Black Zenith [Adventure / RPG / Chapter Three: Forgotten Whispers]

[chimericWilder]

"OH NO YOU DON'T! ITS TIME TO END THIS!"

Thunderpaw turns his aerial descent into a Fury Comet SMASH and aims for the demon's skull before he can recover!

You dont think the thing even has a skull, but that doesnt stop you from landing your hammer in the shadowy mass, dealing 250 damage (roll 16+4)!

Then you abscond with the rest of everyone before that mob of various evil people murders you.

"No! No! No!" Jane mutters furiously as she sees the Cordraal unfurling (or whatever it's doing). She whirls around, noticing the cultists and that Mayor is beating a hasty retreat. "No!" She turns back towards the Cordraal and tries to pull the cultists directly opposite of her from it into the mass of tendrils the Cordraal is becoming, then runs to follow the others.

You jank a handfull of cultists down into the rubble, from under which the mass seems to be quickly crawling out from. The thing pretty much ignores the humans being thrown at it, though you probably slowed it down a little, and also you kept a bunch of cultists from casting spells you guess.

I'll be away until saturday due to a school trip to Rome. So Chimeric, you can just take over Takumi's commands for a while.

Also:

Takumi: Although you'd love to kill some of those assholes, you decide that getting overwhelmed by this amount of enemies is probably not the best thing to do. You follow Bohw and the others through the door.

For next turn, depending on whether we have a way out or not activate Flaming Legs to force your way through or use Iron Mass to protect the others if the Cordraal and the cultists catch up with the group.

No problems, and thanks for telling me instead of just disappearing.

You abscond with the others. One of the bandits gets a little too close, and you quickly dispatch him with a roundhouse kick.

"Okay! That's fine!"
Bohw reveals what she was doing last turn, and aims another shot with her bow, only this time the arrow is fixed with a rather dangerous looking stick of explosives. Before Bohw can fire however, Mayor quickly makes note that the current situation is going to hell, so he picks up Bohw and Thunderpaw and runs up the ornate staircase. He desperately signals to the others to follow him, and closes the door behind them once they get in.

Your group quickly advances stairs-ward, the cultists throwing fire and acid from above, though their spells are badly aimed, and only Mayor is hit for 143 damage by an orb of acid.

You beat the bandits to the stairs and take several steps at a time. At the top of them is the corridor, but no doors to close. Out of the corner of your eyes, you see an intense flash of light behind you, but you dont much have time to check it out, so you keep running.

The corridor is, as was previously mentioned, carved ornately just like the stairs. It looks older than the other stonework in the fortress, too. The other stuff was probably built (or carved, you guess) after this part was, maybe? Every few meters, theres a little incision in the wall, basically a tiny side room. Theres nothing special in there, though, other than more ornate walls. Actually, now that you're closer, you can see that the carvings on the wall seems to be some of language- though not anything you can understand. Atleast, you think it is some sort of language, given the variations and similarities. Theres also a few carvings depicting various scenes- you think thats a carving of a dragon, for instance, and several people standing in front of it. Then you're past it.

After several more seconds, you realise that you are not actually being chased. What? You're almost at the end of the corridor, too. You can see an entrance into a larger room a little ahead, but, curiously, a few meters in front of the doorway, you see what is obviously the aftermatch of what would happen if someone took a bunch of bombs, put them on a stone floor, lighted them and then left. As in, theres blown a small crater in the floor and in the walls around, but what is strange is that the effects of the explosion has not at all affected the far part of the hall, as though the explosion just cut off or something? Like, by an energy shield or something? If that makes sense. (If it doesnt, i'll draw up an incredibly shitty illustration).

So, what now...?

Didn't know the wisp was intelligent enough or powerful enough to do something like that.

Next I'll cast Divine Cleansing, casting numerous rays of light to fall from above to deal holy damage to the present unpleasant company as well as anyone unlucky enough to be beneath them.

Perhaps it is taking after you.

