Turn 25:
Turn 24
Squelchy, the Omnislime (Coolrune206)
Squelchy approaches the cobra and releases pheromones of curiosity. If it becomes apparent that the cobra is either unable to communicate with them, or hostile, Squelchy pounces on it. Otherwise, Squelchy observes and/or listens to what the cobra says.
Curiosity Pheromones: Hard (12): [3]
Outcome: [3] -Failure-
Upon sensing you emitted something, the cobra swept its barbed tail toward you, sending several barbs flying at you.
Cobra (Spikes): (Str 0 vs Con 3): [4] vs [3]
Critical: [7] -Normal Hit-
Damage: [3]*0.25=[1]
Your body solidified in reflex, causing the barbs to merely bounce of your body. One of them did manage to pierce a softer part.
Pounce: (Str 1 vs Con 0): [12]-1 (Slightly Tired) vs [6]
Critical: [6]+2 -Normal Hit-
Damage: [4]*2=[8]
You retaliated by pouncing on it, solidifying your body to turn yourself into a live projectile. The impact was enough to knock him out, leaving it half-dead. The snake was at your mercy, you could easily finish it off and harvest its essence.
Nearby Monsters:-Cobra monster
Dying-a few slimes
HP: 10/17
MP: 11/17
Essence: 4/20
Status:
-Fine
-Slightly Tired
Location:
-Savarde Jungle - North Area
> Unknown area
Ulkas, the Horned Demon (Sarrak)
Ulkas chuckled a bit before concentrating on his new companion. While having it felt slightly strange even to him, data gathering should prove a great addition and analysis - well, he could use an insight different from his own.
(Liel, you may call me Ulkas. And my companion is Astrosa. I'm quite adept at information analys myself, but can use a different point of view. For information gathering... Do you have Essence feeling similar to Xatares units or any other unusual methods of obtaining more information of our surroundings? Also, do you have any requests that might help your abilities to shine more? And relay my thanks to Xatares. His help won't be forgotten)
"How does it feel, my Queen? Ready to move?"
Prepare for departure, we gained much more than expected. It's time to test ourselves once more.
"Understood. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Ulkas, and Astrosa. Naturally, I possess a wide array of data gathering abilities. For reference, my sensitivity to Essence concentration is superior to those of the Xatares Vigil-type Sentinels. From mana and thermal signatures to pressure and humidity, you can trust in my countless senses. If you have further inquiries, feel free to ask them."
"My sole request would be to protect me from physical harm until I can properly adjust to the mission. If any further need comes up, I will inform you?"Astrosa was stretching her body to get a better feel of this equipment.
"Surprisingly comfortable. My battle blood is boiling a bit from this feeling, I feel much more battle ready now."The Xatares Unit bid you farewell, before teleporting you out of the Core Chamber.
"Farewell Ulkas. We will be looking forward to your journey."Space warped once more around you, and in an instant you were sent back to another room. A Sentinel was there, ready to escort you outside. If your business here was done, you may proceed and leave the Xatares installation.
Nearby Visible Beings:-Xatares Sentinel: Non-Hostile-Xatares Core Unit: Non-HostileHP: 21/29
MP: 48/48
Essence: 60
Status:
-Somewhat clearer Map in your head
Gear:
-Xatares Adaptative Suit
-Xatares Mining Armor
-Xatares Shielding Device (Glove)
Inventory:
-Ashafan Journal about the Taes ruins.
Contents: partial map of the early levels of the Taes complex. Expedition log.
-Xatares Shatterer
-Xatares Collapser
Location:
-South of Copper Desert, Levemite Ruins Entrance "Taes"
> Second Level - Hangar
Notes:
Known areas of the Taes complex:
-One hangar for excavation equipment storage
-Living quarters
-Mundane storage rooms
-Exits for the surface
-"Source" of the ruins reactivation
Companion: Astrosa
HP: 63/63
MP: 39/39
Essence: 0
Status:
-Nothing
Gear:
-Xatares Adaptative Suit
-Xatares Mining Armor
-Xatares Shielding Device (Glove)
Inventory:
-Electrum Bracelet of Magical Protection
-Xatares Shatterer
-Xatares Collapser
Companion: Liel
-Data still pending-
Status:
-Worn [Special]
The Azarian Project, the Thoughling (Dustan Hache)
"hmm. Seems like egg, or maybe bubble. Needs care to open up. Perhaps some more teamwork?"
reach out to all except the envious grasper and attempt to psi siphon the strange orb. Hopefully it will route the power through me to those linked with me.
