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Post by Moriya on May 14, 2016 3:27:19 GMT
Jackson coughs a little as he takes a blow to the stomach that, once again, pushes him away from his attacker. This has to be violating some law of physics, but there's no denying what's happening. After hauling himself toward the cub one more time, he realizes he's not exactly steady on his feet right now. A kick wouldn't be the best idea in this state, so Jackson leans down and sends an open-handed smack at the pup's ear. Both victory and defeat are in sight, and there's no way he's letting this one off without a scratch. Struggle 5: Family Struggling AC 4: hQPWoZpi1d20 DB 4: 1d8+11 1d20·1d8+11
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Post by flarnith on May 14, 2016 6:27:51 GMT
the voice guiding Sienna outright hisses out the next words "Haven't YOU interfered enough with Sienna's life? Begone cur, she's sheltered under my wings now." The guiding voice's attention seemingly shifts back to Sienna. "As much as I hate agreeing with him he does have a point in this case. The woodsman appears to be in rough shape so it's time to help him. The professor should be fine at this point."
Sienna holds her head, seemingly in pain from the other's voice before she tightens her grip on her mic and dashes at the small black pup.
Sienna shifts to Reach range with the pup as a move action
The black flame once again swirls around her mic as the flames seem to start manifesting what looks like a biting jaw of sorts.
Secret force: AC 5: R6HV3YrB1d20 DB 6: 2d6+21 Reach, Smite and hits against DEF1d20·2d6+21
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Post by ProfHemlock on May 14, 2016 15:42:35 GMT
The Forsaken Grove The pup takes the first attack fairly well, but it caught off guard by the second from an enemy which he had not been prepared for. The flames wash over him and while they don't seem as effective as they had been on the snake, their target also does not seem as inherently tough. Nevertheless the pup still stands, and seems ready to resume the fight- until the large wolf-creature moves back into the clearing.
"That's enough Skoll," it says in a voice that is somewhere between a growl and a purr. It stalks through the clearing slowly, and Jackson notices the unconscious figure which had been the reason for the fight in the first place had disappeared. There doesn't seem to be any gore on the larger wolf, so its possible that he was not eaten.
"Take your brother back to Grandmother," it says. The pup obeys, with only a glare in the direction of Jackson indicating any sort of discontent with its orders. As it complies, struggling to pull its fallen brother out of the clearing, the large wolf turns its attention back at Jackson and Sienna.
"And what have we here? I had thought only to make my children work for their meals, but you seem different than the other mouthfuls we've had recently. And no little morsel since a long time ago has shown any sort of ability like that."
He turns his head to Sienna and sniffs at her, then reveals his large teeth in what appears to be a terrifying approximation of a grin.
"No, you don't smell like anything I've seen in a long, long time. So what is you tale, little morsels? What brings you to this place?"
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Post by flarnith on May 14, 2016 18:55:20 GMT
Sienna brings her mic up to a guarded position but makes no hostile movements. " I cannot speak for my compatriot here, but myself and another are here investigating the scenes of oddity and disappearances of lost souls." Sienna then flashes a charming smile " As for this? *hefting mic closer to her* A good family friend taught me well how to handle myself on the Far Side." Sienna is going to try and put her best foot forward.
Charm:|BJoK|Jg4d6 4d6
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Post by Moriya on May 14, 2016 19:14:47 GMT
It takes Jackson's brain a few seconds to process what has happened. When his brain assures him that everything he just saw did happen, Jackson hold up a hand, requesting the group to pause. He manages to mumble "Give me a second", then half-sits half-crumples down on the forest floor, closes his eyes and begins to take slow, deep breaths. This is a forest. While it is an unfamiliar land, it is also wilderness untouched by human civilization. He is at home.
When Jackson opens his eyes, the woman who made magic fire and the talking wolf are still there, but the tension in his face and posture is gone. He looks the wolf straight in the eyes and answers. "I was walking in familiar forest, then found myself in this one. I followed the screams of others, which brought me here."
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Post by ProfHemlock on May 15, 2016 3:53:46 GMT
The wolf turns first to Sienna as Jackson takes a moment to catch his breath. As she explains herself with charm and politeness, the wolf's grin widens.
