[Nexus] Random Places and Plots 8: Adventures! Thrills! Groceries!

[Beans]

This is a thread for plots not large enough to need a separate thread, or locations that don't fit anywhere else. If you'd like a location permanently indexed in the first post, PM me.

Longer lasting or more serious plots might fit better in the Srs Plots thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=247077). This thread is events that aren't as structured as srs and not as long lasting. If you aren't sure which thread fits your plot best, then just pick whichever one is less busy at the time.

Rules:
1. Use [Location Tags] or [Plot Tags] on your posts.
2. Each Location or Plot is under the control of its creator.
3. Play nice.

Archives:
Random Places and Plots 1 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175999)
Random Places and Plots 2 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=184776)
Random Places and Plots 3 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199752)
Random Places and Plots 4 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=216869)
Random Places and Plots 5 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=240223)
Random Places and Plots 6 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=268687)
Random Places and Plots 7 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=301179)

[Recaiden]

[Bishop's Car]

"Can we afford that long of a delay? Well, I told her to come towards here anyway. Come on, go!"

[Beans]

[Bishop's Car]
Bishop nods, calling Circe again to redirect her. At the first red light they reach, the tear-stained Fangire girl runs over from the sidewalk, clambering into the back of the car before they pull off again.
"I-I'm here, I..." She swallows, hanging her head, knowing she failed to protect Seiner as she was asked.

[Recaiden]

[Bishop's Car]

"I know. I couldn't stop her alone either. I didn't imagine you'd have to. You can make it up to her now." Pat-pat goes a comforting hand on Circe's shoulder. Not Riki's hand, of course, those are busy being clenched in fear.

[Beans]

[Bishop's Car]
She nods, sniffling a little. She is quiet while they drive, scooting to rest a little against Riki, hoping to make them both feel a little better.

The scenery changes as they start to head out of the city and suburbs towards the countryside, houses getting less frequent as they go.

[Recaiden]

Aww, it's a leaning fangire. Riki cuddles against her for the ride. "Circe, you tried, and you warned us just when you could." It wasn't supposed to go wrong this quickly. But then, she wasn't supposed to fall in love with the new King either. :smallsigh:

Riki glances out the window occasionally, wondering just where this place is, whether Bishop is leading them to their deaths, praying they'll be in time.

[Devixer]

[Small Town, Big House]
Thryza kisses back softly, then seats herself to wait for them to return. Her nervousness dropping away, she lets herself daydream a bit about their wedding. Small, but not needing to be big; simple, but not scanty; happy, the most important part.

Thyrza may be able to hear Hildur talking with her father in Swedish. The voices get louder over time, but then they suddenly cut out. Then, about a minute later: "Thyrza!"

[Beans]

[Bishop's Car]
Circe holds her a little bit, nodding and sniffling.

Eventually, a great old country estate looms off to the left.
---
[Small Town, Big House]
Thryza trots to the door, worried. "Er, yes, what is it?"

[Devixer]

Small Town, Big House

"Come in, please!" Hildur says. She sounds a little panicky.

[Beans]

[Small Town, Big House]
Thryza pulls open the door, wondering what's going on and what's got her fiancee so scared.

[Recaiden]

[Bishop's Car]

Circe holds her a little bit, nodding and sniffling.

Eventually, a great old country estate looms off to the left.

"The House of Petals." Someone just has to announce it. Riki draws a bit away from Circe, ready to leap out the car as soon as it stops.

[Beans]

[House of Petals]
Circe is not so quick to get out when they stop in front of the gates of the estate's wall, but she does get out, followed by Bishop. The manor is set atop a rise, looming and antiquated but fairly well-kept.

[Recaiden]

[House of Petals]

"What should I know about this place?"

Riki heads to the gates, trying to throw them open or slide them back, as is appropriate.

[Beans]

[House of Petals]
Open they are thrown; Bishop cautiously takes a step down the gravel pathway to the front door, glancing around before starting to slowly advance.
"This is Kusu's home. She doesn't bother with things like booby-traps or anything, but it's likely she'll have guards... of course, there's also the fact that we are currently walking into the den of the most powerful Fangire alive, as well as one of the most experienced. You handled Rook pretty well, but...well... this is going to be a lot harder."

[Recaiden]

To contrast, Riki is practically running up the rise towards the house. The sound of too many footsteps follows her.

"With two other fangire, two of my kind and hopefully the help of the king. She'll likely have a lot of dead guards in a moment. Come on, we're in a hurry here!"
Oh look, Riki's plucked the old Rook's quickly refused sword out of the air. Wonder where that came from.
"If she's anything like before, she'll spend a while taunting me and reminding me of how to beat her."

[Hattish Thing]

The room is truly gigantic. It's at least a kilometer on each side, far too big to fit in the space before the next door on the outside. If Marciano's seen Harald's trick with his pockets before, he might make the connection.

There are racks, cases and stands everywhere, with a huge amount of weaponry and armour laden on them.

((Harald's pockets often contain things way too big to fit.))

Marciano walks into the room and sits thee at his computer, just staring around. ...I just hit such the jackpot... Heh. Jackpot. Cause I own a casino. Hehe. Jackpot. Get it? I... don't know who he's talking to. Anyway, he moves over to the armor and weaponry and begins stuffing them into his sack. He'll fit as much as absolutely possible. After all, this was his one chance to recover this tech before the pyschos below come up to blow the place up.

How much will he be able to recover?

[Beans]

To contrast, Riki is practically running up the rise towards the house. The sound of too many footsteps follows her.

"With two other fangire, two of my kind and hopefully the help of the king. She'll likely have a lot of dead guards in a moment. Come on, we're in a hurry here!"
Oh look, Riki's plucked the old Rook's quickly refused sword out of the air. Wonder where that came from.
"If she's anything like before, she'll spend a while taunting me and reminding me of how to beat her."
[House of Petals]
Bishop curses, running after her while Circe follows behind.
The front doors can be pushed through, and from the foyer Riki will be able to see through the doorway into the main hall, where Kusu stands before a marble throne. The Queen is looking rather pleased with herself, and seems to have gone to the trouble of strewing the path from the door to the throne with flower petals.
There's flair and then there's just showing off...

[GrandDM]

Marciano walks into the room and sits thee at his computer, just staring around. ...I just hit such the jackpot... Heh. Jackpot. Cause I own a casino. Hehe. Jackpot. Get it? I... don't know who he's talking to. Anyway, he moves over to the armor and weaponry and begins stuffing them into his sack. He'll fit as much as absolutely possible. After all, this was his one chance to recover this tech before the pyschos below come up to blow the place up.

How much will he be able to recover?

A lot. It should be noted, however, that there are no really high-power weapons here. Just more conventional stuff, if very well-made. The armour is likewise forged of standard materials.

[Recaiden]

[House of Petals]

Well the place had to earn its name somehow. You don't get to be a house of <noun> without showing off.
Riki slows down as she crashes through the front doors and heads in through the foyer. Odd that Kusu isn't sitting in the throne...oh. Are they already too late?

"Kusu, what are you doing?"

[Beans]

[House of Petals]
Kusu giggles, stepping to the side to show what's behind Curtain #1.
Seiner is sitting there in new clothes; black leather pants, a black jacket with a white fur collar, and the King's blue scarf draped over her shoulder. On the back of her palm, the King's mark.
She looks exhausted, pale and dark under eyes that are red and puffy from crying. When she sees Riki, she seems to brighten a little, smiling weakly and trying to sit up from her slump, but can hardly move. "N-Nines..."

The Queen grins. "What am I doing? Well, I'm about to kill little Crimes's girlfriend in front of her, thereby breaking her wholly and making her my plaything. I'm actually glad you came, since this'll be quicker than it would take otherwise, Riki darling."

Bishop and Circe enter behind Riki, getting a small, annoyed huff from Kusu.

Flanking the walls are the guards... or, judging by their uniforms, valets.
Probably both.

[Recaiden]

[House of Petals]

"Seiner! You're still...you." Riki would have let out a relieved breath, but she had to breathe in specifically to talk, so it's just not going to work. "No, Kusu. If you were going to do that, you would have taken us when we were asleep in the tower, before I killed your little peacock. I don't imagine you'll miss her, but wasn't it a bit of a waste if you let her die like that? You're just trying to give up your throne with some stupid melodramatic showdown."

"Ione, torch the building." There's laughter in the thin quiet voice that questioned Circe and steps back towards the door.

Riki takes a few falsely-confident steps into the main hall. "You all on the wall. I give you one chance to surrender and depart with your lives." She heads towards a articular guard-valet on the left of the room and tries to set a hand on his shoulder. Easily interruptable before getting there, of course.

[Beans]

[House of Petals]
Kusu rolls her eyes. "I let you live the first time because of my lingering fondness for you, my dear. Obviously my generosity has been well and truly wasted---did you really have to kill my dear little Rook? Such nicely toned legs, all gone to waste now, just like everything about you." She sighs.

The valet does not move, his face utterly impassive.

"See, you seem to think you have a chance at defeating me, which is honestly pretty silly." The Queen sits on the arm of the throne, toying with her hair.

Bishop and Circe stand warily together, glancing about.

[Recaiden]

[Main Hall of Petals]

Riki sighs. The fangire are never going to take this seriously. That's not the world they live in. "I'm afraid I did. Like almost all of your people, she refused to listen to reason." Riki studies the valet idly. Probably some poor person the Queen had done whatever to. As good as dead already. She whips her hand across him, fingers narrowing to blades in an attempt to slice his head off. That should either provoke a minor reaction or rid the room of one of them.

"Watch us, Kusie."

[Beans]

[House of Petals - Hall]
His hand snaps up, blocking her attack somewhat. Rather than slicing his head off, her fingers slice his cheek to ribbons---unpleasant, but not an instant kill.
Simultaneously, all the valets transform, their Fangire forms resembling warrior ants.

"Oh, I'm watching. Well, mostly."

The valet-antsstart to close in; the one Riki attacked strikes back with a backhand sweep of his arm.

[Recaiden]

[House of Ants]

Riki ducks down and lets the swipe pass over her, then springs back up into an attempted uppercut. A slight motion of her other hand indicates 'wait'.
"This is what you warned us about Bishop. Let's go!"

Outside, a non-woozle-pire is examining the House of Petals to assess its flamability. They didn't really bring a lot of incendiaries today.

[Beans]

[House of Petals]
One of the valets comes toward Circe... and is promptly hurled back by a torrent of blue flame that, while it neither burns nor kills him, hits like a linebacker. A really racist linebacker.
Bishop's mark pulses on her hand as she grits her teeth. "We're doomed, aren't we?"

The valet is uppercutted, stumbling back, but two more come at Riki from left and right!

Outside, the manor's exterior has a depressingly stony appearance, boring and stodgy and not very burny. Jerks.

[Recaiden]

[House of Linebackers]

"By these? Hardly." Riki leaps up above the ant-gires, flips over, and endeavors to grab the two and slam their silly insect heads together before landing behind them.

How irritating! Some footsteps make their way inside. There's probably some furniture to use as fuel somewhere.

[Beans]

[House of Petals]
Clonk! They get smacked together like a pair of Stooges, but they turn around to attack again!

Meanwhile, the furniture does look rather burny, especially in the drawing room.

[Recaiden]

[House of Stooges]

Riki turns back to face them, drawing the beetle-sword and slicing at the ants in one motion. She also tries to count the valets as she spins about.

Meanwhile, cabinets are being smashes and chairs piled and small quantities of kerosene poured until finally the drawing room is ready to be lit. A match is struck and placed.

[Beans]

[House of Wise Guy, Eh? *eyepoke*]
Twelve in all! Well, ten now, and these guys manifest spears as they come at her, not so keen to get into sword range. Bishop and Circe are still fighting off to the side.

Elsewhere, fire! It is very fire, and also hot. Oh no, the horsehair sofa!

[Recaiden]

[House of Why I Oughta...]

Riki runs in at the ten or so minions, swinging the blade to knock aside spears rather than hit her opponents, and with the other hand to grab at one. You have to fight spears with spears, of course. The sword was just because those two had the rudeness to take more than one hit.

Honestly the horsehair sofa is getting what it deserves. Making a cushion and chair leg into a really silly torch, one makes their way around the house, searching for an other entrance into the main hall and more flammable interiors.

[Beans]

[House of Curly]
She grabs one, but while her sword is occupied and so is her hand, one tries to get in and stab at her. These guys are making the most of their numbers!

Meanwhile, they will find no other entrance to the main hall. However, there are lots of things to burn elsewhere!

[Recaiden]

[House of Larry]

Terribly unsporting of them. He finds nothing left to stab as Riki is replaced by a snake coiled about the grabbed spear, which then strikes towards that spear's wielder. Silly girl; turning into a snake never helps.

Meanwhile, wondering who builds a hallway with only one entrance, and why, Ione makes their way about the House of Petals, setting fire to everything in reach.

[Beans]

[House of Moe]
Snake!
But now Snaki is being stabbed at by others, even as their companion is attacked!

Meanwhile, BURNING! YAY!

[Recaiden]

[House of Stabbing]

Whether the snake succeeds at a poisonous bite of the ant-gire, it gets stabbed. The main reason is that it's stopped being a snake, and is now much larger, more of an elephant.

[Beans]

[House of Petals]
That one is poisonously bited! And suddenly, elephant! They all try to stab at her now that she's so much bigger!

[Recaiden]

[House of Petals]

Stab stab stab stab. That was really kind of unavoidable. The much larger animal though, pushes past the stabbing injuries to try to trample the minions, grabbing one in its trunk if it can.

Meanwhile, much burning continues. But with all those flames set, the thing to do now is return to the throne room.

[Gullara]

Movie Madness

"Mrs. Frescot," Magtok repeats, as if he needed to be sure he could pronounce that correctly, or as if saying the name aloud would help him acclimate to the individual in question. Maybe one, maybe both, maybe neither's the case. It figures that they would find a dryad for this role, assuming that's not an illusion or some really creative makeup job, though. Dryads aren't really known for acting however, are they? A little limited in scope, being tied down to a tree more often than not and such.

"Hi, Mrs. Frescot. Magtok, but you already knew that. Frescot, I swear I've heard that name before. Have you gone to any of the stuffy Nexus organization parties before?"

No no, not there. She was a PC buying baby stuff or something at MagMart, that's what it was. You only took note when glancing through the security feeds a week later because tree women are usually chained to their trees, or else look a hell of a lot more like Ents, and only attract equally ugly Ent-Men (or Ent-Lesbians) to be their spouses.

[Movie Madness]

Sakura turns toward Magtok when he approaches. Her conversation partner takes the opportunity to dismiss herself. "Hello. Um, I've been to a few parties, but I don't think that's where you would've heard my name before. My first name is Sakura, though. But maybe it's my husband Adir you know?" The dryad suggests. She doesn't seem all that phased about meeting a celebrity such as Magtok, or even by the fact that Magtok's relationship with Watch is, to put it lightly, strained.

