fangs, but contemplated on putting metal caps on her antler tines. She shouldn't, it would cut into her stealth abilities to have reflective surfaces. But perhaps she would be different from the generic angry 'deer'. No, she had to be more monstorous, somehow. For the time being, Jane simply weighed her options. Shadow and Jane worked together to closely train each and every Bastard in their troop – from lockpicking, to stepping with light feet, sleight of hand techniques to the best way to quickly, quietly bleed someone out. They quickly gain a reputation for being brutal and the training likened to boot camp, but for stealth. If Shadow or Jane couldn’t detect you at all, you passed their test with flying colors. Otherwise, they could expect a pop quiz spar, or perhaps they’d find themselves suddenly without their weapons in complete darkness, hoping to fumble their way back to the castle. Outright punishments were not doled out in this training, but no punches were ever pulled, and critique on form was a common lesson. Any who joined the Obscured Bastards would quickly learn that sure, it was difficult and annoying to learn from a seemingly mute Kobold, but Jane’s calm voice as she outmaneuvered them at every turn was much worse. But progress was being made. As such, Jane decided to take some time to focus on her own training. She would be useless if she could not keep ahead of her own squad. With more time she spent some time doing something she didn’t often do – research. That was more for the brains of the forces, the likes of the Feathered Mastermind Pinion, the Wise and Clever Witchdoctor, even that strange teenage human warlock. Jane had heard that he had cracked the Dark Lord’s prison himself! Strange, she didn’t take him to be competent, but that was part of being beyond another’s eyes, wasn’t it? Jane did not enjoy books much, but she felt very clever in asking the other monsters and beings in the Dark Lord’s forces for their input. In terms of asking about how to be a better Predator, she went to her (now official) friend Melchior on how to better trick humans into becoming her prey. She attempted to interview the somehow simultaneously adorable and intimidating Oozerah, and found it somewhat similar to trying to communicate to Shadow. What a cunning and ruthless predator, she is. Finally with some trepidation she asked the cackling Sweetheart for tips on her own ambush techniques. Her fangs and jaws could not crush bone like the Gnoll could, but she took note of the eagerness and brutality with which the den mother did. Jane had heard of another ambush predator, but had yet to encounter him. Speaking to Grubble was a different breed of stealthy attacker, but Jane wanted to better prepare to assist other fighting styles for two-sided attacks. Towering over the weredeer, the troll simply wore fear like she does her cloak, something she admired about him. After compiling all of this information, Jane felt she could integrate herself into the rest of the Dark Lord’s forces more easily. An adapting carnivore, what is more terrifying than that? She took her Cloak of Mist to the spellweavers of the castle, and had them alter the cloth to be more like a fabric of fog. Concealing, yet comforting like the dark forest of her home. Jane also traded for the best invisibility potion she could get, knowing that even the most stealthy of creatures are not truly invisible, and may need a little boost. She nurtured the hating, vengeful nature within her and angled her attacks to sting more harshly in her own training. No one would stop her. Especially not if they couldn’t keep up with her. Donning her cloak, rallying Shadow and the Obscured Bastards, they would strike a more formidable target now: Mages. Her students, and herself, needed to practice fighting against magic, but often were quick to find their blades in the gut, hearts and throat of those who did not wear proper armor. It would be a formidable challenge, and Jane did not take things easy on her squad. Jane Doe 1d16 Weredeer Amusher 2d6 Controlled form 2d6 Ruthless Fighter 2d6 Blur Notice 2d6 Carnivorous 2d6 Pronged Attacker 2d6 Vengeful Soul 2d6 Darkness Kukri Pair 3d6 Cloak of Fog 3d6 Enduring Potion of Greater Invisibility 3d6 Spy Moth 1d6 Lieutenant Shadow 2d6 Obscured Bastards 1d6 Attack Agnetha And the Staff: 1d16+9d6+16d6+2d6 104
|
|
#
?
Jun 10, 2022 22:33
|
|
|
*Flitzi: d16 *Dark Fairy Trickster: 3d6 Traits: *Frequently Finding Flaws: 3d6, Corrupting Influence: 3d6, *Preys On Your Doubts: 2d6 Assistant: Impy, Imp Illusionist: 2d6 Squad: Dark Fairy Trickster Flock: d6 Equipment: Tiny Whip of Paralyzing Terror's Touch: 3d6, *Tiny Glasses of Remote Location: 2d6 Spell: Fairy Dust: d6, Remove Inhibition: d6, Zap of Madness: d6 Potion: Potion of Personality: 2d6, Potion of Shadowblend: 2d6 Physicality: Flying d6 Ahaha! Joy, oh joy! The rumors were flying about, and the terror! The terror, the new slaves, all working under the Demon Lord's yoke, so that they may return him! They felt closer to their goal, all the time~ The delightful "exaggerations" of the humies about her ways were something to pleased about. They would learn to start fearing the dark fae again, and soon, when they started looking upon the precious "good" fairies, their eyes full of suspicion and their hearts bearing grudges that couldn't fade, like what always inevitably happened with humies, they'd chase them out of their green forests and little fairy homes right back into the grip of the Demon Lord, where Flitzi and her dark fairy family will await them with open arms and a heart full of forgiveness... Provided they swear themselves to the Demon Lord. Then things would be back the way they were! Yet another step in the direction of true fairydom, hopefully. Flitzi went to work, and soon she had a fancy new piece of equipment that would allow her to judiciously pick out targets better, provided by the smuggler who helpfully processed the transaction for her, such a darling. The vulnerable would ill escape her sight now! And she spent a good awhile reading up on the doubts of humies, imagining ways to really wriggle in their heads.. Through all her prying at minds, and spreading rumors, terrorizing humies and wrangling monsters, she'd learned an awful lot! Such dears, with many flaws she trained herself to spot, so easily seen with her new toy especially! She and Impy practiced tricks galore with her fairy flock, they laid about contemplating the darkest recesses and doubts of the mind and how to tickle it, and imagined such grand, playful things! She could see it all, right there in her head. And Flitzi could use it. quote:Flitzi: Would you classify yourself as a 'mage' in the same way that Pinion or Trakk are? Flitzi soon set off on her next task, with Impy and her fairy flock in tow. She would employ everything to take care of a very special girl and her group of friends, who the letter she'd found so long ago had come from. Some blending with the shadows, and finding them from afar.. Impy leading them into the perfect area for their trap with his illusions, while Flitzi follows sneakily and fed darkness subtly into them. A bit of sparkle from her Fairy Dust to arouse their curiosity more, with a bit of help from inhibition removing spells! And then they would spring their trap, their fairy flock all ganging up at once, hitting as many with the whip of paralyzing, spells flying and being dodged by her flying, students snapping from her Zap of Madness! Target the weak links for that.. And then she'd drag dearest Harriet somewhere dark, warm and friendly, and get to work, taking a chug of her personality potion. The girl had a break in her heart and mind, somewhere. Flitzi merely had to find it, and tug, and corrupt.. Let her know just how deeply flawed she was. Let her know it was okay to fall to the Demon Lord. And then her friends would fall with her. Exquisite. Handle Harriet and her Friends with: Everything=106 BraveLittleToaster fucked around with this message at 05:08 on Jun 11, 2022 |
|
#
?
Jun 10, 2022 23:13
|
|
|
Sturdy Stanley d16 SELF-ACTUALIZED! devoted robogolem butler 3d6 True loyalty is a hard thing to come by. vast memory stores 3d6 equip: duelist's grasps 3d6 equip: enchanted obsidian monocle 2d6 spell: hubert's helping hands 2d6 RE-ENGINEERED! attribute: adamantium robohydraulics 3d6 Dwarven damascus adamantium went into Stanley's new arms, and they're so light and strong he can't wait to get the rest of him made out of it too. potion: concentrated tincture of cleaning 2d6 POSITIVELY REINFORCED! manifested id: greater aspect of hubris 2d6 The line between self-confidence and self-delusion is a thin one. Who can say when the tragic overconfidence that led to Stanley's creation will take root in his own metal mind? treefolk stoicism d6 promising dryad sproutling understudy 2d6 FORMALIZED! combat training 2d6 Though he was built to be a servant, between his last encounter and his disciplined attendance to training lessons, Stanley has turned into quite the scrapper. ---------- Stanley gratefully accepted the shadow bud from Gurenai, gently crushing it to dust between his fingers so that the magics it contained could swirl through the seams in his metal body and into his inner workings. With those magics his dedication to the Demon Lord only grew, but not because he was programmed to serve. He felt himself rising above his programming, subsuming it into a new part of him that had just awakened. He served because he wanted to. He served for himself now. The Demon Lord wisely allowed this to happen, because surely he knows that loyalty freely given is stronger than loyalty compelled. "Again, you are most generous," said the metallic butler with a deep bow. "but the true credit for my scheme goes to Violet. I will take this blessing in honour of us both. My thanks." ---------- And yet, his encounter with the elderly witch Agnetha at the art gallery kept playing out again and again in his artificial mind. She seemed to recognize him, and strangely enough, he recognized her. Did they have some sort of connection? Perhaps she was tied to the ancient artificers that created him? So when it was announced that Wylden Academy was the monsters' next target, Stanley promptly put in a personal request to lead the team that would challenge Agnetha. "You sure about this?" asked Violet later on that day, as she twisted a newly-designed hydraulic arm into his shoulder socket with a solid clunk. "I mean, you did great at the art gallery, but leading a war party? You sure that's the lane you should be in?" The robogolem rolled his new shoulder and flexed his new fingers. "It's precisely the lane I must be in, my photosynthetic protégé," he replied. "She has knowledge that could benefit our Lord, if only we were able to obtain it. This means she must be captured. Alive." With a puff of steam from his elbow, he gave his new hydraulic reach a test, feeling that telescoping piston glide effortlessly with every part working in perfect synchronicity. "Not to disparage my colleagues, but I rather do not fancy Agnetha's odds if she were confronted by the gnoll. Or the skeleton. Or the ooze." Violet looked unsure. "I guess. They really like their jobs, huh?" "Quite," replied Stanley, as his arm retracted with a snappy click. "But that's not what I meant." The robogolem canted his head curiously for a moment, and Violet continued: "I've read notes. You've got a personal stake in this mission, don't you?" "Well... yes. I suppose I do, young Violet." The plantfolk shrank into herself a little. "This isn't gonna be like beating up a bunch of snooty nobles. It's a real fight. What if you get hurt, or... Look, you don't have to go, I bet the others would--" "Violet, please," interrupted Stanley. "I must do this. I do hope you understand what this opportunity means to me. My mind is made up. I will lead this mission." Violet's face dropped into an anxious frown for a few interminably long moments, until a metal hand rested on her shoulder. "Please," said Stanley. A few moments later, Violet took a deep breath, and finally nodded her head. "Yeah," she said. The rest of their preparations were done in silence. Attack Agnatha: 1d16+15d6 63
|
|
#
?