"Such a sweet little thing, coming to search for the lost," he says, sniffing her again, "ah yes, sickly sweet even."
"And you," he turns to Jackson, "No idea where you have wandered, and you run headfirst into danger. Truly, a fool after my own heart."
He begins circling around Jackson and Sienna, his eyes darting between the two but always fixed on at least one of them.
"I think I might like you little morsels. But..."
He stops in front of the two and his fur bristles.
"Because of the two of you, my children and I are deprived of our meal. I can't have my children go hungry now, so what do you suppose I should do little morsels?"
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Post by flarnith on May 15, 2016 6:25:24 GMT
Sienna smiles "If a meal you are after is what you want, then I can provide. I was locked in battle with a great hooded snake that had wrapped it's coils around a companion of mine before helping my friend here. If you follow my scent from where I came from then it would be a straight shot to it. Harm not the man and the snake is yours and your kin. It should not have left so soon after I knocked it unconscious." Sienna shakes her head toward the direction she came from. "Even if it somehow got up it won't be headed too far too fast with the wounds I inflicted upon it."
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Post by Moriya on May 16, 2016 0:55:29 GMT
Jackson raises an eyebrow at Sienna's comment. The professor was choked into unconsciousness by a giant snake and she left him to help fight? Hopefully the snake stayed down, or they'd be short another person. At the same time, the snake is surely not the only threat. If two dangerous predators appeared in such close proximity, the forest has to be teeming with them.
"Speaking of which, we should check on that guy. Unconscious people seem to be vanishing." Jackson gestures at the ground where the unconscious person used to be. He's not too suspicious of the wolf, as it appears to have a certain sense of fair play. He starts to walk back in the direction of the professor, then looks back to Sienna and the wolf to see if they are following.
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Post by ProfHemlock on May 17, 2016 0:49:02 GMT
The wolf chuckles and follows Jackson. "Yes, this place is not kind to the unprepared."
When they reach the point where Sienna had left the professor, they find it exactly as she left it: the professor unconscious in the loosed coils of a similarly knocked out serpent. The wolf's eyes widen in slight surprise at the sight of it.
"Jormungandr..." he mutters under his breath, "I had expected one of his brood, but you fended off the broodmaster himself, sweet morsel? Interesting..."
The wolf gently begins nudging at the coils of Jormungandr, slowly disentangling Professor Hemlock from the serpent. Once he pulls the professor loose with considerably less caution, casually grabbing him with his teeth by the collar and with a single twist of his neck tossing him towards Jack and Sienna. Finished with this, he circles the serpent once before laying himself down near his head.
"It's time to wake up," he coos to the creature, licking at its face affectionately. Slowly, the snake begins to stir, opening its once fierce and now unfocused eyes.
"Come now, little brother. Will you sit and talk with me for a moment?" The serpent raises its head and lets out a feeble hiss in response.
"Hm. A shame." The wolf turns and looks in the direction of Sienna as he speaks. "It seems you were so very, very close. Such a shame." And then, after having spoken those words with a voice filled with affection, the wolf strikes.
It happens so fast that it is hard to follow with the human eye. One moment the wolf is at the side of the serpent in a peaceful state, an almost idyllic scene. Then suddenly the snake's head is pinned to the ground, the wolf's jaws closing around the back of his neck. Jormungandr lets out a scream, thrashes and slams around, even causing cracks to appear in the nearby trees that he makes contact with, but the wolf's keeps hold. The coils of the serpent attempt to wind themselves around the wolf, but his response is to shake his head viciously, using pain to discourage this course of action. The serpent's eyes are no longer unfocused. They are desperately darting every which way, trying to find something, anything that can help it.
They settle on the human onlookers, silently pleading.
Then they close.
The thrashing dies down. The dark blood gushing from between the wolf's jaws slows to a trickle. Finally the great serpent is still. The wolf releases him and licks at its bloodstained lips. He bows his head towards Sienna. A bitter, but satisfying meal. You have my thanks sweet morsel."
