[VID] Netopolis

[lord pringle]

[Group one in Oasis]
the dew farms around the area have been vanishing. No shipments have been coming in to Oasis at all.

[Fort Rezenaar]
A canonball punches through Uuji's window. Three pikeman enter. "get out of bed! DARKFIEND is here!"

[The Alexandrian]

[Fort Rezenaar]

Uuji is asleep on the bed, head resting on a pillow, face turned towards the closest wall, body neatly nestled between the covers. It was nice and warm. Uuji smiles while he drools all over his pillow which is already soaked in saliva. His closed eyes move in rapid eye movement denoting that he is experiencing a dream. In the dream, Uuji was running through a field. A cute, white bunny stands on its haunches in the middle of a grove of pink flowers shaped like pansies. A heavy wind starts to blow as thunder clouds roll in. The pansies begin to grow giant with a rumble, imprisoning Uuji in a circular arena around the rabbit, whose nose twitches menacingly. Uuji halts and draws his sword from the scabbard strapped to his back with a rough leather strap. The rabbit hisses and lunges at him, bearing its gigantic and ferocious teeth, but Uuji holds his ground against it. He stabs at the rabbit's body midair and it is about to impale the monstrosity when suddenly...

The soldiers yelling begins to rouse him from his slumber. His eyes flutter open for a moment and he lifts his head about an inch above the pillow. It appears as though he is going to be roused and that the pikemen have awakened him when suddenly, his hands swiftly dart to his pillow and overturn it so that it covers his head. After this move is executed, Uuji grabs the covers and proceeds to tug at them until they cover the pillow which is acting as a noise barrier for his ears. He just wants to sleep for another month, why are they attempting to wake him, he wonders, evidently not hearing what they said about the attack on the fort.

All this is merely attempted, of course.

[KerfuffleMach2]

((Might wanna toss the map into the first post here. For reference.))

[Oasis]

Lina was at her home in Oasis. She was only here a few months of the year, as her mercenary work usually kept her away.

But, lately, there wasn't a whole lot of job offers. People just weren't needing the work that they used to.

And the lack of shipments meant people here couldn't make the money they needed to hire Lina for those jobs. Which, of course, upset her.

[Gimliggamer]

[Oasis]
Michael hunts for a living. In, fact, it seemed that less and less people had money these days to pay him enough for his catches. And this wouldn't do. So it was time to put use natural hunting skills, to hunt whatever was making these Dew Farms disappear. His first course of action? Looking for other people to find it too, for one does not set out alone.

[lord pringle]

[Fort Rezenaar]

Uuji is asleep on the bed, head resting on a pillow, face turned towards the closest wall, body neatly nestled between the covers. It was nice and warm. Uuji smiles while he drools all over his pillow which is already soaked in saliva. His closed eyes move in rapid eye movement denoting that he is experiencing a dream. In the dream, Uuji was running through a field. A cute, white bunny stands on its haunches in the middle of a grove of pink flowers shaped like pansies. A heavy wind starts to blow as thunder clouds roll in. The pansies begin to grow giant with a rumble, imprisoning Uuji in a circular arena around the rabbit, whose nose twitches menacingly. Uuji halts and draws his sword from the scabbard strapped to his back with a rough leather strap. The rabbit hisses and lunges at him, bearing its gigantic and ferocious teeth, but Uuji holds his ground against it. He stabs at the rabbit's body midair and it is about to impale the monstrosity when suddenly...

The soldiers yelling begins to rouse him from his slumber. His eyes flutter open for a moment and he lifts his head about an inch above the pillow. It appears as though he is going to be roused and that the pikemen have awakened him when suddenly, his hands swiftly dart to his pillow and overturn it so that it covers his head. After this move is executed, Uuji grabs the covers and proceeds to tug at them until they cover the pillow which is acting as a noise barrier for his ears. He just wants to sleep for another month, why are they attempting to wake him, he wonders, evidently not hearing what they said about the attack on the fort.

All this is merely attempted, of course.
AAAAH!! one of the pikemen is shot. By a canon. Another Pikeman attempts to shake Uuji.

((Might wanna toss the map into the first post here. For reference.))

[Oasis]

Lina was at her home in Oasis. She was only here a few months of the year, as her mercenary work usually kept her away.

But, lately, there wasn't a whole lot of job offers. People just weren't needing the work that they used to.

And the lack of shipments meant people here couldn't make the money they needed to hire Lina for those jobs. Which, of course, upset her.
A letter is tacked to her door.

[Oasis]
Michael hunts for a living. In, fact, it seemed that less and less people had money these days to pay him enough for his catches. And this wouldn't do. So it was time to put use natural hunting skills, to hunt whatever was making these Dew Farms disappear. His first course of action? Looking for other people to find it too, for one does not set out alone.

A hooded man approaches Micheal.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Huh. Wonder who this is from...

Lina grabs the letter and goes to read it.

[Gimliggamer]

A hooded man approaches Micheal.
Michael makes a few preparations, just incase the man is hostile. He keeps his left hand swaying near the small knife in his belt. He doesn't bother stringing his bow or taking it off his back. No time for that. When the hooded man is near enough, Michale looks up. "Yes?" He asks, arching an eyebrow as he surveys the hooded man.
http://public5.tektek.org/img/av/1012/d14/2214/27e4874.png (http://tektek.org/avatar/41173915)

[The Alexandrian]

[Fort Rezennar]

Uuji is shaken. He sits up straight in bed with all the blankets covering him as his pillow slowly slips off his face and tumbles to the floor. He tears the covers off of his head and springs out of bed, grabbing his scabbard and strapping it to his back from where he had hung it the night before he went to sleep, maybe a month ago. He is, for some reason, completely dressed. Even his brown polished boots remained stuck on his feet during his slumber. His sword is grasped in his right hand, snatched from his dresser nearby. Or it would be, if he hadn't lost it some time ago... Instead he obtains (insert light and treasure music here, *dun, dun. dun, dun*) a metal rod.

Metal Rod:
This item is good for beating things with. It has a reach of about three feet and, oddly enough, is covered with dents from use. Legend has it, this is all that remains of Uuji's closet from that incident involving a lizard, a bottle of spoiled milk, and a lighter about a year back.