Jun 10, 2022 23:24
|
|
|
drat those mages aren't gonna know what hit em huh
|
|
#
?
Jun 10, 2022 23:24
|
|
|
Also, just wanted to say this is great, thank you so much for this!
|
|
#
?
Jun 12, 2022 02:16
|
|
|
 Trakk Blacktail [he/him, 47 years old] 1d16 Lizardman witch doctor 2d6 (upgraded) Traits: Meticulous planner: 2d6 Enchanting orator: 2d6 Master poisoner: 2d6 (upgraded from training) An inquisitive mind: 2d6 Physical traits: regeneration: 1d6 Glands of fearful pheromones: 1d6 Equipment: Ancient Oaken Staff of Plant Growth: 3d6 Potion of disguise: 2d6 Potion of detect thoughts: 2d6 An old skull: 1d6 (magic focusing relic; bought) Spells: Speak with Plants: 1d6 Cause Rot: 1d6 Warp wood: 1d6 (training) Raise plant zombie: 1d6 (bought) Followers Garlug, Orc shaman: 2d6 A Bullywug coven of Dark Druids: 1d6 In his additional spare time, Trakk turned to his buddy Skree-Skree, the Ratman, to teach him more about poisons. He also studied some older druidic spells in more detail, and practiced hard, until he had mastered the ability to shape wood in any way he liked it. With the additional coin provided by the paymaster, Trakk set out the smugglers and relic hunters out for some specific tasks. First, he wanted something to focus his magic with. An old skull, particularly if belonged to a powerful magic user, would do fine. Those bones were already enchanted a bit, he could tap into the power of to whom the skull belonged, it was another connection to times past, and with his effort and dedication, the relic would grow in strength. Exactly what he needed, as the Demon Lord was still not free, and more capacities in the magic realm were surely needed. Finally, he got his hands on some old necromantic tomes. Most necromancers have no problems reanimating dead animals and humanoid creatures into undead servants to do their bidding, but they struggle to do anything with dead plant material. Druids on the other hand, are very capable in rejuvenating plant material, or restoring dead creatures back to life, but the dead plants are only there to provide food for new life. But the undead plant, rotten wood and fungus in an animated form, that is a rare feat indeed. Yet hidden in the tomes, if one knew how to read an interpret them, those secrets were there for the taking. And so Trakk gained another spell. For now, he had not fully mastered it yet, but who knows which servants of the Demon Lord he could bring forth. With all his new powers, Trakk decided to stay at home for the next series of orders. As he was already on good speaking terms with Dionaea, the giant man-eating plant monster that guarded the front door, he set himself to fix and improve the castle's traps. With Dionaea's permission, Trakk created some offspring of her, and help some grow into even nastier forms. He build an array of new traps, asking Stanley for some help with mechanisms, Noah for some enchantments, Sweetheart and McRibs for the best weapons, and whoever else might provide useful. There was a strong focus on poisons and wooden traps, as he found throughout his years, that the humans and Heroes didn't see nature as an enemy. Oh, how wrong they would be. REPAIR THE CASTLE'S TRAPS: 1d16 + 18d6 = 81 edit: got it working on another machine OperaMouse fucked around with this message at 20:18 on Jun 13, 2022 |
|
#
?
Jun 13, 2022 19:06
|
|
|
Oozeerahrelai: [d14]->[1d16] (Shes/Hers/They/All-Grown-Up/Ageless) Race: Skeleton-Slime-Hybrid [2d6] -Racial Ability: Seep [2d6]-> [3d6] (training) -Racial Ability: Anti-Magic-Membrane [2d6] -> [3d6] (roleboost) -Personality: Clingy [1d6] Skills: -Knowledge: Infernal Geography [1d6]->[2d6] (training) Spells: -Cone of Slime [2d6] -Word of Wroth [1d6] Equipment: -Boots of Haste [3d6] -Potion of Mimicry [3d6] Retinue: -Apprentice: --Lorelaieraah, Slime-Skeleton-Hybrid ringleader. [2d6] ---[Squad] ----Adorable adolescent attack amorpheons [1d6] -----Potion of Slime to Stone [2d6] (purchase) -- Oozeerahrelai spent the majority of hers time, post Gallery Opening, in the various crevices of the dungeon. Her ability to pass through even the smallest of cracks had only grown as of late, and so it was not unusual to see hers, or parts of hers at least, dripping from the ceiling or filling potholes with distressingly lifelike imitations of the surrounding stone, causing a not insignificant amount of dungeon-dwellers to stumble as they inadvertently tripped on her gooey form. To the unobservant, she seemed to be everywhere at once. But the clever would recognize a pattern to her behaviour. She was pranking her fellow minions like some chaotic fey, no, she was training them. Showing up in places where defences were weak, or where blindspots could easily hide an invader. Little by little her superiors began to understand, and soon construction imps, trap-laying kobolds and slimes were dispatched to deal with all the problem areas she had identified. The slimes, and they were ubiquitous now, had somehow gotten a hold of some sort of catalyst from the alchemy lab that when applied would turn one of their number to stone. They used this to great effect to restore broken masonry all over the ruins as they, much like their progenitor, were adapt at changing their form to fit their surroundings. This did not concern them overly, indeed it was hard to spot any emotions other than glee in their little faces, even as they sacrificed their mobility and quiet possibly life-force for the Greater Evil, nor did it do much to diminish their numbers, acting more as a way to keep their rampant osmosis in check. Shore Up Weaknesses using General (1d16), Race (2d6), Seep (2d6), Clingy (1d6), Knowledge: Infernal Geography (2d6), Cone of Slime (2d6), Boots of Haste (3d6), Slimesquad (1d6), Potion of Slime to Stone (2d6): 1d16+2d6+2d6+1d6+2d6+2d6+3d6+1d6+2d6 60
|
|
#
?
Jun 19, 2022 11:16
|
|
|
 Sweetheart (She/Her) Age: Adult. 1d16
Sweetheart's clan take to patrolling the conquered lands with gusto, rooting out infiltrators and saboteurs guided by their leaders keen senses and relentlessly cheerful discipline. STRAIGHTEN OURSELVES OUT: MAINTAIN DEFENSES: 1d16+24d6 93 quote:Everyone: Rumors have been spread about you in order to cultivate fear. How do you feel about the exaggerated version of yourself that humans fear? Pretty good, honestly. The propaganda artists really caught my smile.
|
|
#
?
Jun 19, 2022 11:49
|
|
|
Sorry been dealing with covid round 2 and its whipping my rear end
|
|
#
?
