Sub-Turn 68.03:
Ulkas the Sorcerous Osyluth of Lies((Yep. I remember this pretty well, Ulkas too. But we both keep this knowledge until it gets relevant. As for backstory - I'm sure you'll shape something great for him!))
"As we fly, can you tell me how you snatched eye from the undefeated Malderuine? Was it extreme luck, planning or golden opportunity that helped you?"
Follow the lead. [Film Spiritual detectives 2! New enemies and encounters await!]
Along the way, Astrosa tells you her story. She begins with a very sad tone uncharacteristic of her :
"It happened on the day I tried to escape with the others. It was around a month or two ago."
The others ? You never heard Astrosa speak of anyone else in her life, bar this Malderuine. Your interest is garnered.
"I wasn't the only slave. There were many like us, weaker demons who were treated as less than feral ones. This was Malderuine's specialty in the older society : whereas other Demon Lords would kill and feed on the weak, Malderuine would break them and keep them as toys for him and his tribe, letting them rot under his grasp."
She continues with a voice betraying her hidden emotions. Regret, sadness... This isn't the Astrosa you will see everyday.
"So this day, we planned a great escape. With my comrades. Altogether, we broke our chains and the locks of our cages, refusing another tomorrow of slavery, and fled toward the outside of the cave we were held in. We killed the unwary guards and managed to reach the final tunnel leading to the exit, but then..."
"Then..."
Her emotions are overwhelmed by rage.
"Then Malderuine appeared, towering and standing in front of our freedom. Smiling, laughing, mocking us. With his bare hands, he proceeded to brutally murder every demon slaves that tried to escape. We couldn't go back or stop here, death would only await us. So we charged at him."
She pauses, and her rage gradually get overrun by sorrow.
"We had no chance to get out of here. He was too strong, far too strong. With a sweep of his arm he could break ten demons bodies in two, and with a punch he could pulverize their chests. When I came into distance, I got critically wounded and held by the throat. He was still mocking me, letting me suffer more than the others because he favored me. And then my dearest companions of misfortune threw themselves at him to distract him."
Her sorrow is getting more and more apparent.
"...I was so weak at that time. And if it wasn't for their sacrifice, I wouldn't be here. Albuella, Sapiones, Magolas and all the others... They all died in the space of a second. The second of hope they gave me."
She closes her eyes, reliving the scene in her mind.
"As I heard their last screams of freedom, I found a glimpse of strength within me enough to break free of Malderuine's loosened grasp. Out of some desperate reflex, I bit off his left eye and swallowed it. It was an eye, but it contained enough Essence for me to transform for the first time..."
Astrosa opens her eyes, and summarily ends her story :
"Using my new skill, Know my Pain, I managed to temporarily disturb Malderuine, just enough to get away. Or maybe he let me run away, hoping to find me again to break me even more. It wouldn't surprise me of him."
[5] She finishes just as you arrive above the Nodus. This one is different, as you notice some strange tree at the center of the rock circle. It is leafless, and white in color. Its has few but thick branches.
You sense that this "tree" is in fact a creature. From the feeling you have, it seems to be absorbing the spiritual power gathered by the Nodus.
Neutral/Enemy/Ally ?:
-Spirit Tree creature
HP: 19/22
MP: 36/36
Status : Okay.
Companion :
-Astrosa:
Roeway the Hell Wolf Sneaking out from his hiding space Roeway gets into position to ambush whatever is making that noise
[6] You carefully sneak out of your hideout, preparing yourself to lunge on the creature that caused this noise. You get a glimpse of the creature : a dirt-brown chitin, and yellow thick spines on its back. It has two strong front arms, which it uses to drag itself on the ground as its lower body lacks limbs, ending in a large tail. It has six black eyes on its head, and its mouth is filled with sharp teeth.
You have already seen these creatures before, this is a Chitocrawl. But this one seems different.
Despite you being well hidden, the Chitocrawl senses something. It tenses up, and stops moving, readying itself for something.