Uuji holds the metal rod in the air with both hands above him for a moment, heavenly light reflecting off of the battered metal rod. Uuji then promptly throws it out the cannon hole in his window and goes prone on the floor searching for his blade under one of the piles of dirty laundry stashed under his bed. It is also worth noting that he is yelling orders to the pikemen right now.

"Hyah ha ahhhh!"*

*Translation (Uuji to English): "Take cover, morons!"

[lord pringle]

Huh. Wonder who this is from...

Lina grabs the letter and goes to read it.

To whom it may concern,
there is a price of 3,000 monies on the head of a hooded man. His current location is [wherever Michael is] there is also 6000 monies on the information of what is happening to the dew farms.

Michael makes a few preparations, just incase the man is hostile. He keeps his left hand swaying near the small knife in his belt. He doesn't bother stringing his bow or taking it off his back. No time for that. When the hooded man is near enough, Michale looks up. "Yes?" He asks, arching an eyebrow as he surveys the hooded man.
http://public5.tektek.org/img/av/1012/d14/2214/27e4874.png (http://tektek.org/avatar/41173915)

Fate doesn't agree with you. You must be terminated. The hooded man groans.


[Fort Rezennar]

Uuji is shaken. He sits up straight in bed with all the blankets covering him as his pillow slowly slips off his face and tumbles to the floor. He tears the covers off of his head and springs out of bed, grabbing his scabbard and strapping it to his back from where he had hung it the night before he went to sleep, maybe a month ago. He is, for some reason, completely dressed. Even his brown polished boots remained stuck on his feet during his slumber. His sword is grasped in his right hand, snatched from his dresser nearby. Or it would be, if he hadn't lost it some time ago... Instead he obtains (insert light and treasure music here, *dun, dun. dun, dun*) a metal rod.

Metal Rod:
This item is good for beating things with. It has a reach of about three feet and, oddly enough, is covered with dents from use. Legend has it, this is all that remains of Uuji's closet from that incident involving a lizard, a bottle of spoiled milk, and a lighter about a year back.

Uuji holds the metal rod in the air with both hands above him for a moment, heavenly light reflecting off of the battered metal rod. Uuji then promptly throws it out the cannon hole in his window and goes prone on the floor searching for his blade under one of the piles of dirty laundry stashed under his bed. It is also worth noting that he is yelling orders to the pikemen right now.

"Hyah ha ahhhh!"*

*Translation (Uuji to English): "Take cover, morons!"
"What's he sayin'?" "Is it even words?" Then the canon shots break through the wall.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Lina smiles to herself. Alright. This is what I'm talking about.

She grabs her equipment and quickly heads to where the hooded man and Michael are. Should get there next post.

[The Alexandrian]

[Fort Rezennar]

Uuji finally locates his blade buried under a pile of smelly socks under his bed. He grabs it. As soon as he does, he attempts to stand up to hold his treasure in the air while that annoying treasure finding music plays. He fails however. His head is still under the bed when he attempts to stand, causing it to thwack against the bed frame.

Dun, dun thwack.

Uuji groans, then tries again, this time removing his head from under the bed before attempting the action.

Dun, dun, dun, dun.

And again he hold the sword in two hands as he raises it to the sky while heavenly light shines on it and music plays.

You obtained the sword! It is good for cutting things and reaks of moldy socks. And no Uuji, it isn't for cutting yourself.

Then Uuji turns to the pikemen, nods as though he was acknowledging something they said, and heads out the window. The unbroken one, of course, if there is another in the room. If not, he bounds out the cannon destroyed one.

Shatter.

"Aaaaaauuuuuggggghhhh!"*

*Translation: "Aaaauuuugggghhhh!"

Of course, there is might be something or someone down there to cushion his fall.

Guess Uuji didn't realize he might not be on the first floor or thinks he is on a high floor when in actuality he is standing on mother earth. At least he's going in the direction where the cannon fire came from...waitaminute.

He's not advancing, he's just retreating in the wrong direction.

[Gimliggamer]

Fate doesn't agree with you. You must be terminated. The hooded man groans.
"Fate is at my mercy, hooded figure. She is at my mercy, simply because of a choice she made a long, long time ago. If you must wish to battle, so be it. Prepare to die." Michael says, suddenly two daggers appearing in his hands, swining them in a sideways motion at the man.

[lord pringle]

[Fort Rezennar]

Uuji finally locates his blade buried under a pile of smelly socks under his bed. He grabs it. As soon as he does, he attempts to stand up to hold his treasure in the air while that annoying treasure finding music plays. He fails however. His head is still under the bed when he attempts to stand, causing it to thwack against the bed frame.

Dun, dun thwack.

Uuji groans, then tries again, this time removing his head from under the bed before attempting the action.

Dun, dun, dun, dun.

And again he hold the sword in two hands as he raises it to the sky while heavenly light shines on it and music plays.

You obtained the sword! It is good for cutting things and reaks of moldy socks. And no Uuji, it isn't for cutting yourself.

Then Uuji turns to the pikemen, nods as though he was acknowledging something they said, and heads out the window. The unbroken one, of course, if there is another in the room. If not, he bounds out the cannon destroyed one.

Shatter.

"Aaaaaauuuuuggggghhhh!"*

*Translation: "Aaaauuuugggghhhh!"

Of course, there is might be something or someone down there to cushion his fall.

Guess Uuji didn't realize he might not be on the first floor or thinks he is on a high floor when in actuality he is standing on mother earth. At least he's going in the direction where the cannon fire came from...waitaminute.

He's not advancing, he's just retreating in the wrong direction.
He will see a flying jade fortress shooting cannonballs at the fort. The walls have been penetrated and goblins are pouring through holes.

"Fate is at my mercy, hooded figure. She is at my mercy, simply because of a choice she made a long, long time ago. If you must wish to battle, so be it. Prepare to die." Michael says, suddenly two daggers appearing in his hands, swining them in a sideways motion at the man.

I'm afraid I am fate. The hooded man parries with his sais.

[Gimliggamer]

I'm afraid I am fate. The hooded man parries with his sais."Then fate dies today." Michael says, throwing a smoke bomb at the ground and going for a stab.

[lord pringle]

fate is not manipulatable. The bomb doesn't go off. Then fate parries.

[Gimliggamer]

Michael attempts to flip-kick the hooded man in the face, throwing a throwing knife at his chest before following up with a slice from the blade on his glove.

