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Post by TenabreTrevellian on Mar 13, 2016 19:38:21 GMT
Welcome to Balargarde Terrace, would be a usual greeting for those invited to the House of Cal'dwl. You've not been invited, and due to the rumours and suspicion around the place it's not a surprise. Local towns have been under attack by strange, warped Pokemon who's features seem to shimmer and skim by those that you've grown used to in your travels. Beartic roam the country, and have been seemingly top of the food chain up until now, and with their absence, even the wild Pokemon of the land have amassed and caused issues. The time for action is now. A dwarf, by the name of Modd Stonecrusher has managed to form a decent tunnel towards Balagarde Terrace, up into one of the cellars, though which one he is unsure. Maps of the place have also been 'lost', apparently those who had previously managed to be inside and provide an idea of where things were have vanished, or met their end. What they do know, is that Shirin Cal'dwl has placed her workings in the main tower, and the way to that seems to be through the Great Hall, at least, the only apparent way. Some people have attempted to fly up there, only to be struck down by blasts of ice. Others have attempted to phase through, and their results haven't been fortuitous. This seems like the best way in, if any. Modd Stonecrusher is finishing off the tunnel, almost ready to break through, he claims, he just needs the heroes by his side to make the final breach. Whether you've volunteered, or been ordered, or for your own reasons, you're arriving at the miners base of operations. Talk, introduce yourselves if need be, perhaps you've met before, or perhaps you just have some questions for Stonecrusher to do his best to answer.
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Post by shouri on Mar 14, 2016 4:01:42 GMT
"Oohhh, this place is creepier than they said it would be," A lone Gria, Lin, gripes as she maneuvers her way between a few trees trying to locate the base of operations of the group that hired her services. She pulls out a crumpled piece of paper out of her coat which contains hastily scribbled notes on how to reach a Modd Stonecrusher. "Um, this looks right... I think?"Lin continued to travel using her napkin directions to guide her. "Colette, help me out here would you?" Lin asked as she held a pokeball in front of her, releasing her Mienshao. "You see, here's my notes... and it says to turn... but then... and so then I went..." Lin rambled to her partner until a persistent prodding at her side, followed by having her head forcibly, though gently, turned to the side, revealed the base of operations not too far from then pair. "Thanks Colette, let's hurry! I don't know if we're late!" As the pair approached the site, Lin searched for someone that exuded an air of leadership amongst the various people. "Oh, that has to be Stonecrush," she asserted, mildly tugging on one of her Mienshao's sleeves. "Um, hello! My name is Lin. I was told that there was an expedition occurring around these parts that could use the help of someone with medical skills." Although nervous, Lin attempted to present herself as professionally as possible; this task was made all the more difficult due to the presence of a rather attached Mienshao wrapping her sleeves around Lin. "I hope I can be of use to you."
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Post by Nestor on Mar 14, 2016 15:07:30 GMT
Dain Earthfist road on top of his Torterra, Emery, in search of Modd Stonecrusher. From this height above the ground, the stocky dwarf could see many kilometers away, a distance that from the ground he would not be able to see. Dain and Modd knew each other well. The expert miner was a frequent visitor to the smiths forge in the small town. Dain would fetch him a nice blond beer while Modd unpacked his best minerals. After catching up over the cold drink, both dwarves would settle the price on the ore and then they would go back to their work. But this meeting was of different nature. Since the strange appearance of the roaming pokemon, Dain and Modd had become preoccupied in the issue, and decided to get their hands onto the problem. Dain had done his best to get the mercenaries and adventurers to help them out, while Modd had dedicated himself to finding a way into the impregnable Balargarde Terrace. It had taken his time, but finally it was all set, and the last time that Dain set a beer before Modd, it had been with the report of work being ultimately done.
Dain caught a glimpse of the small base of the miner around a promontory and rode the rest of the way. - "Well Done" - he thanked the Torterra as he crawled, awkwardly, off his back. He calmed the pokemon back into his rest, a deserved one after such a long walk, and then went out looking for his pal.