As you cast your spell, both of the remaining flyers dive at the airship. One of them targets one of the mirror images, and the spikes simply fall though it, striking the airship instead. The mirror image shimmers and disappears. The other one dives straight at you, as if intending to fly into you, but then it rights itself and lashes you with a powerfull swing of its tail for a facefull of spikes and hurt! This deals 275 damage to you, and ruins your concentration something awfull. You cast your spell, but it is hardly very effective. Still, several rays of light strike both remaining corisha for 75 damage, each (roll 2+8).

They're circling your airship now, on top of everything. They really are quite fast.

Stats

Thunderpaw: 350/750
Fury Comet Cd 5
Vendetta ready!

Daril: 242/450
Needs a level up
Bullet Time ready!

Bohw: 404/567
Mayor: 866/866, Selfless (3), at 25 Power
Sabotage Cd 3
Selfless Cd 8

Jane: 626/1050
Torn Asunder cd 10
Mental Quake ready!

Takumi: 664/1050
Flaming Legs ready!
Iron Mass ready!


---


Selphy: 622/1200
Miracle Repair Cd 1
Judgement Calling ready!

Airship: 453/1000
Fuel 10/50

Corisha 1: 378/850
Corisha 2: 697/850
Corisha 3: 772/850, Baleful Polymorph (Giant Snake)(3)

[Supernerd]

I'll invoke Judgement Calling. Thats about the extent of what I can do until you update again tomorrow (or the day after)

[Dais]

Jane studies the damaged section of the walls, especially where the damage mysteriously stops on the walls. She tries poking the space past where the damage stopped to see if there really are any force fields or the like. "Any ideas?" She asks everybody else with her, without looking back at them but instead looking for pieces of loose debris on the ground.

[BlazerC]

"I want to keep moving, the fact that we're not being chased bugs me... but..."

Bohw takes a look at the crater, it's too weird to ignore. She uses her knowledge of explosives attempts to figure out this strange crater, or even if explosives were used at all. Mayor keeps an eye on the corridor behind them.

"One of you check whats behind that doorway."

[MasterBlade]

Thunderpaw checks whats behind the doorway; he can jump out of the way the fastest.

[chimericWilder]

I'll invoke Judgement Calling. Thats about the extent of what I can do until you update again tomorrow (or the day after)

You call on the power of the light, and proceed to channel it into a brilliant white beam which you aim at the nearest corisha. You smite it for 875 damage, and it is consumed in the beam's radiance. You then point the beam at the second corisha, inflicting the overflow damage from the initial strike (roll 20).

The surviving corisha falters and lands/falls onto the deck of the airship. It seems like you seared its wing something badly. Atleast they dont seem to be completely immune to being crippled, you guess? Regardless, it lunges forward, attacking you with its claws for 88 damage!

Note: Your attack critted, but Judgement Calling is immune to critting! Still, you rolled a 20 and a 19 for hit on a special ability. Srsly.

Jane studies the damaged section of the walls, especially where the damage mysteriously stops on the walls. She tries poking the space past where the damage stopped to see if there really are any force fields or the like. "Any ideas?" She asks everybody else with her, without looking back at them but instead looking for pieces of loose debris on the ground.

You try poking the air where the forcefield should be, if it is there. You think you feel a slight resistance for a splitsecond, but then it fades, and you are left wondering if it was only your imagination.

Theres lots of debris around the crater. When i say "debris", i mean "explotionated stone".

"I want to keep moving, the fact that we're not being chased bugs me... but..."

Bohw takes a look at the crater, it's too weird to ignore. She uses her knowledge of explosives attempts to figure out this strange crater, or even if explosives were used at all. Mayor keeps an eye on the corridor behind them.

"One of you check whats behind that doorway."

The crater was made by explosives, alright. Some pretty hefty ones, too, judging from the width of the crater.

As you take a closer look at it, you realise that there were actually two explosions here, though the second set must have been placed in the crater left behind by the first. Also, the crater smells of black powder. The kind that exploded. Surprise, surprise.

You dont know why the crater would be cut off like it is, other than "magic". Maybe someone was trying to blast their way past a forcefield or something. Or maybe someone had a battle here or were trying to collapse the corridor or... Yeah you dont know.