[The Alexandrian]

[Fort Rezennar]

Uuji notices the goblins pouring through holes in the fortress's walls as he falls. He attempts to guide his fall so that his boots land right on top of one of the heads of one of the goblins who are in the outermost column of the invading force, if any of them are close enough to land on. He is attempting to stomp goblins as though they were goombas!

This will probably be extremely bloody if it lands, not at all what Uuji is accustomed to, but it will be worth it for those 100 points added to the score he knows nothing about and/or an achievement (after all, who needs to have fun playing a game if there are achievements).

[lord pringle]

All of the attacks hit. He winces. Please stop. I am not the strongest in the hive.

[Gimliggamer]

"I am sorry. Fate has decreed your death today." Michael says, aiming three rapid punches at his chest and a knee to the face.

[lord pringle]

[Fort Rezennar]

Uuji notices the goblins pouring through holes in the fortress's walls as he falls. He attempts to guide his fall so that his boots land right on top of one of the heads of one of the goblins who is in the outermost column of the invading force, if any of them are close enough to land on. He is attempting to stomp goblins as though they were goombas!

This will probably be extremely bloody if it lands, not at all what Uuji is accustomed to, but it will be worth it for those 100 points added to the score he knows nothing about and/or an achievement (after all, who needs to have fun playing a game if there are achievements).

His score is high enough to get a 1-up! A cannonball towards him also.

[lord pringle]

"I am sorry. Fate has decreed your death today." Michael says, aiming three rapid punches at his chest and a knee to the face.

He coughs blood. If you strike me down I will become more powerful than you can possibly imagine!

[Gimliggamer]

He coughs blood. If you strike me down I will become more powerful than you can possibly imagine!"In the afterlife, not now, and it doesn't affect me." Micheal says, kicking the hooded man's head back and pulling out his bow, aiming it at the hooded man's head, and releasing.

[lord pringle]

"In the afterlife, not now, and it doesn't affect me." Micheal says, kicking the hooded man's head back and pulling out his bow, aiming it at the hooded man's head, and releasing.

Watch yourself young fate breaker. fate is dead.

[KerfuffleMach2]

And that's when Lina shows up.

She sees that the target is dead, and is disappointed.

Shoot. Guess I'm gonna have to take up that other job, then.

She looks at Michael.

You the one that took him out?

[The Alexandrian]

[Fort Rezennar]

1up (Uuji has gained another life, not like he had one in the first place, at least not socially)

Hey look there, something flying in the air towards Uuji's head! It seems to grow bigger as it approaches. Uuji's eyes grow wider as it comes closer. He must has it. It is so shiny and round and deadly. Uuji attempts to grab two nearby goblins, if there are any. One he attempts to toss under the cannonball so that his prize won't be damaged. The other he attempts to hold in front of him by the neck to function as a meatshield so that when fragments of the goblin's bone are hurled across the battlefield if the cannonball's momentum is transferred to the poor being, Uuji won't get pelted by all the bone shards.

[lord pringle]

fort Rezenaar
The goblins are godmoddable. The flying castle heads toward Uuji.

[The Alexandrian]

[Fort Rezennar]

Uuji is too busy fighting to notice the castle floating towards him. He is hacking through the goblin ranks with his sword, though they are resisting and wounding him. He ends up getting stabbed quite a bit, but his heart bar isn't low yet, so he continues to brawl. The goblins continue to swarm him as he uses a spin attack.

"Hyah!*"

*Translation: "Hyah!"

He accidentally releases his sword in the middle of the spin attack and it flies to rest over on yonder grassy knoll, if there is a grassy knoll around the battlefield.

By this time, if the castle has continued to float towards Uuji to the point where it casts its shadow on him, Uuji glances upwards as he fights the goblins with bear hands his clenched fists of fury. Needless to say, this tactic isn't working so well due to the reach of the weapons the goblins are carrying. Noticing that the flying castle is headed towards him, he looks to the fortress to determine whether or not the soldiers in it are still fighting. Ohh, stabbed again Uuji, gotta keep your mind on the fight from now on. You won't want to experience what happens if your health bar falls below three hearts.

Uuji, now fully aware of the severity of his wounds, attempts to push past the goblins attempting to flank him to the knoll, where he picks up his sword and, if the castle is being overrun with goblins as the case seems to be, he attempts to run away into the distance with his sword placed in its sheath and his arms flailing above him as he rapidly flees, screaming in terror the whole way!

"Aaaaauuuuuugggggghhhhh!*"

*Translation: "I'm Charlie Brown!" or "Don't hurt me!"
(The translator wasn't paying attention, I guess *tackles the translator*...)

The management apologizes for the inconvenience. Those responsible have been sacked and beaten mercilessly.

[lord pringle]

[Fort Rezenaar]
the castle is being over run. The flying castle manned by PC goblins is firing cannons and catapults at everything.

[Gimliggamer]

And that's when Lina shows up.

She sees that the target is dead, and is disappointed.

Shoot. Guess I'm gonna have to take up that other job, then.

She looks at Michael.

You the one that took him out?"Yes. Do you know him? I am sorry for your loss if I killed a family member, but i am not sorry for killing him." Michael appears to know nothing about the contract, but it is obvious he killed them an, seeing as how a long bow arrow is sticking out of the man's head and Michael is holding the bow.

[The Alexandrian]

[Fort Rezennar]

Crazed Sir Uuji ran away.
Daftly ran away away.
When danger displayed it's ugly arm,
He ran away all full of alarm.
Yes, dumb Sir Uuji turned around
And noisily he made a sound.
Cowardly taking up his sword,
He abandoned his service to his lord.
Strangest of the straaaange, Sir Uuji!

Fight Polkemanns
Bag > Run <

Wounded Uuji has fled!

Achievement Unlocked: Falcon Facepalm

[KerfuffleMach2]

"Yes. Do you know him? I am sorry for your loss if I killed a family member, but i am not sorry for killing him." Michael appears to know nothing about the contract, but it is obvious he killed them an, seeing as how a long bow arrow is sticking out of the man's head and Michael is holding the bow.

She shakes her head. Wasn't a family member. But he was a hit worth 3000 monies. So, I figure you owe me now. And I know how you'll pay. There's another job worth six, but it involves investigating the dew farms. You're gonna come with me.

[Gimliggamer]

Michael looks as if he is contemplating it for a bit. "Hm. Tell you what. You can take the cash, but I'm still coming along to investigate the Dew farms, because it directly affects me as well."