"The great Creator with you, Brother!" - Dain walked straight to the other Dwarf and held out his hand grabbing the forearm of the dwarf as is the dwarven way, as the other held his own forearm, in respond, in a strong camaraderie.
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Post by twilightkiwi on Mar 14, 2016 16:45:34 GMT
As the two old friends greeted each other warmly, what had appeared to be a stunted tree within a nearby patch of foliage behind the miner shifted suddenly, then turned to face the gathering group. Leaning casually against it - where anyone could have been sure there was nothing before - was a small man in a gaudy cloak, dwarfed even by the dwarves. He looked gnomish, but the cast of his skin and slicked-back, colorless hair marked him as one of their cousins. The Svirfneblin were known to be closer in temperament to their fellow cave-dwellers than the easily excitable surface gnomes -
But this one seemed to be an exception, as he made a sweeping flourish of his cape and bowed deeply, one corned of his mouth quirked high in a lopsided smile. "Greetings, hearty ones!" he offered cheerfully, rising from his bow with a twirl of his rather ostentatious mustache. He nodded to Dain - "As promised, your scout has arrived. I presume my little demonstration there is proof enough of my skills on that front." The gnome turned and extended a hand towards the Gria. "And a pleasure to meet you as well, lovely Lady Lin. I am Kvinter, humble to serve in this most noble and urgent of endeavors alongside you. I must say, I wouldn't mind getting injured on the job if you'll be the one to patch me up!" 'Humble' seemed just about the least accurate word to describe the man at this point. With a puff of pink smoke, a perfectly arranged bouquet of flowers appeared in his palm. "I also dabble in conjuration. It comes in handy on occasion - though it's mostly just a diversion." He snapped his fingers, the the flowers disappeared to reveal a small knife in his hand instead. "Literally and figuratively!" he chuckled, palming the weapon under his cloak.
Rule number one of being an illusionist: never let on that you're an illusionist. Even to your 'allies.'
Despite his cheerful front, Kvinter had yet to let his guard down. Not that that happened very often in any case. Until the dwarf that had recruited him for the quest had arrived himself, Kvinter had still harbored suspicions that this was some insidious Cal'dwl trap. Even now, when he had felt comfortable enough to reveal himself, he still couldn't be sure their shadowy machinations weren't involved somehow. He could not see how luring a small party into the catacombs could possibly benefit them, nor did he believe himself (a long-escaped slave of little importance) to be valuable enough that they would seek to reclaim him personally after all these years in such a convoluted manner. But the Dark Elves played long games. He couldn't trust anything about this situation, yet. Or anyone.
But it was undoubtedly true that the countryside was in chaos, and House Cal'Dwl was to blame.
The fortress-manor loomed beyond, and though his expression betrayed nothing of his inner turmoil, it filled Kvinter with a dread he was disappointed to find he had not completely suppressed. He had spent half a lifetime breaking his back beneath it, but never had he been allowed to set a grimy foot within those unhallowed halls.
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Post by Rhewlif_Dewdrop on Mar 21, 2016 2:07:53 GMT
Mun arrived in a flurry of wings, quite literally, as a pair of bug-like Pokémons swooped and interweave around her while Mun decended among those gathered. As her petit feet touch the ground, a low sound rings across the around her could be
“Greetings. I believe this is the place I am to meet a Modd Stonecrusher ?” Mun then looked to the two dwarfs, although she had only just recently learned what a ‘dwarf’ even looked like since leaving her village, Mun was a fast learner. “My name is Moon of the Lepidopteras. Modd Stonecrusher wrote that he had found a way into the House of Cal’dwl? From what I understand Stonecrusher’s way is the best option if one is to breach Balargarde Terrace walls.”
