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It was fun for a long time but towards the end it just started to drag

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I wish I could have joined in.

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Total Members Voted: 28

[WillowLuman]

[But how to hypnotize a mummy? They've got no eyes to track swinging objects, and are probably immune to most mind-games. Could totally see him amusing himself by being vindictive to squirrels, though.]

[Gizogin]

[Okay, I'm back.  Now I can address a few things.  Lana doesn't want anyone to know that she's half-demon; she's been trying to hide it since she arrived.  I know it seems like she gave X that information pretty readily, but he'd already figured out that she wasn't entirely human.  As I've said, cambions and vampires are similar, so it was only a matter of time before X found out anyway.  Lana knew this, so she told him so he wouldn't do anything drastic under the assumption that she was more dangerous than she actually is.]

[Things are going to be pretty tense between X and Lana for a while.  By trapping her and forcing an oath out of her, X crossed a line, and Lana won't forgive him easily.  On the subject of her oath, Lana didn't break it by punching X.  She said she wouldn't hurt anyone living in the fortress, but X isn't alive.  Even so, she still would have punched him; she made it quite clear that she wasn't bound by her oath.]

[I'm interested (purely academically, of course) to see who would win in a fight between several of these characters.  We have quite a few powerful spellcasters, and many of them have superhuman or -dwarven attributes.  Given equal time to prepare and ready themselves, who would win in a fight between X and wierd?  Lana and Hugo (assuming Hugo has figured out all his abilities before the actual fight)?  (Obviously, Lana v. X, wierd v. Lana, X v. Hugo, etc. are possible as well)  What about an all-out brawl?  It's an interesting thought experiment.]

"Look, this has been fun and all, but I really should be-" Lana began, only to be cut off by Gizo X.

"Oh no," he said, his ruined jaw mangling the words slightly.  "We're not done here.  I have a few things to say to you."  Seeing the expression of pure hatred that Lana was giving him, he softened slightly.  "Look, Lana, I'm sorry.  I shouldn't have trapped and extorted you like that.  I had to know-"

"You had to know if I was a monster.  I get it.  Believe me, I've been there before."  There was a lot of bitterness in her voice, undercut by something else.  Hurt.  It wasn't just that she'd been tricked; X had believed she was dangerous.  Dangerous enough to warrant separating her from her brother, the only family she had left.  He'd thought her a monster.

"Lana, I may be an android, but I'm still your brother.  I can help you."

That got a laugh out of Lana.  Not one of her usual laughs, happy and light, but a short, dark snort.  "You're not Warren.  You never will be.  And I don't need your help."  With that, she teleported off.

It was Hugo who broke the silence.  "What's her problem?"

[wierd]

[There's more than one way to get hypnotized. Sound can be equally effective.]

[Waiting on Reudh...]

[As for altercations between characters, a mock "battle" sparring match between weird and Lana might be possible, depending on how cheeky he's feeling, and how proficient with magic he feels Lana as being. Start it with a simple, puny, tossed fireball and a "catch!" Something with no momentum that is more weakly lobbed, like one would a small tennis ball at short range. Something easily dodged --or caught. Depending on how far Lana considers her feeding options, simply consuming the energy of such a weak spell would pique wierd's interest, and he'd up the ante. With those gloves on, he could shoot magic around all day and just get fatigued by the physical exercise. She could get a very filling meal out of the deal. Not exactly friends, but sparring partners. Some crazy shit could get thrown around. LOL.]

[Gizogin]

[Ah yes, wierd can only use non-necromancy magic thanks to those gloves of his.  It's a bit funny, actually, how many 'unnatural' spellcasters we have.  Lana gets her magic from her demonic side, X made himself a Core to provide him with magic, wierd has something similar in his gloves...  How exactly do 'normal' magic users get their magic?  Are they born with it, or is it more along the lines of necromancy, where anyone can pick it up?]

[I think Lana might be convinced to partake in a bit of magical sparring with wierd, once she's cooled off a bit.  I doubt she'd just be able to 'eat' a fireball out of the air, though.]