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Post by flarnith on May 17, 2016 1:27:01 GMT
Sienna looks right into the great snake's eyes, undaring to look away from the scene of execution. but a soft pity in her eyes. " Dearest Squiggly, be not sad. Though he passes, he shall live on in his children and his Children's children. Such is the fate of all men." Sienna bows her head the moment after the final blow was stuck and offers a prayer. " O merciful God, take pity on this soul. who have no particular friends and intercessors to recommend them to Thee, who, either through the negligence of those who are alive, or through length of time are forgotten by their friends and by all. Spare him, O Lord, and remember Thine own mercy, when others forget to appeal to it. Let not the soul which Thou hast created be parted from thee, their Creator. May the soul of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. "
Sienna takes a moment to recollect herself then puts her eyes on the wolf. "Fierce wolf, our pact is complete. But if I may be as bold as to ask a question. Where about are we in this side of the divide? I'm mildly afraid that we might have been as sailing without a navigator."
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Post by Moriya on May 17, 2016 2:54:10 GMT
Jackson watches the snake's brutal death with acceptance and a touch of concern. It seems that they have taken out a leader among the snakes, probably upsetting the natural balance. There will surely be consequences for such an action. As Sienna starts her prayer, Jackson turns his mind to more practical matters. He kneels down beside the unconscious form of the professor and pulls his first aid kit out of one of the outer compartments of his backpack. He cleans the dirt from any visible wounds and adjusts his position to allow the man to breathe more easily. There's not much else that can be done for a someone who was constricted into unconsciousness, so Jackson shifts his focus back to Sienna. As he listens to her proposal, the woodsman pops a generic pain-relieving pill from the first aid kit. There's not a whole lot that can be done for bruising, but the medicine will keep the pain off his mind until the contusions are healed. Jackson doesn't consider Sienna's plan to be particularly wise, as the wolf clearly sees the group as a food supply. But much like the average bar patron, the creature is less volatile with some food in its belly. As long as he doesn't get drunk on flattery, they should be fine. To ensure that his voice is heard before a decision is made, Jackson speaks up. "That would be pretty helpful." Addressing the yet-unnamed wolf, Jackson continues. "To avoid any grudges, I'll do what I can to fix up the child I took down. And I bet we could all get something out of swapping information."Used First Aid Kit on Hemlock. Drain 1 AP.
Survival Roll for HP gained: 04lUnvKH4d6+2
Used First Aid Kit on Jackson. Drain 1 AP.
Survival Roll for HP gained:
4d6+2
4d6+2·4d6+2
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Post by ProfHemlock on May 18, 2016 23:45:31 GMT
Jackson's inspection of the professor reveals a much better prognosis than might have first been expected. He only has a few open wounds and they all appear to be superficial. In fact, if he had to guess the reason why Hemlock had passed out, it would be from shock moreso than any injury.
"Save your prayers, sweet morsel," the wolf says to Sienna, though he has the decency to wait for her to be finished before he does. "I know not where a soul such as yours is bound, but for us there is no heaven to anticipate."
He looks back to the corpse of Jormungandr, which appears to be... smoking? Some sort of vapour rises from the body, a bright purple mist that vanishes into nothingness as it moves more than about a foot from the body. The wolf opens his mouth wide and inhales some of this, making a satisfied sound in his throat before releasing his breath and turning back to the group.
"Another deal? You are greedy morsels, aren't you?" he mockingly asks. "But that's a trait that we share it seems, and you are correct, there is much we can gain from one another... It seems I shall be indisposed for a little while with this meal. Let me see if I cannot get you a guide..."
The wolf turns his head up and howls. In moments the howl is answered by another, a high pitched sound coming from a pup which bounds around a tree and towards the larger wolf. It seems to be attentive to him, until it notices Jackson and growls, entering an aggressive, low stance.
"Stay, Hati," the wolf reprimands the pup sternly, causing it to turn back with its head hung low. "These morsels are not to be eaten yet. They aren't ready. Take them to the Heart."
"If you wish to search this place for those that have been lost, you will need to be able to better protect yourselves. I'm sending you to someone who will help you with that. Just tell her that Fenrir sends you, with his regards." With those words he turns back to Jormungandr and begins to drag the dead serpent deeper into the forest, doubtless to his den to share with his children.