An energetic pulse yearning to be set free echoes throughout your body. It is starting to get hard to contain the transformation.Psi-Siphon: Very Hard (15): [20]-2 (Tired) -Critical Success of Badassery-
You attempt to Psi-Siphon the Orb, and somehow, it actually works. The Orb's seal suddenly unlocks and release the stored mana, leaving you able to salvage its contents.
A great wave of mana is freed from the orb, with you as a medium. Coursing through the other beings, they all suddenly recover their powers. Their forms change as a result, becoming more refined and complete.
As for you, this incredible surge of power has increased your Power and Resistance by 1!
Many of them are deeply grateful. The Envious Grasper though, is not really amused by the situation. While he is stronger than he once was, the idea of not recovering his stolen power is angering them.
Nearby and not-so-Nearby Monsters:-Envious Grasper:
Independent-Complete Beings of Thought (Stage 0):
[Neutral+] -Complete Beings of Flesh (Stage 0):
[Neutral+] HP: 15/15
MP: 0/12
Essence: 10/10
Status:
-Sated
-Tired
Location:
-South-East Nepkeros - Unnamed ruined village
The Protoquin (Failbird105)
The Protoquin
... as I said, nobody said they where smart. Try to beat it down.
Beat it down: (Str 0 vs Con 0): [9] vs [2]-2 (Wounded)
Critical: [5]+1 -Normal Hit-
Damage: [2]*1=[3]
Flavor Roll: [4]
You smack the unsteady Dandakara before it can follow up on anything, and then proceed to unleash a flurry of hits on him.
Damage: [3]+[1]
Its face and body broken, the strange being stop moving, on the verge of death. Do you finish him and take his essence?
Nearby Monster:-Dandakara:
On the verge of death> -9HP
HP: 4/10
MP: 10/10
Essence: 1/2
Status:
-Empowered by terror
-Burnt
[Mind touched by a corruptive influence]
Location:
-Inory Hills (Western Inory Hills)
Neophytos the Sole Survivor, Psychic Pain Spider (randomgenericusername)
"Odd..."
Did that monster just... transform?
Investigate the strange "essence" thing.
After that's done, use my telepathy to scan the area, confirm there are no more hostiles around and find the right path while everyone has a (very) quick rests and tends to their wounds. We need to hurry up, we already lost a lot of time on that battle. After that's done, prepare to carry the Lifetree and continue in our way at a faster speed than before because we know that they knew where we were. Let's avoid more ambushes.
((Seeing you are already Stage 1, Essence is not supposed to be something new to you.))
You approach the Essence cautiously. And as if reacting to your presence, the golden filaments weave themselves into you, filling you with a wondrous feeling of completion and energy.
Before you resumed your march, you scanned the area using your telepathy.
Telepathy: (Int 1)
Easy (5): [2]-4 (Wounded/Pain/Slightly Tired)
Outcome: [5] -Partial Success-
Your pain and fatigue made it hard to focus. Your psychic senses felt numb and unclear, and you barely managed to scan the surroundings. You didn't think you sensed any being, though you weren't really sure.
As there wasn't time to lose, you all departed.
Event Roll: [6]
A while later, a contingent of Arachnastinian Warriors appeared, meaning you had finally reached the Arachnastinian lands. Relief filled your soul, and they escorted you to a safer place.
Sedre asked
"Wait, what about our settlement? Our non-combattants are still out there!"An officer then coldly replied.
"I apologize, but we can't send our troops there."What?! shouted everyone in anger.
Unwavering, the Arachnastinian added.
