Ulkas, the Horned Demon (Sarrak)
(...)
Before heeding the words of Last, you took a look at your companions.
From the short time you had known Ambition, you knew him to be a cool-headed individual despite a boundless rage and greed storming in his heart. But this time, his eyes filled with defiance were also incredibly calm, as if the storm in his heart had stopped ever since he came here.
Your long-time companion however, was still in a state of emotional disarray which she was struggling against. From what you experienced yourself and knew of Astrosa, it was likely she had to confront inner demons of her that made her realize something. Although what, she wouldn't tell, and you wouldn't pry now. From her struggle and pride, you knew she would wish to find her own answer before telling you of her problem.
(...)
And so your closed your eyes, and braced for what would come. In the darkness of your mind, you felt the dark room around you, the slow revolving motions of the towering instrument, the mystic sound of the Word uttered by Last.
And the veil separating you from beyond the Boundary was removed.
For an instant the empty Infinity filled your soul, like the air entering the lung of a newborn.
And this instant was put to an end as a Presence crushed your soul with the weight of its crushing gaze.
They were Everywhere.
They were Everything.
Absolute beyond the Boundary, your soul saw the twelve transcendental forces - twelve hungry stars, burning eyes in the starless expanse.
One such abyss made your soul shudder with a name - Anathena.
The more you looked, the more their gaze filled the corners of your very being, and the more you felt your soul distorting into chaos, burned by the abominable, blinding light of these hateful stars.
And then it stopped. The warm darkness returned, and you gasped.
"The 12 Beyonders, True Stars of the Expanse. The source of everything, and the ones who attempted to devour the Originator."Your voice still wouldn't come back, and Last continued to speak. As he spoke, you saw visions of a vast world below, and a vast sky above. A tapestry starting in the darkness, after which there were twelves lights followed by a thirteenth light of gold. From the golden light was born a world, and from this world were born sparks.
"The study of deep astrology give us the stories of a time predating the first soul. Before our beginning, there were 12 stars, each incarnating an aspect of a nameless force. Then came our beginning with the birth of the 13th star, as well as the force with a name: Ephter. The star which would in the future be named Ey Ephter became our world, which we called Yaremos and called ourselves Yarems. This was our beginning."And then the 12 lights stole the golden light, forcing it to hide in a cocoon made from the darkness it was born from. Now the sparks were all but gone, and the golden light fell into slumber.
"Our end came through a story of jealousy. The 12 Beyonders, once nameless, desired to become. And for that they needed the one force which could grant a name, the force of the Soul. Attacking Ey Ephter, they triggered what we know as the Cataclysm."A vision of the wide world below appeared, of the three continents and central desert of white sand in the middle of which was a single island radiating like a golden torch.
"The analysis of Sateris Zeos is clear. The World is awakening, and the pulses it has started sending herald the return of the golden age. However... if the world awakens, a second Cataclysm will occur. This time, our civilizations will not survive, and everything will be born anew. Yet if the world does not awaken, it will die and with it, all of us. But there is another new sign, a hesitation. A calling for the worthy ones of the New World."Last pointed toward the central island.
"In the heart, where fight the last True Mages... Ey Ephter awaits an answer. This is what we can ascertain."Last uttered another word, and all the terror of your souls vanished. His voice then carried words that were not his, words meant for a you not yet achieved. Like a mark hidden deep in your soul, you sensed embers.
"A time will come for you to hear the calling, nameless children of the gold. It will be the voice of a forgotten longing, it will be a hand reaching unrealized desires. Achieve your completeness, the ideal of your souls, and despair. From this darkness will come an answer that is yours only."(...)