Jun 19, 2022 22:48
|
|
|
Noah Spell *d16 (17/m/Demon Lord's Castle) *Human Warlock Extraordinaire! 3d6 (Role boost) *Bigger Spellbook Smarts 3d6 (Purchase) Slightly Better Balance d6 In With The Bosses 2d6 *24-Hour Night Owl 3d6 (Shadow Bud boost) Familiar: Bitey the Owl owl 2d6 Squad: Bitey's babies! Baby owls d6 Weapon: Extra Pointy Dagger 2d6 *Weapon: Noah's Really Kickass Wand-erful Wand! 3d6 (Purchase) *Spell: Magic Missile 2d6 (Training) *Spell: Mending 2d6 (Training) Potion of Strong Healing 3d6 Junpei posted:"Finally. I have been working on my out, to no avail, but now I can make progress. Thank you for this. All of you." "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" The words rattled around Noah's head. He was practically dancing on the castle's bannisters with how happy those two words had made him. The Demon Lord Himself! Greatful for the assistance of Noah Spell, Warlock Extraordinare! Everything was fitting into place. He was Useful! Look! A summons! Even Gurenai cannot deny how helpful he had been recently! --------------------------------- Junpei posted:"...Noah. Up to this point, I have regarded you as... mostly an annoying fly. But Xelemax has put his trust in you, and it resulted in you damaging our Lord's prison. Merit must be recognized, even if I do not like you." "You'd catch more flies with honey, you know." was the first thought on Noah's tongue, but he managed to control the impulse. A simple nod and a "Thank you, sir" would suffice. He stepped back and as Gurenai offered the other two their rewards, Noah studied the Shadow Bud. If it would taste like whatever he wanted, then what did Noah want? A dark part of his mind threw up an answer instantly. Power. Noah chewed the Shadow Bud. Turns out, power tastes a lot like Lemon Drizzle cake. He pulled up the arm of his robe and considered his wrist. The runes flashed once, then disappeared. Slowly, runes that resembeled the phrase ץ๏ย'๔ ςคՇςђ ๓๏гє Ŧɭเєร ฬเՇђ ђ๏ภєץ, ץ๏ย кภ๏ฬ. scrolled across his skin. He gasped. If he could control the runes themselves... The rest of the... week, was it? He'd lost track. The rest of the time was spent deep in practice. Purchases of additional spellbooks and the fanciest wand the stores had were made. Spells were improved. Strangely, the need for sleep lessened, until it was almost no longer required. And, slowly but surely, power increased. --------------------------------- Junpei posted:Noah: You were a poor peasant, did you pick up magic in the castle, or elsewhere? "Oh, entirely here, in the castle. When I arrived, I didn't know a cantrip from a poorly-placed tin on the ground! It took a lot of scouring the library, but eventually I found the dictionaries that explained the words that described the processes that lie behind the simplest of magical concepts. I won't deny, it's taken quite a few years to get myself up to speed, but, well." A big smile. "I think we're getting there!" --------------------------------- Finally, it was time. Wylden School of Magic was the next target, and there was no way Noah was going to let this opportunity pass him by. Time to test his wits against a school's worth of talented youngsters. To prove that self-guided education could defeat any standardised syllabus. That those who worked at magic could defeat those born to it. To prove himself worthy. Handle Harriet & Friends (w/ Warlock, Spellbook, Balance, Bosses, Night Owl, Dagger, Wand, Both Spells, Potion): 1d16+24d6 82
|
|
#
?
Jun 19, 2022 23:32
|
|
|
Deadmeat5150 posted:Sorry been dealing with covid round 2 and its whipping my rear end Get well soon. I just got the booster shot and it loving had me horizontal for half a week.
|
|
#
?
Jun 20, 2022 12:22
|
|
|
Pinion [d16] [He/Him, Aged] Crowfolk Runescribe [3d6] Slavering For Knowledge [3d6] Black Wings [3d6] Equipment: Greatrobe of Scrying [3d6], Potion of Madvisions [3d6] Spells: Greatraptor's Eye [3d6], Inflict Distress [d6], The Stalker From Shadows [3d6] Lackey: Crowfolk Apprentice [3d6] Squad: Crowfolk Scouts [d6] Busy, busy busy. Pinion puttered around the castle, reinforcing their various scripts, ordering around his scouts, and delegating enormous amounts of busywork to his rapidly-improving apprentice. There was just so much to do, and so little of it Pinion particularly wanted to deal with. More than anything Pinion wanted to continue his work on the the highest-priority task of all - freeing the Lord from His prison. And here he was, relegated to the busywork of ensuring the widespread elements of his allies’ forces remained in communication. Sure, he was the best suited for such a task, and sure, his administrative skills were second only to his great and feverish knowledge of the arcane, but that didn’t mean he had to like it. He did, however, take some solace in the whispers spread among the human clans (and even among his lesser allies) that he was some sort of whispering shadow in the Lord’s shackled ear, second only to Gurenai in his mysterious power. If pressed about it he would deny it most vehemently - he knew his place, after all! - but it was a balm to bruised pride that he should e perceived as such. And should he get an opportunity to make the legend reality, well… Ahem. He returned to his work, sending his scouts out to spread his encrypted communiques among the scattered troops. If he squinted, he could even see the glory in it. Stay In Communication: 1d16+26d6 102
|
|
#
?
Jun 22, 2022 19:53
|
|
|
McRib [He/Him] [Age: ???] Undying Skeletal Spirit d16 Bonegarm, Skeletal Lieutenant d6 Skeletal Scouts d6 Skeletal Armored Platoon 2d6 Heavy armor for several dozen skeletons bought with art heist spoils Skeleton Pride 3d6 Pikeskeleton 3d6 Training upgrade Combat Tactics 2d6 Training upgrade Brutalist Architecture d6 Equipment: Vile Plate Mail 3d6 Spells:Expand Senses 2d6 Potion of Stone Webs 3d6 quote:Everyone: Rumors have been spread about you in order to cultivate fear. How do you feel about the exaggerated version of yourself that humans fear? - - - - - McRib was having... what could maybe be called an existential crisis. McRib himself was a powerful specimen of a skeleton warrior: heavily armed and armored, skilled in strategy and martial combat, and able to shrug off powerful blows and continue fighting. But at the end of the day, he was one at the head of the many. And the many would be powerless without their head. McRib pondered this. The continued attacks on the humans would eventually draw in powerful heroes and mages, and as strong as he was, if he was at the front lines where he belonged, there may come a time that he would be destroyed. In which case, his horde would crumble and the Dark Lord would be without a powerful tool. Short of cowering in the rearguard, he could not see an option. Unless... - - - - - Gurenai stood over the scattered pile of bones and armor for several minutes. McRib had been insistent, bordering crazed, about undergoing the ritual to strengthen his soul and tear it from his corporeal form. Now that it was over, it appeared that all that had been accomplished was destroying the skeletal commander. He sighed, readied himself to explain the loss to Xelemax, when the door to the ritual chamber opened. A skeleton unceremoniously marched into the room, stopping at the pile that had been McRib. It knelt, examining the bones, and nodded. Gathering the pieces of armor, the skeleton stood. Gurenai caught the familiar malevolent glow in it's eyesockets, and a raspy voice uttered, "It worked." Skeletal Drill Sergeant changed to Undying Skeletal Spirit. As long as there is even one skeleton in service to the Dark Lord, McRib's spirit will have an anchor in it. Shore up weaknesses = 36. I thought this was a fun direction to go in (everyone is McRib), but I couldn't justify using a lot of my abilities, and rolled like poo poo also. Oof.
|
|
#
?
Jun 22, 2022 20:52
|
|
|
Grubble/Sax Battler, Ellesienne/Jackard and Lickspittle/Deadmeat, we're waiting on you.
|
|
#
?
Jun 24, 2022 20:38
|
|
|
Right I'll get something up soonish. Still recovering and out of it
|
|
#
?
Jun 25, 2022 00:40
|
|
|
Ellesienne d16 Shapeshifter Witch 3d6 Folly of Humanity d6 Memory Thief 2d6 Fw. Temple Knight 2d6 Militia Escort d6 Eq. Mantle of Illusions 2d6 Sovereign Remedy 3d6 Sp. Charm Person 2d6 Floating Disk d6 Malison of Envy d6 Elle leaves for the capital, using her sendings to stay apprised of the demon's latest movements. Provide/Intercept Communications: 1d16+10d6 47 Role is strengthened from the seal weakening. Gains a new spell and human followers from practicing at the temple. Jackard fucked around with this message at 20:04 on Jul 1, 2022 |
|
#
?
Jun 25, 2022 21:33
|
|
|
Grubble Gnawtooth d16 [He/Him, doesn't remember age] Bridge Troll Snatcher 3d6 Long Bulging Arms 3d6 Hardening Mucus d6 Regeneration d6 Towering Terror 2d6 Suprisingly Stealthy 2d6 Equipment: Voracious Endless Sack 3d6 Equipment: Sneaky cloak d6 Spell: Quickstride d6 Spell: Muffle d6 Potion: Spiderclimb Potion 2d6 Potion: Giant Growth 2d6 Companion: Bug, the Gremlin Saboteur 2d6 Squad: ...and the vicious rug-pullers 2d6 "Aren't they done, yet?" asks Grubble, voice strained. Bug shakes his head, and chitters something about tension, support, and margins of error. "Fine, fine." Grubble placates, glancing up at the boulder he's holding in place. "But if this starts slipping, I'm aiming for you." Tittering nervously, Bug slinks off to help his crew. REPAIR THE CASTLE'S TRAPS: 1d16+21d6 80
|
|
#
?
Jun 27, 2022 01:59
|
|
|
 Lickspittle (He/Them/Generalissimo) (???) 1D16
Lickspittle sat in his new seat atop his Ogre Butler, Thronk, observing his only minions capable of handling weapons. He had spent some of his hard earned money on getting some etiquette lessons for the ogre as well as some fine self-repairing clothes. After after, a proper goblin such as himself needed proper help. The newly armored and armed battalion of weregeese we currently doing drills in the courtyard below him. The black and gold banner with the motto "Peace Was Never An Option" was on the walls, marking the territory as theirs. His long, thin fingers stroke the newly grown beard while he nodded to himself at their progress. The physical changes evoked by devouring the Shadow Bud were striking at first, but Lickspittle had grown to like them. After all, this was the image of himself he has really had in his head all along. "Yez, egzellente," he murmured to himself in as posh an accent as he could manage. "Dey be doinz good, all right. Dat der witchy Agnetha won't know wut punted 'er." Two points into training up the ranks, two points of treasure for a monocle, shadow bud points in new trait. I think I got it right but I'm still pretty out of it. Please dear Grodd somebody check my work. Attack Agnetha and her Staff using everything: 1d16+31d6 114
|
|
#
?