[Beans]

[house of Petals]
Two are stomped into shards; one is trunk-grabbed!
The throne room is able to be returned to, of course.

All the while, Queen is still sitting on the throne's arm with Seiner. Now and then a bit debris comes her way, but it gets about two yards from her and seems to strike something, presumably some sort of shield.

[Recaiden]

[House of Petals]

Rikiphant decides to test the shield by throwing an entire ant-gire at it, before returning to human shape and doing a totally unnecesary twist-flip to face the valets again.

Meanwhile, a torch held by the invisible hand of capitalism a pyromaniac vampire floats back into the hall and charges up to help Circe and Bishop.

[Beans]

[House of I still haven't finished that book yet oh gods]
The shield holds quite well, powered presumably by Kusu's indifference.

The ant valets observe this totally unnecessary flippitything and respond with sensible stabby actions!

Circe meeps when she sees the torch and its cuddly invisible bearer.

[Hattish Thing]

A lot. It should be noted, however, that there are no really high-power weapons here. Just more conventional stuff, if very well-made. The armour is likewise forged of standard materials.

There is still money available. You can make a HUGE profit from that sort of thing, especially in such incredible condition. INTO THE SACK. :smalltongue: Armor piece after weapon after shield is eagerly and greedily jammed into the sack. The sack is about 1/4th full including everything so far.

After he takes everything he can, Marcybot will take out the paintball gun again and 'decorate' the room. Next he moves out of the room. He'll look about for anything that even remotely looks like it could store treasure or weapons or computers. He uses his x-ray vision to detect secret doors.

[Lord Magtok]

Movie Madness

Magtok taps at his wrist, and runs a brief search. Nope, nothing on Adir. Nothing on either of them, unless you count this tabloid article about Cessie having a lesbian affair with the dryad in front of him, but he's going to pretend he didn't see that one. His files mostly seem concerned with only the biggest Watchtower members, the ones that pose the most deadly threats, hold the highest ranks, or have some past history with our cyborg. Insofar as he can tell, that's just the leadership quartet, Harnel, Ilpholin, and Darcy.

"...No. Huh. That's strange, I'm not used to not knowing everything about everybody ever."

He's joking, of course. Joking is one of those things he does, when he's not busy dressing up as women or dating catgirls. Speaking of dating, incidentally, he files that whole husband thing in the new Sakura Frescot file, alongside a reminder to stop being so weirded out by her cherry blossom hair.

[GrandDM]

There is still money available. You can make a HUGE profit from that sort of thing, especially in such incredible condition. INTO THE SACK. :smalltongue: Armor piece after weapon after shield is eagerly and greedily jammed into the sack. The sack is about 1/4th full including everything so far.

After he takes everything he can, Marcybot will take out the paintball gun again and 'decorate' the room. Next he moves out of the room. He'll look about for anything that even remotely looks like it could store treasure or weapons or computers. He uses his x-ray vision to detect secret doors.

His x-ray vision doesn't work.

The next door along is labelled "biolab" and has an extremely large biohazard warning plastered on it.

[Recaiden]

[House of I still haven't finished that book yet oh gods]
The shield holds quite well, powered presumably by Kusu's indifference.

The ant valets observe this totally unnecessary flippitything and respond with sensible stabby actions!

Circe meeps when she sees the torch and its cuddly invisible bearer.

[House of soon the ringing will start]

Silly valets. They should know that as faceless interchangeable minions they will never succeed with the same move twice.
Riki meets the spears by turning into a familiar giant ice monster, highly stabproof. It twist its mouth in a giant grin, breathing out a cloud of snowflakes, and advances on the ants.

"Don't worry Circe. We've got them, see?" The torch is run up and bopped towards a guard-valet.

[Beans]

[House of Riki the Snowpire]
The ant-valets don't seem very affected by the cold, turning their spears around to try to strike with the butts, since that seems slightly better than trying to stab ice.

One is bopped with the torch; the flame doesn't bother it much, but it turns to take a swipe at whatever just hit it with part of a chair.

[Recaiden]

[House of Nouns]

That's a bit more effective, cracking the ice slightly to moderately in more places than the few that were already broken when the shape was assumed.
The snowpire strikes back with its frozen claws, attempting to slice up some ants and send them crashing away.

[Beans]

[House of Petals]
Some of them are indeed sliced up; there are now about six of these guys left standing, still trying to attack from the sides if they can get around her.

[Hattish Thing]

His x-ray vision doesn't work.

The next door along is labelled "biolab" and has an extremely large biohazard warning plastered on it.

No X-Ray vision? Oh so uncool. Well, it seems Marciano is going to have to do this manually. Oh, wait. Nevermind. Look. Biolab. He moves over to the place and will attempt to open it and immediately begin to fire the HeavyArms on anything that looks possibly threatening.

Marciano is at his computers licking his lips eagerly, as if this was all a video game for him. He loved it. If there is no enemy in the room, he'll move in to look about eagerly.

[Recaiden]

[House of Petals]

The ice monster rushes through the one it sliced up, taking some cracked ice-planes on its shoulders, but remaining unsurrounded. It tries to throw the remains of the sliced valet at his comrades.

Oh, and one of them was dealing with a chair leg. A chair leg that is swiftly brought up and turned to block the sweeping spear. A moment after the valet might feel a kick of moderate painfulness against his knee.

[Beans]

[House of Petals]

The ice monster rushes through the one it sliced up, taking some cracked ice-planes on its shoulders, but remaining unsurrounded. It tries to throw the remains of the sliced valet at his comrades.

Oh, and one of them was dealing with a chair leg. A chair leg that is swiftly brought up and turned to block the sweeping spear. A moment after the valet might feel a kick of moderate painfulness against his knee.
The others scatter, trying to regroup behind her. This is looking bad for them.

The guy dealing with the invisiwoozle tries kicking at what seems to be holding the chair leg, not quite sure what's going on.

[Recaiden]

[House of Petals]

You have to admire their persistence, though. The ice monster shatters, leaving a bruised human Riki in them middle of the shards and snowflakes. She twirls about to face the remaining guard, smiles, and beckons them come closer and attack.

Meanwhile, what's going on is kickboxing! A kick lands on something, and the torch falls to the ground. The valet might hear something stepping lightly to get behind him.

[Beans]

[House of Petals]
The remaining guards start moving in, pretty wary of the lady who keeps doing things that involve them dying.

The guard with the invisiwoozle turns, but first hesitates to look at the torch.
That is probably a bad idea.

[Recaiden]

As they move in, Riki reclaims the sword from the magic-turn-into-a-snake-space where it had been kept, and dives past the valet furthest to her left, slashing at him as she attempts to get past.

Meanwhile, a guard is likely being kicked in the head by an invisiwoozle, quite hard.

[Beans]

[House of Petals]
Bam, another one down! That means there's... five, including the guy with the invisiwoozle.

Until Bishop and Circe take down the guy on the right. Four now.

Being kicked in the head is no fun, and that unlucky guard staggers backwards.

[GrandDM]

No X-Ray vision? Oh so uncool. Well, it seems Marciano is going to have to do this manually. Oh, wait. Nevermind. Look. Biolab. He moves over to the place and will attempt to open it and immediately begin to fire the HeavyArms on anything that looks possibly threatening.

Marciano is at his computers licking his lips eagerly, as if this was all a video game for him. He loved it. If there is no enemy in the room, he'll move in to look about eagerly.

He enters another impossibly large room. There are lots of enemies, but they're all in cages. Big cages. Inside these cages are massive, bio-engineered monstrosities. Claws, teeth, armour plating and spines abound, along with more esoteric things. There's a thick wall separating the far hundred meters of the room from the creature-storage area. Behind it are two sections. On the left is a massive bench with various nasty-looking tools and gadgets, very probably for making the things Marcy will have walked past. On the right is tank after tank full of various swirling or sloshing things in all sorts of virulent colours. Each and every one has a small holopanel beside it. One tank is extended forward on an arm and its holopanel is expanded to be about a meter on a side. If he goes to look, it reads:

Agent 34401 [Omega Agent]
Trials of this agent were successful beyond expectations. Effects on all classes of biological subjects with a dose of as little as a single inhalation include blindness, lung degeneration, nerve destruction, loss of mucus linings, massive internal haemhorraging and death. My automated filter systems are incapable of dealing with this agent. I have begun work on an upgrade.

-Test log <date>

The date was only a couple of days ago. There's also a detailed description of the procedure to make the bio-agent and notes on safety protocols. These include a dire warning that if it gets out of its container, you're as good as dead if you take so much as a breath.

[Hattish Thing]

He enters another impossibly large room. There are lots of enemies, but they're all in cages. Big cages. Inside these cages are massive, bio-engineered monstrosities. Claws, teeth, armour plating and spines abound, along with more esoteric things. There's a thick wall separating the far hundred meters of the room from the creature-storage area. Behind it are two sections. On the left is a massive bench with various nasty-looking tools and gadgets, very probably for making the things Marcy will have walked past. On the right is tank after tank full of various swirling or sloshing things in all sorts of virulent colours. Each and every one has a small holopanel beside it. One tank is extended forward on an arm and its holopanel is expanded to be about a meter on a side. If he goes to look, it reads:

Agent 34401 [Omega Agent]
Trials of this agent were successful beyond expectations. Effects on all classes of biological subjects with a dose of as little as a single inhalation include blindness, lung degeneration, nerve destruction, loss of mucus linings, massive internal haemhorraging and death. My automated filter systems are incapable of dealing with this agent. I have begun work on an upgrade.

-Test log <date>

The date was only a couple of days ago. There's also a detailed description of the procedure to make the bio-agent and notes on safety protocols. These include a dire warning that if it gets out of its container, you're as good as dead if you take so much as a breath.

Wow. Marciano walks in and begins to walk with much more caution in his step. As for the monsters... There's enough nasty baddies in here to give NO a huuuuge headache. That idea was tempting. But he can't stick live dangerous animals in his sack. Hm.

Seeing as it is a biolab and Marcybot has been around quite a few, he'll hunt for DNA samples of the creatures. He will collect the samples if he finds them, and also will grab the procedure on making the incredibly nasty bio-agent. That sounds.... tempting. And useful.

Tldr; Gadgets, Tools, Monster DNA Samples, and the Bio-Agent Procedure will be collected and placed away.

He had to destroy this area though. These monsters? This bio-stuff? Gods, if the people below found out about it, they'd hunt Marcy down again. Marcy liked having a secret weapon to get himself out of tight spots. Cover all bases this time. He'll move by the door and quickly fire a laser mounted from the tiny blaster at his arm. The laser outght to blow a huge hole straight through the Bio-Lab. Obviously space will suck out everything in the room and kill the stuff inside. Marciano will quickly manually yank the door to the biolab closed, before using the laser to melt the door into the surrounding area, closing it off.

Hopefully this all succeeds, in which case, he advances. ..This is all very impressive.

[GrandDM]

Wow. Marciano walks in and begins to walk with much more caution in his step. As for the monsters... There's enough nasty baddies in here to give NO a huuuuge headache. That idea was tempting. But he can't stick live dangerous animals in his sack. Hm.

Seeing as it is a biolab and Marcybot has been around quite a few, he'll hunt for DNA samples of the creatures. He will collect the samples if he finds them, and also will grab the procedure on making the incredibly nasty bio-agent. That sounds.... tempting. And useful.

Tldr; Gadgets, Tools, Monster DNA Samples, and the Bio-Agent Procedure will be collected and placed away.

He had to destroy this area though. These monsters? This bio-stuff? Gods, if the people below found out about it, they'd hunt Marcy down again. Marcy liked having a secret weapon to get himself out of tight spots. Cover all bases this time. He'll move by the door and quickly fire a laser mounted from the tiny blaster at his arm. The laser outght to blow a huge hole straight through the Bio-Lab. Obviously space will suck out everything in the room and kill the stuff inside. Marciano will quickly manually yank the door to the biolab closed, before using the laser to melt the door into the surrounding area, closing it off.

Hopefully this all succeeds, in which case, he advances. ..This is all very impressive.

The laser disperses against the white alloy of the wall, just like the electric bolt from earlier. What it does manage to do is fracture several of the bio-agent tanks, releasing a myriad of deadly gases into the air. Fortunately the Omega Agent remains intact.

All the DNA sequences and modifications made to the bio-creatures are documented on the holopanels by their cages and easily accessible.

He can't melt the door shut, but a forcefield springs up across the doorframe automatically.

[Hattish Thing]

The laser disperses against the white alloy of the wall, just like the electric bolt from earlier. What it does manage to do is fracture several of the bio-agent tanks, releasing a myriad of deadly gases into the air. Fortunately the Omega Agent remains intact.

All the DNA sequences and modifications made to the bio-creatures are documented on the holopanels by their cages and easily accessible.

He can't melt the door shut, but a forcefield springs up across the doorframe automatically.


Well, that's close enough. He wanted the Omega Agent to be freed into the air or destroyed. No one ought to know about it. And if the agent does get free, Marcybot will be perfectly fine seeing as Marcybot is, after all, a drone controlled by the real Marciano Louv're. (Who is ironically, also completely synthetic.) If the agent is not freed or destroyed, Marciano will blow the crap out of the room with the Heavyarms until it is. He'll release the Agent all over the base to kill any organic monsters as well.

Marciano hums lightly as he plays with deadly toxins. Fun stuff. All the while, that song is continuously playing.

[GrandDM]

Well, that's close enough. He wanted the Omega Agent to be freed into the air or destroyed. No one ought to know about it. And if the agent does get free, Marcybot will be perfectly fine seeing as Marcybot is, after all, a drone controlled by the real Marciano Louv're. (Who is ironically, also completely synthetic.) If the agent is not freed or destroyed, Marciano will blow the crap out of the room with the Heavyarms until it is. He'll release the Agent all over the base to kill any organic monsters as well.

Marciano hums lightly as he plays with deadly toxins. Fun stuff. All the while, that song is continuously playing.

The Omega Agent, completely invisible, spreads out. The bio-creatures scream, roar, convulse and die within seconds of being exposed to it. However, it gets no further than the door due to the automated forcefield cutting it off.

[Hattish Thing]

The Omega Agent, completely invisible, spreads out. The bio-creatures scream, roar, convulse and die within seconds of being exposed to it. However, it gets no further than the door due to the automated forcefield cutting it off.

Hmmm. Automated forcefield. Let's break it.

Marciano takes out a bomb from his huge belt and stick the explosive on whatever control pad there is to open the door. Or if that doesn't work for some reason, he just sticks it on the wall. He'll blow a huge hole into the room. He wanted to let he bio-agent kill his enemies for him.

Marciano liked to not risk much anymore.

[GrandDM]

Hmmm. Automated forcefield. Let's break it.

Marciano takes out a bomb from his huge belt and stick the explosive on whatever control pad there is to open the door. Or if that doesn't work for some reason, he just sticks it on the wall. He'll blow a huge hole into the room. He wanted to let he bio-agent kill his enemies for him.