Moon then looked to the others gathered around although her eyes has been and remained so far closed since her arrive. The only distinctive features on her face were her long white lashes, her delicate eyebrows, and the feathery antennae that sprout from just below her hair line. Her gaze or lack thereof immediately fell upon Kvinter and her voice which has since earlier been cool and solf turned cautiously warm. “Hmm? Are you a ‘dwarf’ as well little one? Nonetheless, you seem even smaller than your kin. Perhaps you should return home to your mother. It is not safe here and if you are worried for your father safty I and surely the others here will do our best to protect him.”
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Post by twilightkiwi on Mar 21, 2016 15:49:34 GMT
Kvinter took the strange moth-girl's patronizing tone in stride, instead beaming at the other three. "Ah, you see? Even in full view I am hidden!" Which was partly true - the Dark Elves were long accustomed to having gnomish servants underfoot, ignoring them almost instinctively. Beneath their notice, both literally and figuratively. If it came down to it, if they got deep enough into the manor that they reached more populated chambers, Kvinter could easily pose as a slave to slip past guards and courtiers alike.
He hoped very much that he wouldn't have to sink so low. But sometimes a mundane performance fooled just as easily as magic. No difficult task to avoid suspicion when you showed someone only what they expected to see.
"If only I were as sturdy and reliable as the noble dwarves!" Kvinter continued with a tip of his hat to the Lepidoptera - a species he had never heard of, which already made her interesting. "Nay, I am Kvinter of the Deep Gnomes, and while I would think my handsome beard would indicate I am no child, we are talking about dwarves here I suppose! But no offense was meant, Madame Moon, and so I take none," he finished graciously.
With a gesture and a flash, his stoic treelike companion vanished, and he tapped his cane on the ground. "So, my good hosts, do we await any other new friends, or is this our full compliment? I recall you wished to keep out number to a minimum."
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Post by TenabreTrevellian on Mar 21, 2016 18:21:36 GMT
Modd had come out just as Lin had arrived, beaming at each of you with an expression mixed with relief and worry. Despite the cold, he sweated with the signs of hard work, pick axe in hand and a Diggersby by his side. He nodded at each arrival with respect, and jovially accepted Dain's gesture, hailing back. Once everyone was here, he began the spiel he'd been preparing to help the group along their journey. "Hail, all, I hope the trip wasn't too hard on you. I understand it's a harsh way out, and the weather's been no better these last months to help it, come in, come in, mind your head on that, careful not to trip. With the maps we've been able to find a way to tunnel into one of the lower parts of the Terrace, as you know, it's a little walk as it stands, but that's all the merrier to get to know one another! We don't know what kind of cellar we're breaking into, just that it'll be connected to the main part of the building and hopefully get you to the high tower with Shirin Cal'dwl the shortest route we can manage right now, sorry it gets a bit darker here, feel free to light a torch, we're not sure what we'll find in there, but if there's any warning I can give you it's that there's one man who controls the guards, name of Zelyn Frostheart, he's a nasty piece of work from what I hear, if you keep running into too many guards it's likely he's gonna come running after you. I'd be wary, he seems to have developed some way of bringing frozen dead back to serve under him, it's pretty freaking scary I don't mind telling you."He continues a speech for some time, mainly trailing off onto other topics of conversation, the walk gives you enough time to talk to one another, and ask Modd any questions you might have. OOC: This is essentially one or two posts each to chat, any questions and stuff, and then my next post will be breaking through the wall and you get to go through.
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Post by Nestor on Mar 22, 2016 8:56:56 GMT
"Mosquito Girl" - Dain gazed at the woman that had just appeared, with an intense eye on her. - "We dwarves are rather different than our cousins the gnomes, who we respect greatly, you shouldn't underestimate our partner of travels. He's a rather sly one and could mean the safety of our trip." That woman had come highly recommended, but Dain now wondered why it had been, and as he wondered Modd appeared saluting him. As they held arms, their eyes met and in it, Dain understood that all that had been possible was ready for them to barge into the place.