[KerfuffleMach2]

Lina thinks on that for a moment, then nods. Alright, that sounds like a plan. Need anything before we go?

Actually, she was planning on swindling more than half of the reward anyways. He just made it easier.

[Gimliggamer]

"Always carry everything I need on me. You?"

[KerfuffleMach2]

Lina nods.

Of course, it only looks like she has the sword, and that's it.

Well, off we go then!

[Gimliggamer]

Michael starts walking. "So, any ideas on where to go to first? I was thinking the dew farms." He says. I don't know about Lina, but I would find it a bit hard to concentrate with a shirtless guy wearing a fedora leading the way....:smalltongue:

[KerfuffleMach2]

Yeah, that sounds good.

Well, she does sound a little distracted as she follows him.

[Gimliggamer]

Michael leads the way towards one of the nearest dew farms, keeping his longbow strung but sliding it over his back as he searches for any signs of something abnormal.

[lord pringle]

[Fort Rezennar]

Crazed Sir Uuji ran away.
Daftly ran away away.
When danger displayed it's ugly arm,
He ran away all full of alarm.
Yes, dumb Sir Uuji turned around
And noisily he made a sound.
Cowardly taking up his sword,
He abandoned his service to his lord.
Strangest of the straaaange, Sir Uuji!

Fight Polkemanns
Bag > Run <

Wounded Uuji has fled!

Achievement Unlocked: Falcon Facepalm
One goblin shouts and the others start shooting explosive cannonballs. At this rate the city will be taken before the end of the day.

Michael leads the way towards one of the nearest dew farms, keeping his longbow strung but sliding it over his back as he searches for any signs of something abnormal.

Those are some big bugs. Huh they're swarming. OH CRAP THEY'RE CHARGING YOU!

[Gimliggamer]

Those are some big bugs. Huh they're swarming. OH CRAP THEY'RE CHARGING YOU! One of michaels arrows catch fire as he rapidly looses several into the swarm, also chucking a smoke bomb in there for good measure, bow in one hand, dagger in the other.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Lina draws her sword, which suddenly changes its appearance. Now it more resembles a katana.

She waits for a bug to come close, and then quickly dashes at it, striking it into the air. Then she'll backflip up and hit it again, sending it to the ground.

That's right. She got a critical.

[lord pringle]

They aren't that big only say six inches long.Fate Fate Fate Fate Fate Fate Fate Fate they all buzz.

[KerfuffleMach2]

...oh...

Then they receive Lina's boots! Or, at least the bottom of them.

[lord pringle]

They're flying as well. Note to self: be more descriptive.

[Gimliggamer]

Michael quickly puts his bow on his back as the bugs come closer, taking out another knife as he makes use of quick stabs and kicks.

[KerfuffleMach2]

*glares at pringle*

Then she switches swords again. This one has an ornate guard, heavily using the color green.

She swings it through the air, and it sends sharp currents of air that should, if not cut through the bugs, at least knock them to the ground. So she can step on them!

[lord pringle]

The still living bugs shift into the hooded man. Fate didn't want me to die.

[Gimliggamer]

Michael glares at him. "Fate is my bi***." he says, chucking both poison coated knives at the guy's chest.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Three grand! Mine!

She swings the sword at the man, sending a wind slice at him.

[lord pringle]

The wind conveniently blows the attacks away. Fate is your master. Money is an illusion.

[KerfuffleMach2]

An illusion worth three grand!

She swings again. This time, she actually swings twice. Guess she got lucky with a double strike.

[Gimliggamer]

"Fate is no one's master. It serves all. And you. Are. Not. Fate." Michael says, taking use of his martial arts feat and attacking the hooded man.

[lord pringle]

Go any further and you help DARKFIEND. Do with that knowledge as you will. He says being sliced twice.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Lina stops, her sword held ready.

What do you mean by that?

Course, this is still assuming he can talk at this point.

[lord pringle]

He keels over dead.

[Gimliggamer]

Michael proceeds to try and slice the head off his dead body and put it in a bag. Assuming he's successful, he turns to Lina. "Do you want his head?"

[KerfuffleMach2]

Yeah, but you can hold on to it till we get back to town.

Hey, if somebody's gonna travel with you, might as well get them to carry as much as you can!

[Gimliggamer]

"Very well." Michael says, clipping the bag to a piece on the bandolier he is wearing over his shirtless torso.:smalltongue:

[KerfuffleMach2]

Shirtless torso...hmmm...

Lina shakes her head a little to clear it.

So, let's keep going then.

[Gimliggamer]

Michael apparently agrees, as he keeps walking, taking his bow back out and keeping a knife in the other hand.

[lord pringle]

When they get to the farm they won't find anyone there and it looks like a meteor struck...

[KerfuffleMach2]

Lina seems surprised by the looks of things.

Well, this explains why nobody's heard from these people.

[Gimliggamer]

Michael nods and walks over to the crater, walking into the middle of it and crouching, looking for any signs of what it was.

[lord pringle]

Inside is a stone with runes covering it.

[zyborg]

[Fort Rezennar]

>Power:ON
>Scanners:ON
>Energy Level: 100%
>Testing: ...OK!
>Wondering What The Heck Is Happening:ON

>Say "Yawn... Who interrupted my rest cycle...? And why's everything blowing up without me blowing it up? Someone's attacking the Fort?"

[Mina Kobold]

"A boy and a girl, mayhap they will turn
Mayhap they heard the souls churn
Mayhap they know the gleam so mean
For it belongs to good ol' Jack'O'Ween!"

Indeed a little creature, barely taller than a child, is walking up the road behind Michael and Lina. As it stops it's odd little song it looks up under it's large patched hat at them, it's eyes but holes in a pumpkin light yet they manage to have the expression of a little child on a round of trick'N'treats.

"Greetings and who may you be? Yet another couple that from Jack will flee?"

It is quite obvious that the little pumpkin-headed has more than just the expression in common with a child on Halloween, it seems to share the thought of being the most terrifying of all as well, with equal results.

[lord pringle]

[Fort Rezennar]

>Power:ON
>Scanners:ON
>Energy Level: 100%
>Testing: ...OK!
>Wondering What The Heck Is Happening:ON

>Say "Yawn... Who interrupted my rest cycle...? And why's everything blowing up without me blowing it up? Someone's attacking the Fort?"