Marciano liked to not risk much anymore.

The wall is blackened superficially, and there's a small dent, but beyond that there's no effect.

Harald doesn't compromise on defenses.

And then, footsteps from around the corner. Getting closer.

[Hattish Thing]

The wall is blackened superficially, and there's a small dent, but beyond that there's no effect.

Harald doesn't compromise on defenses.

And then, footsteps from around the corner. Getting closer.

Well, that pisses Marciano off considerably. He didn't like it when he didn't get exactly what he wanted. Then again, he was expecting an attacker. I mean, who could possibly have not heard him?

The robot waits for whatever it is to turn around the corner, then it goes into machine gun mode and fires a stunning amount of bullets per round. Enough to completely blow apart a full grown elephant. He'll continue to fire upon whatever it is until it is incredibly dead. **** you in particular!

[GrandDM]

Well, that pisses Marciano off considerably. He didn't like it when he didn't get exactly what he wanted. Then again, he was expecting an attacker. I mean, who could possibly have not heard him?

The robot waits for whatever it is to turn around the corner, then it goes into machine gun mode and fires a stunning amount of bullets per round. Enough to completely blow apart a full grown elephant. He'll continue to fire upon whatever it is until it is incredibly dead. **** you in particular!

The bullets all stop, suspended in midair about a foot away from the figure turning the corner.

He resembles Harald in face, but the bone structure is different and the eyes are blood-red and slit-pupil. He's also twelve feet tall with reddish, leathery wings folded on his back and a long, thick tail flicking gently behind him with brutal bone spurs jutting from the end.

"Bullets. Amusing."

[Gullara]

Movie Madness

Magtok taps at his wrist, and runs a brief search. Nope, nothing on Adir. Nothing on either of them, unless you count this tabloid article about Cessie having a lesbian affair with the dryad in front of him, but he's going to pretend he didn't see that one. His files mostly seem concerned with only the biggest Watchtower members, the ones that pose the most deadly threats, hold the highest ranks, or have some past history with our cyborg. Insofar as he can tell, that's just the leadership quartet, Harnel, Ilpholin, and Darcy.

"...No. Huh. That's strange, I'm not used to not knowing everything about everybody ever."

He's joking, of course. Joking is one of those things he does, when he's not busy dressing up as women or dating catgirls. Speaking of dating, incidentally, he files that whole husband thing in the new Sakura Frescot file, alongside a reminder to stop being so weirded out by her cherry blossom hair.

[Movie Madness]

Sakura laughs at the joke and gives her shoulders a little shrug. "Oh well. I hope I don't make a bad first impression, then. I've heard quite a bit about you. I have no idea what's real and what's just made up, though."

Harry, meanwhile, has stepped aside for a moment. He's taking advantage of the free moment them talking has given him and making a call.

[Recaiden]

[House of Petals]


Bam, another one down! That means there's... five, including the guy with the invisiwoozle.

Until Bishop and Circe take down the guy on the right. Four now.

Being kicked in the head is no fun, and that unlucky guard staggers backwards.

Turn, slide a bit along the floor, jump back towards them, slice at a spear to get that pointy bit out of the way, stab a valet in the neck with your claws, pick him up and use as an inhuman shield. Whoah, attempts!

Staggering is also probably not a good move. More kicks follow, aimed at below his ribs and at his knees.

[Beans]

[House of Attempts]

Luckily for Riki, she does all of those things! In the right order, even! That's yet another valet down, yay!
The remaining... uh... three back off a bit.

The one really unlucky guy gets backed against a wall, because it sucks to be him.

[Recaiden]

[House of Unlucky Dudes]

Riki laughs at the retreating ants.
"Where are you going? We're just getting started."
The vampire pursues them, rushing at the nearest one to try to knock him down. After all, what are fangire shields for if not to keep you from being stabbed in such situations?

Meanwhile, that one guy is ruthlessly pummeled against the wall. Kick. Kick. Punch. Kick. Knee. Punch. Headbutt. Generic violence.

[Beans]

[House of Petals]
The guy's spear goes into his dead buddy and he ends up on the floor, the other two still retreating.

The guy against the wall is battered to his knees, overwhelmed by the woozle onslaught.

[Recaiden]

[House of Petals]

Riki tosses aside the dead shield-guard and sets turns to the fallen one. The plan is to drop the sword, two slashes with her claws to cripple his arms, and drain out his blood. Those stab wounds and shattered ice-veins from earlier won't heal themselves (well they totally will but only slowly and undrammatically).

Meanwhile, that guy against the wall is probably getting a knee slammed into his face and then fangs chomping onto his neck.

[Beans]

[House of Petals]
While Riki drains the fallen one, Circe and Bishop set upon the two that are left. Bishop, naturally, is rather more quick to take down hers.

The guy against the wall struggles less and less as he is drained, his weird Fangire blood sucked out by an invisible woozlepire.

Meanwhile, Kusu watches in mild amusement.

[Recaiden]

[House of Petals]

Rikis stab wounds and bruises close up and fade away with the stolen life, and she recovers her sword and stands, licking a bit of blood off her lips, flushed red and looking giddy and excited.

"Thank you for the meal, Kusu." She slowly approaches the King and Queen.

Meanwhile, a slight distortion in the air is visible near the guy for a moment, then there's just an empty husk of a fangire left, and the sounds of footsteps leaving him.

[Beans]

[House of Petals]
Kusu finally stands, smirking still. Is that all she does these days?
"Welcome, darling, as always. Now, where were we?"
She steps leisurely toward Riki; Bishop bristles.
Riki, you need to be careful---she's a serious threat, Rook wasn't even close...

Through the few windows near the ceiling of the hall, they'll see the overcast afternoon sky becoming the familiar blood-maroon color of the Queen's Moon. Circe whimpers, the Dragonfly Fangire keeping a distance as Bishop keeps protectively close to Riki.
"Oh, don't be such a fusspot, Bishop." The Queen rolls her eyes, smiling at Riki. "Now you just get your cute little self over here, darling, I've missed you!" she makes a wholly unnecessary kissyface at Riki while, behind her, Seiner weakly tries again to get up, to even move.

[Recaiden]

Riki opens her mouth to start in with some sarcastic remark, notice Seiner again, and stops, just walking up towards the Queen. Kusu may be a pathetically arrogant opponent, but while Seiner is in danger, the situation is serious.
"Don't worry, Circe. That's our moon shining."

She puts on a grin. "Your move, Kusie. We've squished your ants, come on, do something besides look pretty."

Meanwhile, an invisible woozlepire sneaks around towards the throne.

[Beans]

[House of Lesbians]
Since the woozlepire is invisible, they may be able to see the also-invisible field around the throne, mauve (for all those capable of seeing it) and rippling.

Kusu shrugs, index finger coming up to her chin with a little pouty expression.
Everything after that happens rather too fast.
Bishop's eyes widen.
Kusu makes an idle flick of her hand.
Bishop tries to shove Riki to the floor by barreling into her, shoulder first.

[Recaiden]

[Any of Beans' Locations]

The invisibility specializing vampire notes the field, and moves up to tap at the ripples, investigating it. Kusu had left somehow, so it's got at least one way through it.

Riki manages to avoid this by melting into a puddle of water and flowing along the floor towards Kusu, unsure if this is the point where Bishop betrays her or if there's some dangerous and invisible fangire attack coming their way.

[Beans]

[House of Petals]
What fades into view is a sort of... vine-like thing coming from the space just in front of Kusu's finger, with little leaves shaped like spearheads coming off it. It was meant for Riki's chest, but is in Bishop's shoulder.
Kusu smiles, then moves much too fast toward the impaled woman along the vine.
"And poor Bishop went to all that trouble trying to save you, and here you are able to turn into a little puddle and avoid it. Good job wasting your friend's effort, silly girl."
She shoves Bishop toward the Rikipuddle, starting to transform. Her form is unfairly beautiful, clad in a sort of petal-dress and face obscured by long hair.

Circe cowers against the wall, shaking.
A Thousand Scars, A Thousand Promises. The Crocus Fangire, Queen of all Fangires.

[Recaiden]

[House of Petals]

Riki wants to yell that she warned Bishop, that she knew exactly what was going on (with the exception of knowing what the Queen's true form and name were, but that had to be dramatically revealed as she transformed), that trying to protect her is a waste. But it would only encourage 1000.
"She would have a weed for her true form."
The Rikipuddle rises up to catch Bishop and set her upright before slithering on towards Kusu, trying to envelop the transforming fangire.

Meanwhile, the invisipire is trying different ways to push through the barrier. Herself, a spear, the corpse of an antgire, and more.

[Beans]

[House of Petals]
The spear and corpse are pushed back, visibly damaged in the process. If she still tries herself, she will be pushed back and very significantly pained.
If she saw Bishop do that cool blast thing from her hand earlier, the Invisipire may notice there's a similarity between this energy and that one, as well as with the aura of the Queen. Maybe this is a Checkmate Four thing, this energy?

Kusu lets Rikipuddle get close, but lets loose with a pressure wave of air when the vampire goes in for the kill, pushing away on all sides as she herself pushes off the ground and toward Circe. The way she moves is like an astronaut moonwalking; given normal gravity, she shouldn't be able to cover that lateral distance with so little vertical rise.
Fangires are so weird.

[Recaiden]

[House of Petals]

The Rikipuddle is pushed back by a blast of air, well and thoroughly stopped. She splashes back to the ground in the shape of a cheetah, and sprints after the Queen, hoping to use this shape's silly speed to get between her and Circe.

Meanwhile, the invisiwoozle has not persisted in trying to pass through the barrier herself, but is heading over to Bishop. "Hey, Bishop, if you're at all alright, I think you can take down the wall around Miss Seiner."

[Beans]

[House of Petals]
Given Kusu's slow movement, Riki can get between them. She just smiles, striking out with a few of those strange vine-spears again.

Bishop starts to trudge over to the barrier.
I think I can... it'll take some doing, though.

[Lord Magtok]

[Movie Madness]

Sakura laughs at the joke and gives her shoulders a little shrug. "Oh well. I hope I don't make a bad first impression, then. I've heard quite a bit about you. I have no idea what's real and what's just made up, though."

"Well for starters, the baby-eating rumor is completely false. I have no idea how that one got started, but I wouldn't be surprised if it came from the same goblin who said I was one of his species. Anything else that sounds ridiculous and/or impossible is probably true, though."

Up to and including wearing women's clothing, now that that bizarre trip to AMEN and back has come and gone. Funny Magtok should mention the baby thing first, though. Is that really the worst of the rumors surrounding our cyborg, or just the one that sounds the most plausible?

[Hattish Thing]

The bullets all stop, suspended in midair about a foot away from the figure turning the corner.

He resembles Harald in face, but the bone structure is different and the eyes are blood-red and slit-pupil. He's also twelve feet tall with reddish, leathery wings folded on his back and a long, thick tail flicking gently behind him with brutal bone spurs jutting from the end.

"Bullets. Amusing."

Marciano frowns at his keyboard at his computer before he speaks and presses the "fire" key. Oh look, an *******. I came prepared, seeing as I have experience with demons, and that, oh, wait... YOU PUBLICLY ADVERTISED IT, BITCH. Marcybot strikes hard and fast, eager to get this over with. He grabs a huge grenade and chucks it to the floor. It'll go off and release an incredible amount of holy energy and sunlight. Enough to harm and blind even the strongest of demons. Right after, Marcy charges the E13 to fire a full shot.

[GrandDM]

Marciano frowns at his keyboard at his computer before he speaks and presses the "fire" key. Oh look, an *******. I came prepared, seeing as I have experience with demons, and that, oh, wait... YOU PUBLICLY ADVERTISED IT, BITCH. Marcybot strikes hard and fast, eager to get this over with. He grabs a huge grenade and chucks it to the floor. It'll go off and release an incredible amount of holy energy and sunlight. Enough to harm and blind even the strongest of demons. Right after, Marcy charges the E13 to fire a full shot.

As the light and energy fades, Namaar's booming laughter echoes from the metal walls. The E13's shot stops in midair along with all the other bullets.

"Oh dear. I'm disappointed, Marciano. I'm not here myself, not really. I've just hijacked Harald. Holy energy doesn't hurt him, and my alteration of his form is more than enough to shield his retinas from damage by the light. You'll have to do better than that."

[Recaiden]

[House of Petals]

Riki quickly resumes her human shape and whirls her sword about in a close circle, trying to slice through the vine-spears just in front of her. Not good being on the defensive like this.

"Tha's alright. Just get to doing.". The invisiwoozle's steps are to carefully head towards the queen, ready to jump away from any vine-spears heading her way.

[Beans]

[House of Petals]
The vine-spears are cut; Kusu kicks off and glides backward, scattering flower petals with a graceful twirl.
Should the invisiwoozle touch one of the petals drifting in the air, it will explode. A little explosion, like a little firecracker.

[Hattish Thing]

As the light and energy fades, Namaar's booming laughter echoes from the metal walls. The E13's shot stops in midair along with all the other bullets.

"Oh dear. I'm disappointed, Marciano. I'm not here myself, not really. I've just hijacked Harald. Holy energy doesn't hurt him, and my alteration of his form is more than enough to shield his retinas from damage by the light. You'll have to do better than that."

Well, Marcy was certainly offered a challenge in this demon. Hijacked Harald? Well, alright then. All he needed to do was remove the spirit or whatever. Exorcist type stuff. Marciano takes a small gem from a pocket and will throw it at Haralds feet while simultaneously moving close to him, dropping his E13, and aiming an incredible punch and kick attack to Harald's face and groin. **** you, Calublufiok wannabe. The gem will crack and it will attempt to use it's powerful magic to suck Harald's spirit/soul/demon thing from him and into the gem.

A soul gem was rather easy for Marciano to get. He has connections.

[Devixer]

[Small Town, Big House]
Thryza pulls open the door, wondering what's going on and what's got her fiancee so scared.

With the Gossamer metal shrinking off of her back, it's pretty obvious that Hildur had just become a dragon. And Johannes's reaction should be clear, given that he's unconscious and on the floor.

[Beans]

[Small Town, Big House]
"Oh, gods dammit."
Thryza sighs, kneeling by Johannes and trying to cradle his head off the floor. "The dragon thing was never going to be easy, was it?"

[GrandDM]

Well, Marcy was certainly offered a challenge in this demon. Hijacked Harald? Well, alright then. All he needed to do was remove the spirit or whatever. Exorcist type stuff. Marciano takes a small gem from a pocket and will throw it at Haralds feet while simultaneously moving close to him, dropping his E13, and aiming an incredible punch and kick attack to Harald's face and groin. **** you, Calublufiok wannabe. The gem will crack and it will attempt to use it's powerful magic to suck Harald's spirit/soul/demon thing from him and into the gem.

A soul gem was rather easy for Marciano to get. He has connections.