Dain listened carefully as his Brother in arms explained, and as he explained, the dwarf looked at the gnome, his abilities would probably be crucial, as he had expected. - "In other times, I would have said to smash and destroy everything on sight, but this time, Shirin Cal'dwl is different. We can't take a false step, we have to be very clever and make our way to the heart of it." - The smith remembered the tales of Modd of the frozen dead and chills went through his sturdy body. - "Our friend here can be our scout and warn us of danger."
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Post by Rhewlif_Dewdrop on Mar 22, 2016 23:30:17 GMT
Moon tilt her head at Kvinter's reply as if taking note of his appearance. "I see a Deep Gnome... I apologize if I came across as offensive. I am still learning the name of the outside race."
At the other Dwarf's... chastisement? Moon merely smiled in mild amusement and gracefully nod her head in understanding.
Listening to Modd, Moon frowns ever so slightly. "I have heard of such things as 'undead'. If they are as I've been told, then you all can be rest assured that these Husk will not remain in this life for long, if they should they cross our path."
With that, Moon turned to follow Modd into the tunnel in which everyone could see the brown Pokémon Shedinja attached to her back. The two other Pokémons, a Ninjask and Masquerain, flies busily around Moon the former in a loud buzzing fashion while the later graciously float hovers in the air. After a moment of the Ninjask buzzing, Moon murmured a couple of words under her breath and the Ninjask turned into silver light that the disappeared into Moon.
"I failed to learn everyone's name. Of course I am aware of Mr. Kvinter's however..." Moon trails off gesturing in a fore coming motion toward Dain and Lin.
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Post by shouri on Mar 23, 2016 21:37:40 GMT
Amidst recalling Colette, her Mienshao, Lin noticed that Moon appeared to be referring to her. She had to make a proper introduction this time and would not let this introduction fall short just as many had in the past when she first began her adventure.
"Oh, hello, my name is Lin of the Gria of the village of Maruk; please just call me Lin. I'm currently on my pilgrimage to improve and refine my medical skills. I'll be providing support during this... expedition? Please pay no mind to my wings; they're mostly decorative" Lin gestured behind herself, pointing out her wings which mildly resembled those of a dragonite.
"And this," she said releasing her ninetales, "is Pia, my bodyguard." "Nine~ Nine~!"
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Post by Nestor on Mar 24, 2016 5:22:32 GMT
The Dwarf looked at one and another with a serious face, wrinkles from a long and adventurous life showed as his brow frown over his eyes - "Dain, son of Mundir." - He replied as the rest also spoke of their names. - "My axe and I will protect you as well as we can, putting our lives on the line if needed." - he glanced at Pia with dubious eyes, as if the companion would not be enough to protect the healer.
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Post by twilightkiwi on Mar 29, 2016 3:55:31 GMT
At Modd's mention of lighting a torch, Kvinter tapped his can against the ground, and the decorative orb atop it began to emit a warm glow. "Shadows are useful in my line of work, but for everyone's sake perhaps it's best to dispel them for the moment!" He nodded pleasantly in turn as each introduction was made. "You've already met my stalwart companion Ragamuffin. However, I have other companions better suited to skulking in dark caverns. Come forth, Urchin!" Silk threads slithered out from where his cane touched the earth, wrapping together into a small cocoon that quickly burst to reveal a fuzzy blue and gold spider about half the gnome's height. Chittering as it cautiously took in its surroundings, the Galvantula's numerous eyes sized up its new companions.
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Post by TenabreTrevellian on Apr 5, 2016 12:43:01 GMT
The tunnel got darker as you keep walking down it, almost stifling enough that the flames from torches flicker and seemed to dim now and then. Modd's Diggersby had since lead the way, testing the tunnel before the rest of the party went through just in case. Eventually it came to an end, a wall of dirt which blocked the way between them and Balargarde. After confirming everyone was ready, Modd brought forth a spade in one hand and the pickaxe in the other, as the Diggersby he referred to for the first time as Granthum started bashing into the wall. The Dwarf was true to the claims about him, and the wall was gone in a few moment, to be replaced by one of stone which fell quickly after.