A goblin NPC rushes by with a cannon on wheels Wheeee!

[zyborg]

>say "Where are you going with that cannon? It looks like fun!" to goblin

[lord pringle]

Gunna blow ****s up! the goblin chuckles.

[zyborg]

>produce red bomb in hand.

>say "Can I help? I'm built for blowing **** up! Literally!"

[KerfuffleMach2]

"A boy and a girl, mayhap they will turn
Mayhap they heard the souls churn
Mayhap they know the gleam so mean
For it belongs to good ol' Jack'O'Ween!"

Indeed a little creature, barely taller than a child, is walking up the road behind Michael and Lina. As it stops it's odd little song it looks up under it's large patched hat at them, it's eyes but holes in a pumpkin light yet they manage to have the expression of a little child on a round of trick'N'treats.

"Greetings and who may you be? Yet another couple that from Jack will flee?"

It is quite obvious that the little pumpkin-headed has more than just the expression in common with a child on Halloween, it seems to share the thought of being the most terrifying of all as well, with equal results.

Um...I'm sorry, who are you?

[Mina Kobold]

Um...I'm sorry, who are you?

The pumpkin looks annoyed that it isn't scaring them but still announces it's named with a dramatic wind effect that seems to come out of nowhere

"I am the fearsome Jack'O'Ween, the nightmare you wish you'd never seen"

This would be very spooky if he wasn't shorter than her waist and had a carved pumpkin for a head.

[Cyborg Mage]

[Fort Rezzenar]

Just in front of one of the holes in the wall, a group of goblins is marching, singing in a rather harsh sounding tounge. Three of the goblins fall down at the back of the group. The singing stops, the rest look back to them, as a white robed figure leaps off the walls and plunges a blade mounted under his wrist into a goblin's skull. He then takes said goblin, throws it at said other goblins and proceeds to stab them whilst they are knocked down. He then walks away leisurely as if nothing at all happened.

[lord pringle]

>produce red bomb in hand.

>say "Can I help? I'm built for blowing **** up! Literally!"
Blow what evah you want up!

[Fort Rezzenar]

Just in front of one of the holes in the wall, a group of goblins is marching, singing in a rather harsh sounding tounge. Three of the goblins fall down at the back of the group. The singing stops, the rest look back to them, as a white robed figure leaps off the walls and plunges a blade mounted under his wrist into a goblin's skull. He then takes said goblin, throws it at said other goblins and proceeds to stab them whilst they are knocked down. He then walks away leisurely as if nothing at all happened.

Some armored goblin knights charge him.

[Cyborg Mage]

More throwing knives, more instantly-killed goblins. One survives, and runs about a few paces before a long, thin sword pierces his back and comes out his stomach, somehow ignoring all armour whatsoever.

(I assume you just mean knights as in "Sir Such-and-such" than specifically horse-riding knights, right? If not, the same sword cuts off the head of his mount before the last killing above.)

[lord pringle]

More throwing knives, more instantly-killed goblins. One survives, and runs about a few paces before a long, thin sword pierces his back and comes out his stomach, somehow ignoring all armour whatsoever.

(I assume you just mean knights as in "Sir Such-and-such" than specifically horse-riding knights, right? If not, the same sword cuts off the head of his mount before the last killing above.)

You are right. One goblin blows a horn and the fortress flies toward him.

[zyborg]

>Look around for something red, other than the bomb in hand

[lord pringle]

>Look around for something red, other than the bomb in hand

that goblin is wearing red...

[zyborg]

>say "Okay, I know what to blow up! Tee hee."
>place red bomb on red goblin clothing

[KerfuffleMach2]

The pumpkin looks annoyed that it isn't scaring them but still announces it's named with a dramatic wind effect that seems to come out of nowhere

"I am the fearsome Jack'O'Ween, the nightmare you wish you'd never seen"

This would be very spooky if he wasn't shorter than her waist and had a carved pumpkin for a head.

*blinkblink*

Okay then...well, I'm Lina, mercenary.

[lord pringle]

>say "Okay, I know what to blow up! Tee hee."
>place red bomb on red goblin clothing

He blows up. goblins begin charging him.

[Cyborg Mage]

The man in white looks up to the source of the horn blast before climbing the wall using a set of conveniently-placed scaffolds and loose bricks. He then waits on the ledge until the fortress is within jumping range, then leaps onto said jade fortress.

[The Alexandrian]

[Fort Rezennar]

Uuji runs off abit then notices the explosion on the walls of the fort. That must mean one of the occupants was still resisting! This knowledge rejuvenates Uuji's spirit as he jumps back into battle striking down as many goblins as he can access with graceful swings of his sword.

Splot.

That is the noise a goblin makes when it is disemboweled.

"Aaaahhhhh!"

Is the sound a goblin screams when one of its apertures is amputated without notice.

Goblins are strangely silent when they are decapitated.

Uuji is testing these assertions via lengthy experimentation. Who knew science could be so fun?

[Mina Kobold]

*blinkblink*

Okay then...well, I'm Lina, mercenary.

"Well met, Lina the mercenary. How come I find you and your friend at a place so gloom and dreary?"

Jack'O'Ween looks at them both, no longer attepting to scare them. Maybe he is trying to lull them into a false sense of security?

[zyborg]

[teh Fort]

>say"Huh. He must've been wearing TWO articles of red clothing. My bombs only explode when in a chain of itself and two identically-colored objects."
>Ponder, ignoring the goblins.
>Look to see which color the next bomb is (Red/Blue/Green/Yellow)

[KerfuffleMach2]

"Well met, Lina the mercenary. How come I find you and your friend at a place so gloom and dreary?"

Jack'O'Ween looks at them both, no longer attepting to scare them. Maybe he is trying to lull them into a false sense of security?

Probably not.

We're investigating. Trying to find out what happened here.

[Mina Kobold]

Jack looks behind her at the crater.

"I was wondering about the nature of that. Any clues, or did the search fall flat?"

He walks closer to the rune thing in the middle of the crater.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Jack looks behind her at the crater.

"I was wondering about the nature of that. Any clues, or did the search fall flat?"

He walks closer to the rune thing in the middle of the crater.

Lina follows, keeping a look out for anything of interest.

Haven't actually started it yet.