Marcy's attacks will hit an invisible wall right where the bullets are hovering. The soul gem has no appreciable effect.

"Afraid not. I'm not even all here. I just have a little sliver of my soul sitting inside Harald's. I'm protected by him, and his soul is anchored to mine which is in turn anchored to my greater self. There is no way in the world Harald's soul or mine could be taken from their vessels."

[Gullara]

"Well for starters, the baby-eating rumor is completely false. I have no idea how that one got started, but I wouldn't be surprised if it came from the same goblin who said I was one of his species. Anything else that sounds ridiculous and/or impossible is probably true, though."

Up to and including wearing women's clothing, now that that bizarre trip to AMEN and back has come and gone. Funny Magtok should mention the baby thing first, though. Is that really the worst of the rumors surrounding our cyborg, or just the one that sounds the most plausible?

[Movie Madness]

"Well don't worry. I figured that one was just people being weird." People do that a lot! Why make up such ridiculous stories about someone? "So everything else is true, huh? Even the dozen of ant kids you apparently have up on your moon nursery?" That one's up their on the absurdity levels, she thinks.

[Hattish Thing]

Marcy's attacks will hit an invisible wall right where the bullets are hovering. The soul gem has no appreciable effect.

"Afraid not. I'm not even all here. I just have a little sliver of my soul sitting inside Harald's. I'm protected by him, and his soul is anchored to mine which is in turn anchored to my greater self. There is no way in the world Harald's soul or mine could be taken from their vessels."

Oh.

Well this is beginning to be a problem. It appears Harald/Demon is completely and utterly invincible. But, seeing as it's, like, incorporeal and seems to only really effect humans.

Well. That means Marciano is going to just walk around him. He'll pick up his soul gem and his gun, and aim the weapon at Harald. He doesn't fire, no need to waste ammo. He'll attempt to just continue deeper into the base in search of more loot to plunder. Oh. Um. Kay. Well.... I'm gonna go and continue my work. Sooo. Just letting you know, there are five very powerful guys coming up here soon... Sooooo. I'd suggest, like, running. I at least don't care if you're alive or not. Soo... Good luck, bro. I guess.

[Lord Magtok]

Movie Madness

"Two kids, and I don't actually have any facilities on the moon because space is huge and expensive and terrifying to work with. The nuking it thing alone was like half the budget for that year."

The first and last time Magtok would have a stockpile of nukes, too. That's enough of that subject, though. Let's get off this road before Magtok bumps into an embarrassing rumor he can't prove false.

"So...you're, what, some kind of Poison Ivy sort of person for this? Trying to take over the world with doom-flowers and devilweeds?"

[GrandDM]

Oh.

Well this is beginning to be a problem. It appears Harald/Demon is completely and utterly invincible. But, seeing as it's, like, incorporeal and seems to only really effect humans.

Well. That means Marciano is going to just walk around him. He'll pick up his soul gem and his gun, and aim the weapon at Harald. He doesn't fire, no need to waste ammo. He'll attempt to just continue deeper into the base in search of more loot to plunder. Oh. Um. Kay. Well.... I'm gonna go and continue my work. Sooo. Just letting you know, there are five very powerful guys coming up here soon... Sooooo. I'd suggest, like, running. I at least don't care if you're alive or not. Soo... Good luck, bro. I guess.

Not invincible. Just very strong.

"I don't plan on staying here. I was on my way to the exit. I just finished the final sabotage. You might want to make your "work" quick."

He grins, and walks off towards the teleporter room.

[Hattish Thing]

Not invincible. Just very strong.

"I don't plan on staying here. I was on my way to the exit. I just finished the final sabotage. You might want to make your "work" quick."

He grins, and walks off towards the teleporter room.

Marciano smiles politely before moving forward into the place, now running to the nearest doors to quickly either shoot any enemies, or grab anything that looks even remotely valuable.

He'll rush by him before just giving a bit of advice. Take some stuff with you. Some cash, some weapons, find a good place to hide. Don't come out of hiding for a long time. I survived, you can too. I'm not your friend, but I've been where you are, it sucks. Don't... Like.. eat a priest or something. Um. Bye.

He moves forward.

[Gullara]

Movie Madness

"Two kids, and I don't actually have any facilities on the moon because space is huge and expensive and terrifying to work with. The nuking it thing alone was like half the budget for that year."

The first and last time Magtok would have a stockpile of nukes, too. That's enough of that subject, though. Let's get off this road before Magtok bumps into an embarrassing rumor he can't prove false.

"So...you're, what, some kind of Poison Ivy sort of person for this? Trying to take over the world with doom-flowers and devilweeds?"

[Movie Madness]

"Well something like that. There's more to it than tha-" Sakura starts to explain, but then she's interrupted.

"Our tragic villainess was a peaceful, caring woman before terrible fate struck. A loving mother who's children were torn away from her. She refused to simply fall into despair, but a madness stole over her. She would have her children back, though, at whatever cost." Harry stows away his phone and moves back over to them as he speaks. "I really can't do what the writers came up with justice, though. We have the nature versus machine angle as a sub-theme, but the main idea is grabbing that madonna archetype and giving it a nasty twist."

[Lord Magtok]

Movie Madness

"Please tell me I don't trigger this by eating babies." Something of a sensitive subject for our cyborg, apparently.

[GrandDM]

Marciano smiles politely before moving forward into the place, now running to the nearest doors to quickly either shoot any enemies, or grab anything that looks even remotely valuable.

He'll rush by him before just giving a bit of advice. Take some stuff with you. Some cash, some weapons, find a good place to hide. Don't come out of hiding for a long time. I survived, you can too. I'm not your friend, but I've been where you are, it sucks. Don't... Like.. eat a priest or something. Um. Bye.

He moves forward.

Namaar's voice follows him, even though the demon itself is heading for the teleporter room.

"You misunderstand. I am very happy where I am. I'm going to be seen as evil no matter what, so I might as well enjoy it. And that starts with the overloading fusion reactor at the heart of this station. Three minutes, Marciano."

And the teleporters activate.

[Recaiden]

[House of Petals]
The vine-spears are cut; Kusu kicks off and glides backward, scattering flower petals with a graceful twirl.
Should the invisiwoozle touch one of the petals drifting in the air, it will explode. A little explosion, like a little firecracker.

[House of Petals]

Riki grabs up a vine-spear in her right hand if they remain there after being cut, waving it about and testing its strength and flexiness. Then, if it be there, she throws it back at Kusu.

Meanwhile, two little petal detonations ring out, followed by a quiet curse and a scampering away invisiwoozle.

[Beans]

[House of Petals]
After cutting, they unfortunately fall to bits, so there's nothing much to throw.
Facing Riki, Kusu inhales and spits out a spray of what seem to be sunflower seeds. Given her track record, they're probably a lot less pleasant than sunflower seeds, given that they're moving at projectile speeds.

[Hattish Thing]

Namaar's voice follows him, even though the demon itself is heading for the teleporter room.

"You misunderstand. I am very happy where I am. I'm going to be seen as evil no matter what, so I might as well enjoy it. And that starts with the overloading fusion reactor at the heart of this station. Three minutes, Marciano."

And the teleporters activate.

Marcy ignores the demon. That sounded like an incredibly stupid plan most likely to get the demon murdered or horribly swarmed by enemies. Marciano knew how it happened.

Upon hearing about the fusion reactor, and then doing some mathwork in his head, he realizes that if the supertech goes off, there's gonna be a really big boom. Like, wipe out everything boom. Which he doesnt want. Wait. This was his way to prove his good intentions! Ahah!

He turns on the video recorder mode in his eye and runs forward, trying to move towards the fusion reactor. There had to be a way to deactivate the countdown!

[Recaiden]

[House of Petals]
(Sorry for being unposting for so long))
They're probably porcelain replicas hand-painted by underpaid migrant workers and carefully sharpened to stabby points. That would be just like the fangire queen.
Riki whirls about with her sword held flat, in an impossibly fast loop, trying to strike half of the seeds out of the air, jump over the remainder, twist about so they pass underneath her and whack them to the ground before they hit Circe.
Probably the most implausible thing she's done here.

Meanwhile, a small invisible metal ball is thrown at the Queen. Less heavy than a shotput, but more heavy than a large fishing weight.

[Beans]

[House of Petals]
She... actually does manage all of that. Good job!
Though if her landing brings her to end up with her back to Kusu (which my imagination has it doing, but I may be wrong) the Queen will let loose a second volley.

Meanwhile, assuming the ball passes through the cloud of petals driftingn around Kusu, it will set off the explosive petals---not enough to notably impair its flight, but enough to warn Kusu so she can attempt to deflect it.

If not, she'll be hit.

[GrandDM]

Marcy ignores the demon. That sounded like an incredibly stupid plan most likely to get the demon murdered or horribly swarmed by enemies. Marciano knew how it happened.

Upon hearing about the fusion reactor, and then doing some mathwork in his head, he realizes that if the supertech goes off, there's gonna be a really big boom. Like, wipe out everything boom. Which he doesnt want. Wait. This was his way to prove his good intentions! Ahah!

He turns on the video recorder mode in his eye and runs forward, trying to move towards the fusion reactor. There had to be a way to deactivate the countdown!

The door is made of the same white metal alloy as everything else. There's also a forcefield in front of it. In front of that floats a holographic display.

It reads "1:52". And continues to count down.

[Hattish Thing]

The door is made of the same white metal alloy as everything else. There's also a forcefield in front of it. In front of that floats a holographic display.

It reads "1:52". And continues to count down.


Marciano stares at the thing and frowns. He didn't have the slightest clue as to how one was to disable a fusion reactor. Well, he wouldn't have to, hopefully. He attempts to hack into the computer or system that programs the countdown. If that doesn't work, he'll try to disable the forcefield. Lousy demon**** didn't even give me three whole minutes!

[Recaiden]

[House of Petals]

The ball passes through the petals, giving a moment of warning. Meanwhile, there is a jump-kicking woozlepire a moment behind it.
I had pictured the petals as a momentary things, already fluttered to the ground.

Riki lands as in your imagination, and is struck in the back by the seeds! :smalleek:

[Beans]

[House of Petals]
They sort of flutter about to serve as an early-warning system, at least for a bit.
She does in fact dodge, which is good for Riki because she has to cut her seedbullet barrage short! What hits will still hurt a lot, though---those things are serious business.

[GrandDM]

Marciano stares at the thing and frowns. He didn't have the slightest clue as to how one was to disable a fusion reactor. Well, he wouldn't have to, hopefully. He attempts to hack into the computer or system that programs the countdown. If that doesn't work, he'll try to disable the forcefield. Lousy demon**** didn't even give me three whole minutes!

The control panel for the forcefield is clearly visible... behind it. His hacking attempts are as fruitless as before, but this time the computers attempt to drop a virus back into the robot's systems. If successful, all the robot's motor systems will seize up and stop responding to commands until the virus is eliminated.

[Recaiden]

[House of Petals]

Oh, just bullets. Wait, that's still awful. Riki falls to her hands and knees, and spends a moment strugglingly getting back up.

Meanwhile, an invisiwoozle grits its teeth to pass by a few petals on the edge and go to recover the ball.

[Beans]

[House of Petals]
Not so much bullets; they don't have supersonic velocity. But still no fun.

Kusu fires a few vinespears at where she believes the invisiwoozle to be, though she isn't likely to hit.

[UncleWolf]

Temple Ruins

Aequitus opens his eyes from the spell Waldorf cast and finds himself inside the entrance to a ruined temple complex. He had asked to be brought to a place like this, but he hadn't expected it to be in ruins. His hurt left arm throbbed in agony from the fight with the demon, but he ignored it for now and began walking through the dark marble halls. He took his time, running his good hand over the moss covered walls, as if consoling the place and offering up some of his own memories in return for the shelter it offers.

In time he finally enters the chamber he searches for, a large room designed for Mass. At one point it had been beautiful, but now creepers hang from the torn apart ceiling and all the pews are shattered, rotting. Here and there lays a skeleton, darkened grey with age and moisture. Only patches of rust remain where their arms and armor once were. The Techno-Paladin didn't know what evil had once destroyed this place, but the event was long passed. At the front of the room though lays what he seeks, a simple table covered in small amulets and statues.

Each one is devoted to a different god, goddess, or being aligned with Hope, Courage, Healing, Protection, or Freedom. It didn't matter if the deity was good or evil or simply didn't care. It was the ideals themselves that had mattered here. It was the ideals that had brought all their worshipers together in a time of great need.

It was these beings that Aequitus sought. Some were dead and long gone, others struggling, and others still were doing well, but he'd ask them all the same.

As he walked towards the altar, his pale blue cape flows down from his shoulders to sway behind him and he reaches into a compartment on his armor's chest, drawing out a small silver symbol. The symbol was that of a hurricane lantern, a lantern designed specifically to give the bearer light in the worst moments of dark and plight. The cross on his chest might be the symbol of his order, the the lantern was the symbol of The Light.

Aequitus takes a moment to clasp the symbol gently, eyes closed, before letting out a breath and setting it on the altar with the others and kneeling down, head bowed. After a long moment he begins to speak.

"I am Techno-Paladin Aequitus, the last servant of The Light and protector of all. That is what I am, but I come before you as Sammy Plowman, son of a farmhand. I have come from a world far from here, sent by those who remained to safeguard the last power of my God. Despite my duty to protect it and survive, I cannot willingly cast aside the role I have been serving for so long. I am a protector and a believer of freedom and hope. I will always take up arms against oppression and tyranny and those who seek to prey on the weak." He admits before his head sinks lower.

"But I fear can no longer do it on my own. Not for long at any rate. Not without my comrades and my deity offering me guidance and another arm to rely on. I have fought many things. Cyberdragons, DeVirals, Dark Ones...yet a single conflict between me and a demon here has resulted in the destruction a divine artifact I had been granted. My shield, given to me in a time of dire need by my own god, was melted before my own eyes in the space of a heartbeat." He tells anything listening as he raises his head back up to look at the Altar.

"Despite the loss of my shield, despite knowing that things in this world will kill me so much easier and quicker than the creatures from my own, I have no choice but to continue to fight for what I believe in. For what The Light believes in. Even if I have to crawl across the broken ground with my useless legs being dragged behind me, I will fight on as long as I can."

"And I would like you to join me."

"I cannot say I will worship you, nor will I preach your words across the land. What I can say is that every bit of help I get means that I can fight for a little while longer. You are all beings of similar goals and beliefs, and I petition you for assistance even though there is little I can offer in return." The Techno-Paladin says as he stands back up, forcing his bad hand to his front and clasping it gently with his good one. "This world is besieged on all sides by darkness and tyranny and is rotting from within by corruption and apathy. There are people fighting this as best as they can, but many lack the true ability to do so. Grant me the strength to take their place and I will fight."

"My name is Sammy Plowman and I swear to do so until my dying breath and beyond."