This is but the start of your quest.HP: 39/39
MP: 63/63
Essence: 0/750
Attributes:
STR 0
CON 0 (+1)
POW 1
RES 0
INT 7
IND 2
Status:
-Okay
-Advanced Mental Protection (Communication with Astrosa and Liel)
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:
-Baldarus Plains, Sky
>> the "Sky Temple"
> Unknown settlement northward, close to the Beacon
Companion: Astrosa
HP: 63/63
MP: 39/39
Essence: 20/750
Attributes:
Attributes:
STR 6
CON 2
POW 0
RES 0 (+2) (Bracelet)
INT 0 (+1)
IND 3
Status:
-Fine
Gear:
-Xatares Adaptative Suit
-Xatares Mining Armor
-Xatares Shielding Device (Glove)
Inventory:
-Electrum Bracelet of Magical Protection (+2 Res)
-Xatares Shatterer
-Xatares Collapser
Companion: Liel
-Data still pending-
Status:
-Worn [Special]
-Fine
Azarian, the Imbued Thoughtling (Dustan Hache)
It wasn’t quite what azarian expected, though maybe it was a misunderstanding.
Did it leave anything behind from it’s foraging? If it did, we should pick it up and follow after. He wasn’t called “red thing!”
Luck: [2] -Not much-
The goblin seemed to have left a few berries and some sort of still green branch behind, which you picked up right before rushing after him.
Following the fear trail of the goblin was no difficult feat, and the goblin quickly led you to what you inferred must have been his home. A small settlement among the woods where crude housings were nested in the trees, inside of which you could see goblins of various sizes pocking their heads out.
[Sneak]
[Hard 12]: [8]
Outcome: [3] -Failure-
With your most conspicuous appearance, it didn't take long for you to be detected. Screams of panic and battle resonated all over as the goblins alerted the others of your arrival.
Nearby Beings:- Teal Goblin... and an entire tribe of it!
HP: 17/17
MP: 17/17
Essence: 18/20
Attributes:
STR 0
CON -1
POW 1 (+1)
RES 1 (+1)
INT 1
IND 0
Status:
Normal
Inventory:
-Lifelike depiction of two humans with trace of mind -one confirmed dead-
-Simple metal collar
-Mechanical ring thingy
-Tasty magic-filled tablets
-Colourful clothes
Location:
-East Empsiphion
> Lineine Hills
Squacks the Carrion Bird - (Devastator)
HP focus. +1 Str.
Squacks finally changes in appearance a bit, growing slightly longer in the chest, wings, claws, and tail. Still not much larger and still the same colour.
Trait Changes:
Upgrading Acrobatic Flier -> Aerobatic flyer. Some changes in wing geometry (more triangular and a longer more v-ish tail.), as well as multiple oil glands to allow for improving wing performance characteristics with proper grooming. Looking for an offense boost from the increase in speed and maneuverability.
Diamond Claws: Disposable claw sheaths, like on felines, with extreme sharpness and hardness. Wear off after the first few hits in a battle, but will regrow naturally.
Skill changes:
Upgrade Dirty Fighter to Infighter. Improved performance against larger foes, and can use larger foes as temporary cover.
Upgrade to Spell Resistance. Been plenty of practice and there's now more MP available.
Continue suppressing
Suggest everyone stay near the beach at first, while I head ahead.
Do some poking around at ground level first to begin scoping out the island. Call out a few times to see if anyone intelligent is around. If we're going to stay, we're going to meet whoever it is soon enough.
The urge in you to change and grow is becoming increasingly stronger.(...)
[Scouting]
[Easy 6]: [20] -Critical Success-
After a quick but extensive survey of the island, you noticed the crater at the center of the island at the bottom of which lied a pond of dark water. The pond was inhabited. Emerging partially from the waters was some sort of large serpent with the head of a catfish. It looked at you with watchful eyes, but you didn't sense hostility coming from it. It hailed you first with a lax voice loud enough to be heard from the edge of the crater.
"Hum, you seem new here? You are not here to cause any trouble are you?"
Allies:
-
Kra, Cinder Vulture -7 Carrion Birds
Nearby monsters:
-Very large catfishy serpent
HP: 12/12
MP: 15/15
Essence: 3/5
STR 2
CON 0
POW -1
RES 1
INT -1
IND 0
Status:
- Fine
Location:
-Delta Chasms - Seaside (South to Anvarde Hills and Savarde Jungle)
Author
Topic: You are a Monster - Turn 67 (Read 232397 times)