Jun 28, 2022 19:54
|
|
|
Apologies, but while I was working on my post, I lost it due to a technical glitch. I'm remaking it from scratch, but it might take a bit.
|
|
#
?
Jul 4, 2022 22:48
|
|
|
Junpei posted:Apologies, but while I was working on my post, I lost it due to a technical glitch. I'm remaking it from scratch, but it might take a bit. Solright. Ya'll waited on my rear end long enough.
|
|
#
?
Jul 5, 2022 00:54
|
|
|
Junpei posted:Apologies, but while I was working on my post, I lost it due to a technical glitch. I'm remaking it from scratch, but it might take a bit. Just happy to get a bump. Really enjoying this so far.
|
|
#
?
Jul 5, 2022 01:05
|
|
|
Junpei posted:Apologies, but while I was working on my post, I lost it due to a technical glitch. I'm remaking it from scratch, but it might take a bit. the demon lord's waited this long, what's another day or two
|
|
#
?
Jul 5, 2022 03:09
|
|
|
The Castle Trakk and Grubble have different focuses when it comes to the traps. Trakk prefers to rip something from the ground up and replace it wholesale. A trap floor that opens into spikes? Pah. Passe. Cliche. Boring. Now, how about a vat of poison that dumps itself on you from above! Now that's interesting! Grubble, meanwhile, polishes and fixes but doesn't fundamentally change them. One the traps themselves are done, they still need to be tested by training dummies, and the special tricks needed for the monstesr to avoid setting them off and the side corridors that avoid them entirely also need to be fixed up. But soon, the castle's ability to defend against intruders is back in it's prime. quote:Combined Total: 161 Wylden As the army approaches the border, the barriers set up become obvious. The school has become a fortress, with nothing being let in or out. Lickspittle's animal army bounce fruitlessly off of it. As the most magical of the 5 attending, Noah approaches the barrier. He focuses on his runic skin, pulling back his hand as if winding up for a punch. Then, in a swift motion, he pushes an open palm towards the barrier. On that palm, though nobody can see it because they are standing behind Noah, is a single word. "รђคՇՇєг!" As soon as it touches the barrier, a crack emerges in the magic shield, spreading up the dome. Noah grabs the crack's two halves and with a mystic power unthinkable from his apprentice days, rends the barrier in two. Lickspittle immediately snaps his fingers, and his minions dash in, ready to scout the school and find the faculty. Afterwards, Flitzi flies through, her short frame bursting with delight to test her skills against magic students. Then, Jane steps forward with a calculated speed-not hasty enough to give away her position, but not slow enough to let someone get away-moves through, approaching her mission with calm. Stanley barges through afterwards, determined to get answers to his past from Agnetha. Jane and Lickspittle are just after everyone, but Stanley has a specific target. Noah then follows Flitzi, eager to prove himself against the genius who had first given them insight into Wylden. Lickspittle moves last, already gazing through the eyes of his many, many subordinates. The group spreads out, finding themselves in many different segments of the school. As they move, they can feel the hallways bending and twisting. They know they are here, and the magic of the school has shifted from defense to obfuscation-doors leading back in on themselves, hallways stretching endlessly, stairways that change direction as you walk on them. It's hard to tell what is gravity magic, what is space affecting magic, and which is just illusion magic. But whatever it is, nobody let it stop them. Lickspittle's minions spread out to divide attention, making the enchantments putter out as they focus on too many eyes and ears to trick. Jane hides, letting the casters stop focusing on her so that her path is unclear. Stanley trusts his monacle to pierce through the illusions and see the true path to his destination. Flitzi spreads her dust around her and throws the enemy's attempts to twist her mind and sense of space back at her, see how they like it. And Noah simply charges through the illusions, knowing not to trust anything. Library Flitzi and Noah find themselves, eventually, in the library, where three students await them. Harriet, the leader of the trio, smiles with with an... odd confidence. The other girl, Renee, meanwhile, looks worried about her chances, still twisting her red hair. And their token boy, Hubert, bites his lip, his short black hair and outfit looking perfect for inspection. "See? I told you something was up after my Aunt Ghaura disappeared. They want me. They know I'm a genius. But I'm not going to let them." Flitzi makes the first move, sending out a wave of negative feelings at the group, but Hubert is quick to throw up something. "Tarian Gobaith!" he yells as a golden light appears around the group. Flitzi can feel their minds being shielded by hope and good thoughts. Annoying, and it was a tough barrier. Still, Noah was there to act as the magic muscle. She flew up in to the air to better observe the situation. "I've heard about dark fairies. They love to mess with your mind, cast doubt and fear. Stay vigilant!" Hubert spoke. Noah has already rolled into the library's aisles, sneaking around when Flitzi's first strike was blocked. While Hubert kept an eye on Flitzi, the two girls looked around for Noah. Noah looked at the palm of his hand and focused again, another word appearing as before. "Ŧɭץ!" Noah slammed his hand onto the side of the bookshelf he hid behind, before pointing at the two of them. The books near his hand rose from the shelf and moved quickly at the group. Renee held up a sort of charm on her wrist, which created a small whirlwind shield that held off the light, fragile books, sending pages and paper everywhere, but that was just a distraction. The bookshelf itself slowly rose into the air, before moving in the same path the books took. "Scatter!" Hubert rolled back and to the left, while the girls split left and right, breaking their formation. An opening! Flitzi dove for the solo boy while Noah dashed for Renee. Flitzi's whip moved with efficiency as it wrapped around Hubert's leg, and a tug sent the boy flying up, his leg already starting to feel the effects of the paralysis. Meanwhile, Noah drew his dagger, his arms lighting up with a two-word phrase: "รקєє๔ รɭครђ!" Renee raised her wind shield charm again, attempting to block it, but Noah's hand moved too quick to block, severing the small chain that held the charm and cutting through the clothing on her upper body, tearing a scrap off. She falls to the ground, in pain and dazed but only temporarily out of it. "Alright, that's enough! Saeth Fflam!" Harriet yells as she holds her hands forward, a flaming arrow building between them before launching itself at Noah. Noah rolls to the side to dodge it, the flames hitting the stone wall and fizzling out harmlessly. Flitzi counters by trying to whip at Harriet, but she manages to toss a nearby book at the whip, which snares it. Noah whips out his own wand, tossing out a trio of quick Magic Missiles at Harriet. The first she narrowly evades hitting her head, the second grazes her left arm, which stuns her enough for a third to hit her in the right leg, wounding her and pushing her to the ground. But as Noah approaches he hears Hubert's voice. "Rhwymo." Suddenly, the pages on the floor spread by Noah's first move fly up and begin to wrap themselves around Noah, slowing his movements until he has become a paper fascimile of a mummy. Hubert gets up, grabbing a table's edge, his body slowed but not fully paralyzed as it should be. "Paralysis magic... is not so different from binding spells. So... I just needed to quickly... counter-spell it... to stop the flow." Hubert must have minimized the effect. Noah uses the attention to quickly offer a counter-spell of his own. the tip of his wand was just barely not covered by paper, and so... with the right... angle... A green bolt of Mending shot at some of the paper. A bunch of pages peeled off and re-inserted themselves into the book binding they had been torn out from, which gave Noah enough freedom to fire off a few more, ending the paper binding by returning the paper to their original books. Renee started to get up again, and it was at this point that Noah and Flitzi realized that this 3 vs 2 was starting to get annoying. By the time they had managed to get one or two of them, the three could take a shot back, and when they dealt with them, one of their original targets was back on their feet! Flitzi's subordinates were assisting with the apprehension of the student body, which was a much simpler and easy task. It was then that Impy burst through the door, before laying down an illusion of flying swords that launched at the prodigies, just in time! Hubert and Renee scarcely evaded the 'dangerous magic', giving Noah and Flitzi opportunities to swap targets. Flitzi's whip wrapped itself around Renee's arm as she reached for another charm, before throwing her onto the table. Meanwhile, as Noah dashed at Hubert, the boy readied another spell. "Llawr Wedi Rhewi!" Blue ice began to creep across the floor, but Noah lept into the air. If it wasn't covered by his shoes and socks, runic words would have appeared on the soles of his feet: "Ŧɭ๏คՇ!" And so Noah stayed in the air, avoiding the icy floor Hubert laid down as he approached the boy, before planting his foot into the student's face! Hubert didn't see that coming, as he fell onto the floor, apparently unconscious. Renee was also out for the count as the whip retreated. With Hubert out, the barrier of their minds was also out, but as Flitzi readied a Zap of Madness, she could tell that Harriet-who had risen to her feet as the two were distracted-was also of strong mind, and wouldn't bend that easily. Impy assisted with another set of flying illusion swords to force Harriet to move, letting Noah slip into the aisles again to focus. Impy and Flitzi kept Harriet on the backfoot with Zaps of Madness that mostly just distracted and annoyed Harriet, and illusion swords to push her back. Eventually Harriet finally gets in her own attack: "Chwistrell Berwi!" A spray of boiling hot water launches itself at Impy and Flitzi, forcing them to evade. It's at this point, while Harriet is making an attack, that Noah makes his move. His hand stretched upwards, he swings down, focusing on the power of the word on his palm once more. "Ŧ๏гςє!" A wave of force pushes Harriet back into the wall, before she falls over. All three of them have been defeated. Noah and Flitzi have accomplished their mission. Their minds would be probed of their magic knowledge and then they would be put to use as slaves. Headmaster's Quarters Lickspittle (and his butler Thronk) mostly follow Stanley out of nothing better to do. Their subordinates are taking care of subdoing most of the ordinary