[Hattish Thing]

The control panel for the forcefield is clearly visible... behind it. His hacking attempts are as fruitless as before, but this time the computers attempt to drop a virus back into the robot's systems. If successful, all the robot's motor systems will seize up and stop responding to commands until the virus is eliminated.

Marciano was the guy who had Enshadu built, one of the strongest robotic adversaries to ever step foot in the Nexus. The attempt at a virus, no matter how strong, are rather useless. Marciano even scoffs a tad. However, he realizes exactly how important this time is.... Okay, a force-field is always powered by an emitter, which can never be located from behind the forcefield or it doesnt work. Okay. He looks around for the force emitter, hoping he sees the switch.

[Recaiden]

[House of Petals]

Subsonic bullets are a thing. And like these seeds, they're not exactly harmless.
But Riki managed to avoid getting shot through the heart or anything really deadly to a being like her, so it's not terribly harmful either. She turns back towards Kusu and makes her way carefully around, out of the Circe line, and towards the plant-gire, sword at the ready.

The invisiwoozle is momentarily given away by a raucous laugh, several feet away from the vine-spears. Then they creep closer to the Queen, hoping to attack from a closer distance, with less warning.

[Temple Ruins]

You don't need a shield, not so long as you fight.
There is no motion on the table of statue, no shining light, just the faint impression of words. Aequitus might find himself more confident, free of doubt or sorrow over the loss of the artifact.
Go on. Never waver, never doubt. Wherever you go, be an exemplar of the free and pure world you fight for. Even when alone, fight with the courage of an army at your back.
The pain in his left arm should vanish. Even for a servant of Light, that much can be done.

[Beans]

[House of Petals]
She fires at the laugh this time.

By now, the petals are starting to drift to the floor and wither, so getting closer won't be as hard.

[Deathkeeper]

Temple Ruins

There's the sound of a soft sneeze as one of the statuettes bursts open, leaving a small cloud of dust and one small mousey fellow. His fur is a light, nearly blond color, and the feather in his hat and the hilt of his sword glow ever so slightly with a soft gold light. He takes off his hat and bows with a flourish before replacing it with a grin.
"Well, I've heard better prayers, but few with so much sincerity. Now, I might not have much to spare and toss your way, but you deserve a favor. So tell me, Sam, if I could give you one thing, what would you want me to give?"

[Arkhosia]

Temple Ruins

The room darkens, and a flash of light illuminates it again as a hologram of Lyrina appears!
I'm sorry, the god of light is busy right now. I hope you're okay with settling for twilight.

[5a Violista]

Temple Ruins: Blessing of Aequitus

Without so much as a speech or fanfare from her, The Dragon Queen grants two additional blessings on Aequitus. They just appear as a calm, descending strength:

The first is strength in arms: his arms will feel stronger, able to swing his sword with more power.

The second is probably much cooler. At a dramatically appropriate moment, Aequitus will be surrounded in an aura of glistening, adrenaline-causing flame. Only once, though, and it'll only happen at the most dramatically appropriate moment. The adrenaline boost only affects him, though. Not anyone else, unless looking at something so awesome as a paladin covered in flames gives them an adrenaline boost.

[GrandDM]

Marciano was the guy who had Enshadu built, one of the strongest robotic adversaries to ever step foot in the Nexus. The attempt at a virus, no matter how strong, are rather useless. Marciano even scoffs a tad. However, he realizes exactly how important this time is.... Okay, a force-field is always powered by an emitter, which can never be located from behind the forcefield or it doesnt work. Okay. He looks around for the force emitter, hoping he sees the switch.

There's a tiny, tiny lens in the ceiling which is projecting the forcefield. Apparently the mechanisms are behind the alloy.

The alloy which has previously resisted all Marcy's attempts to damage.

Harald's a jerk, isn't he?

[UncleWolf]

Temple Ruins

The Techno-Paladin falls quiet for a while, eyes closed as he feels his pain and uncertainty slip away. Even if that had been all that had happened here, it would have been worth it for him.

It was more than that now however. He could feel his arms strengthen and his soul refresh. Standing up, the Techno-Paladin took a deep breath. "Thank you." He murmurs to those who gifted him without showing.

A moment later he opens his eyes again to look at those who have come, giving them a small grateful smile. "I will not refuse even the slightest help. No matter what time of day or night they align themselves with." He tells the hologram before looking at the mousy one. "A wish or request was far more than anything I could have hoped for, and for that I thank you." He says with all sincerity before appearing thoughtful. "There are two things that you could help me with perhaps. The first is that I would like to know about the type of demon I just fought. It seemed that it wasn't vulnerable in the slightest to holy energies. If I can find out about their weakness and infuse such into myself, I would be eternally grateful." Aequitus admits.

"The other is that I would like to know where to find a team of expert builders. Masons and carpenters. I wish to be able to rebuild this place to it's former glory."

[Zefir]

Temple Ruins

The building shakes a little and some rubber is falling down from the floor. One of the statues to the side of the Techno-Paladin seems to move. Small motions are done from the person sitting in a chair, even thought it doesn't stand up. The techno Paladin should be confused by now. She might know that only stone statues where placed here, but whatever started moving in the chair isn't a stone. It seams like a big robot just starts up.

"Your goal fit my thoughts well, little Techno Paladin. Those who follow me aren't straith fighters at all so I'm in need of someone doing the fights. I know you can't promiss much, but you appeared here. You have shown what it needs to be a champion. Come closer and I can give you a shield to protect yourself again."

The robot offer his arm to put his inside.
((PM coming))

[Deathkeeper]

Temple Ruins

The mouse looks at Aequitus over his furry nose.
"Really? Just info? That's doable to be sure, if without much flair. Can you describe-
Aaaand then Deus Mechanus shows up. The God of the Downtrodden sighs in exasperation.
Get in line, Friend, I'm working here!" the nerve of these big league gods and their barging into small-timers' boon-granting conversations.

[Arkhosia]

Temple Ruins

Hmm... Maybe the demon comes from a different plane than normal demons and is therefore weak to a different type of holy energy?

[happyturtle]

Temple Ruins

Aequitus opens his eyes from the spell Waldorf cast and finds himself inside the entrance to a ruined temple complex. He had asked to be brought to a place like this, but he hadn't expected it to be in ruins. His hurt left arm throbbed in agony from the fight with the demon, but he ignored it for now and began walking through the dark marble halls. He took his time, running his good hand over the moss covered walls, as if consoling the place and offering up some of his own memories in return for the shelter it offers.

In time he finally enters the chamber he searches for, a large room designed for Mass. At one point it had been beautiful, but now creepers hang from the torn apart ceiling and all the pews are shattered, rotting. Here and there lays a skeleton, darkened grey with age and moisture. Only patches of rust remain where their arms and armor once were. The Techno-Paladin didn't know what evil had once destroyed this place, but the event was long passed. At the front of the room though lays what he seeks, a simple table covered in small amulets and statues.

Each one is devoted to a different god, goddess, or being aligned with Hope, Courage, Healing, Protection, or Freedom. It didn't matter if the deity was good or evil or simply didn't care. It was the ideals themselves that had mattered here. It was the ideals that had brought all their worshipers together in a time of great need.

It was these beings that Aequitus sought. Some were dead and long gone, others struggling, and others still were doing well, but he'd ask them all the same.

As he walked towards the altar, his pale blue cape flows down from his shoulders to sway behind him and he reaches into a compartment on his armor's chest, drawing out a small silver symbol. The symbol was that of a hurricane lantern, a lantern designed specifically to give the bearer light in the worst moments of dark and plight. The cross on his chest might be the symbol of his order, the the lantern was the symbol of The Light.

Aequitus takes a moment to clasp the symbol gently, eyes closed, before letting out a breath and setting it on the altar with the others and kneeling down, head bowed. After a long moment he begins to speak.

"I am Techno-Paladin Aequitus, the last servant of The Light and protector of all. That is what I am, but I come before you as Sammy Plowman, son of a farmhand. I have come from a world far from here, sent by those who remained to safeguard the last power of my God. Despite my duty to protect it and survive, I cannot willingly cast aside the role I have been serving for so long. I am a protector and a believer of freedom and hope. I will always take up arms against oppression and tyranny and those who seek to prey on the weak." He admits before his head sinks lower.

"But I fear can no longer do it on my own. Not for long at any rate. Not without my comrades and my deity offering me guidance and another arm to rely on. I have fought many things. Cyberdragons, DeVirals, Dark Ones...yet a single conflict between me and a demon here has resulted in the destruction a divine artifact I had been granted. My shield, given to me in a time of dire need by my own god, was melted before my own eyes in the space of a heartbeat." He tells anything listening as he raises his head back up to look at the Altar.

"Despite the loss of my shield, despite knowing that things in this world will kill me so much easier and quicker than the creatures from my own, I have no choice but to continue to fight for what I believe in. For what The Light believes in. Even if I have to crawl across the broken ground with my useless legs being dragged behind me, I will fight on as long as I can."

"And I would like you to join me."

"I cannot say I will worship you, nor will I preach your words across the land. What I can say is that every bit of help I get means that I can fight for a little while longer. You are all beings of similar goals and beliefs, and I petition you for assistance even though there is little I can offer in return." The Techno-Paladin says as he stands back up, forcing his bad hand to his front and clasping it gently with his good one. "This world is besieged on all sides by darkness and tyranny and is rotting from within by corruption and apathy. There are people fighting this as best as they can, but many lack the true ability to do so. Grant me the strength to take their place and I will fight."

"My name is Sammy Plowman and I swear to do so until my dying breath and beyond."


[House of Petals]

Subsonic bullets are a thing. And like these seeds, they're not exactly harmless.
But Riki managed to avoid getting shot through the heart or anything really deadly to a being like her, so it's not terribly harmful either. She turns back towards Kusu and makes her way carefully around, out of the Circe line, and towards the plant-gire, sword at the ready.

The invisiwoozle is momentarily given away by a raucous laugh, several feet away from the vine-spears. Then they creep closer to the Queen, hoping to attack from a closer distance, with less warning.

[Temple Ruins]

You don't need a shield, not so long as you fight.
There is no motion on the table of statue, no shining light, just the faint impression of words. Aequitus might find himself more confident, free of doubt or sorrow over the loss of the artifact.
Go on. Never waver, never doubt. Wherever you go, be an exemplar of the free and pure world you fight for. Even when alone, fight with the courage of an army at your back.
The pain in his left arm should vanish. Even for a servant of Light, that much can be done.


Temple Ruins

There's the sound of a soft sneeze as one of the statuettes bursts open, leaving a small cloud of dust and one small mousey fellow. His fur is a light, nearly blond color, and the feather in his hat and the hilt of his sword glow ever so slightly with a soft gold light. He takes off his hat and bows with a flourish before replacing it with a grin.
"Well, I've heard better prayers, but few with so much sincerity. Now, I might not have much to spare and toss your way, but you deserve a favor. So tell me, Sam, if I could give you one thing, what would you want me to give?"


Temple Ruins

The room darkens, and a flash of light illuminates it again as a hologram of Lyrina appears!
I'm sorry, the god of light is busy right now. I hope you're okay with settling for twilight.


Temple Ruins: Blessing of Aequitus

Without so much as a speech or fanfare from her, The Dragon Queen grants two additional blessings on Aequitus. They just appear as a calm, descending strength:

The first is strength in arms: his arms will feel stronger, able to swing his sword with more power.

The second is probably much cooler. At a dramatically appropriate moment, Aequitus will be surrounded in an aura of glistening, adrenaline-causing flame. Only once, though, and it'll only happen at the most dramatically appropriate moment. The adrenaline boost only affects him, though. Not anyone else, unless looking at something so awesome as a paladin covered in flames gives them an adrenaline boost.


Temple Ruins

The Techno-Paladin falls quiet for a while, eyes closed as he feels his pain and uncertainty slip away. Even if that had been all that had happened here, it would have been worth it for him.

It was more than that now however. He could feel his arms strengthen and his soul refresh. Standing up, the Techno-Paladin took a deep breath. "Thank you." He murmurs to those who gifted him without showing.

A moment later he opens his eyes again to look at those who have come, giving them a small grateful smile. "I will not refuse even the slightest help. No matter what time of day or night they align themselves with." He tells the hologram before looking at the mousy one. "A wish or request was far more than anything I could have hoped for, and for that I thank you." He says with all sincerity before appearing thoughtful. "There are two things that you could help me with perhaps. The first is that I would like to know about the type of demon I just fought. It seemed that it wasn't vulnerable in the slightest to holy energies. If I can find out about their weakness and infuse such into myself, I would be eternally grateful." Aequitus admits.

"The other is that I would like to know where to find a team of expert builders. Masons and carpenters. I wish to be able to rebuild this place to it's former glory."


Temple Ruins

The building shakes a little and some rubber is falling down from the floor. One of the statues to the side of the Techno-Paladin seems to move. Small motions are done from the person sitting in a chair, even thought it doesn't stand up. The techno Paladin should be confused by now. She might know that only stone statues where placed here, but whatever started moving in the chair isn't a stone. It seams like a big robot just starts up.

"Your goal fit my thoughts well, little Techno Paladin. Those who follow me aren't straith fighters at all so I'm in need of someone doing the fights. I know you can't promiss much, but you appeared here. You have shown what it needs to be a champion. Come closer and I can give you a shield to protect yourself again."

The robot offer his arm to put his inside.
((PM coming))


Temple Ruins

The mouse looks at Aequitus over his furry nose.
"Really? Just info? That's doable to be sure, if without much flair. Can you describe-
Aaaand then Deus Mechanus shows up. The God of the Downtrodden sighs in exasperation.
Get in line, Friend, I'm working here!" the nerve of these big league gods and their barging into small-timers' boon-granting conversations.


Temple Ruins

Hmm... Maybe the demon comes from a different plane than normal demons and is therefore weak to a different type of holy energy?



"What is holy will always prevail, though perhaps not in the way you expect," a woman says. She is on one knee before one of the skeletons, stroking its forehead as if it was a sick child, the other hand propping herself up with a spear. She is dressed in leather and skins, her own body travelworn and battle-hardened. There are strands of grey in her brown hair, and crows feet about her brown eyes. Despite her appearance here in response to a prayer, there seems to be nothing divine about her. Perhaps she's simply a huntress who walked in to pay her respects.

[UncleWolf]

Temple Ruins

"Information is the greatest asset a person can have in a fight." Aequitus points out before pulling a small blue cube and setting it on the table. "I recorded the fight but I don't know what this thing is." He admits as he presses a side, causing a small hologram to appear and showing the fight (http://http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=16422375&postcount=1112) (Suburbia/Basement). Once he sets that up, the Techno-Paladin looks at the woman in leathers as he walks over to the robot. "Always. Otherwise I wouldn't be here." He admits with a smile before slipping left arm into the offered hole, unconcerned in the slightest about any dangers that might be in it.

He had come to the Ruined Temple to offer everything and anything necessary. If he wasn't willing to take what was being offered, then he had no business in asking for help in the first place.

