Turn 26:
Turn 25
Ulkas, the Horned Demon (Sarrak)
((Your color codes seem to be broken in several places.))
It's prime time to explore the world once again!
You and Astrosa emerged from an entrance different from the one you used. A chilly and dry wind was blowing, carrying with it glittering grains of sands. The moon was high up in the sky, full and shining, giving the vast Copper Desert a silvery luster.
A warm sensation immediately filled your body as your new clothes and armors adjusted their temperature to the environment. Astrosa marveled at the suit hidden under the armor she was wearing.
"Woah. That's quite convenient."You smiled, ecstatic from this feeling of newfound strength from the artifacts you obtained. Looking toward the horizon, you wondered. Where would you go next?
[Timeskip...]
Ulkas and Astrosa set out once more to explore the world and acquire more strength, now accompanied by the Assistant Liel. Did the trio headed toward...
1. A faraway Levemite Installation, at the behest of Liel?
2. The far north, searching for the fabled island of Ey?
3. The human kingdom of Fordania, to bring terror to the humans?
4. Toward the Ralao Mountains, through which coursed many tunnels leading to the depths of the Neodaemonium?
5. An unknown location, spurred by their instinct?
Furthermore, was there any particular activity you pursued during the journey?
HP: 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 "Xatares" Outside
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 Protoquin (Failbird105)
((I just noticed it still mentions me dreamwalking, is this intentional or a mistake?))
The Protoquin
finish this power trip, finish it off
You hit once more, then twice, shattering the head of the Dandakara. No organic fluid spilled out, but you could feel some form of energy leaving the body of the being.
In addition to this unknown energy, golden strands emerged from it. Instinctively, you knew absorbing them would give you power. Your soul yearned for it.
+2 Lesser Essence. Transformation to Stage 2 enabled.HP: 4/10
MP: 10/10
Essence: 3/2
Status:
-Empowered by terror
-Burnt
[Mind touched by a corruptive influence]
Location:
-Inory Hills (Western Inory Hills)
Squelchy, the Omnislime (Coolrune206)
Squelchy "absorbs" the cobra into its body, digesting it. It then scouts around the area.
You then covered the cobra's body with your body whole, digesting it in a matter of minutes. Filled with nutrients and Essence, you felt ready to go.
Full+2 Lesser EssenceYou then scouted the area.
Scouting: Moderate (10): [16]
Outcome: [1] -Success-
The area was devoid of monstrous life, and everywhere you go, you could feel a hint of the Miasma Dragon's stench. The vegetation was intact though, and it was hard to believe this part of the jungle to be the territory of such a destructive beast.
You managed to find several slimes who followed your instructions. Telling them to reunite with the other slimes that followed you, you left to scout further ahead. Your group was now a third of its original size.
Flavor Roll: [5]
The stench of the Dragon was becoming stronger and stronger as you approached one particular area. There were even marks of claws on the tree trunks, as well as the clean bones and husks of many monsters.
This place was probably the Dragon's prime territory, you thought. Yet you didn't leave despite all the signs. Something compelled you to go further ahead... And you did. Moving carefully through the dense vegetation, as every parts of your body was urging you to leave.
Suddenly, all stench was dispelled and you emerged into a vast open area. The air was filled with freshness, and there was a great, crystalline spring ahead of you. The trees and plants there were like none other, vibrant with life and belonging to paradise...
A voice suddenly stopped you. You looked up, seeing a scaled monster curled up in one of the great trees. You shuddered: it looked exactly like the Miasma Dragon you fought, except it had no ooze covering its body.
"You. Stop, don't make a move. These are sacred grounds, where no violence must occur. Why did you come all this way?"Nearby Monsters:-an ooze-less Miasma Dragon?
HP: 10/17
MP: 11/17
Essence: 6/20
Status:
-Fine
-Full
-Slightly Tired
Location:
-Savarde Jungle - North Area
> The Sacred Spring
Azarian, the Imbued Thoughtling (Dustan Hache)
"envious one, you know as well as I do the power you got was far greater than what you lost. Temper your envy with that knowledge, and that you can gain more."
transform, then learn what the beings of thought and flesh intend to do. Hopefully most of them will return to their normal lives as I go to explore and gain more knowledge and power.