Gizo X raised his hand to his face, taking stock of the damage.  That punch had been strong, far stronger than it had any right to be.  His jaw was bent completely out of shape, and the delicate hydraulics controlling his mouth were in a bad way as well.  He hadn't been lying when he'd called Lana dangerous; that punch could have permanently crippled a normal person.  Sighing, he turned to face the dragon behind him.  "Don't worry about her.  She'll be fine.  If you'll excuse me, I have to fix my face."  With that, he set off for the hospital area, where he knew he'd be able to find the tools to repair his broken mouth.

[wierd]

[Weird *can* use that kind of magic without them, but it wears him out terribly. This is more in line with a normal spellcaster, where one's spiritual/magical energy is expended during the creation of the spell. This fatigues the caster, necessitating that the sleep or rest to replenish it, and abuse of their powers renders them sick/infirm. Practice with their magic helps improve their ability, like physical exercise helps athletic ability. Weird is cheating: he is using an external energy source to avoid being fatigued. Its like running in a marathon, using a segway, or a bicycle. As such, his innate magical powers are not developing properly. He is getting used to handling magic, sure, but the kind of control he is learning is above his innate ability to produce. ]

[This limitation is what would normally make a character like Lana 'unwelcome', Lana consumes magical/spiritual energy. Norma spellcasters have to ration their magic, because overuse is dangerous to their health, and stunted recovery places them at tactical disadvantage. Weird wouldn't even notice. His gloves simply dump more in where any gets lost. He has access to an unlimited supply, as long as he has one of the gloves on. A weekly "sparring match" with Lana would keep her very well fed.]

[Gizogin]

[This actually sounds like a pretty nice solution to a great many problems.  If Lana's feeding off wierd's boosted magic supply, then she wouldn't have to drain everyone else.  In addition, it'll help her learn control and restraint (probably).  Wierd gets practice using magic, especially if he does it without the gloves.  Everyone wins!  The only problem is how to actually get to that point.  I'm seeing two possibilities:
A) X wants to patch things up with Lana.  He goes to wierd, explains the whole situation, and asks for advice.  Wierd suggests the sparring, and brings it up with her.  There's potential for awkwardness there, as wierd would have to be delicate so as not to further sour things between X and Lana (she wouldn't be happy about him revealing her secret to anyone).
B) X comes up with the idea of the sparring himself, then asks wierd to talk about it with Lana, because she would reject it if X talked to her himself.  This way, X doesn't have to tell wierd that Lana's half-demon, though he'll probably figure it out on his own anyway.
It's primarily a difference in who comes up with the idea.  Wierd's still going to be the one introducing it to Lana.]

[I won't be able to actually start this tonight, as I'm about to go to bed, but don't wait on me to get started if you have an idea.]

[wierd]

[I'm fond of taking 3rd options:]

[C), weird is being himself, as usual, and is "goofing off" with his magic to practice control by himself. I imagine him "Juggling" tiny fireballs. Something so tiny that they would extinguish before hitting the ground if he failed to catch them. It's a hand-eye exercise, as well as a fine conrol exercise.  Lana considers this being a showoff, but only snarks playfully. Implies that she could easily do that herself, but is too polite to do such a thing in public. This makes weird cheeky, and causing the "oh yeah? CATCH!" Situation, where she catches the fireball, then snuffs it out by consuming the energy outright, leading weird to up the ante, and start tossting bigger ones. Other people tell them to go outside. Etc.]

[Eric Blank]

[Wait; can you juggle fireballs? Do spheres of superheated gas have an arc that involves going down? Wouldn't you have to stand on the ceiling to juggle fireballs? I concede that I'm not that good with physics, and that I may be completely wrong that superheated air rises, but I don't think that works unless the basis of the spell involves conjuring a solid/liquid core around which the fire forms and possibly is fueled by. The core would provide a bit of a punch, though, and a splash effect if a liquid sphere strikes an object.]

[Anyway, I'm gonna run along. Nothing much to post.]