[Halae]

[Temple Ruins]

what looks to be a shining silver young man will stride into the ruined temple. his presence, his power, his stride, they all speak of his deific power. He currently wears a white leather longcoat, a black flower design embroidered on the outside. For now, he maintains a respectful distance from the gathering, not sure if they're willing to accept him. He's likely younger than all of them, after all.

[happyturtle]

Temple Ruins

Hope, the Huntress, moves to the next skeleton, laying a hand on it as she did before. There's no effect - it is simply a mark of respect to the fallen dead.

[Devixer]

[Small Town, Big House]
"Oh, gods dammit."
Thryza sighs, kneeling by Johannes and trying to cradle his head off the floor. "The dragon thing was never going to be easy, was it?"

"No. I shouldn't have changed so soon, it was stupid," Hildur says, panic clearly in her voice. Johannes seems to be okay, his breathing is mostly stable. The shock of seeing her daughter suddenly become a dragon was probably a bit too much.

[Arkhosia]

[Temple Ruins]

what looks to be a shining silver young man will stride into the ruined temple. his presence, his power, his stride, they all speak of his deific power. He currently wears a white leather longcoat, a black flower design embroidered on the outside. For now, he maintains a respectful distance from the gathering, not sure if they're willing to accept him. He's likely younger than all of them, after all.

He's actually probably wrong. Lyrina ascended 5 days ago.
Something seems off about her. She seems a bit worried, actually.

[Beans]

"No. I shouldn't have changed so soon, it was stupid," Hildur says, panic clearly in her voice. Johannes seems to be okay, his breathing is mostly stable. The shock of seeing her daughter suddenly become a dragon was probably a bit too much.
[Small Town, Big House]
He's okay physically, it seems, so don't worry too much...
Thryza smiles reassuringly at her fiancee, her spare hand coming up to squeeze Hildur's.

[Hattish Thing]

There's a tiny, tiny lens in the ceiling which is projecting the forcefield. Apparently the mechanisms are behind the alloy.

The alloy which has previously resisted all Marcy's attempts to damage.

Harald's a jerk, isn't he?

Marciano really hoped he wouldn't have to break out this kind of thing, but he does so. He jumps, and moves to simply punch the alloy. The drone's fists are made of the Stainless Steel metals 17-4PH and 15-5PH. These metals were built into the unique alloy Marciano frequently uses in his work. This ought to completely destroy the tiny lens.

[Zefir]

Temple Ruins

"Information is the greatest asset a person can have in a fight." Aequitus points out before pulling a small blue cube and setting it on the table. "I recorded the fight but I don't know what this thing is." He admits as he presses a side, causing a small hologram to appear and showing the fight (http://http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=16422375&postcount=1112) (Suburbia/Basement). Once he sets that up, the Techno-Paladin looks at the woman in leathers as he walks over to the robot. "Always. Otherwise I wouldn't be here." He admits with a smile before slipping left arm into the offered hole, unconcerned in the slightest about any dangers that might be in it.

He had come to the Ruined Temple to offer everything and anything necessary. If he wasn't willing to take what was being offered, then he had no business in asking for help in the first place.

Temple Ruins

The hole is in fact the arm of the statue formed to surround the offered arm. After the arm is put inside, strange noise appear. It sounds like welding, blacksmithing and other sounds you would hear in a factory. Only one sound might draw Aequitus attention. The sound of breaking bones. Still it's only a little itchy feeling expect that the sound of breaking bones may give him a shiver. Moments pass before things are done and the sound rise up. As he is done, a silence is thrown over the place.

"That should be enough."

If he removes his arm, he might notice that it weight slightly more. The arm was replaced by a mechanical version, similar other normal one in shape and size. He won't notice it immediately since the arm still works normal. He can even feel through it. What is more important is that the armor around the arm changed as well. The armor seems to be a bit thicker then before and a round object is placed on the lower are where you normally put a shield on. By activating it via mental order the round object splits into 4 parts. The parts dive away from each other creating a force shield between them. It's size maximum is the size of a tower shield so around 3/4 of his size, but it mostly remains smaller.

[Gullara]

Movie Madness

"Please tell me I don't trigger this by eating babies." Something of a sensitive subject for our cyborg, apparently.

[Movie Madness]

Harry laughs like Maggy said something absolutely hilarious. Sakura joins in with a giggle. "No no, of course not. You are our hero. The world is in danger and no one else can stop her. Not Watchtower, not HALO. Only Agent Chrome can save the day."

[Deathkeeper]

Temple Ruins

Spade watches intently at Aequitus' hologram, stopping only to smile and wave at the young man walking in and to flinch and pull his round ears closed to his head at the sound of the metal god destroying mortal bones. It's not a sound he associates with positive change, but he won't call it out. No upsetting the big-leaguers. Once the paladin has finished his business and returned to the altar Spade is still standing on he'll be presented with a sheet of paper (which spontaneously grows to a size legible to him once in his hand) with a small checklist and an address.
"Mithril is what you want, Sam. It'll burn that demon and protect you from its powers if it coats your armor. Silver also burns but won't improve the armor. Try to get it on your helmet if you can, since they like messing with mortal minds. Don't touch its blood; the stuff's infectious."
Spade doesn't know that dragon bones also have that effect, mostly because none of his followers ever tried beating a demon to death with a dead dragon.
"There's a bunch of stoneworkers around one of my only shrines out in a little town outside Inside. Just promise them work and pay and they'll love you. Just please, don't encourage them if they start acting all servile, they do that instinctively."
Spade reaches into a belt pocket and pulls out a mouse doll, effectively a double of himself without the glow, clothes or facial expression. Yes, it was in his pocket, don't question size with gods.
"This is a little embarrassing, but take this, please. I know you're not one of mine and won't accept my symbol, so use this instead. You can call me with it. After all, I'm Spade, God of the Downtrodden, and I don't let anyone go without backup. Oh, you can also use it to turn into a mouse but I don't know if you'd ever actually use that. The command is 'Scurry.'"
His brave face drops a bit at that last part. Clearly he's a little embarrassed. The doll, for what it's worth, will take Aequitus' likeness if he picks it up, gaining a few bits of armor, a miniaturized version of his sword, and even resembling him a bit despite the snout. The body it generates when used is entirely separate from his own (which goes to Hammerspace when in use). While this means he can die in that shape and simply be forced back into his own, it does mean that the effects on his body don't apply, such as his new metal arm, the blessings of strength (although it's already stronger than a mouse ought to be), etc. This also means it doesn't have his disability, though.

[GrandDM]

Marciano really hoped he wouldn't have to break out this kind of thing, but he does so. He jumps, and moves to simply punch the alloy. The drone's fists are made of the Stainless Steel metals 17-4PH and 15-5PH. These metals were built into the unique alloy Marciano frequently uses in his work. This ought to completely destroy the tiny lens.

The lens cracks. The forcefield shimmers. There are now shards of forcefield floating around.

[Hattish Thing]

The lens cracks. The forcefield shimmers. There are now shards of forcefield floating around.

Shards of forcefield. Erm. Okay.

By now Marciano is quite sick of fusion reactors and silly forcefields. He'd like to finish his looting then get out as soon as possibly. He didn't want to be here when Clarissa came to blow up everything.

He'll move to turn off the fusion reactor now, doing his best to get it all over with finally.

[Devixer]

[Small Town, Big House]
He's okay physically, it seems, so don't worry too much...
Thryza smiles reassuringly at her fiancee, her spare hand coming up to squeeze Hildur's.

Hildur returns the squeeze and sighs in relief. "Okay, let's get him comfortable," she says.

[Beans]

[Small Town, Big House]
She starts to pick him up by the shoulders, leaving Hildur to take the feet.

[Lord Magtok]

[Movie Madness]

Harry laughs like Maggy said something absolutely hilarious. Sakura joins in with a giggle. "No no, of course not. You are our hero. The world is in danger and no one else can stop her. Not Watchtower, not HALO. Only Agent Chrome can save the day."

"Oh, good. No fresh material for Dipsnig to go chatting with the press about, then." Magtok seems sufficiently convinced for now, and lets his shoulders drop as he puts on a fake smile and pretends he was joking all along.

[GrandDM]

Shards of forcefield. Erm. Okay.

By now Marciano is quite sick of fusion reactors and silly forcefields. He'd like to finish his looting then get out as soon as possibly. He didn't want to be here when Clarissa came to blow up everything.

He'll move to turn off the fusion reactor now, doing his best to get it all over with finally.

As he steps up to the door, a holo-panel pops up.

Hey Marcy - guess what? Fooled you!

The door pops open... revealing one of the bio-monstrosities from the earlier lab which, upon catching sight of Marcy, roars and charges.

[Hattish Thing]

As he steps up to the door, a holo-panel pops up.

Hey Marcy - guess what? Fooled you!

The door pops open... revealing one of the bio-monstrosities from the earlier lab which, upon catching sight of Marcy, roars and charges.

Marciano presses a few buttons on the keyboard quickly as possible. Seeing as the thing has to get through the door, that leaves time for Marcy to pull out the HeavyArms. He switches it into it's third setting and aims for the disgusting creature, his drone's finger nearly glued to the trigger. Seeing as it's a powerful weapon meant to plow through the biggest of monsters, it will most likely have a great effect. It's called the Heavyarms for a reason. The bio-monstrosity will get a whole faceful of bullets firing at extremely quick rates in great numbers. You didn't fool me, you're jsut delaying the inevitable, you idiot.

[UncleWolf]

Ruined Temple

Despite his resolute nature, the Techno-Paladin's face pales a little when he hears the sounds of breaking bones and feels the tingling in his arms. Once his arm is free though, he breathes easier despite the changes. He takes a moment to look over his new limb and new shield. After fiddling with it he gives the machine god a deep bow. "I thank you and will always remember this moment." He swears as he heads back to the others.

When he listens to Spade's information and looks it over, he gives a small frown. From the sound of it there were a lot more of these things than he had expected, but he gives a grateful nod. "Many thanks. As for your workers, I don't have much in the way of pay for them yet, but I can promise that they and their families will be allowed to live here and be protected from all harm. I'll find some source of pay for them though, I promise."

The man also gives a smile and chuckle when the doll is explained and he tucks it into a compartment on the leg of his armor. "I can think of many great uses for such an item. Once more, thank you. If I ever need your aid, I will call upon you."

[Arkhosia]

Temple Ruins

The fledgeling goddess approaches Aquetius and holds out a hand to him.
In her outstretched hand, a silver amulet in the shape of a crescent moon that glows a faint orange appears.

When you require aid, hold this amulet and mutter my name, Lyrina. It will summon an aspect of me. It will only work once.

[Chaotic Bob]

[Lanvus - The Blue City]

A raging sandstorm.
Dark shadows looming high above, only just visible through the swirling gray and brown.

In the midst of this, a small multicolored circle spirals into being.


The whistling noise of its own energy is drowned out by the storm, but still it heralds the arrival of its first user.

Spiraling out and reforming from the outside in, Feiadyne is deposited onto the distinctly compact sand below.
Visibility is nonexistent, so she wastes no time in working on a small bubble of clarity around the portal.

Like those Claritin Clear commercials. Everything's a fuzzy mess, except for that one little circle of perfection.
...this is a weird analogy.

[Recaiden]

[House of Petals]


But Riki managed to avoid getting shot through the heart or anything really deadly to a being like her, so it's not terribly harmful either. She turns back towards Kusu and makes her way carefully around, out of the Circe line, and towards the plant-gire, sword at the ready.

The invisiwoozle is momentarily given away by a raucous laugh, several feet away from the vine-spears. Then they creep closer to the Queen, hoping to attack from a closer distance, with less warning.



[House of Petals]She fires at the laugh this time.

By now, the petals are starting to drift to the floor and wither, so getting closer won't be as hard.

The laugh manages to not be directly in the line of fire, because really that would be foolish. The queen might get a moment of warning from the withering petals as another invisible jump-kick comes in. It's at the same time that Riki charges in with her sword. Probably going to take some vine-spears or other plant-based injuries for that, but it's no matter.

[Beans]

[House of Petals]
Kusu takes an unlucky hit from each, but the multiple-time winner of the Hugest Jerk Award has at least one more thing up her ornate sleeve---or rather, comprising her clothing's outer layer.
The petal-like outer layers of her lovely dress are, in fact, explosive petals in the form of some sort of reactive armor, by which I mean they explode. Most of the explosion, though, is smoke and expanding air rather than flames; she aims to get out of there with the damage she's taken and move farther away.

[GrandDM]

Marciano presses a few buttons on the keyboard quickly as possible. Seeing as the thing has to get through the door, that leaves time for Marcy to pull out the HeavyArms. He switches it into it's third setting and aims for the disgusting creature, his drone's finger nearly glued to the trigger. Seeing as it's a powerful weapon meant to plow through the biggest of monsters, it will most likely have a great effect. It's called the Heavyarms for a reason. The bio-monstrosity will get a whole faceful of bullets firing at extremely quick rates in great numbers. You didn't fool me, you're jsut delaying the inevitable, you idiot.

As he's firing, there's a whirring noise from behind as another door starts to close.

The bio-creature is hit many times, and grey blood sprays everywhere, but it just keeps coming, screaming dementedly. Eyes, mouths, limbs and other things surface for a moment, then are subsumed back into the roiling gobbet of flesh that barrels towards the Marcybot.

[Lord Magtok]

Lanvus - The Blue City

"I really don't want to teleport or whatever you call it like that ever again. Maybe one more time for practicality's sake when we're done here so I can leave this weird new place, but after that, I'd rather never use your means of transportation ever again for as long as I or any other Magtoks live, thank you."

Magtok lets out a breath after that long-winded spiel on how much he hates being liquified like that, and then actually starts looking around, checking out this empty world of shifting sands and poor visibility. It's really not much to look at, huh? For some reason, Maggy was expecting a lot more books, too.

"Anyways, I take it you have a cute speech prepared, explaining where we are and where we're going and why this place is the way it is?"

Psst! That's your cue, Feia! This is the part where you either explain everything in a huff and try not to looked annoyed with the cyborg for jumping the gun and ruining your moment like that, violently tear Magtok apart for calling you cute when we know he doesn't really mean it, or both of those two things at once. Or hey, maybe you can just say nothing and ignore him until he feels like acting his age and treating this matter with the respect and dignity it deserves. That'd work too, right?

[Recaiden]

[House of Petals]

Riki is better off here, having only the sword wrenched out of her grasp and now clutching a slightly burned hand. She quickly enough turns herself into a giant wide-legged lizard and racing after Kusu.

The invisible one, on the other hand, appears to have been knocked back by the petal armor, and is now lying supine, with her boots or pants having caught fire from the little portion of flames in the explosion. Apart from giving away her position, she's trashing about trying to extinguish them.