[lord pringle]

[teh Fort]

>say"Huh. He must've been wearing TWO articles of red clothing. My bombs only explode when in a chain of itself and two identically-colored objects."
>Ponder, ignoring the goblins.
>Look to see which color the next bomb is (Red/Blue/Green/Yellow)
yellow.

Lina follows, keeping a look out for anything of interest.

Haven't actually started it yet.

She'll recognize it as a MCGUFFINSTONE.

[Cyborg Mage]

The man in white looks up to the source of the horn blast before climbing the wall using a set of conveniently-placed scaffolds and loose bricks. He then waits on the ledge until the fortress is within jumping range, then leaps onto said jade fortress.

(Ahem.) FILLER

[lord pringle]

The man in white looks up to the source of the horn blast before climbing the wall using a set of conveniently-placed scaffolds and loose bricks. He then waits on the ledge until the fortress is within jumping range, then leaps onto said jade fortress.

On the fort a cloud of black smoke flies up to him.

[Cyborg Mage]

The man takes out a large pouch and uses it to trap as much of the substance as possible. He could use that to make smoke bombs later. He then tries to find a way inside the fortress.

[lord pringle]

The smoke rips out of the bag Help me. You're my only hope!

[Cyborg Mage]

The man looks down to the talking smoke.
"Che miracolo e questo? Dimmi, che cosa sei?*"
After a few seconds, it becomes clear that sentient, Star Wars-referencing smoke does not speak Italian.
"Ah, my apologies. Tell me, amico, how does smoke learn how to talk?"
He doesn't exactly look interested. Only his eyes seem to show he actually cares for this... stuff.

(*What miracle is this? Tell me, what are you?)

[lord pringle]

I am the embodiment of fate! But I've just been killed twice so this is the best I can make.

[Cyborg Mage]

(I was wondering if that thing had anything to do with the Fate-bugs.)
"Killed twice? It surprises me that fate can even die in the first place. But, at any rate, amico, I will see what I can do. However right now, there are some... priorities."
The man looks towards the top of the fortress, and tilts his wrist to show his hidden blade to Fate.

[Mina Kobold]

Jack walks closer to the Mcguffinstone and tries to pick it up.

If it works, he will try to chew on it, it's worked before.

[lord pringle]

(I was wondering if that thing had anything to do with the Fate-bugs.)
"Killed twice? It surprises me that fate can even die in the first place. But, at any rate, amico, I will see what I can do. However right now, there are some... priorities."
The man looks towards the top of the fortress, and tilts his wrist to show his hidden blade to Fate.
Will you need assistance?

Jack walks closer to the Mcguffinstone and tries to pick it up.

If it works, he will try to chew on it, it's worked before.

As he begins to chew on it a barn explodes.

[Cyborg Mage]

"I should not, amico, but feel free to help if things get out of hand, eh?"
The man drops the sack and runs up a wall to the nearest window, and unless there happen to be any above it, clambers inside the fortress and tries to find his way to the throne room/keep/wherever this thing is controlled from.

[Mina Kobold]

As he begins to chew on it a barn explodes.

Jack stares at the barn's charred foundation and slowly a menacing grin appears on his burning undead face.

"HehehehahahahaHAHA!"

He stares greedily at the mcguffinstone and pockets it inside his hat

"This will be so fun!"

^.^

[lord pringle]

"I should not, amico, but feel free to help if things get out of hand, eh?"
The man drops the sack and runs up a wall to the nearest window, and unless there happen to be any above it, clambers inside the fortress and tries to find his way to the throne room/keep/wherever this thing is controlled from.
Fate flies in with him. They land in a steering room.

Jack stares at the barn's charred foundation and slowly a menacing grin appears on his burning undead face.

"HehehehahahahaHAHA!"

He stares greedily at the mcguffinstone and pockets it inside his hat

"This will be so fun!"

^.^

The stone starts trying to morph him. He may be twenty feet tall with limbs of flame.

[Mina Kobold]

The stone starts trying to morph him. He may be twenty feet tall with limbs of flame.

It may find that there's not much to morph, mainly fire, a pumpking and some rough sheepskin cloth.

Nevertheless he is now 19 feet and 11 inches tall and has obtained actual normally animated limbs! And made of fire no less!

BOSS BATTLE TIME!

Though, Jack is just wandering around and not really battleing anything or harming anything that in't very close by and flammable so it's less f a battle than a show off so far. But he has tallness!

[lord pringle]

A voice whispers in his head. Find the other stones!

[Mina Kobold]

A voice whispers in his head. Find the other stones!

Another voice in Jack's head, ought to give a headache when thinking about that, speaks up itself.

"Get out! This is my base of thought!"

It is aswered by more voices, distant and echoing chanting about escape and darkness until they slowly fade away.

"See? You ain't in control, Jack is FREE!"

The voice may find him overly dramatic and possibly even scared of being controlled.

He, however, can't really do anything unless it decides to battle him inside his own head. Fighting game characters are like that

[Cyborg Mage]

The man gets to work, singling out whoever seems to have the most control of the helm. He doesn't kill him. He throws knives at three of them, stabs another and grabs yet another and throws him out a window. He then finishes off whoever is left, and holds his sword at the helmsman's throat.
"I assume you serve DARKFIEND, monstro. Where did this fortress come from? Rapidamente, and I may not have to kill you."

[lord pringle]

[Jack's brain]
But it is not you but I with this power! Get more stones and get more. How does being king of all things sound?
[Flying Fort Control Room]
We built it. It runs on MCGUFFINSTONE power!

[Mina Kobold]

"Make a king of Jack'O'Ween? Mayhap he would but Jack already a king have been. For in the land of the dead Mort was the overlord and the voices told Jack to take that from Mort!"

The voice may feel that Jack is recalling this with anger, not the feeling you'd expect if he was still the king of the undead

"But the voices tricked him, they wanted to free the one even to mort too grim!"

Jack mentally shudder.

"Jack do not wish ever to heed the voices nevermore, begone, therefore!"

Despite his stubborn refusal to follow the orders of voices in his head, it seems Jack have revealed what even a being of the night himself fear.

(At this rate, once it finally gets him to follow it it'll probably take at least three boss battles to stop him :smalltongue:)

[Cyborg Mage]

[Flying Fort Control Room]
We built it. It runs on MCGUFFINSTONE power!