Enemy/Neutral?:
-Strange Chitocrawl
HP: 10/10
MP: 10/10
Status:
-Leg Slightly Stiff
Caedan the Bloody Impaler"You should've ran, like your friends. Only death awaits you now."
Blood boil the two that stood their ground.
[3] You initiate a Blood Boil on the two bandits left.
You lose 4MP
You have no problem making their blood temperature rise to dangerous levels, but not uniformly in their bodies. Their scream are echoing in the night, probably reaching far and wide.
One get killed on the spot as his brain liquefy from the heat, while the other's limbs break down into a bloody mess. It won't be long before he dies of blood loss.
Fleeing Bandits : [1]
In the panic the two fleeing bandits stumble on some roots and fall down into a dangerous slope.
[6, 3]
One manages to protect himself, but break his leg in the process. The other barely fails to do so, but still get a leg, an arm and many bones broken from the fall.
Enemies :
-12 Bandits [9 Dead / 2 Fleeing [Crippled] / 0 Fighting]
>3 Slingers [2 Dead / 1 Dying / 0 Fighting]
>11 Unclaimed Essence
HP: 21/21
MP: 11/25
Status: Okay
Companions:
-Ramas: Okay
-Firande: Okay
Stormslayer the Aradian Mirage Beetle Mystic I attempt to scale over the wall and flank the defending force, targeting captain garm himself. I have to bring him out of action If the others are to have a chance!
[4] Thanks to the help of Sylvarians using their powers to form a ladder, you manage to climb the wall and avoid going through the main center of the battle at the gate. You see what seem to be a commander, the one named Captain Garm. A man of impressive build wearing a complete set of heavy armor, his face is battle-hardened and his eyes are scanning the battlefield with an expert eye.
Of course as the Commander, he is surrounded with soldiers and what is probably elite soldiers.
But you are not alone, a small Sylvarian force is supporting you.
Split Force 5/5 [Taken from Main Force]
[3] You rush with your allies toward Garm, but there are too many human soldiers in between. The Sylvarian Split Force engages a portion of the Main Force.
Garm takes the large military two-handed axe by his side, and prepare to face the coming enemies.
The battle rages on in the meantime.
[Army Rolls put on Hold]
Allies:
-Sylvarian Army: Attacking
>Important Figures: Ako and Fica
>Front Force 0/10 Army Points
>Special Ops Force 0/5 Army Points
>Main Force 16/20 Army Points
>> innumerable Unclaimed Essence scattered
Enemies:
-Human Group: Retreated
-Human Army: Defending
>Important Figures: Captain Garm
>Watchtower Archer Corps 6/10 Army Points
>Watchtower Battlemagi Corps 8/10 Army Points
>Main Army Army Points 19/20
>> innumerable Unclaimed Essence scattered
HP: 18/24
MP: 7/22
Status : Wounded by Magic
ZoomochScoomtarto the Four-Eyed BeholderI was headed back to the serface, but if your friend knows a faster route...
Might as well go along with 'em
"Well. We. Together. From. Surface. Descended. Underground."
They came from the Surface, and wandered in the Underground for some reason. They also memorized the path, so they will be able to take you there quickly.
(...)
[3] You follow them along the glowing caves of this layer. It is clear they know the way, judging from their lack of hesitation.
Eventually you arrive in a passage leading upward. From there and now, this is a rather direct path to the surface. It may take a little moment though.
Allies:
-Ninia, Blue Algyniad: Slightly Wounded / Mass slightly Reduced
-Glar, Mind Devourer: Neurocord Healed / Slightly Wounded
HP: 17/17
MP: 9/17
Status:
-Partially Healed Internal Injuries
Gray the Metalslinger and Glint the True Arcanivore((Sorry, RL has been a pain recently.))
"Zzzzzz*zz***"
"Wha? what's going on? Radasars? C'mon, I can't even have a nap without something trying to kill me!"