[Reudh]

[Apologies, Wierd, I've only been home from uni for about an hour and that hour's been spent repairing my sister's laptop.]

[Additionally, I think I shall reveal who that voice was in Reudh's head a while back after finding the coffee, but I am going to rewrite it to go with Gizogin's wish that Lana not be outed as a cambion.]

Reudh jumped a little when Wierd spoke to him.

"You hit the jackpot? How so?" he asked.

But in his mind, a fierce debate was raging.


It is time again, Reudh. I seek payment...

Who are you!? Reudh all but shouted.

It was the same voice as before. Still with the crystal clarity, still the same mixture of malevolence and benevolence, if it were possible to communicate that through speech.

All in due time, Reudh. I think you know me.

The voice seemed to project an image in Reudh's mind's eye; that of an ancient book, bound in leather - - -

The Architectinomnicron. That which had so enhanced his masonry skills so long ago.

I have to have payment, Reudh... it said oh so coldly.

Inwardly, Reudh's mind shuddered. What payment would that be?

I require life. Simple as that. Do you not remember that time in the mountainhome? I was still but a young presence in you and so I could not control myself. I was desperately hungry. I did not mean to immure those three dwarves, but I was so desperately hungry.

It sounded almost apologetic, but Reudh was not so convinced. More, he was thinking about how it caused his forced ejection- but then again, Reudh had more of a family here anyway compared to back there...

What if I refuse this payment? he asked, having plucked up some courage.

I could make it painful.

And then mind-Reudh felt a most curious sensation; it felt like his bones were growing, replacing tissue... Probably what X or Gizogin would diagnose as ossificans progressiva.

And just as fast as the excruciating pain of the bonestone growing through his mind-body appeared, so it disappeared too.

Mind-Reudh groaned, slumped, and then fell to his side panting. Wierd likely wouldn't notice - perhaps a twitch of his facial muscles, or a tear appearing in his eye would belie what was happening inside.

Of course, I do not want to hurt my host so. What I could do is feed like THIS.

An image floated through Reudh's mind again; this time that of a book with a human's mouth sipping at a cup that continually filled, to prevent it from overflowing.

[The idea is that the Cast from Hitpoint trope of Reudh's masonry is that perhaps, the Architectinomnicron (let's call it Archie for short), feeds a similar way to Lana. Where Lana as a cambion feeds by siphoning excess magic, Archie feeds by siphoning excess life force. Perfectly harmless. Archie could feed by simply taking life force; but to conserve its food source it takes only that which overflows.

Life force overflowing is basically when in this case, say... Reudh is feeling robustly healthy, and cheerful. His life force is flowing at 110% because of good health. Archie siphons off a small amount to sate itself. Archie can do this with anyone; but it would be wise not to raise suspicion. Reudh can block Archie feeding, but the pain to himself is immense. Kenozi may feel this too, due to his stone eyes and mental link with Reudh.

What I will do, dear little dwarf, is consume only that life force which overflows. This will benefit us both. You do not need fear my wrath if I cannot feed- only that I may become desperate and feed upon you or another. Most likely another.

It is in your best interest to keep the fort you live in happy and healthy; the more the better. Hence why I approve of your farm plot- if you get to it I may be able to dredge up the minerals the farm will require to be healthy.

An alternative solution, would be to use me as a butcher. If the fort begins to possess livestock, I could consume their lifeforce all in one fell swoop- much more humane than slicing them or striking them. The meat would remain entirely still usable- it would be like putting out a candle.
I would never do this to anyone in the fort, because if you become incapacitated, so do I.

I warn you though, though I do not wish this, as I am sure you do not, if you fail to keep enough people providing, I may begin to grow desperate. That is when my powers become erratic, and my hunger grows beyond bounds.

If you are so powerful, how is it then that my punchdagger is flaking? mind-Reudh asked the Architectinomnicron.

A few confused sensations fluttered through Archie's voice- hard to describe, but Reudh felt it as the presence going from red to green.