Name : Azarian
Species : Imbued Thoughtling
Appearance : Unchanged.
HP or MP increase : MP
Attributes increased : RES
Traits gained : Magical Foci - Passive effect that enhances spells being cast within a small area around him, mainly his own.
Skills gained : warping shield - Creates a magic field to disrupt incoming projectiles, causing most to veer wildly off course using a brief pulse of magic.
Your body didn't change as power coursed through it. But your mind evolved, grew and became more refined. Attuned to more power, you could feel more magic than ever inside your body.
Name: Azarian
Species: Imbued Thoughtling -Stage 2-
Appearance: A small, shifting reddish-brown mass of tendrils with a single large eye in the center. It's characteristics shift and deform occasionally while tapping into something's mind.
Max HP: 17
Max MP: 17
STR 0
CON -1
POW 1 (+1)
RES 1 (+1)
INT 1
IND 0
Traits:
Purity of mind: resistance to illusions and mind altering effects, combining both individuality and intelligence.
Magical Foci: Passive effect that enhances spells being cast within a small area around him, mainly his own.
Unity of mind: defeating an enemy using a mental attack puts them into a mind-controlled trance sustained with Mana. Targets released from this state for any reason immediately fall unconscious. No essence is dropped by enemies defeated this way.
Skills
Mind eater: A crude mental transfer that serves as his main attack. It slowly drives the target to insanity before putting them in a coma.
Psi Siphon: A simple spell that steals the target's vitality, draining their Mana and using it to lower their mental resistances. If the target has no Mana available, drains Mana from the user and transfers health from the target.
Warping Shield: Creates a magic field to disrupt incoming projectiles, causing most to veer wildly off course using a brief pulse of magic.
"Oh yes. More I will gain..."Fulminating, the Envious Grasper then left on these last, ominous words. You then inquired about the other beings plans.
Flavor Roll: [4]
Many of them were content returning to their normal lives. Most of the beings of thought remained dormant until disturbed, whereas the beings of flesh intended to head out to the cursed lands and fight or die for strength.
You then left, intending to explore the lands beyond, and possibly earn more power on the way...
[Timeskip...]
Azarian left the ruined village he woke up in. What would be his next destination?
1. North
2. East
3. West
4. South
5. To the hills the Ogres came from, as per the Shaman's memories...
HP: 17/17
MP: 17/17
Essence: 0/20
Status:
-Fine
Location:
-South-East Nepkeros - Unnamed ruined village
Skee, the Insect Parasite (Legendary Marksdorf)
You make Shnapa say: "If this beast is tracking us, it'll probably catch up if we stay on land. I think we should hide in the trees and keep moving on by jumping from tree to tree." You then add: "This could even give us the opportunity to surprise attack it. If we work together, we should be able to take it down if it doesn't see us coming."
Convince the leader: Hard (12): [18]
Outcome: [2] -Success-
Ksharpa weighed your words, and then replied:
"True... that's a good idea. While we don't know the trees of this part of the jungle, it's better than getting killed one by one. And if we could ambush the Banera..."
Ksharpa eventually accepted, and you moved to the trees...
Banera: [20]
Makralians: [6]-2 (Group)
...a few minutes later, you all stopped. The jungle had fell dead silent. Everyone was now on high alert, probing the surroundings for any trace of hostile presence.
You suddenly saw it. A dash of crimson light running through the trees and disappearing at irregular intervals. You gathered together, sticking so close you could feel each others panicked heartbeat.
Silence. Everyone held their breath.
Silence. Ksharpa exhaled-
-a whip like tail strangled him and took him into the darkness of the jungle. There was a scream, then silence. A projectile came your way, and one Makralian caught it: Ksharpa's head, its eyes filled with terror.
One Makralian took a step back, losing balance. And at that moment, a strong impact on the tree connected to the branch it was standing him caused him to fall. Once again, the Banera emerged from the darkness and took the Makralian midair. A scream. And silence once more.
You heard a wicked laugh.
Five of you remain.