Wake up, grab anyone who needs transportation and stick them on my back, fly away. Direction doesn't matter right now, although towards the desert sounds fine.
Go with Glint. Make sure Brown comes along. Heal on the way.
[4] The both of you don't way for the coming Radasars to arrive, and promptly run away from this place. Randomly you head for the Copper Desert for now.
Having had a fair head start, the Radasars stop chase. You keep going until they are no longer visible.
Vagush suddenly decides to tell some infodump :
"This huge Radasar with them, I heard rumors. If I am not mistaken, it would be the rumored "Super" variant of the Radasars. Some mutated or something Radasar with a huge body, incredible physical strength and agility, and a powerful scream that could break eardrums."
Everyone looks at him dumbfounded.
"Wait. You know nothing about Radasars ?"
Random Roll : [4]
Lucky you ! You found some oasis. You are now there, you can rest if you want.
Glint :
HP: 17/21
MP: 25/25
Status: Wounded
Companions:
-Vagush: Wounded
-Tirim: Wounded
Gray :
HP: 14/20
MP: 14/14
Status:
-Elementally Overcharged
-Heavily Wounded
Companion:
-Brown: [color=redWounded[/color]
Durst the Rock SeerDurst just sighs and shields himself.
You sigh at this senseless slaughter. You sigh at this foolishness.
Adventurers Roll:
Hunter: [5]
Warrior: [6]
Spirit Caller: [5]
The Hunter uses a skill -Locate Weakpoint-, and see a crack in the rocky skin of the Mole. He lets out an incredibly accurate arrow, lodging in the Mole's neck and finish it.
[Roll Unneeded] The Warrior just help the Spirit Caller. He uses the skill -Call Life Spirit- to heal his wound. Thankfully for him, a spirit of great power comes and mend his broken leg, restoring it to a decent state. The leg is still wounded, but the bone is not broken anymore.
Gardo rushes to help Vanessa.
"Vanessa ! Hold on, we are coming !"
The Child Rock'n Mole is still here, crying and filled with terror. Hertomal is still aboveground.
Enemies :
-Three Adult Rock'n Moles
>3 dead [Essence Unclaimed]
-One Child Rock'n Mole
Allies:
-Dr Hertomal
Neutral:
-Gardo: In the Hole and battle-ready
-Vanessa: Status Unknown
-3 as of yet unnamed adventurers
> Hunter (M)
> Warrior (F)
> Spirit Caller (M) : Leg Healed Partially
HP: 11/15
MP: 12/12
Status : Mostly Okay. Memory Loss ?
Dahak the Fear LordDahak sits on big wooden table (since he doesnt fit on the chairs) and ponders: What the hell is up with this place? Its normal, too normal. This is a region infested with ghosts and other similar creeps, not even the most eccentric noble would think of living out there.
Was the Inory Hills always a ghosty place of spook? Dahak tries to remember his history and geography classes at the magical academy, but he never paid much attention to them. Its kind of hard to pay attention to normal classes when they're in between HOW2FIREBALL and PRACTICAL TRANSMUTATION classes, after all.
Regardless, the chalet doesnt seem incredibly old. Hell, Dahak gives it a few decades, tops. The wood isn't corroded or warped, and nobody is choking on spiderwebs, yet.
Seeing Nihil actualy did something somewhat useful and found a bunch of stuff, Dahak decides to examine it.
A bunch of long colourful robes, amulets and trinkets, some with maybe certain religious significance, too, but Dahak can't tell just from what kind of order or cult. Dahak hates to admit it, but most of his knowledge of such things has kind of turned into mush when he came back from the dead.
He decides he should at least make Nihil dress up with some of this stuff. Being naked can't be very healthy, even for an otherwordly snotperson. Nihil doesn't protest to this, mostly since he has no fashion sense.
After a few minutes dressing Nihil, he now looks like the high priest of wardrobe malfunction.
Dahak then decides he should at least show some of this stuff to Delinde, she might have some better idea about it.
Wake up Delinde without scaring her to death, show her the stuff.