[Domain of Twilight]

Like she always does at the end of a day, a young woman heads out through a forest until she feels the teleport blocking field fade away, and steps between worlds to start the trip home. Today she is happy, thrilled even, to have interacted with someone without once considering eating them, and exercised her powers. A rarity.
The trip doesn't go smoothly. After the first leg, she finds herself no closer to the Crumbled Mansion. After the second segment, she is in an unfamiliar red-skied land, but the way feels oddly familiar.
And so finally, a little concerned, she should appear on a grey field beneath an eclipsed star, a good five hundred feet away from a towering stone spire. The slight woman looks up at the impossible sky, and momentarily lifts her sunglasses to confirm what her eyes are telling her. A crescent moon eclipsing the sun, but no other star to shed the crescent light. And yet this crazy place feels familiar; like home.
She produces a walking stick from the air and carefully starts making her way through the field towards the center.

[Arkhosia]

Domain of Twilight

A glowing grey wolf bounds up to her in a friendly manner, as if to greet her. It wags it's tail and sits in front of her or walks with her.

[Recaiden]

She walks up to the encouragingly doglike wolf and goes to pet its head (which should also give her a sense of how intelligent it is and how it's feeling).
"Hello there. I don't suppose you can tell me what place this is?" It clicks then; this place feels like her family's old Home, and the woman momentarily starts in fright.

[happyturtle]

Ruined Temple

Hope has finished paying her respects to all of the dead by now, and takes a seat on a step near the altar, seemingly in no rush.

[Arkhosia]

She walks up to the encouragingly doglike wolf and goes to pet its head (which should also give her a sense of how intelligent it is and how it's feeling).
"Hello there. I don't suppose you can tell me what place this is?" It clicks then; this place feels like her family's old Home, and the woman momentarily starts in fright.
The wolf is a divine construct made of twilight. it seems content and is jast as smart as a regular dog.

You seemed to have stumbled into my domain, miss. Lyrina, fledgeling goddess of twilight and change. pleased to meet you.
Lyrina appears before her, scythe in her left hand held nonthreateningly.

[Recaiden]

The woman gives a polite bow. "Pleased to meet you as well, miss. Alkania Leah Danir, Heroine of shadows and peace." She tilts the walking stick and tugs at the end of it, where a blade extends and the tool subtly reshapes itself into a proper scythe.
"All the paths seemed to lead towards here. Fledgeling? You can fly?" At that, she sounds impressed. Not so much by the goddess part.

[Arkhosia]

The woman gives a polite bow. "Pleased to meet you as well, miss. Alkania Leah Danir, Heroine of shadows and peace." She tilts the walking stick and tugs at the end of it, where a blade extends and the tool subtly reshapes itself into a proper scythe.
"All the paths seemed to lead towards here. Fledgeling? You can fly?" At that, she sounds impressed. Not so much by the goddess part.

Really? Interesting. I recently ascended, and yes, I can fly. Excellent choice of weapon, by the way.

[Recaiden]

"So you're a real goddess then? Do you run a world?" In her experience deities don't do much beyond what regular people do.
"Thanks. It's a lot more practical as a staff, but I like the scythe. Same to you."

[Arkhosia]

"So you're a real goddess then? Do you run a world?" In her experience deities don't do much beyond what regular people do.
"Thanks. It's a lot more practical as a staff, but I like the scythe. Same to you."

Only my Domain here.
Lyrina replies. She holds her scythe up.
I made this by myself. Named it "Burning Darkness".

[Beans]

[House of Petals]

Riki is better off here, having only the sword wrenched out of her grasp and now clutching a slightly burned hand. She quickly enough turns herself into a giant wide-legged lizard and racing after Kusu.

The invisible one, on the other hand, appears to have been knocked back by the petal armor, and is now lying supine, with her boots or pants having caught fire from the little portion of flames in the explosion. Apart from giving away her position, she's trashing about trying to extinguish them.

Her outer clothing falling to the floor, the Crocus Fangire lands about a hundred feet away by the wall.
"You know, I had planned to make this fun. Well, fun forme, at least... but no, this is why I can't have nice things. I should have gotten rid of you years ago, Riki, sentimentality be damned."
As Riki gives pursuit, the Queen throws a few vinespears her way, gliding along the floor towards the throne at speeds matching the zip-zop-zoom lizard's.

[Recaiden]

[House of Petals]

Lizard? There's just a rolling ball of flames here, letting the vinespears pass through it as it turns and races, a bit slower, towards the throne. "Yes, you should have. But I knew you wouldn't. You're too weak; always have been."

The invisizwoozle manages to snuff the fire, and stands up, brushing off the ash, looking to see how Bishop is faring with the barrier.

[Domain of Twilight]

"It's quite impressive. This was...I'm not sure where I got it. I think my father had it made. You said you ascended...what were you before?" Alkania sounds quite curious. Maybe this could be a path worth following.

[Arkhosia]

[House of Petals]

Lizard? There's just a rolling ball of flames here, letting the vinespears pass through it as it turns and races, a bit slower, towards the throne. "Yes, you should have. But I knew you wouldn't. You're too weak; always have been."

The invisizwoozle manages to snuff the fire, and stands up, brushing off the ash, looking to see how Bishop is faring with the barrier.

[Domain of Twilight]

"It's quite impressive. This was...I'm not sure where I got it. I think my father had it made. You said you ascended...what were you before?" Alkania sounds quite curious. Maybe this could be a path worth following.

a Weaponsmith in Menzobarrenzan.

[Recaiden]

[Domain of Twilight]

Behind her glasses, Alkania's eyes harden. Oddly enough, for how quickly she produced it, she's never used the scythe to harm anyone. "A weaponsmith?" The scorn is evident in her voice. "How did you become this?, make this place?"

[Arkhosia]

[Domain of Twilight]

Behind her glasses, Alkania's eyes harden. Oddly enough, for how quickly she produced it, she's never used the scythe to harm anyone. "A weaponsmith?" The scorn is evident in her voice. "How did you become this?, make this place?"

A dying god gave the power and domain to me. I had to prove myself first

[Devixer]

[Small Town, Big House]
She starts to pick him up by the shoulders, leaving Hildur to take the feet.

The two of them are able to bring Johannes to a couch. By now, the metal on Hildur has mostly disappeared, except for that glove that never goes away.

[Hattish Thing]

As he's firing, there's a whirring noise from behind as another door starts to close.

The bio-creature is hit many times, and grey blood sprays everywhere, but it just keeps coming, screaming dementedly. Eyes, mouths, limbs and other things surface for a moment, then are subsumed back into the roiling gobbet of flesh that barrels towards the Marcybot.

It's like Clarissa and that alien from "The Thing" had a really bizarre love child.

That odd thought goes through Marciano's brain as he watches the scene. He licks his lips before continuing to jam the "Fire" key down as fast as he possibly could. He has the drone back up as well, so that the Marcy drone has time to pull out a grenade, which he throws at the beast, hoping it'll get lodged inside the things ever-changing anatomy and blow it to bits.

Another door? It's a trap! Marcy can't concentrate on that right this second though, there's a nasty thing coming towards him.

[Recaiden]

"Dying? Why? How'd you prove yourself?" She's kind of ridiculous, this lost visitor bristling with aggressive questions in Lyrina's domain.

[Arkhosia]

"Dying? Why? How'd you prove yourself?" She's kind of ridiculous, this lost visitor bristling with aggressive questions in Lyrina's domain.

Lolth tried to take his powers and killed him in the process. How I proved myself? I had to create a lot of chaos. I mainly fulfilled the prerequisites by causing trouble for Lolth's Clergy.

[Beans]

[House of Petals]

Lizard? There's just a rolling ball of flames here, letting the vinespears pass through it as it turns and races, a bit slower, towards the throne. "Yes, you should have. But I knew you wouldn't. You're too weak; always have been."

The invisizwoozle manages to snuff the fire, and stands up, brushing off the ash, looking to see how Bishop is faring with the barrier.


Kusu has now noticed exactly what Bishop is doing and hurls a hail of vinespears at her.
Unless either vampire can intervene, Bishop is pretty much hosed.
-----

The two of them are able to bring Johannes to a couch. By now, the metal on Hildur has mostly disappeared, except for that glove that never goes away.
Setting him down carefully, Thryza smiles at her fiancee.
"Well, besides that little incident, it seems like this panned out pretty nicely!"

[Devixer]

Small Town, Big House

"Yeah, I guess so." Hildur doesn't seem to be much for smiling right now. "He said he didn't expect me to marry a woman."

[Beans]

Small Town, Big House

"Yeah, I guess so." Hildur doesn't seem to be much for smiling right now. "He said he didn't expect me to marry a woman."
Thryza giggles. "Well, he's probably a bit more surprised that his daughter's a dragon marrying an alchemist."

[Devixer]

Small Town, Big House

Hildur leans into Thyrza. "I know. I'm more surprised by that, too, after all."

[Beans]

[Small Town, Big House]
Thryza pecks her cheek softly, waiting for Johannes to wake.

[Devixer]

Small Town, Big House

It takes an hour or so for Johannes to wake up. He cradles his head and looks at the two of them.

[Beans]

[Small Town, Big House]
Thryza smiles nervously.
"... Feeling okay?"

[Devixer]

Small Town, Big House

Johannes sits up on the couch, still rubbing his head. "...A lot happened to you in that world." Hildur looks down in response to that.

"Do you plan on staying long?"

[Beans]

[Small Town, Big House]
She blinks, looking over at her fiancee.
"Um... do we? I'm actually not sure..."

[GrandDM]

It's like Clarissa and that alien from "The Thing" had a really bizarre love child.

That odd thought goes through Marciano's brain as he watches the scene. He licks his lips before continuing to jam the "Fire" key down as fast as he possibly could. He has the drone back up as well, so that the Marcy drone has time to pull out a grenade, which he throws at the beast, hoping it'll get lodged inside the things ever-changing anatomy and blow it to bits.

Another door? It's a trap! Marcy can't concentrate on that right this second though, there's a nasty thing coming towards him.

That's the plan, Marcy, that's the plan.

The grenade is sucked in, and there's a muffled thoomp as it goes off. The thing screams and staggers. More grey blood oozes out from inside it and spatters to the floor. It's definitely injured - it's slower and weaving like a drunk - but it's still coming.

The door is halfway down.

[Hattish Thing]

That's the plan, Marcy, that's the plan.

The grenade is sucked in, and there's a muffled thoomp as it goes off. The thing screams and staggers. More grey blood oozes out from inside it and spatters to the floor. It's definitely injured - it's slower and weaving like a drunk - but it's still coming.

The door is halfway down.

Marciano gave his best at beating this thing quickly, but it didn't work. The drone flips onto the floor, by the door. He then activates the propulsion maneuvering, so the jet fuel is launched and Marcy's drone will be launched backwards, most likely through the opening of the door. He continues to fire his gun at the thing as he flies and skids backwards.

[Recaiden]

Kusu has now noticed exactly what Bishop is doing and hurls a hail of vinespears at her.
Unless either vampire can intervene, Bishop is pretty much hosed.

"I thought you were trying to kill me, Queenie. Can you really not tell me and her apart?" The ball of fire briefly condenses into a leaping many-legged thing that throws a whirling web-net to tangle and block the vine-spears, then slides into place right in front of Bishop as the same towering ice-beast to whom normal spears were merely bruising. crack-shatter-crack, but Bishop should be okay.


Lolth tried to take his powers and killed him in the process. How I proved myself? I had to create a lot of chaos. I mainly fulfilled the prerequisites by causing trouble for Lolth's Clergy.

"Oh."
The girl looks down to the grey grass around her, disappointed.
"You all sound so awful. Are all gods so?"

[Beans]

"I thought you were trying to kill me, Queenie. Can you really not tell me and her apart?" The ball of fire briefly condenses into a leaping many-legged thing that throws a whirling web-net to tangle and block the vine-spears, then slides into place right in front of Bishop as the same towering ice-beast to whom normal spears were merely bruising. crack-shatter-crack, but Bishop should be okay.
[House of Petals]
"Or maybe I want you both dead, because that's so far-fetched!"
Bishop finally dispels the field around Seiner while Kusu spews a bolt of the same energy toward icy-Riki.

[Recaiden]

[House of Petals]

"Well, yes. That would be-" Icy-Riki is replaced by tiny-grey-man-without ears-or-thumbs-Riki, and a stone block similar in nature to the House itself springs up between her and the blast of energy.
-"terrible of you. I suppose I should stop hoping you'll ever live up to my expectations. :smallsigh:"

Meanwhile, the same metal sphere is thrown towards the Queen, with the aim of whacking her on the side of the head, to start with. It remains invisible, but can be heard (or perhaps seen with her checkmate powers)

[Arkhosia]

Twilight Domain

Lyrina shakes her head.
You've clearly never met Pelor.

[Recaiden]

[Twilight Domain]

"The Demon Lord of Sunlight and Torture? Why would I-oh-no that doesn't make-different god, same name?" The woman nods. Her mother wasn't terrible, so far as she can remember. So there must probably be some good gods.

[Arkhosia]

[Twilight Domain]

"The Demon Lord of Sunlight and Torture? Why would I-oh-no that doesn't make-different god, same name?" The woman nods. Her mother wasn't terrible, so far as she can remember. So there must probably be some good gods.

Yeah, definitely different. God of the sun, anti-demon an undead, also god of agriculture.

[Zefir]

Ruined Temple

"If you ever pass by Riverside, you could go to my High Priestress. A big church is build there and the shield I gave you should be enougth to proof you met me. They may offer you a bed and shellter and maybe a way to find the materials you need."

The machine god say. He offered enougth for now and after all the Techno-Paladin doesn't offer much in exchange.


Ruined Temple

Hope has finished paying her respects to all of the dead by now, and takes a seat on a step near the altar, seemingly in no rush.

The machine god's attention turns to the huntress? Not sure if she is a god as well or another visiter of the Temple. The first would draw other questions. If it is the second, he wonders what she was going to do. At least she isn't a druid or something else that is bound close to the nature.

[happyturtle]

Ruined Temple

The god might see that Hope is about as closely bound to nature as can be without being a druid or a fae. She's the servant of Kuori, a god of hunters. Everything on her is something hand-made of natural materials. The most high tech thing she carries is a belt knife.

The machine god has very little power here.

[Beans]

[House of Petals]

"Well, yes. That would be-" Icy-Riki is replaced by tiny-grey-man-without ears-or-thumbs-Riki, and a stone block similar in nature to the House itself springs up between her and the blast of energy.
-"terrible of you. I suppose I should stop hoping you'll ever live up to my expectations. :smallsigh:"

Meanwhile, the same metal sphere is thrown towards the Queen, with the aim of whacking her on the side of the head, to start with. It remains invisible, but can be heard (or perhaps seen with her checkmate powers)
She does, in fact, hear; she responds with a spewing of that royal fire, which should knock the ball off course at least enough that it does not hit her.