Thunderpaw checks whats behind the doorway; he can jump out of the way the fastest.

You pass the crater, and as you pass the spot where there should have been a forcefield, you think you feel a tiny bit of resistance for just a moment... But then it is gone again.

You check whats beyond the doorway up ahead. A soft chime fills the air.

The corridor opens up into a large room with a vaulted ceiling. At the very center of the room stands four marble pedestals, maybe two or three meters apart, the floor tiles around them laid in such a way that a 'ring' is formed around the pedestals. They emit a soft glow, but what is more unusual is that there is something small and bright suspended midair in the middle of the pedestals. You cant see what it is at this distance, though.

The rest of the room is more mundane. Off to the right stands a table with a single chair. On it lies what looks to be a broken bow of exceptional make, the remains of an old cloak (it seems to have rotted away), a pair of boots (equally rotted) and a ring. There is also a book, several sheafs of parchment, an inkwell and a pen.

On the left side stands a small circular podium with steps leading up to it. There doesnt appear to be anything special about it, though.

On the far side of the room is a mural depicting a twisting country road, stretching into the landscape, the golden sun standing high above the grasslands. It is a work easily superior to any you have seen, though to be honest that might not be saying too much, given your occupation.

Stats

Thunderpaw: 388/750
Fury Comet Cd 4
Vendetta ready!

Daril: 265/450
Needs a level up
Bullet Time ready!

Bohw: 432/567
Mayor: 866/866, Selfless (2), at 25 Power
Sabotage Cd 2
Selfless Cd 7

Jane: 679/1050
Torn Asunder cd 9
Mental Quake ready!

Takumi: 717/1050
Flaming Legs ready!
Iron Mass ready!


---


Selphy: 534/1200
Miracle Repair ready!
Judgement Calling Cd 7

Airship: 453/1000
Fuel 5/50

Corisha 1: 0/850
Corisha 2: 200/850
Corisha 3: 272/850, Baleful Polymorph (Giant Snake)(2), IMPACT

[MasterBlade]

Thunderpaw examines the room, then reads the notes on old parchment before touching anything else. Always wise to read the notes of the lost to not repeat their mistakes.

[Psychout]

Echo steps out from her alcove and wonders who these people are. They are clearly in a hurry, and don't look like the other bandits. Echo turns off her invisibility and tries to be less surprise.

"Oi, who are you all?"

[chimericWilder]

Thunderpaw examines the room, then reads the notes on old parchment before touching anything else. Always wise to read the notes of the lost to not repeat their mistakes.

Actually, the paper is blank.

The title on the book reads "The Travels of Jain Farstrider", though.

[MasterBlade]

Curious as to the book's contents, Thunderpaw carefully skims through the book. He leans against the wall as to not disturb the remains of whoever sat in the chair.

[Supernerd]

That went pretty well. Is judgement calling available to be used again immediately for some reason or did you just forget to put it in cooldown?

I'll assume the latter for now, I'll cast a Divine Javelin spell on the Corisha and with any luck I'll then be in the clear.

PS: Is my wisp casting another multi-turn spell?

[Psychout]

Isn't the airship about to crash though? It'll be out of fuel next turn.

[chimericWilder]

Fuel is used in whatever special way SN thinks is appropriate, in thos case speeding up the airship. It doesnt actually reqiire fuel to run normally.

Curious as to the book's contents, Thunderpaw carefully skims through the book. He leans against the wall as to not disturb the remains of whoever sat in the chair.

The chair is empty. Really i wouldnt have forgotten to mention if there was a friggin' skeleton hanging out there.



Also the wisp is totally hanging out being chill and refocusing or somesuch.

[MasterBlade]

Fuel is used in whatever special way SN thinks is appropriate, in thos case speeding up the airship. It doesnt actually reqiire fuel to run normally.



The chair is empty. Really i wouldnt have forgotten to mention if there was a friggin' skeleton hanging out there.



Also the wisp is totally hanging out being chill and refocusing or somesuch.