The room they'd come out in was a decent size, but housed what seemed to be a few barrels, like some kind of wine cellar, there were a few boxes here and there, and it was barely lit by a torch on the other side. They were in.
Modd idly looked at one of a barrels, decided it was a good ale, and lifted it, taking it with him and wishing the party luck.
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Post by Nestor on Apr 7, 2016 5:36:51 GMT
Dain closed the group following through the tunnel as he calibrated the work of his fellow Dwarf. It was no wonder that the miner brought such good material to his shop on a weekly bases. When they reached the wall, Dain was worried that the noise would call onto them any guards, but the room which they came up to seemed to be just a storage room, and if it was a wine cellar, like it seemed, it would probably be deep in the furthest and coldest part of the fortress. They would be safe, but also would have to go up a long way.
[Dain]: Wine? Really Modd?? - It was strange for dwarfs to drink the elf drink, whose paladar couldn't take the stronger dwarf drinks. - Well I guess it's better than nothing. Kvinter, we should make sure we didn't get any unwanted attention.
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Post by twilightkiwi on Apr 7, 2016 16:19:39 GMT
Kvinter nodded curtly, extinguishing the light he had summoned; the dimness of the lone sputtering torch was no hindrance to him. Sweeping his cloak around himself, to the others he became hard to track as he blended into his surroundings almost seamlessly. Motioning for Urchin to help him sweep the room, he stuck to the walls as he took in the chamber, searching for all its exits. His eyes and ears were peeled for any movement or sign of life. The Galvantula, meanwhile, shot a thin line of webbing upwards and ascended silently to the ceiling, covering its master from above. Kvinter used Camouflage; I leave it to the GM to determine what Type results from it, but I'd assume Ground, Rock, or Dark here? Not sure if Camouflage would also provide any sort of situational bonus to Stealth or not. Kvinter will move along the wall, attempting to remain behind any cover that exists whenever he can, towards the nearest door he sees.
Urchin will make a Threaded Shift to the ceiling, assuming it isn't more than six meters high. Kvinter's Stealth: qrRUsl|p6d6+4 Kvinter's Perception: 6d6 Urchin's Stealth: 5d6 Urchin's Perception: 5d6+2
6d6+4·6d6·5d6·5d6+2
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Post by shouri on Apr 8, 2016 7:22:56 GMT
"Okay Pia. Let's stay sharp," Lin whispered to her partner moving to position herself towards the center of the room while keeping an eye on the rest of the team. Pia trailed behind her making sure to sniff every team mate along the way. "It's our job to be ready if something attacks." Left, Right... Back.... Front... everyone's okay. No threats. "Do you smell anyone weird in the area, Pia?"Lin uses her magical item Whimsicott's gift to attempt to detect berries and/or herbal restoratives nearby. (As well as grass types).
Pia uses her Tracker Capability to sniff for pokemon or other such live creatures/people aside from our party:
(base 5d6+2, +6 from trail sniffer poke-edge. Y_YTADgt5d6+8 5d6+8
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Post by Rhewlif_Dewdrop on Apr 27, 2016 11:27:40 GMT
Mun took in the surrounding room, barely arching an eyebrow as their dwarf guide, however temporary, was hauling back a barrel of alcohol. "Hmm, there is quite a lot here. Do elves like alcohol I wonder? My village have only a few a few barrels if any." Suddenly Mun raised a finger with eyebrows high. "Although we have quite a lot of spirit. Heh." It was a short chuckle but the look on her face was one of mild pride at having made a joke or pun as it were.
Mun continued to do a more thorough take of the room not going any further as she knows it was Kvinter's job to check for traps and guards first.
Perception on Room GyUsS2Ci4d64d6
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