faculty, and Jane's high-priority targets are something she can handle competently by herself. As the beastmaster and butlers move into Agnetha's private quarters, looking around at various stacks of books but seeing no-one, they begin to worry. "I guess the old saying about us being punished by our sins, rather than for them, holds true." Stanley, Lickspittle and Thronk turn around quickly, where they see Agnetha sitting in a chair drinking a cup of tea as if nothing has gone wrong-and that chair was most definitely not occupied when they first looked at it. "At first, when I saw you in that gallery, I thought you might have just been a coincidence. But now, seeing you here... there's no doubt about it. You are indeed a BALMUNG." Agnetha stands up, setting her teacup in the air as if it was standing on a invisible table. "For every grand wizard who lives to 200 years and creates dozens of important spells, there are least five lesser wizards who grasp at greatness and are cut down for their hubris. I guess I should be lucky I am the former rather than the latter." She then stares down Stanley. "Alright then. See if you can beat me. But my knowledge of magic is grand and great. I do not think it will be easy." Lickspittle gives a whistle, and some ravens and rats scurry and fly towards the door to join in-but Agnetha merely gives the door a Look and it slams shut in it's face, as scratching noises come from the animals attempting to chew through it. "So you must be the master of the beasts running through my school. You may attempt to look civilized and dignified... but you're just a monster underneath, like all the rest." Thronk moves forward, his butler blade drawn as it attempts to slash at Agnetha. She merely holds up a hand and the sword stops an inch before her body. She gives a little tut-tut, almost... disappointed by the simplicity of the attack. But that gives Stanley opportunity to dash forward, his adamantium fists ready to pummel Agnetha. It almost catches her off-guard, one fist managing to get just close enough to touch her hair-but a wall of flame quickly sprouts up, forcing Stanley to stand back. "Well, someone's learned to fight. How intriguing." Lickspittle has used the magic of their clothing to disappear, holding their 'staff' (or was it still a stick?), ready to strike. Just as they go for a wack, like with Thronk's sword, it stops just before it reaches her. "Did you really think I wouldn't see you?" The staffstick moves of it's own accord, shaking the gobling around like a ragdoll, before tossing him away. Thronk and Stanley coordinate an attack, Stanley striking high with a fist while Thronk sweeps low with a leg slash. As before, though, the two's attacks are stopped by a wall of force. "Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is the definition of insanity. Then again, followers of the Demon Lord aren't exactly known to be sane." The two are thrown away, but Lickspittle has recovered and is chanting up a spell of his own, before pointing forward, sending forth a spray of biting bugs. Agnetha smirks, holding up a hand-and as the insect spray meets her, they turn into... peaceful ladybugs and butterflies that float around her. "Good try. I actually had to think for that one." The door finally gives out from under the weight of the animals clawing at it, and the room fills with rats and ravens, which Lickspittle only needs to look at the target before they move in to attack. Agnetha briefly looks worried before slamming her staff on the ground, creating another fire wall around her. The animals retreat, not wanting to get burned by the flames. Lickspittle lobs a potion vial on his hip into the air, where a raven bats it down right onto Agnetha, dropping the Potion of Agonizing Putrescence onto her. She doesn't see it coming, and it sizzles against her clothing, dropping her concentration long enough for the fire wall to drop... and the animals to harrass her. She stumbles and twists, before sending everything to the walls with a wave of force. All of her objects, the animals, Thronk, Stanley, Lickspittle, all flies into the stone walls. "Tricky. But I've had enough of playing around with you. I'm stopping you here and now." As she raises her staff above her head, a shadowy figure creeps in... Jane's blades cleave the crystal off the top of her staff, shocking her long enough that she doesn't feel Shadow's feet hitting her in the ribs, sending her into a wall. Stanley takes the opportunity to hit Agnetha in the face with her fist, finally knocking her unconscious. At last, the headmaster, and all of her faculty and students... they are all defeated. quote:Combined Total: 469 The Castle Pinion manages the information coming in, sorting in reports from spies, Ellesienne, and others from all over, comfortably compiling it into concise information for the bosses. Meanwhile, Sweetheart patrols the borders, making sure that the defensive fortifications and all soldiers that are on guard duty are fit, alert, and ready for their duty. As she tours, she feels comfortable about it. Everyone knows their duty is important, and nobody is unprepared to give their life in order to make sure the enemies win. Oozererahrelai and McRibs (now with his... unending form), meanwhile start analyzing the various troops and seeing where their weaknesses lie. Then, they institute training programs to help them overcome their weaknesses. The training is a success, and the whole army becomes much more well-rounded! quote:Combined Total: 338 ------------------------------- The three called up to Gurenai's chamber this time are Sweetheart, Lickspittle, and Trakk. "Sweetheart. Your tour of the borders helped us make sure our defenses were airtight. For that, you have earned this Shadow Bud." Gurenai puts it in Sweetheart's hand, before turning back and retrieving something with a purple glow. "Lickspittle. I appreciate you cleaning yourself up. Your subordinates have managed to acquire a number of slaves and servants from Wylden, and you were instrumental in the capture of Agnetha. Trakk. Your new traps are intelligent, devious, deadly, and above all else, powerful." He turns around, holding what looks a bright purple flower, opened up. "These are the final stages of this. Shadow Flowers. With this, your power will reach a new pinnacle. I would advise against swallowing it dry, however-submurge it in boiling water, let it's essense soak out and through, and then swallow the whole cup with the flower in it." Shadow Flowers, if you haven't guessed, let you take 1 new trait at 3d6, the max. You can't use it to upgrade any existing traits. It's all new. They are also the last of the three. You cannot rely on them boosting you any further. Still, enjoy your newfound power. Because the only way to get the next highest tier is to be the highest roller in a group where everyone else already has a Shadow Bud, you managed to get it a bit earlier than I thought you would ----------------------------------- quote:TASKS FOR THE COMING WEEK quote:FLAVOR QUESTIONS:
|
|
#
?
Jul 12, 2022 04:03
|
|
|
fantastic post! it was worth the wait. junpei, is it all right if i borrowed agnetha for my next post? i have a conversation in mind that i'd like to write between the two of them
|
|
#
?
Jul 12, 2022 06:16
|
|
|
Sure, you can use her. Does "Small conversation just before Gurenai uses his brain-wipe magic that turns the humans captured into slaves/servants" work?
|
|
#
?
Jul 12, 2022 06:47
|
|
|
i had another idea. mind if i pm you about it? i think you might like it
|
|
#
?
Jul 12, 2022 07:18
|
|
|
Alright, go ahead and DM me.
|
|
#
?
Jul 12, 2022 07:22
|
|
|
quote:Ellesienne: You get another psychic message, but not from Gurenai-this one is from Xelemax. "You could have a Shadow Bud by now, if you didn't reject our gifts. Our stockpile of knowledge, of weapons, of items, of skills, they could all be yours if you came back and restocked. But because you refuse to come back, you are weak. I know our Lord gave you a mission, but you do not have to abandon common sense to fulfill it." How do you respond?
|
|
#
?
Jul 12, 2022 22:32
|
|
|
Oozeerahrelai: [1d16] (Shes/Hers/They/All-Grown-Up/Ageless) Race: Skell-o (Slime-Skeleton-Hybrid) [2d6] -Racial Ability: Seep [3d6] -Racial Ability: Anti-Magic-Membrane [3d6] -Personality: Clingy [1d6] -Trait: Chatterbox 1d6 (Shoring up Weakness) -Trait: Memory Thief 1d6 (From Ellesienne) Skills: -Knowledge: Infernal Geography [2d6] Spells: -Cone of Slime [2d6] -Word of Wroth [1d6] Equipment: -Boots of Haste [3d6] -Potion of Mimicry [3d6] - Amulet of Protection [2d6] (Scavenged from the Academy) Retinue: -Apprentice: --Lorelaieraah, Skell-o ringleader. [2d6] ---[Squad] ----Adorable adolescent attack amorpheons [1d6] -----Potion of Slime to Stone [2d6] (purchase) --- The Lorelai part of Oozeerahrelai had finally, after much trial and error and with encouragement from McRib, learned how to speak with a mouth full of slime. This was good, in that the Demon Lords lieutenants finally had a way of communicating with one of their strongest assets. This was bad, because Lorelai never really stopped talking, except for when on a mission. She would go on and on and on about everything she had seen and done since skeletonizing, about her life prior, about slimes and skeletons in general. Really, she'd talk your ear off. Though they had not actually been present in the initial stages of the attack on the Academy, Oozeerahrelai had made sure to participate in the clean-up, and came out of the that bastion of education one amulet richer. The ward still displayed a formidable enchantment of physical protection, which unfortunately for the witch to which it had belonged to had done nothing to protect its wielder from the infectious madness of the fey. Only one other thing had really caught the Skell-o rogue duos attention as of late, and that was some brief mentions of memory magic in an Encylopedia Arcana on display in the Forbidden Section of the academy library. As their own pile of books was woefully inadequate, despite Noah and the other sorcerous demon-underlings best intentions, they had taken to asking anyone they met, friend or foe, whom would know more, until, finally, gossip and rumour led her - through convenient demonic portals - into Ellesienne domain, where a proper if somewhat unconventional apprenticeship could begin. Armed with this new knowledge, Oozeerahrelai decided to test her full capabilities in pursuit of one of the Demon Lords latest and most dangerous decrees, the Assassination of Salt-Eye Scully. Surely not even the wiliest of pirates would suspect their next shipment of Rum would rise up and slay them so directly. The Lorelai part just hoped she could hold her booze for long enough to actually do the deed. The Oozerah part would probably be fine. Or it would dissolve. Either or. The Assassination of Salt-Eye Scully: (everything but retinue powers, this is a sneaking mission!): 20d6+1d16 = 83
|
|
#
?