I do not know. Perhaps it is some supernatural creature siphoning my magic. I do not know where, or whence it came, but it mutes my ability and niggles at me. I know this: It is in the surrounding region.

With that, the Architectinomnicron's presence fled Reudh's mind, and Reudh began to feel himself drifting back to reality. As mind-Reudh began to dissolve back into his mind, he thought
No doubt X and Wierd are going to have a field day, if they find out...

[Gizogin]

Gizogin heard the sound of someone approaching.  He glanced up briefly, seeing his own, rather imposing figure approaching.  "So, how'd it go?" he asked.  "Lana give you any troub-"  At this point, X was close enough for Gizogin to make out more details.  Specifically, the large dent in his jaw.  He let out a sort of strangled cry and recoiled sharply.

There is an instinct in the mind of every living thing, put there by thousands of years of evolution, that warns of strangeness.  It developed as a way to stop the spread of undesirable traits or sickness.  Basically, the mind picks up subtle signs that aren't quite right, and throws up red flags.  It's the reason for the so-called "Uncanny Valley," the negative reaction one gets from seeing things that are almost-but-not-quite human.  It was this instinct that, upon seeing X's badly mangled face, provoked Gizogin's less-than-stellar reaction.  Seeing his own face dented and warped in such an unnatural way had understandably freaked him out.

To his credit, Gizogin recovered quickly.  He brought his breathing back under control, and righted the chair he'd knocked over.  "What happened?"

"Tripped," X answered curtly.

"You tripped."

"Yup."

"Okay then."  Naturally, Gizogin could tell that X was lying, but he decided not to press.  If X wanted to keep secrets, there was no way he'd be swayed.  The android walked over to the tank and climbed in the back.  In short order, the sounds of power tools could be heard coming from inside.

[Oliolli]

It was a normal day in every way. There he stood, watching over the surrounding area, just like so many times before. But something felt off. Something was not right.
"Hey, Horrigan? Umm... I have some bad news..."
Sigh.
"Go down to the dungeons, possess a prisoner from cell block B and call the guard over. Tell him the password "Shebboleet" and he will let you out. Then meet me in the main hall for debrief. Dismissed."
The spiritual presence of the oliolli faded. As it did, Horrigan left the tower. A long staircase down and a short distance in the wide corridors of the base, with no need to maneuver in the crowd. Being well-known and feared had benefits. Arriving in the main hall, he looked to the wall. The equipment was where it was supposed to be. Good. It took several minutes for a scrawny, malnourished human to appear. He looked very badly out of place, and was thus easily identified.
"Allright, it all started as I... What are you doing?"
As he had first seen the prisoner, Horrigan had grabbed an adamantine warhammer from a weapon rack on the wall. Despite how trafficed the main hall usually was, it suddenly seemed quite empty. Only necessary personnel, new recruits, the curious and the sadists of the base remained. Horrigan took long steps towards the prisoner through the empty hall.
"Oh crap."
By the time he reached the prisoner, possessed by Oliolli, he had already raised the hammer. As he brought it down, most of the veteran personnel who remained in the area had closed their eyes and shut their ears. The hammer connected with the prisoners shoulder, and despite the lack of weight in the hammer, a loud crack was heard, along with a scream of agony. The next two strikes were aimed at the legs. Horrigan knew from experience, that as long as he controlled his strenght, it would take long for the person to die. There had been a reason for his choice of weapon.
"GAH!"
"Whoah, what happened?"
"Horrigan blew a fuse with some prisoner. I feel sorry for the guards who still have to stay there for a few hours."
"Well, there are spare, clean uniforms in the drawer over there. You can change over there."
Ligir grabbed a spare uniform and walked over to the cubicle.
"Does stuff like this happen often?"
"You're new here, aren't you?"
"It happens that often?"
"Yes. It does. Friendly advice: do not piss The Boss off."
"Yeah, thanks. I figured that out."
Horrigan set the bloodstained hammer back onto the weapon rack and walked out of the main hall, as people started returning there. A pair of haulers were dragging a homogenous pile of flesh towards the bear pens and one of the cleaners currently on duty took a long, heavy swig from his flask, as he looked into the hall. A short distance of corridors and a long staircase and Horrigan was back in his tower, where the presence of the oliolli awaited his return.
"Unnecessary."
"No, it was not. Now, about the debriefing."
"Alright. Begins with...