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Post by Moriya on May 19, 2016 3:58:54 GMT
So it appears that Fenrir can eat souls, and that such a thing is commonplace in this forest. That means ...nope. No use in worrying about that or why the creatures seem to be named after incredibly powerful beings from ancient myths.
When Sienna and Hati are ready to go, Jackson lifts one of the unconscious professor's arms over his shoulder and prepares to stand up. Before actually attempting to stand up, he looks to Sienna for assistance. "Mind giving me a hand? He should wake up soon, but we need to keep moving." Ordinarily, he'd just carry the man on his own, but carrying a full-grown man and a backpack full of equipment while injured isn't going to work.
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Post by flarnith on May 24, 2016 15:34:39 GMT
"Don't worry, I'm stronger then look." as she slings the other arm over he shoulders, she uses her microphone staff as a walking stick in her other free hand. "We are ready. Please lead the way Hati."
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Post by ProfHemlock on May 25, 2016 0:57:17 GMT
Hati gives a high bark, the tone of which was difficult to tell but seems to include not a little bit of aggression, regardless of anything Fenrir had said. Nevertheless, he begins to lead the three through the forest, always easily picking his way through rough paths that the burdened Sienna and Jackson would have difficulty with, but always staying just within sight.
The journey, while rough, passes in relative silence for a good fifteen minutes before Professor Hemlock begins to groan and awaken. Upon regaining consciousness, he is startled to find Hati turning around and barking at him for slowing their pace down. Despite any confusion however, Hemlock is a sensible man who was willing to continue walking while Sienna and Jackson caught him up on what he had missed.
The travellers notice that as the trip continues, the ground begins to show an increasing downward slope. After a full half an hour of walking, it has gone to the point that they are travelling down a sharp, almost 45 degree incline. There is the sound of running water up ahead, and despite his duty he darts ahead out of sight. He is not out of sight for long, as the ground levels out and a clearing opens up ahead.
The clearing is a flat plane with the ground rising up around it, like an inversed cone. Streams filter out of the treeline at various places, all flowing into a central pool which swirls slowly. Hati can be seen splashing around in one of these streams before he notices the humans he had been leading had caught up, at which point he darts into a small hut on the right side of the clearing relative to them.
The reason this hut is not the first thing to draw their attention is that another structure across from Sienna, Jackson, and the professor does so first. A large stone doorway, built into the opposite slope, with intricate patterns and symbols carved into it. Some seem to depict animals roughly similar to that which the travelers are familiar with, birds and wolves and snakes and the like. Others are more esoteric, but recognizable at least. Those large figures carved into the base however... no stretch of the imagination can bring understanding as to what these are meant to represent.
Professor Hargrove is entranced by the structure, and immediately makes his way towards it. Hati pokes his head out from the hut's open doorway, barking at him angrily. He simply waves his hand dismissively, studying the carvings with great interest and muttering under his breath to himself. Hati simply turns his attention to the other two and indicates with his head that they, at least, should follow him.
The Halfway House
The interior of the hut is cluttered and dark. Most of the spare room available is taken up by rugs, blankets, and even (surprising in this rustic environment) modern looking sleeping bags. Upon and within these are at least a dozen human forms, men and women in various states of rest. Some sleep silently, others shift and moan, and a small handful seem just on the edge between conscious and unconscious, their eyes open but sightless.
In and amongst these, a young woman walks. She wears a simple dress of light blue. Her hair is long and white, tied high in a ponytail but still reaching at least halfway down her back. She busies herself amongst the sleeping people, checking their temperatures with her palm and supplying water to the semi-conscious from a shallow bowl. Hati dances around at her feet, ignoring and stepping on the people, an act for which she wordlessly scolds him. Upon being interrupted in her duties by new arrivals, she stands up straight and greets them with a surprisingly neutral expression.
"Hello. I take it you are the ones Hati has been trying to tell me about?"
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Post by flarnith on May 25, 2016 1:23:14 GMT
Sienna favors the new person with one of her formal curtsy. "I believe we are. Greetings, My name is Sienna Contiello."