"Fine, monstro."
The man slits the goblin's throat and takes his place at the helm.
"If you built it, then I will destroy it."
He then examines the steering system and tries to figure out how to fly this thing.

[lord pringle]

"Make a king of Jack'O'Ween? Mayhap he would but Jack already a king have been. For in the land of the dead Mort was the overlord and the voices told Jack to take that from Mort!"

The voice may feel that Jack is recalling this with anger, not the feeling you'd expect if he was still the king of the undead

"But the voices tricked him, they wanted to free the one even to mort too grim!"

Jack mentally shudder.

"Jack do not wish ever to heed the voices nevermore, begone, therefore!"

Despite his stubborn refusal to follow the orders of voices in his head, it seems Jack have revealed what even a being of the night himself fear.

(At this rate, once it finally gets him to follow it it'll probably take at least three boss battles to stop him :smalltongue:)
With me you could kill that!

"Fine, monstro."
The man slits the goblin's throat and takes his place at the helm.
"If you built it, then I will destroy it."
He then examines the steering system and tries to figure out how to fly this thing.

there is a steering wheel.

[Mina Kobold]

Jack laughs, it sounds very cute yet very creepy, like a zombie puppy.
The others may be wondering what's going on, but maybe they're more surprised by the transformation than the laugh.

He looks mentally at the voice

"Vlad is already dead, so are all who in our land thread"

He looks interested at the voice

"But you hisper of power greater than Vlad, is it true or is it more lies mist-clad?"

[Cyborg Mage]

"Well, this is just too easy."
The man steers the fortress towards the largest concentration of goblins he can see and leaps out onto the outside of the structure, jumping into a nearby haystack as the fortress crashes. A green thing on top of another green thing. It's ironic, in a way.

[lord pringle]

Jack laughs, it sounds very cute yet very creepy, like a zombie puppy.
The others may be wondering what's going on, but maybe they're more surprised by the transformation than the laugh.

He looks mentally at the voice

"Vlad is already dead, so are all who in our land thread"

He looks interested at the voice

"But you hisper of power greater than Vlad, is it true or is it more lies mist-clad?"
With the MCGUFFINSTONES one can do anything!

"Well, this is just too easy."
The man steers the fortress towards the largest concentration of goblins he can see and leaps out onto the outside of the structure, jumping into a nearby haystack as the fortress crashes. A green thing on top of another green thing. It's ironic, in a way.

The goblins retreat. The battle is over. 75% of Fort Rezenaar is destroyed. A Pyrrhic victory.

[Mina Kobold]

With the MCGUFFINSTONES one can do anything!

"Anything?!"

Jack smiles, it looks absolutely no different from his default expression.

"Where are these, Guffenstones?"

[lord pringle]

A world map appears with the stones marked.http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab183/lordpringle/netopolis22.png?t=1293637593

[Mina Kobold]

Jack looks at the map.

"Northward is closest by, so northward I shall fly"

Of course, he doesn't as much fly as just walk.

And walk.

Maybe chase a rattlesnake for fun.

But mostly walk.

[lord pringle]

He'll find himself in a thick fog.

[Mina Kobold]

Jack looks at the fog, then cheerily hops onward.

Just like home ^.^

[Cyborg Mage]

The man walks out of the haystack and looks over what was the battlefield. He talks under his breath.
"Requiescat in pace."
He then walks towards the wreckage of the fortress, picking through it and attempting to find the McGuffinstone that powered it.

[lord pringle]

The man walks out of the haystack and looks over what was the battlefield. He talks under his breath.
"Requiescat in pace."
He then walks towards the wreckage of the fortress, picking through it and attempting to find the McGuffinstone that powered it.
On top of the wreckage area is a glowing stone.

Jack looks at the fog, then cheerily hops onward.

Just like home ^.^

Fate A voice says.

[Cyborg Mage]

The man walks to the stone, takes out a small silver-coloured box and carefully closes it around the stone, in an attempt to contain in without actually touching it.
"Fate, amico, are you still here?"

[lord pringle]

The man walks to the stone, takes out a small silver-coloured box and carefully closes it around the stone, in an attempt to contain in without actually touching it.
"Fate, amico, are you still here?"

I am still here but another agent is active.

[Cyborg Mage]

"Well, if you truly are fate, tell me-what is the true power of these stones? What would happen if all were gathered and made one?"

[lord pringle]

If all were gathered you could manipulate the world.

[Cyborg Mage]

"So, something we really want to keep away from DARKFIEND."
The man walks in the direction of the nearest town.

[lord pringle]

Yes. the McGuffin stone map appears to him.

[Mina Kobold]

Fate A voice says.

Jack'O'Ween hears everything! Even mysterious voices!

"The Fate of Jack already came to him, so who speaks of it in lights so dim?"

It's getting tiring to speak in rhymes, but Jack must keep with the spooky times!

[lord pringle]

You are playing into DARKFIEND's hands!

[Mina Kobold]

You are playing into DARKFIEND's hands!

"Jack won't lie, so he will tell that if about Fiends you cry, dark or not, Jack don't give a lot"

Jack continues cheerily onward, quite contrasting with his current appearance.

[lord pringle]

The mist vanishes as a humanoid dragon flies at Jack.

[Cyborg Mage]

"Oasis is closest, but that presents the problem of crossing the mountains. If I were to use the stone for just a moment, would I be able to travel there without obstacle or distance?"

[lord pringle]

"Oasis is closest, but that presents the problem of crossing the mountains. If I were to use the stone for just a moment, would I be able to travel there without obstacle or distance?"

Yes but that stone has been taken by an agent of DARKFIEND.

[Cyborg Mage]

"Then I suppose I shall just have to take it back."
The man opens the box, staring at the stone for a moment before tapping the rune on the top and focusing on Oasis.

[lord pringle]

You feel oneness with every thing for a brief second. All heart beats are in tune with yours. and then you appear near Jack o'Ween.

[Cyborg Mage]

The man stands trancelike for a moment, before looking up at Jack. He observes the creature for now, his hand hoverng beside his sheath.

[Mina Kobold]

The man should see a twenty feet tall creature with limbs of fire and a pumpking head on which a pointy hat resides, it is using a lantern staff as a walking stick.

It crouches and looks closely at him, curious.

"Why hello there, what brings you here?"

His breath is warm and smells like pumpking pie and grog, completely unfitting for such a huge and menacing creature.