"There was an attack on the main territories. Our main forces are currently defending them, and this unit is the only one protecting this area. If this place is taken, our main forces could be attacked from the back, which would severely cripple us. I apologize, sincerely, but we cannot do anything."You could now only hope that everyone back at the settlement was fine.
Nearby Monsters:Allies:
-Sedre, Sylvarian leader (-2)
-2 Sylvarian Warriors (-2)
-3 Sylvarian Warriors (-2)
> One: Critically Wounded (-?)
-Species representative Jijjia (Owl) (-2)
Casting an Illusion Spell-Species representative Boor (Boar) (-8+)
-Arachnastinians
HP: 9/15
MP: 4/12
Essence: 2 + a small amount
Status:
Wounded
Burning Pain
Slightly tired
Location:
-North Savarde Jungle - Arachnastinian Territories
Terrence the Bone Baron - (ironsnake345)
Terrence gazed upon his fallen foe, victorious. The battle had ended quickly, yet he had exerted himself to a great extent in that time. He let out a deep, relieved hissing noise - his equivalent of heavy breathing after heavy exertion - and approached his badly wounded ally.
"You fought bravely, my friend. Were it not for your assistance, that beast would have torn me asunder. How do you fare?"
Flavor Roll: [3]
Vel's body was severely damaged. His armor was so heavily damaged it was completely deformed, and given his body bent at impossible angles, his joints were broken.
But he was still in one piece, and scoffed at the wounds.
"Good thing I don't feel pain heh. It's going to take an eternity for my body to recover its shape. The armor though... it's not part of my body. Only the armor on my lower body is, seems like I will need to part will it."As an undead, you knew that despite being well, dead, your bodies still had a mysterious reconstructive function. It drained your energy though, but over time your body would return to its original shape.
"Could you undo the straps here and there? I should be able to take off the deformed part after that. Oh, and mighty fine job out there. I feel nothing but shame after such a costly mistake."5 unclaimed Lesser Essence leftNearby Monsters:-Vel, the Dead Rider: [Friendly/Ally]-Undead Abomination: [Deader than Undead] [Enraged State (Reduced Defences)] > -25
HP: 15/15
MP: 12/12
Essence: 4/10
Status:
-Fine
Inventory:
-Bone Broadsword [Wielded]
Location:
-Deadland of Easenval
> Fog
Companion: Vel[/color]
HP: 1/15
MP: 12/12
Essence: 2
Status:
-Not fine at all hohoho
Inventory:
-Rusty Arming Sword [Wielded]
Eximius Res, the Rusty Ring (Hawk132)
"Challenging your limits is exactly what will make you grow stronger. Let's do it then. However, if we meet an obstacle we cannot yet overcome, we're getting out of here, got it?"
"Oh, right. Kid, do you think you can wield the Warknight's bow? I cannot become a ranged weapon and I'd rather save my mana. The shield may come in handy as well."
I have no doubt my recent good luck here and over in RotMK means that I'll roll 1's over and over now, but we're doing this.
Flavor Roll: [4]
Prias nodded. As a hunter, he knew how to use a bow, and wasn't half bad with it. He took the large composite bow, it was not tailored for human that's for sure. Prias couldn't draw it to its full power, but could still use it.
"Woah, that thing weights a ton!"He said so right as he picked up the metal shield of the Warknight. Prias could use the shield, but reported that he felt it would be really hard to execute nimble movements wielding this shield.
[Obtained: Large Composite Bow and Heavy Steel Shield]
You then affirmed you trusted your host to protect both himself and Veras. The two men chuckled, saying "Well, if Eximius said so!". And you resumed your exploration of these ruins...
Event Roll: [6]
Perception: (Of Vigilance)
Easy (8 ): [19]
Outcome Roll: [6] -Overshoot-
After an uneventful search throughout the dust and dark complex, you managed to find an incomplete plan of the place. Using it, you headed toward the archive/storage room, which seemed to be near the alchemy section and some other magic research sections.
You told everyone to stop. At the end of the corridor you were currently in, you could sense a powerful being. It was much stronger than the Warknight.