Nearby Monsters:-4 Adult Makralians
-Black Banera:
[Hostile]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
-???
Neophytos the Sole Survivor, Psychic Pain Spider (randomgenericusername)
((That essence was from the Elon Woods massacre and was obtained during combat, so he never payed attention to it.)) "..."
"Everyone, stay here and don't do anything suicidal. I'm going back. Keep the Lifetree alive and don't get killed."
Ask if they could at least spare some scouts to guide me back to the settlement and aid in saving the Arachnastinian diplomat that is still there, the children and women unable to fight.
Otherwise, go back alone. Make sure the diplomats don't follow me and that they stay with the Arachnastinians. Remember to use my Telepathy to scan the area and avoid ambushes or hostiles.
Plead for help: Hard (12): [8]
Outcome: [3] -Failure-
"I apologize. It is a shame for Kelechikara, who was a strong Arachnastinian. But you will have to go alone."You then left, having made sure the diplomats were forced to stay. The Arachnastinian officer understood, and took care of them.
You left for the Sylvarian Settlement.
Event Roll: [6]
Midway through, your telepathy picked up several familiar lifeforms. Civilians from the settlement. Your heart raced. Had they managed to flee? Were the Elemanoptera repelled?
You saw a crack of energy. They were pursued. You ran with all your might.
A young Psychic Spider was the first monster you saw. Panicked, it took him a moment to recognize you. Barely able to formulate its thought, it said to you through telepathy:
"I-it's there! It will kill us all!"
More civilians of all species emerged, some of them heavily wounded. You advanced toward the source of the light...
There it was. Devouring the dead body of a fallen Beast monster, who was probably a guard protecting the civilians. Countless bodies stood at its feet.
It was the large Elemanoptera you fought earlier, you were sure of it. It had grown crystalline spikes on its back, and even its claws and mandibles seemed made of crystal now. You could sense a constant field of elemental energy around your enemy. It spoke to you.
"You. Perfect, how I wished I could eat you."Nearby Monsters:-Elemanoptera Tri-Surger
[Hostile]> Field of elemental energy
HP: 9/15
MP: 4/12
Essence: 2 + a small amount
Status:
Wounded
Burning Pain
Slightly tired
Location:
-North Savarde Jungle - Arachnastinian Territories
Eximius Res, the Rusty Ring (Hawk132)
"It appears some sort of spell is amplifying my natural influence on my user. Veras, I need to know what kinds of spells you can cast. Attack magic? Defensive? Magic detection? Anything to strengthen Prias?"
Gotta know my options before I figure out a plan.
"A spell? Wait... you are right, how could I miss it?"Veras: [20] vs 12
The mage uttered words making up an unknown spell, and you felt a small surge of magical energy coming from him.
-2MP"What is this... it is slight, but the presence in front of us is the source. A passive spell that increases bloodlust and dull the mind of anyone under its range. It's good you picked that up, the effects will become stronger the closer we get to it."Veras muttered with a worried look.
"What kind of undead could be embedded with such as spell?... Ah. Sorry. I can dispel it, but that will definitely attract the attention of that thing."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: 23/25
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
Now is an excellent time to retreat.
Escape!: Hard (12): [17]
Outcome: [1] [3] -Critical Success-
You ran away with such speed that the Fleshbomber didn't give chase. You ran away successfully!
Flavor Roll: [1]
You arrived into another area of the great cave. A place filled with strange plants, some cross between fern and mushroom. This place was filled with dust coming from these plants, where they spores or simple dust?
You started feeling
dizzy. Nearby Monsters:[/u]
-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
>> Strange underground forest
> Nearby: Underground River
Terrence the Bone Baron - (ironsnake345)
"Of course."
Help Vel out of his armor, then absorb 1 unclaimed essence for myself and give the other 4 to Vel, bringing him to 6 and me to 5. He deserves the lion's share after that valiant attack.
"Perhaps we should rest here awhile. Some time to recuperate is in order after such a vicious blow."
You helped Vel take out his dented armor, revealing its rotting body underneath. Unlike you, he wasn't a skeleton, but a constantly rotting corpse frozen in its state at the time of its reanimation. Vel seemed much weaker without an armor to protect its undead flesh.