Jul 13, 2022 20:59
|
|
|
Lickspittle (He/Them) (???) 1D16
The warm, minty flavor of the tea made from the Shadow Flower had surprised Lickspittle with its taste. The warmth had spread throughout his body and made his extremities tingle in a rather pleasant way. Even as he laid back to sleep he could feel his body growing stronger and his mind expanding. "Rule" The word that the Demon Lord had said that night while he lay dreaming echoed over and over. Rule what? It couldn't be the castle, that was the Demon Lord's and while Lickspittle firmly believed that goblins were the so much smarter and stronger and faster than everyone else, he had no ambitions to rise to the Demon Lord's position. It was something that he surely would have to ponder while he readied his forces to weaken the castle of King Tevin. Weaken the inhabitants of King Tevin's Castle (everything): 1d16+36d6 126
|
|
#
?
Jul 14, 2022 14:34
|
|
|
Jane Doe She/her/they. Age: Seen a Few Battles 1d14 Weredeer Ambusher 2d6 Controlled Form 2d6 Ruthless Fighter 2d6 Carnivorous 1d6 Pronged Attacker 1d6 Vengeful Soul 1d6 Equipment: Darkness Kukri Pair 3d6 Grey Mist Cloak 2d6 Enduring Potion of Invisibility 2d6 Spells: Blur Notice 3d6 (Trained) Spy Moth 2d6 (Trained) Gaze of Madness 1d6 (Trained) Lieutenant Shadow (Kobold) 2d6 Obscured Bastards 1d6 Take two, 1d6 traits: -One related to your character overcoming a 'weakness'-for instance, Pinion has no Traits related to physical combat or strength, so he could take something for that. -The other, a skill or spell poached from another character. Staying in contact requires you to pay attention to other people, and other people tend to have things you can learn from! Jane knew her weakness. She sought the shadows, and solitude, and silence. Not all of these things would always be present, and not all would be in her favor. With hardened heart and fangs, she sought the aid of another prominent member of the Demon Lord’s army. Someone whose very existence pulsed with magic, something that Jane tended to avoid unless necessary. Someone who delighted in the suffering and manipulation of others, but from the spotlight. Someone who is a bit of a social butterfly. Or rather, a Fairy. Jane knew her spellcasting skills were weak. She approached Flitzi, she stuck to shadows as is her want. But Flitzi’s areas, the very beings she surrounded herself with, were bright and loud and maddening. Madness. Perhaps that discomfort was the key. Jane pulled away from the wall, from the darkness, and found that she sought her more feral form in discomfort, hoping the deer face would be more difficult to read. “Dark Trickster Flitzi, I wish to learn from the best, how to drive enemies to insanity.” The sudden intrusion on Flitzi and her trickster flock, whatever they were planning, drove them to brief silence. Very brief, shattered by giggles and cackles abound. “Ohohoho! The skulking Weredeer seeks wants some help? From little old me?” Another giggle ripples through the group of fairies, and Flitzi claps her hands rapidly, if briefly. Jane can’t tell if it’s a command or applause. Probably both. “What fun, what fun! I took you for one of those boring direct types.” Ever the expert manipulator, her expression goes dark and she leans forward, looming with a sinister aura. “But what do you have to offer, little sneakthief?” However she seemed to warp the very room and shadows, Jane noted, was incredible, and effective. To this, she bowed her head, appearing to display her antlers at Flitzi. “I will teach you what I can, or offer you the very crystal Agnetha’s staff, for whatever properties or value it may have.” Jane procured this, if briefly, from her cloak. “I would have simply observed you to learn, but my magic skills outside of controlling my own form are poor.” A higher pitched, ringing laughter seemed to alter Jane’s very perception once more, making her feel uneasy. Is this what the humans felt when encountering Flitzi? She suppressed a shudder at the thought. Somehow, Jane could hear the trickster drum her nails on her face in idle amusement, and lean back with a smirk. “And what wonderful, horrible things do you have in mind for the poor wittle humies?” Lifting her head high again, her golden eyes settled on Flitzi with determination. “Madness and terror. Confusion and lunacy.” Her ears folded back, disliking being in the spotlight – wait, did it just get brighter? “Please teach me, so I can terrorize our enemies from the shadows.” Some time later, Jane is leading the Obscured Bastards into King Tevin’s Castle. Splitting into two sub-squads, Shadow takes one wing and Jane takes the other. Each Bastard is responsible for learning a room and mapping it, using it as practice to go completely unnoticed without being entirely under the wings of their leaders. Creating a hollow in one of the secret rooms of the castle not normally used, each individual rendezvous with their information to piece together a more complete map. Secret passages, trap doors and underground dungeons abound in this place, it will be valuable information for the Demon Lord’s armies for when they strike here. Fortifications can be weakened, and escape routes are secured while they are at it. Hell, even the larger portions of the squads are becoming silent in their steps. It’s slow going, but an important exercise for the squad. Jane Doe 1d14 Weredeer Amusher 2d6 Controlled form 2d6 Darkness Kukri Pair 3d6 Blur Notice 3d6 Pronged Attacker 1d6 Gray Mist Cloak 2d6 Enduring Potion of Invisibility 2d6 Spy Moth 2d6 Lieutenant Shadow 2d6 Obscured Bastards 1d6 Mapping the Castle: 1d14+20d6 65
|
|
#
?
Jul 21, 2022 04:20
|
|
|
Trakk Blacktail [he/him, 47 years old] 1d16 Lizardman witch doctor 2d6 Traits: Meticulous planner: 2d6 Enchanting orator: 2d6 Master poisoner: 2d6 An inquisitive mind: 2d6 Linked with the spirit realm: 3d6 (Shadow flower) Physical traits: Regeneration: 1d6 Glands of fearful pheromones: 1d6 Vicious bite: 1d6 (overcoming a weakness: hand-to-hand combat) Tireless: 1d6 (from Sweetheart)) Equipment: Ancient Oaken Staff of Plant Growth: 3d6 Potion of disguise: 2d6 Potion of detect thoughts: 2d6 An old skull with runes inscribed: 2d6 (magic focusing relic; upgraded by stuff stolen from Wylden) Spells: Speak with Plants: 1d6 Cause Rot: 1d6 Warp wood: 1d6 Raise plant zombie: 1d6 Poison cloud: 1d6 (stolen from Wylden ) Followers Garlug, Orc shaman: 2d6 A Bullywug coven of Dark Druids: 1d6 Trakk was very pleased with the loot from the Wylden raid. Perhaps he should have joined instead of tending to the traps. But the danger of actual physical combat... He knew he would always heal, his bones mend, his skin would close, and even lost limbs would eventually regrow. But to be knocked out by a simple peasant with a big stick, that was still a possibility. So Trakk dedicated some time in the training room to see how his claws, but mainly his teeth could serve him better in combat. Combat was hard work, and soon he was exhausted. Sweetheart laughed at the old lizard, so she showed him a few pointers on how to keep going. Conserve energy, and draw on all sorts of reserves. Trakk just became a pretty mean opponent, should the fighting get a little bit more dirty. Going back to the Wylden raid, in some old tomes he found instructions how to extract the wisdom of the deceased out of their skulls. After some input of Pinion, he carefully crafted some runes on the skull of the long-dead spellcaster he had obtained. The power flowing through the artifact grew more powerful every single day. A very useful tool to focus and strengthen his own spells indeed, and would be of great service to the Demon Lord. And the Demon Lord was pleased indeed. Trakk was granted a Shadow Flower. At first it tasted like nothing, a puff of empty air. But only when he focused came the subtle tastes, and it was sooo rich, and yet so old and musty, dead... It took him a while to realize that suddenly there were all sorts of other presences around him. Spirits and beings from another age. Although he had visited the spirit realm from time to time in dreamquests, through spells, and as part of certain rituals, but those were all short visits, unfocused, blurry, confusing. Now suddenly it was crystal clear. He could see the spirits, talk to them with only a minor focus required, and even walk in the realm, while his physical presence stayed in one place. He was linked to the spirit realm in such a strong way, that he could never even imagine. The possibilities this opened were endless. "Grow," he heard. Yes, grow, like a plant. But not just up in the sky, branching out, more leaves. No, the growing was to be done under the ground. Like roots spreading, finding the vital nourishment to fuel the grand plan. To provide a foundation for the rest, and to break stone where needed. Dig deeper. With Trakk gaining influence and growing in the spirit realm, and potentially causing havoc from that side, the Heroes would never know what hit them. Trakk decided to get some physical action and to experience the pincer attack at first hand. Being an excellent swimmer himself, it was no problem taking command of the sea-side attack on Newsea. Some disguised infiltration at first, find out about the defensive plans, sow doubts, poison some captains, start to damage and sink the wooden enemy ships, build a fleet of our own to transport some non-aquatic monster, get some help for animated kelp, and finally join in himself in the carnage. Attack by sea (all except Speak with plants): 1d16 + 34d6 = 135
|
|
#
?