And then [Of Ambition] caused Prias to act a bit out of character. No, something was causing [Of Ambition] to have a stronger effect than usual.
"Isn't it the only obstacle between us and our objective? Let's take it down.""Wait Prias, Eximius said this one is stronger than the Warknight. We shouldn't be reckless.""All the better. A stronger foe means greater glory."Magical Perception:Moderate (11): [14]
Outcome Roll: [2] -Success-
Analyzing the magic fluctuations of the surroundings and your host state, you determined a spell was the cause of Prias' state. But where did it come from? Was it the undead in front of you, or something else?
Nearby Monsters:-1 Unknown Undead:
Hostile> Haven't detected the party
HP: 15/15
MP: 6/12
Essence: 5/10
Status:
-Ring Form
Location:
-Safara (Eastern Village of Nepkeros)
-Unnnamed Ruined Nepkeros Magical Facility
Host: Prias, Human Villager of Safara
HP: 7/10
MP: 10/10
Status:
-Fine
-Bonded
Internal Scars
Gear:
-Large Composite Bow (10 Arrows)
-Heavy Steel Shield
Inventory:
-Lot of survival stuff
Attributes:
Str 0 (1)
Con 1
Pow 0
Res 0 (1)
Int -1
Ind 1
Notes:
-Locked Potential (True and acknowledged)
-Ancient Combat Techniques (Bonus to combat)
Companion: Veras, Human Archeomancist
HP: 3/10
MP: 25/25
Status:
-Badly Wounded
Estimated Attributes:
Str -
Con -
Pow +
Res +
Int +
Ind =
Notes:
-Investigated Prias "restraints"
-Known Villagers:
Veras: the village's mage
Sandra, Septor, Iseis: Prias's close friends
Eten, Luaros: villagers on townwatch
Go'Von, the Strangler Ooze (Puppyguard)
Go'Von
Amusing. Slam it against the ground several times to kill it. Dinnertime.
Bad Life Choices: Outcome: [1]
You slammed the red, hot and definitely not normal head on the ground... and it blew up in a violent explosion, taking your arm with it and severely burning your body.
-8HP
Badly Wounded
Arm lostThe headless frog emitted some sort of mocking growl, and a bloated lump of flesh grew from its headless neck. The frog then took this red lump and threw it at you.
Headless Humanoid Frog (Fleshbomb): (Pow 1 vs Con 1): [12] vs [3]-2 (Badly Wounded)
Critical: [6]+2 -Normal Hit-
Damage: [1]*1=[1]
You quickly moved away, narrowly avoiding another blast. The frog, which we shall now name an Albino Fleshbomber, is already preparing another bomb!
Nearby Monsters:-Albino Fleshbomber:
[Hostile]-Many!
-A lot of critters
-Some very dangerous ones
HP: 6/15
MP: 12/12
Essence: 3/10
Status:
-Invigorated
-Filled (will help recover HP from resting)
-Badly Wounded
-One arm lost
Location:
-Underground, Cave Network
> Great Yellow Luminescent Cave
> Nearby: Underground River
Skee, the Insect Parasite (Legendary Marksdorf)
Ask the pack leader about what happened, and what the thing that attacked them looked like.
Flavor Roll: [4]
Ksharpa described the creature in detail. A gigantic and muscular feline monster who had no fur on its jet-black body. Its eyes were yellow, and spots on its body emitted light before attacking. It also had an extremely strong bladed tail, which could decapitate an adult Makralian.
It was a Banera, a lone and very dangerous predator of the jungles.
Nearby Monsters:-Ksharpa, Makralian Pack Leader
-5 Adult Makralians
HP: 10/10
MP: 10/10
Essence: 1/2
Status:
-Fine
Location:
-North Savarde Jungle - Heading for the Reunion spot
Host: Adult Makralian
HP: 15/15
MP: 12/12
Essence: -/10(Not awakened)
Status:
-Fine
Attributes:
Str 1
Con 1
Pow -1
Res 0
Int 1
Ind 1
Known Skills:
-Rallying Call
-Vicious Bite
-Fur Hardening
-???