The dragon is completely ignored.

[lord pringle]

Fate whispers to the man He's the agent!

[KerfuffleMach2]

((<_<...>_>...hi...))

Lina is still at the village where she met Jack. She didn't see him take off with the stone.

Good job, Lina.

[lord pringle]

Well... the crater is starting to seal up.

[KerfuffleMach2]

That's...kinda freaky.

She goes closer to investigate.

[lord pringle]

A bunch of Fate-bugs are flying over it. the crater seems to be rewinding in time.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Lina blinks a few times.

That's...also freaky.

[lord pringle]

One fate-bug says Killer. another says villain. and a third says Agent of DARKFIEND.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Wait...you talking to me? Lina takes a step back. Okay, I'll admit, I've killed. Comes with the job.

[lord pringle]

You killed us. We have your best interests in mind.

[KerfuffleMach2]

She pauses and tilts her head a little. Wait...you're those freaky bug things from earlier?

I thought you were attacking me!

[lord pringle]

We just want to talk to you Lina of DARKFIEND.

[KerfuffleMach2]

She holds up a finger. Stop right there. It's just Lina.

...also, how did you know my name?

[lord pringle]

I am fate, Lina.

[KerfuffleMach2]

She stares blankly at them.

Uh-huh. And I'm Ashera.

Seriously, if you're Fate, then you're saying I'm fated to be with DARKFIEND?

[lord pringle]

You let one of his agents get a McGuffin stone.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Okay, first off, have no idea what that is. Second, I don't know who you're talking about.

[Cyborg Mage]

"Put. Down. The stone."
The man backs a few paces away from Jack's head as he says this.

[Mina Kobold]

Jack shakes his head in a manner reminiscent of a teacher disapointed with his student.

"Wherefore would Jack let go, of might wondrous so?"

He places his staff on the ground where it remains standing, defying any attempt of the land to tip it over.

"If from Jack'O'Ween thou wish a deed, to do battle thee will need"

Jack stands upright and faces the man, a sound roaring seemingly from no place at all and almost sounding like a shout of 'Ready!'

(Yay for archaic speech!)

[Cyborg Mage]

The man attempts to run up Jack's face, grabbing the stalk on top of his head, drawing his sword and driving it through the top of his head.

[Mina Kobold]

That would be a good plan if Jack hadn't been twenty feet tall, his limbs made of fire and his stalk cowered by hatsy stuff.

Still a good plan, but as the man moves he may notice that the roar now sounds like 'FIGHT!' and that Jack is sending a flurry of blows his way that would put even the fastest button masher to shame.

They're also made of fire.

You'd expect Jack's head and hat to be quite crispy with all this fire, but they're allright. Jack got them in the fireproof pumpking and hatsy stuff store.

[Cyborg Mage]

The man dodges most of the blows effortlessly, excluding a few that manage to singe his clothes, before tossing a throwing knife at one of Jack's eye-holes and sliding between his flaming legs. He then begins climbing the sheepskin making up Jack's back, using his knives if necessary.

[Mina Kobold]

The knife hits Jack square in the eye socket, quickly dissapearing in the flames of the Jack'O'Lantern and causes Jack to stagger back flailing his arms.

The flailing turns into an attack as they claw at the man when he climbs Jack's back.

"Oy vey! Would thee not be so gay!"

Which would cause many complaints from people disliking homophobes but Jack would just answer them with a blank stare as he has yet to realise that 'gay' means anything but jolly.

Which was all it did when people actually wore pointy hats and carried lantern staves.

(That means he's telling him to stop fooling around, or to stop singing. Yeah, definitedly the latter :smalltongue:)

[Cyborg Mage]

The man climbs onwards, stopping only to pat the odd flame that catches on his clothes, and eventually reaches Jack's head. He climbs to his hat, takes out his sword and cuts a thin hole in it, through which he climbs and begins stabbing Jack's head. Repetedly.

[Mina Kobold]

As he cut Jacks hat several things happen at once.

First of all something falls out and lands on the ground, then the flames explode outward and disappear, leaving the man to fall to the ground and face the little, scarecrow limbed, Jack staring at him with as much anger as a pumpking can manage. Which is quite a lot it seems.

Then he might notice that the sky is darkening, and that Jack is holding the lantern staff

"Thou cut the hat of Jack! Thou will learn why such is baddest luck"

He swings the staff in arcs, sending deep black flames in waves at the man.

They don't seem very nice, they're not even bright.

That's mean.

[Cyborg Mage]

Giovanni holds his sword in fromt of him, which somehow blocks every attack in the combo bar the last. He then runs past Jack, piercing his pumpkin with his sword, and comes back from behind planting his hidden blade and another throwing knife into his head.

("Fatality!")

[Mina Kobold]

The man should feel an imense soul pain, nothing fatal as he was only hit once but it's really annoying and probably not healthy for his psych-Gah!

Jack is hit all three times and his face begins to go in pieces as trips and falls.

"Jack-ight o jo-e the stin-trinket to-"

He tries to speak and points at where the stone fell before seemingly passing out, while on fire, having no eyelids to close and no breath to change...

Pumpkings are weird.

The roar this time sounds 'Knock-Out!'

[Gimliggamer]

((Back from Christmas. LOL))
Mike is still next to the crater. He didn't notice creepy Jack dude walk off with macguffin. And He is currently pointing an arrow at the fate bugs.

[lord pringle]

The man should feel an imense soul pain, nothing fatal as he was only hit once but it's really annoying and probably not healthy for his psych-Gah!

Jack is hit all three times and his face begins to go in pieces as trips and falls.

"Jack-ight o jo-e the stin-trinket to-"

He tries to speak and points at where the stone fell before seemingly passing out, while on fire, having no eyelids to close and no breath to change...

Pumpkings are weird.

The roar this time sounds 'Knock-Out!'
As the stone falls jack goes back to normal.

((Back from Christmas. LOL))
Mike is still next to the crater. He didn't notice creepy Jack dude walk off with macguffin. And He is currently pointing an arrow at the fate bugs.

The bugs move away from the bow.

[Mina Kobold]

As the stone falls jack goes back to normal.

He did, when it fell out of his hat earlier and he turned small again. :smallsmile:

[KerfuffleMach2]

As the stone falls jack goes back to normal.


The bugs move away from the bow.

Hey! Still didn't answer my question!