Jul 23, 2022 21:31
|
|
|
McRib [He/Him] [Age: ???] Undying Skeletal Spirit d16 Personal Traits Skeleton Pride 3d6 Pikeskeleton 3d6 Combat Tactics 2d6 Brutalist Architecture d6 NEW! Skeletal Dominion d6 His newfound ability to dominate and occupy the corporeal forms of other skeletons, shoring up the weakness of being the only directing force of the horde Equipment Vile Plate Mail 3d6 NEW! Gáe Bone 2d6 Spear made from magical materials scavenged from the academy Spells Expand Senses 2d6 NEW! Osteo-Mending d6 Took notes on Noah's spell to repair non-living materials, discovered how to apply it to bone Retinue Bonegarm, Skeletal Lieutenant d6 Skeletal Scouts d6 Skeletal Armored Platoon 2d6 Potion of Stone Webs 3d6 - - - - - McRib twirled his new weapon, the Gáe Bone, marveling at it's perfect balance. A stark white shaft of sea dragon bone, ending in a cruelly barbed tip, the perfect implement to skewer the living. Dark Lord's blessings, it would soon be time to properly christen it. - - - - - quote:McRibs: Because Oozeerahrelai and her assistant Lorelaieraah are part-skeleton... could you inhabit either of them, McRibs? Or do you only work for pure skeletons? No. When McRib studies the ooze-skeleton hybrids, there appears to be... too much going on. A pure skeleton is a creature of learned organization and habit. When McRib inhabits one, there isn't much to... push aside, mentally. While perhaps in the future, or in a time of desperate need, McRib could possess one of the hybrids, it would require a huge amount of willpower on his part. - - - - - The guards of Newsea had an incredibly strange problem on their hands. Piles of skeletal remains were discovered daily on the outskirts of the town, sometimes on hills, sometimes directly on roads, even at one point being found in a farmer's latrine. Was there foul magic afoot? A serial killer? If so, why were the bones stripped white in every case? Rumors flew throughout town, and wild theories spread. In the nearby forest, McRib and his retinue formed up. Quietly, they held formation, waiting for nightfall and the glory it would bring. McRib chattered with the few scouts that had come back from Newsea, learning of the defenses and weaknesses of the port city. This would be a massacre. RAID THE PORTSIDE TRADING CITY OF NEWSEA: ATTACK BY LAND Everything except Brutalist Architecture = 106
|
|
#
?
Jul 23, 2022 23:20
|
|
|
Flitzi: d16 Dark Fairy Trickster: 3d6 Traits: Frequently Finding Flaws: 3d6, Corrupting Influence: 3d6, Preys On Your Doubts: 2d6 Assistant: Impy, Imp Illusionist: 2d6 Squad: Dark Fairy Trickster Flock: d6 Equipment: Tiny Whip of Paralyzing Terror's Touch: 3d6, Tiny Glasses of Remote Location: 2d6 Spell: Fairy Dust: d6, Remove Inhibition: d6, Zap of Madness: d6 *Evil Counterspell: d6 (weakness) *Anti-Good Aura: 2d6 (magic school) *Beast Charm: d6 (from Lickspittle) Potion: Potion of Personality: 2d6, Potion of Shadowblend: 2d6 Physicality: Flying d6 Well, well, well! That had been a rather daring raid of the magic school, one that was a success! Dear Noah had helped her deal with those meddling kids well, he truly was a magical class act! That sudden sharp pat on the back was well deserved. And Impy, dearest Impy, best assistant and sidekick in evil around! Impy with the clutch save, assisting her greatly! Needless to say there was much hugs to be had for Impy. The dark fairy had grown rather fond of that rascally little imp, who always paid attention to her teachings, took the same glee in imagining and executing immoral actions upon the hearts of those who were "good". Their lively debates on the silly nature of the human mind and how fragile they were, Impy augmenting any wicked ideas she came up with, the greatest team in psychological warfare around! after all, what better than a nice Imp for a partner in evil? She'd told him of her dreams of uniting every "good" fairy into the dark fairy population as it was meant to be, and he'd even been suggesting stuff to help! Ahh, she was fond of him indeed... A while later, Flitzi was finishing up training dear Jane Doe in the art of madness. Such a big, shy weredeer! To Flitzi, it was like she wore her heart on her sleeve, so very readable, but she wanted to be better and of course the dark fairy helped. She'd help any of her comrades, her family! It'd taken a bit, but being able to give a humie a funny look to drive them mad seemed perfectly suited to her. Such a genial one, that Jane! And now it was time for her self-improvement! The loot from Wylden was indeed great, thought the fight had been annoying. Flitzi realized that her magics, more passive than anything as they were, could be countered by spells, annoyingly enough. The little hopeful barrier was so inconvenient, and it was thrown up by a mere magic student! Who knew how many more icky wizards had it on call? That was a weakness, for sure.. Flitzi had a bunch of spellbooks around, from Wylden. All various types of counterspells, a few stifling and magic-weakening auras, such silly humies! But they were all biased toward repelling evil. Why, it was as if they thought we were the Demon Lord's army were the bad guys! Ahh, right, she'd picked this one out of a locked room somewhere! Flitzi just had to add a little extra evil oomph of her own to this particular spell, indeedy. She beckoned Impy over and started working the kinks out. When Flitzi set off to her next evil task, she had two new evil spells under belt, and a new little tidbit! A simple evil counterspell, exclusively turning spells cast by those that are Good, and a nice big magic aura that would weaken and stifle any goodie humans or creatures that would pass through~ She'd also consulted with/spied on dear, polished new Lickspittle to learn a bit more about beasty charming, and now she had that surprise evil skill under her belt after some practice! As she flew along with dearest reliable Impy, who she simply couldn't go without, he asked what they were doing. Why... They were going to watch over an egg as it hatched, and protect it! Impy would supply illusions to hide it, Flitzi with whip at the ready would keep a look out from the shadows for any flaws in the defense, making sure goodies couldn't approach the egg! With counterspell for unexpected goodie attacks ready, she'd keep an eye on the egg with the help of her flock, so she could watch over the dragon egg, maybe give it a hug.. And let all of their evil influences combined do its work, to perhaps encourage it along? Awaken A Ultimate Monster with: Dark Fairy Trickster, Corrupting Influence, Frequently Finding Flaws, Impy, Imp Illusionist, Anti-Good Aura, Potion of Shadowblend, Evil Counterspell, Tiny Whip of Paralyzing Terror's Touch, Tiny Glasses of Remote Location, Dark Fairy Trickster Flock, Beast Charm=86
|
|
#
?
Jul 23, 2022 23:59
|
|
|
Noah Spell d16 (17/m/Demon Lord's Castle) Human Warlock Extraordinaire! 3d6 Bigger Spellbook Smarts 3d6 Slightly Better Balance d6 In With The Bosses 2d6 24-Hour Night Owl 3d6 *Beginner Runescribe d6 (w/ Pinion's help) *The Basics of CQC d6 (former weakness) Familiar: Bitey the Owl owl 2d6 Squad: Bitey's babies! Baby owls d6 Weapon: Extra Pointy Dagger 2d6 Weapon: Noah's Really Kickass Wand-erful Wand! 3d6 Spell: Magic Missile 2d6 Spell: Mending 2d6 *Spell: Binding 2d6 (spoils of combat) Potion of Strong Healing 3d6 ----- Noah woke up. He hadn't slept all night in quite a while. Looked at his face in the bathroom mirror. The events of two days ago still reeling about in his mind. "Ŧɭץ!" "รקєє๔ รɭครђ!" "Ŧɭ๏คՇ!" "Ŧ๏гςє!" He looked at his calendar. Back to helping out with the magically-inclined children again. The disconnect with the epic struggle of two days ago and the mundane tasks of today, well... How did the others reconcile the few moments of pure exhilarating action with the mundanity of everyday evil castle life? Noah sighed, grabbed a towel, dried himself. He grabbed his wand and practiced his new spell, the one that had come so close to defeating him. Binding. The bedsheets flew off his bed and wrapped around the wardrobe. A smile spread across his newly-clean face. As he was untangling the sheets from their new home, Noah noticed a note that had been passed under his door. "Meet me tonight, storeroom, top floor, Northwest Tower. Pinion." Ah, good. Something to look forward to. The old crow runescribe had taken an interest in Noah's talented skin, and wanted to help Noah explore the limits of this strange ability. Now fully dressed, Noah poured three scoops of owl food into Bitey and the kids' trough and looked at himself in the bathroom mirror. A powerful human warlock looked back, ready for the day. Better a classroom full of little monsters than losing the fight and being trapped, at the whims of... a classroom of little non-monsters. Time to prepare the next generation for their own moments of truth. Unnoticed by Noah, beneath his clothes, a single word floated up his spine. "๒คг๏๔." ----- In the early evening, the new assignments were posted on the main noticeboard. Noah knew immediately what he wanted to do. A new Dark Dragon! Now *that* would strike fear into the entire civilized world! Noah could whisper the basics of magic to the egg, strengthening their bond to the arcane forces! Maybe write some runes on the shell (if that's not too dangerous)! Awaken an Ultimate Monster (w/ Warlock, Smarts, Bosses, Night Owl, Runescribe, Wand, Spell Knowledge): 1d16+21d6 83
|
|
#
?