[wierd]

Not a whole lot escaped his attention. Strange ticks in people prone to them was something he could grow used to and overlook; the Olliolis especially had that problem. This Reudh fellow though.. there was something up with him. He didn't resort to measures like X when confronted with suspicious characters though. He prefered to watch, wait, and catch in the act. If, through the observing, it turns out the person is harmless-- GREAT! No need for a messy intervention. If they do something that isn't kosher, or cause trouble? That's when things get hairy. He didn't want to accuse anyone of anything, but the dwarf's sudden change in behavior, however fleeting, had caught his attention. He would start watching him more closely now.

"Yeah. Jackpot." He said with a smile.

With a grunt, he plopped the heavy foraging basket on the ground, walked around behind it, leanied into the side of it, and gently pushed it over. The haul of wild vegetation spilled out like an avalanche.

"Cattail roots, a hen-of-the-woods, and honey locust pods."

[WillowLuman]

[If I had a secret, would I be able to keep it? For one, I've got an unreadable face, and for another, prefer to wait around and listen as opposed to talking. As for finding things out, somewhat psychic and now having draconic senses. Then again, I can get sometimes get preoccupied and not notice things.]

[On the subject of Gizogin tests, I'd probably want to go see him or Wierd about the "how I shoot fire" problem soon.]

[Reudh]

[See, Reudh is worried, because he knows that at least Wierd, if not more of the forumites, are astute enough to realise there's something up.]

[Also, where's Corai got to?]


"...That's a fair haul, Wierd. Pretty nice! You can see my own haul just here, and next to it are some poisonous berries I seperated aside in case the fort needs poisons."

Reudh twitched again as Archie brushed against his mind.

See that brainy-looking fungus? That's hen-of-the-woods. It's very good for you. Make sure you get it, and it should help you feel good. That way I can avoid revealing my presence by siphoning off your extra health. That should be enough to sate me for a few days, just by virtue of the polypore alone.

"Ah... Wierd, would I be able to have one of the hen-of-the-woods for myself?" Reudh asked.

[wierd]

"I suppose you could have some of it.. there's not way anyone could eat the whole thing afterall.." he mused.

The mushroom cluster was typical of a hen-of-the-woods: humongous. The cluster of reticulated fungus ruffles was the size of a cow's head. If somebody tried to eat the whole thing they would regret it. Lots of fiber.

"Just don't waste it. Finding one is kinda rare. This is only the second one I've ever found."

Reudh looked at the mottled grey/brown glob of ribbon-like fungus hungrily.  Maybe he just missed the taste of mushrooms? They *were* a staple of local dwarf cuisine afterall.

"I'm gonna go take a few of these roots and pods over to the brewers, and get them acquainted with each other. Between the starch and the sugars, we should have some "rhizome rot-gut" before we know it..... are you OK?"

"Me? Oh, Yes, I'm just fine." Said the dwarf apprehensively and dismissively. He was definately up to something, but what could you possibly do with a gigantic mushroom that was off-color? Especially a HEALTH-FOOD mushroom? It wasn't like he had brought back a giant fly aminita or something.

Weird eyed the suspicious fellow for a fraction of a second, before deciding that he would *deffinately* be watching him closely from now on.

"Allright... I'll leave you to it, but I want some of that thing too now, ya hear?"

"Oh yes, of course. You must have some too. Everyone needs to be at their best, afterall."

"Yesss........" said weird hesitantly. Deffinately watching this one. Closely. Very, very closely. "I'll go foraging some more later... But Booze First!" He said, his smile returning at the prospect. He really could use a drink.

Delicately snapping up a clutch of roots under one arm, and pods under the other, he nodded politely, and headed off.

He hoped he would get some of that mushroom for himself.... and crazy seemed to be contagious in this place.