Then right after this, you told him how the spoils would be shared. Shocked, the rider answered:
"What? No, I cannot accept. At least make the sharing equitable-"You had already absorbed one portion of Essence. Then you simply said: "Hurry up, it's going to disappear." Vel had no choice but accept your kindness, and absorbed the 5 remaining Essence.
"I am in your debt now. I won't forget this."Afterward, the both of you rested for a while near the Abomination's body. Its leaking undead energy was accelerating the speed of your recovery.
Vel: [13]
Vel recovered 9HPSlowly, Vel's broken body started regenerating to its original undead state.
Event Roll: [5]
After some time undisturbed, Vel had completely recovered. As you were preparing to leave for another prey, you two spotted a crawling shape moving toward you in a flowing motion.
You took on battle stances, and a being rose a few steps ahead of you. With no body of flesh, its spirit only held together by its ectoplasmic body, it was a Specter. It looked like a ghastly cloaked humanoid, with three vague moving holes to simulate eyes and mouth.
"Greetings, fellow unliving. This is quite the 'prize' behind you... judging from its wounds, you killed it yourself? I am Artomal, a gentleman looking for fellow gentlemen. May I, perchance, assume you would be such individuals?"Vel whispered to you.
"An odd one... he doesn't seem hostile, but we can never be sure. What do you think about him?"Furthermore, did you strike up conversation with Vel during your lengthy rest?
Nearby Monsters:-Artomal, 'Gentleman' Specter
PoliteHP: 15/15
MP: 12/12
Essence: 5/10
Status:
-Fine
Inventory:
-Bone Broadsword [Wielded]
Location:
-Deadland of Easenval
> Fog
Companion: Vel[/color]
HP: 15/15
MP: 12/12
Essence: 6/10
Status:
-Not fine at all hohoho
Inventory:
-Rusty Arming Sword [Wielded]
Gray the Unstable Prismetal Blaster (Beirus)
"I think I figured it out. And I have another idea!"
Split off five 1 HP parts of me and have them form a small circle. Have each one cast a different glyph and try to combine the magic (combine light and magnify, Dark and magnify, and a balance or stability glyph if I have one to combine the Light and dark).
-5HPYou started ordering your parts to form glyph, and Hinrab suddenly stopped you.
"Wait a minute! You are definitely going to attempt something quite big, right? Let me set up some protections just in case."Hinrab took out several scrolls from a chest. Each of them had glyphs written on them, and he activated two scrolls. You felt several layers of barriers forming around you. Once they were set up, Hinrab gave you a nod.
Glyph Magic -Multiple Activations-: -8MP[Light, Magnify] [Dark, Magnify] [Stabilize]
Hard (16): [15]+4 (Focus)
Outcome Roll: [1] -Success-
Your pentacle arranged bodypart-glyphs surged with mana. Then, the interior of the barriers layer were instantaneously filled with an equal amount of Light and Shadow. The two elements formed a dome split in two halves, one made of pure light and one made of pure shadow.
The light felt so light it seemed your body was lighter.
The shadow felt heavy and murky, weighing on your body.
Hinrab clapped, and then said:
"Oh! Congratulations! That's an amazing feat for a beginner, you are truly talented. Try writing a shaping glyph, such as a blade, a staff or a ball."You could feel your separated bodyparts' cohesion wavering. They were quite close from breaking apart, and would probably do so if you used them to activate another glyph.
Nearby Humans:-Hinrab, Masen disciple: FriendlyHP: 20/23 + 5 split parts
MP: 6/18
Essence: 20
Status:
-Excited
-Very sligh loss of cohesion
Inventory:
-Cloak of the Disciple (worn)
-Desert Traveler Gear (M)
Note:
[Martial Art knowledge increased]
[Magic Knowledge Increased]
[Combination attack development in progress]
Location:
-City of Farune
> Hinrab's House
Companion: Brown the Dirt Protector
HP: 20/20
MP: 14/14
Status:
-Exhausted
Inventory:
-Cloak of the Disciple (tied around)
-Desert Traveler Gear (XL)