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Post by Moriya on May 26, 2016 3:36:11 GMT
As Jackson walks, he observes the general landscape. The whole area seems different from what he'd expect, almost as if the topography had unnatural origins. That'd be par for the course at this point, so Jackson resolves not to worry about it. This forest seems to be thriving, and that's what matters most.
When Hemlock runs off to examine the stone ruins, Jackson's estimation of the man drops another few notches. He was just knocked out, could have been eaten by wolves, yet he decides to run off on his own in unknown territory. While Jackson would help if the professor put himself in immediate danger, there's no obligation to hold the man's hand. If he's so determined to do foolish things, Jackson can't do anything to stop him.
Upon entering the hut and seeing the group of people, Jackson lets out a sigh of disappointment. The hut is an acceptable change to the landscape, but he was hoping that this land had avoided a human infestation. He could have accepted dealing with a few people, but a group of this size really makes him want to keep walking. When the woman approaches, Jackson has a blank, matter-of-fact expression; the same one he has after cleaning one mug for the 100th time on a slow night at the bar.
At Sienna's response, Jackson feels prompted to extend similar social graces. "That depends on what he's been saying, but probably," he replies. Jackson extends his hand for a handshake. "Jackson Michaels, by the way."
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Post by ProfHemlock on May 29, 2016 4:10:19 GMT
The girl nods once to both Sienna and Jackson.
"Greetings Sienna Contiello, Jackson Michaels. You may call me Helena. You have been sent to for a purpose. Follow." The girl speaks in a monotone and it is hard to discern if her final statement was a request, demand, or something entirely different. She walks out of the hut and towards the pond at the center of the clearing. Professor Hemlock notices her and gives a nod before returning to his inspection of the door; if the girl notices him, she makes no movement or sound to indicate so.
The girl turns her back to both the professor and opens her mouth to address Jack and Sienna, but seems to think better of it. A moment after this they can understand why: another creature bursts from the treeline, the strangest yet. It appears to be some sort of small primate, like a monkey, with two very important differences from one with which they might have been familiar. First, while the fur on its belly, as well as the skin of its face and feet, are of a normal tan colour, the rest of the creature's fur is a bright purple. Second, the end of its tail is tipped with what appears to be a fully articulate three fingered hand.
The monkey-thing runs past Sienna and Jackson without paying them any mind, and doesn't even seem to be perturbed when Hati snaps at it as it passes by. It quickly climbs up to the girl's shoulder and begins chittering away in her ear. The girl nods a few times as it does so and then turns back to her two guests.
"It appears we are to have another joining us shortly," she says, then raises her voice to address someone beyond the treeline, though still in that same monotone. "Please come quickly, this place is not safe to wander alone."
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Post by Harbringer of Insanity on May 29, 2016 9:28:36 GMT
A young man emerges from the treeline, dressed in a zipped-up, light grey jacket and blue jeans, a somewhat wary look on his face. He holds up a hand in greeting. "Uhm... hello. Could someone please tell me what is going on?"
Nathan was confused, curious and a bit wary. For some reason he had decided that he would take a walk in the woods after finishing his tutoring, rather than retreat to the safety of the library. Shortly after entering the forest, he noticed something changing in his surroundings, though he had absolutely no idea what. As the surroundings changed, he began to feel somehow... different than before. Though he was still mostly the same, there was something ... new, like he had suddenly sprouted a new sense or had grown a third arm. And that was the odd thing, he couldn't tell if it was one or the other, and he didn't really seemed to have any control over it. It was just... there, not really doing anything at the moment.
Granted, this weirdness was temporarily forgotten when he ran into a somewhat more... direct weirdness, in the form of a ... purple monkey with a hand for a tail? The creature seemed rather adamant that he follow it, and as such Nathan followed the... monkey, as he had absolutely no idea what else to do, and he figured he might figure out something about this weirdness... if he wasn't led in a trap, that is. It was in this wary state of mind that he reached a clearing, where several people had gathered already.
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Post by flarnith on May 29, 2016 18:14:57 GMT
"Ah, Greetings. It would be best to just follow for now. It would be easier to disturn truths if we can get to a safer location." Sienna tells the new arrival.
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