(but the cloak and boots and bow and ring... gah >.>)

[chimericWilder]

They're lying neatly on the table, arranged orderly. If someone died there, they took the time to put their possessions on the table, then neatly disintegrated themselves and swept the dust away. Speaking of dust, it is actually relatively clean in here, but not unnaturally so.

[Supernerd]

I believe that the cooldown of Judgement Calling is 6. Is there a reason why it says 7?

[chimericWilder]

Yes, i chose to vary it this time due to the effects i added to the lightbeam and since a flexible cooldown seems like the sort of thing judgment calling was intended to have.

[BlazerC]

Mayor's turns to the newcomer and raises his fists, but does nothing in response, he rather keeps glancing down the hallway being rather skeptical about the lack of chasers. Bohw quickly spins around however and draws a dagger on the nosey git, responding a bit more of a harsh manner.
"Back away you pixie, or I'll stab you in the neck!"

[Dais]

Jane starts to follow Thunderpaw, but whirls around when Bohw 'greets' the newcomer. She let's Bohw handle the talking, but gives the new arrival a cautious, appraising look.

Doesn't look like one of the fortress's occupants but then again they've got demons or whatever those things are. So, anything's possible.

[chimericWilder]

Your inherent magical nature lets you know that she is a spellcaster of considerable power. You're pretty sure she doesnt have any spells running on her, though.

For some reason, she also has a giant scythe strapped to her back.

[Psychout]

"I had my eye on this place first. I'm the one who broke in here to rob these bandits blind, so you can just forget it. I'll be taking their treasury if you don't mind."

Echo looks at the group, and they certainly appear mixed, what with a rabbit and a young girl, not to mention the other two. "Who are you people anyway, since you certain aren't a member of...the staff."

[chimericWilder]

Curious as to the book's contents, Thunderpaw carefully skims through the book. He leans against the wall as to not disturb the remains of whoever sat in the chair.

As far as you can tell, the book is about the fantastical travels of a man called Jain Charin "Farstrider". Judging from the various excerbs you skim, he traveled across the entire known world, and the majority of the unknown parts, aswell. Curiously enough though, the various maps sketched in the book look like no geography you are familiar with. You guess he is from somewhere far, far away.

To the others, should you actually be paying attention to what Thunderpaw is doing: Occasionally, he seems to become distracted, or lost in thought, as he examines a book.

That went pretty well. Is judgement calling available to be used again immediately for some reason or did you just forget to put it in cooldown?

I'll assume the latter for now, I'll cast a Divine Javelin spell on the Corisha and with any luck I'll then be in the clear.

As soon as you start casting your spell, the shadowy beast tackles you, dealing 38 damage. Your finish casting your spell, and a javelin of holy light impales the creature, dealing 113 damage (roll 1+8). Better luck next time, i guess.

The airship has run out of fuel, and slows down considerably.

Stats

Thunderpaw: 426/750
Fury Comet Cd 3
Vendetta ready!

Daril: 242/450
Needs a level up
Bullet Time ready!

Bohw: 460/567
Mayor: 866/866, Selfless (1), at 25 Power
Sabotage Cd 1
Selfless Cd 6

Jane: 732/1050
Torn Asunder cd 8
Mental Quake ready!

Takumi: 770/1050
Flaming Legs ready!
Iron Mass ready!


---


Selphy: 496/1200
Miracle Repair ready!
Judgement Calling Cd 6

Airship: 453/1000
Fuel 0/50

Corisha 2: 82/850
Corisha 3: 272/850, Baleful Polymorph (Giant Snake)(1)

[MasterBlade]

Thunderpaw enlarges the maps onto the various rolls of parchment; they would be very helpful to the helmsman of the airship should we bump into the area.

[chimericWilder]

Sketching the maps would take quite some time, and although you are not being chased right now who is to say that wont change? Anyhow, you can always just bring the book with you.

[Supernerd]

Evidently that wisp would be pretty lousy as a permanent companion. I'll just the same spell again, apparently even a 1 roll will be enough. Do I really have to wait until tomorrow or later for another update if no other players actions would affect me?