[2] Delinde is far too comfortable in the dusty sheets of the bed to get out. You realize the gentle method of won't work with this heavy sleeper.
[2] You shout loudly, even shaking her. She still doesn't wake, and only grunts as she curls inside the sheets. What the.
[4] Finally you activate your Fear Aura -just a little bit-, and she wakes up immediately with a jolt.
"MY PIE !.." she shouts, her eyes in tears.
Seems like your fear aura turned her dream into a nightmare for a moment. Funny.
She looks around dumbfounded, still crying.
"It..it was just a dream ?..."
Damn, she must really love apple pies.
Anyway after letting her calm down and emerge from her half-asleep state, you show here the stuff.
[3] "I got no clue what is it. Though all this stuff seems imbued with spiritual energy. Maybe those were used for rituals of some sort ?"
She is just adding more interrogations. Urg.
A puzzling mass of clothes, spitting in the face of all that is fashion appear. This is Nihil.
[3] "I feel a bit weird since I put on those clothes. It's like the clothes are calling out for me to do something."
Okay. Vague and inconclusive, great.
Search Roll : [2]
Nothing much of interest in this house. It seems if you don't want to investigate further, there is nothing left to do in this house.
HP: 21/21
MP: 25/25
Corruptor Core Expansion : 60%
Status:
Skull Slightly Crackled
Companions:
-Delinde: Posing as Farmgirl [Bad Acting]
-Nihil: Posing as leprous-gangrened-terminal brother [Bad credibility]
> Also wearing pile of spiritually-imbued garments
Snehk the Cursed Illusion Weaver(( Time to get evil! ))
- Curse? It's a bless!
Turn against humans, use new auras.
[6] First, you activate the Unlife Aura, creating a strange negative field.
You lose 3MP
The humans feel a terrible chill in their back, and immediately turn toward you. Seeing your appearance, they shouts in a mix of surprise and terror.
"What happened ?! Wasn't he an old man just before ?!"
Furthermore, the activation of your aura could be felt by other beings, probably garnering their interest...
Then you use Unlife Grasp.
[2] vs [1] Having lost the effect of surprise, you still lunges at the human with a wounded arm : Loeso. He manages to grab your rotten arm before you can touch him, but it is close for you to attempt a partial Unlife Grasp.
You lose 5MP
Unlife Grasp Roll 1d6 & 1d4 : [3] [2] = Injury -2HP
You lose 2HP
Forcing your Unlife Force into the arm of Loeso injures you, but inflict terrible damages to the man.
His arm filled with Unlife Force instantly begin to rot and decompose, causing him great pain.
Loeso: L. Arm Decomposing
Jarod: [4] vs [4]
"Loeso !"
He slashes at your arm to break your Unlife Grasp. You move your arm just as the blade reaches you, allowing you to avoid having your arm cut off. Your frail arm still suffered damages.
You lose 4HP
Humans Left Roll : [2]
Very few humans managed to flee. The rest got killed quickly.
Figures Roll : [2]
The figures are converging toward your position, taking their time.
Allies:
2 Human Soldiers (0, 2, 0, 0)
> Jarod
> Loeso: R. Arm Wounded / L. Arm Decomposing
Losses: 18
Enemies:
? Undead Soldier (?, 0, ?, ?)
> Sensing strong beings...
? undefinable figures (?, 0, ?, ?)
> Sensing strong beings...
Losses: F0 L6 R4 B8 Total:18
HP: 18/24
MP: 22/22
Status:
-Suspected by humans
-Left Arm Crippled
T946 the Security BotThis shield will be good for what I am going to do next
go and challenge the Armored Golem to a fight
I think I should fight you
You go back to the corridor, and challenge the Armored Golem. Immediately the guardian rises and walk with an hostile pace toward you. Be ready !
Enemy :
-Armored Golem
HP: 15/15
MP: 7/12
Status:
-5MP Permanently drained by shield
-R. Arm: Shield augment