Jul 24, 2022 02:35
|
|
|
sorry was on vacation! Pinion [d16] [He/Him, Aged] Crowfolk Runescribe [3d6] Slavering For Knowledge [3d6] Black Wings [3d6] Grinning Beak [d6] Equipment: Greatrobe of Scrying [3d6], Potion of Madvisions [3d6] Spells: Greatraptor's Eye [3d6], Inflict Distress [3d6], The Stalker From Shadows [3d6], Magic Missile - Noah [d6] Lackey: Crowfolk Apprentice [3d6] Squad: Crowfolk Scouts [d6] Pinion was busy as ever, but when his apprentice pointed out the human Warlock he begrudgingly allocated some of his precious time to look into him. Truthfully, he’d never really thought much of the fellow - or thought of him at all. His skin-runes were a neat trick, but nothing more - or so he thought. As he looked deeper, he saw the dark sweetness of the Shadow Seed at play in the human’s body. He called on him, one evening, to do a more thorough examination. He said little, not much one for words. He ordered the human disrobe, utterly uncaring of the man’s discomfort - he cared not one jot about the mammalian body plan besides on a functional level - and examined his skin closely. The answer was plain, but he checked several times to be sure. He prodded the man with a talon, watching the runes bloom in his skin like a bruise before fading. “Hrm. These runes are alive. They are a part of you, magic sinking into your core like rootlets. Keep ahead of their growth, or they will consume you, yes? If you miss a step, soon you will be only words, only runes. If you push on, keep growing like you’ve been growing?” He paused, tapping his beak, more seriously considering this man’s path. “If you push through this, your bloodline will be the foundation of a new magic. The next evolution of runework. Consider fathering many children.” --- Behind schedule now, Pinion ordered his underlings harshly, forcing everything into place. The Castle wasn’t going to map itself. What? That weredeer woman had already done it? Well. It couldn’t hurt to do it properly, could it? He gave the command. Map the Castle: 1d16+26d6 94
|
|
#
?
Jul 29, 2022 04:19
|
|
|
Sturdy Stanley d16 devoted robogolem butler 3d6 vast memory stores 3d6 equip: duelist's grasps 3d6 equip: enchanted obsidian monocle 2d6 spell: hubert's helping hands 2d6 attribute: adamantium robohydraulics 3d6 potion: concentrated tincture of cleaning 2d6 manifested id: greater aspect of hubris 2d6 treefolk stoicism d6 promising dryad sproutling understudy 2d6 combat training 2d6 SELF-IMPROVED! reprogrammed personality 1d6 Though he always was proper and dapper, Stanley's time spent with non-artificial beings has taught him a thing or two about being more than just a butler around his peers. BORROWED! speak with plants, from Trakk 1d6 His first task for the Dark Lord was managing the overgrown gardens, but he didn't do it especially well. Later, he realized that if he wants to take better care of plants, he only has to do what he does to take better care of anything else: simply ask them what they need. MAGICAL! anti-magic metal finish 1d6 A curious metal treatment uncovered at the Academy that grants magic-repellant properties to metallic alloys. It also gives them a fetching bluish hue. HOT STUFF! boiling spray 1d6 You can't get something truly clean without soap and hot water. ---------- "Okay, but are you sure you want to talk to her? She tried to kill you, you know." As Stanley and Violet approached a certain cell deep in the castle's murky dungeons, the plantfolk girl kept questioning the robogolem's plan. But the butler remained as steadfast as ever. "As we discussed earlier, young Violet, it is imperative that we take this chance," replied Stanley, his metallic voice echoing down the narrow, barely lit stone hallway that was lined with heavy locked doors. The groans and wails of the dark lord's prisoners threatened to drown out their conversation. In one of his hands he carried a tea tray with a steaming pot and two cups on lace doilies, balanced deftly on one set of robotic fingers. "I cannot turn back now after coming this close. Besides, the antimagic warding on her cell should prevent her from becoming too much trouble. " The two of them finally arrived a single cell, kept far away from the others in the deepest pit of the castle's gaol. The robogolem quickly straightened out the breast of his suit with his free hand, and then reached out for the door. "Shall we?" ---------- The slow creak of a heavy bolted door roused the witch Agnetha from her meditation on the cell's cold floor, and she squinted as the light from Violet's lantern crossed her eyes, accustomed to the dark as they were. A frown pulled back across her severe face. "Ah. The BALMUNG. Who ordered you down here, automaton?" With Violet standing nervously behind him, Stanley placed his free hand on his chest and bowed. "I came here of my own free will, mistress Agnetha. I thought you might want to indulge in some refreshment." Agnetha's narrowed eyes passed over the tea tray in the robogolem's hands. The suspicion on her face was evident. "You want me to drink your poison? Surely you don't expect me to be so foolish as to drink something offered by my enemy?" The artificial butler weathered the accusation with his typical serenity. "I am not your enemy, mistress Agnatha. If I were, and if I wished you ill, I would simply have to wait and do nothing while the jailers do their, ah, work. And though it may seem strange for me to not wish that for you, it's... difficult... not to feel some fondness for a kindred spirit. We are the last of our kinds, are we not?" Though Agnatha appeared skeptical still, he continued: "I am here to make you an offer. But first, please." He held the tea tray closer to the archwizard, bringing its aroma closer to her. "I insist." While the imprisoned archwizard ran the mental math on her odds going either way, her eyes passed over the lace-doilied tray, and again her gaze narrowed. But instead of suspicion, this time it expressed puzzlement. "Is that... It is. Blue Duchess, with ginger. Interesting." Perhaps against her better judgment, her curiosity was beginning to get the better of her. "How did you know my favourite tea?" Stanley's metal face was incapable of smiling, but it was clear how chuffed he was by the tone of his tin-can voice. "It was quite simple. I detected traces of its aromatic compounds on your notes--many of them, in fact. It followed quite logically that you had it quite often, and you wouldn't do so if you weren't fond of it, yes?" Perhaps Agnetha had decided that her odds with the robogolem were better than her odds without. Or perhaps she actually was simply parched. But she accepted a teacup, and--after a gentle pour of rich brown liquid that steamed from the spout as it filled her cup--she sipped. Silent for a moment, with eyes closed, as she appeared to savour the taste and the smell. Another sip. Another quiet moment passed. And finally she looked up to Stanley and said, "This almost makes up for the concussion you gave me." The robogolem solemnly bowed. "Sincerest apologies for that, mistress." Violet took a cup of tea of her own to enjoy as Stanley made his offer: "It should not have gone the way it did, mistress Agnetha. Your work on the BALMUNGs could have continued if it weren't for the meddling and the greed of your fellow wizards. They took the achievement of several lifetimes away from you, didn't they? But your work is not lost. After all, I am right here, a living blueprint with which to continue your research, and with no other pesky sorcerers to get in your way. This is an opportunity for you, my lady, and it would be a shame--for us both--if you passed it up." Agnetha's face remained stony, hard to parse, the expression of a woman who's had centuries to practice her poker face. But while any interest she might have had was impossible to tell just from looking at her, she also did not object to a single word. But Stanley was unfazed. "Do consider my offer, won't you? But, ah, please, don't let me rush you along during tea time..." ---------- "Do you think she'll bite?" asked Violet, once the dank, dreary dungeons were behind them. "I could not tell you, young Violet," replied the robogolem, with a gentle flourish of the now-empty teapot on the platter in his hand, "but I have a good feeling our special blend will help her see things our way. Your idea to add powdered Friendwort was absolutely brilliant, if I might say so." His apprentice shot him an impish grin. "Crazy to think that stuff's been smoothing over diplomatic negotiations forever, huh?" If he could, Stanley would have been beaming. "And it tastes just like ginger." ---------- With that done, Stanley and Violet returned to doting over the dragon egg that had come into the Dark Lord's retinue's possession. Between Stanley's considerable memory stores and the wealth of information on the care and raising of dragons that was recovered from the Academy, they were well-equipped to ensuring that the assuredly adorable baby dragon would get its best possible start in life. It wasn't particularly exciting work, but not-particularly-exciting work was what Stanley did best. Awaken An Ultimate Monster: 1d16+22d6 75
|
|
#
?
Jul 29, 2022 07:17
|
|
|
|
| # ? May 27, 2024 16:57 |
|
|
Waiting on thatbastardken/Sweetheart, and Ellesienne if she is actually acting this round.
|
|
#
?
Aug 5, 2022 05:41
|
|