[Chaotic Bob]

Lanvus - The Blue City

"I really don't want to teleport or whatever you call it like that ever again. Maybe one more time for practicality's sake when we're done here so I can leave this weird new place, but after that, I'd rather never use your means of transportation ever again for as long as I or any other Magtoks live, thank you."

Magtok lets out a breath after that long-winded spiel on how much he hates being liquified like that, and then actually starts looking around, checking out this empty world of shifting sands and poor visibility. It's really not much to look at, huh? For some reason, Maggy was expecting a lot more books, too.

"Anyways, I take it you have a cute speech prepared, explaining where we are and where we're going and why this place is the way it is?"

Psst! That's your cue, Feia! This is the part where you either explain everything in a huff and try not to looked annoyed with the cyborg for jumping the gun and ruining your moment like that, violently tear Magtok apart for calling you cute when we know he doesn't really mean it, or both of those two things at once. Or hey, maybe you can just say nothing and ignore him until he feels like acting his age and treating this matter with the respect and dignity it deserves. That'd work too, right?

[Lanvus - The Blue City]

"This is neither the place for dallying nor conversation.
Into the library, it is just here."
Feia probably could have gotten upset at Maggy here, or done something unnecessarily haughty, but instead she seems to be somewhat pressed.

Spinning rather neatly to their left, Feia and her clarity bubble begin walking towards a nearby looming silhouette.
Magtok's welcome to loiter, but being left out to the mercy of the sandstorm isn't particularly comfortable.

Nobody likes sand in their robes.
Or ash in the eyes.


Sand gives way to stone steps, and it takes almost until they're touching the shape for its status as a grandly constructed stone building to be clear.
Rather standard construction for large, municipal library really. There's probably pillars or something off in the sandy winds around them too.

The entrance is equally standard, well-crafted wooden double doors, which appear to be in much better condition than everything else the sand has touched.
Feia pushes the doors open, and in she goes.


This is not a standard library.

There isn't a book in sight, in the large antechamber before them.
Vibrantly colored crystal pillars have pierced up through the ground and up into the ceiling above, filling the room with distorted glows and shapes as balls of light slowly drift through the various portions of the room.
Hundreds of small symbols crawl along these pillars, marching from the ceiling and spiraling around the pillars towards the ground, like a swarm of technicolor ants.

The other surfaces appear carpeted in a rather soft, purple material, even the walls and non-crystallized portions of ceiling.
Numerous single doors line the opposite walls, and two small staircases lead up to an upper floor, tucked away behind the upper walls.

Perhaps of equal importance, are the creatures patrolling the room.
Slightly taller than the average human, they appear to be solid ice, carved into very angular and pointed forms. Their have no feet to speak of, simply stumps, and their hands are little more than curved spikes protruding from their arms.
Their heads are the shape of windblown fire, frozen in place with etched expressions of disdainful boredom.

They don't seem interested in Feia or Magtok, simply holding to their slow, plodding movements through the room.

[Lord Magtok]

Lanvus - The Blue City

Magtok follows, and tries not to say anything or so much as smirk when he notices Feia's sentinels are giant magical glacier guards made of solid ice. Oh gods, he's trying so hard not to make fun of her for that whole Kirk episode, but every time he's finally pushed it to the back of his mind and stopped giggling about it, Feia seems to accidentally do or say something to remind him of the incident all over again.

"Very 'The Duke's Archives' in here. Seath the Scaleless wouldn't feel the least bit out of place."

I dunno, seeing as he's an insane albino dragon boss with no scales from a videogame, he miiiight just find the locale a bit strange. Also, I can't imagine Feia's ever played Dark Souls, let alone gotten halfway through it, so your reference is wasted on the ignorant.

[Recaiden]

Yeah, definitely different. God of the sun, anti-demon an undead, also god of agriculture.

You know what? Lyrina deserves a second chance, she decides. Leah doesn't know what situation she was in, not really. "Yeah. Hey, uh, did you make this whole place? You seem to know a lot about gods and all. Could you teach me some of that?"



She does, in fact, hear; she responds with a spewing of that royal fire, which should knock the ball off course at least enough that it does not hit her.

It could. But it's rather more likely that it will make the ball explode in a sharp crack, sending shrapnel bits flying about and the invisiwoozle ducking down and aside.

A moment later, a zip-zop-lizard peeks over the wall and leaps after the Queen.

[Beans]

It could. But it's rather more likely that it will make the ball explode in a sharp crack, sending shrapnel bits flying about and the invisiwoozle ducking down and aside.

A moment later, a zip-zop-lizard peeks over the wall and leaps after the Queen.
[House of Petals]
She spews more royal fire at the lizard, because she like, doesn't even care. Call the cops, whatever.
Or because she wants to hurt Riki, even if she can go zip-zop-zoobity-bop.

[Chaotic Bob]

[Lanvus - The Blue City]

Video games are for those with woefully wasted time values.

"There was someone akin to a duke in charge of the city at one point, I suppose. So the library was as much his as anyone else's."
That being said, not playing them does make one sound a little silly when you take statements literally that shouldn't be.

"Are you still capable of digesting the written word, or will you require some form of digital headbore?"
Feia has closed the doors into the library, and immediately lost that pressured feeling that lingered around her.
Smoothly back in the land of haughty and not particularly polite.

[Lord Magtok]

Lanvus - The Blue City

"I haven't spontaneously become illiterate, no." There's more than a bit of scorn in Magtok's tone. Honestly, he's willing to let a lot slide, but to even suggest that he might be some uneducated plebeian...ugh.

[happyturtle]

Ruined Temple - later

Sometime after the gods have finished with Aequitus, Hope calls him over.

"How long have you been fighting?" the huntress asks softly.

[UncleWolf]

Ruined Temple

Aequitus accepts the goddess' symbol but still looks up at her. "If I may ask, what is your name and what do you have control over? This way I do not seek your aid in err."

Ruined Temple - Later

Aequitus's face relaxes a little when he hears the question, but she'll know it's not the relaxation of relief, instead being one of mental and emotional age. "I have fought long enough that I can no longer keep track of the years. It can't be more than twenty, but it feels like it can't be less than a hundred."

[happyturtle]

Ruined Temple - Later

Hope places her hand on his. "I thought as much. And no wife? No family?"

[Arkhosia]

Ruined Temple

Lyrina, fledgeling goddess of twilight, change, and chaos.

[UncleWolf]

Ruined Temple[b]

Aequitus raises an eyebrow at the goddess but gives a nod anyway. "Not normally the sort of patronage I would seek, but I am grateful for this. Should I ever need any help in such situations, I will call upon you." He promises with a deep bow.

[b]Ruined Temple - Later

The Techno-Paladin shakes his head. "None. None that are living at least. Even my comrades-in-arms are no more. As to making my own family, there simply wasn't time, nor was I exactly considered desirable outside of this armor." He admits before putting his hand at the level of his waist. "I cannot walk without it, nor can I feel anything. But after so many years I have grown accustomed to it."

[happyturtle]

Ruined Temple - Later

"Aequitus - Sammy Plowman - if you are to carry on this fight, you must make room for love. I know it seems like it would be a distraction, or even a weakness. But we were made by the gods and placed here to love one another, and be loved in return. It will strengthen you more than you can believe." Hope says.

[Chaotic Bob]

[Lanvus - The Blue City]

Difference between being accused of illiteracy and being accused of being a little too synthetic.

Feia doesn't bother to make this distinction for him.
"Good."

She turns away to consider the room, eying it with the critical gaze of someone who senses something is off, but can't quite put their finger on it.
And is growing increasingly annoyed by the fact.
"The upper floor is the material archive. Proper books are stored there and where I would recommend you begin. Preferably in regards to our target, but I suppose if you truly desire to research...baking philosophy, you have some time before I throw you into the storm."

And with that growing level of baseless hostility, the witch strides off towards the opposite end of the room, where a trio of thinner crystal-pillars lurk.

[Arkhosia]

You know what? Lyrina deserves a second chance, she decides. Leah doesn't know what situation she was in, not really. "Yeah. Hey, uh, did you make this whole place? You seem to know a lot about gods and all. Could you teach me some of that?"




It could. But it's rather more likely that it will make the ball explode in a sharp crack, sending shrapnel bits flying about and the invisiwoozle ducking down and aside.

A moment later, a zip-zop-lizard peeks over the wall and leaps after the Queen.

I did not. Came with the ascension. However, I could teach you how to create creatures out of darkness. They won't be evil, don't worry!

[Lord Magtok]

[Lanvus - The Blue City]

Difference between being accused of illiteracy and being accused of being a little too synthetic.

Feia doesn't bother to make this distinction for him.
"Good."

She turns away to consider the room, eying it with the critical gaze of someone who senses something is off, but can't quite put their finger on it.
And is growing increasingly annoyed by the fact.
"The upper floor is the material archive. Proper books are stored there and where I would recommend you begin. Preferably in regards to our target, but I suppose if you truly desire to research...baking philosophy, you have some time before I throw you into the storm."

And with that growing level of baseless hostility, the witch strides off towards the opposite end of the room, where a trio of thinner crystal-pillars lurk.

She suspects. She isn't quite certain why she suspects, and doesn't have anything concrete, but she definitely thinks something's amiss. Magtok's going to have to be cautious about this, investigate both the targeted goddess and his intended revivification subject carefully. Let's head upstairs and see what we're dealing with in terms of building layout and such, first and foremost, before deciding on any sort of attack plan for this little act of extracurricular research.

[UncleWolf]

Ruined Temple

"There hadn't been time back in my world. Not once I had been inducted." Aequitus admits as he lowers himself onto a broken pew to sit. "And around here, who would be willing to spend time with someone like myself? I've seen people's faces when the word Paladin is even whispered. There's fear and dread or complete idolization. Neither of which are things I seek. And it's not like there's a Paladin Speed Dating." He points out before pausing and shaking his head. "At least, there shouldn't be. But that's besides the point." He admits with a sigh before looking up at the hole in the ceiling.

"I am so used to fighting nonstop that I'm not sure I can relax enough to find a companion, let alone treat them as they should be. But even if I could, where would I find one that would accept not just my issues, but my duty as well?"

[happyturtle]

Ruined Temple - Later

"I only ask you to keep your heart open. When the time is right, love will come." Hope says. "This isn't an order from my god. It's a suggestion - a wish - from the woman who serves him. Keep your heart open."

[UncleWolf]

Ruined Temple - Later

Aequitus is silent for a couple moments, lost in thoughts and in the stars in the sky before he gives a slow nod. "I'll keep myself open, but I cannot forsake my duties to search for it. If I must, I'll simply consider it another sacrifice."

[happyturtle]

Ruined Temple - Later

"No. I wouldn't expect you to forsake your quest." Hope says. "I found my love during my quest, while he was on his own. Would you like to hear the story?"

[UncleWolf]

Ruined Temple

"Always." Aequitus admits with a small smile as he reaches into a pocket of his armor to pull out a small flask to take a sip before offering it to Hope. If she takes a sip, she'll find that it's warmed apple cider with some cinnamon added in.

[happyturtle]

Ruined Temple

Hope takes a drink, and offers some venison jerky. "We had recently been harried by wolves, so when I spotted him, I expected a fight. Worse, I was alone, and the wolves travelled in packs...." She carries on with the story, which Aequitus's player knows well.

[Recaiden]

[House of Petals]
She spews more royal fire at the lizard, because she like, doesn't even care. Call the cops, whatever.
Or because she wants to hurt Riki, even if she can go zip-zop-zoobity-bop.

Riki zip-zops off the wall and out of the fire's path. How rude; her little stone shield is starting to scorch and melt. She zoobity-zooms over towards the Queen and tries to bop her with an extended chameleon-like tongue.


I did not. Came with the ascension. However, I could teach you how to create creatures out of darkness. They won't be evil, don't worry!

"Oh, that would be great! Thank you, Lyrina."
The comment about evil is odd. Of course they wouldn't. :smallconfused: Darkness is a good thing; a safe thing.

[Arkhosia]

Riki zip-zops off the wall and out of the fire's path. How rude; her little stone shield is starting to scorch and melt. She zoobity-zooms over towards the Queen and tries to bop her with an extended chameleon-like tongue.



"Oh, that would be great! Thank you, Lyrina."
The comment about evil is odd. Of course they wouldn't. :smallconfused: Darkness is a good thing; a safe thing.

You know how most darkness animals are evil? Lyrina wants to make sure she understands that she wont teach her to make that.

Lyrina teaches her!

[Recaiden]

Out of character, I understand, but to Leah, darkness has always been a good, safe thing. She wouldn't want to make evil things. Do a bit of evil with them, maybe...

The woman learns, with a lot of failed attempts, each time looking enviously at the wolf that came to greet her. Finally, she ends up with a little dark cat like a hole in the domain. "Like this?"

[Arkhosia]

Out of character, I understand, but to Leah, darkness has always been a good, safe thing. She wouldn't want to make evil things. Do a bit of evil with them, maybe...

The woman learns, with a lot of failed attempts, each time looking enviously at the wolf that came to greet her. Finally, she ends up with a little dark cat like a hole in the domain. "Like this?"

That's really good!
Lyrina pets the cat

[Recaiden]

"Thanks!"
Lyrina might feel a nostalgic happiness when she pets the cat. Each of Leah's darkness creations is charged with a specific feeling.
The dark kitty nuzzles against Lyrina's hand.

[Arkhosia]

"Thanks!"
Lyrina might feel a nostalgic happiness when she pets the cat. Each of Leah's darkness creations is charged with a specific feeling.
The dark kitty nuzzles against Lyrina's hand.

The cat gets moar pets!
Nice addition you added.

As they talk, a hardlight hippo and a mechanical, lifelike dove appear in the realm and wander.
Trees and rocks and snow and rain randomly appears, what does is godmoddable.

[Recaiden]

Meow!
"Yeah, it just sort of came to me like that."
The rain and snow pass through Leah like she's not there, and the girl looks around in wonderment.
"You made all of these the same way?"

[Arkhosia]

Meow!
"Yeah, it just sort of came to me like that."
The rain and snow pass through Leah like she's not there, and the girl looks around in wonderment.
"You made all of these the same way?"

Yep! Well, not the clouds and trees and stuff. Those just randomly appear and disappear. Goddess of chaos, after all. The wolves and doves that inherit my domain, yes.

[Zefir]

Ruined Temple

The god might see that Hope is about as closely bound to nature as can be without being a druid or a fae. She's the servant of Kuori, a god of hunters. Everything on her is something hand-made of natural materials. The most high tech thing she carries is a belt knife.

The machine god has very little power here.

Ruined Temple

Nop, unless there is anything blocking/preventing his power you are wrong. Also he wouldn't atack either. He would only defend himself if needed, but never attack. Still the machine god seems to watch the hunter, maybe for his own intressed.

[happyturtle]

Ruined Temple

How could he have power over Hope? She has no machines for the god to control.

He can watch Hope, but nothing happens. She doesn't have her conversation with Aequitus until the gods are gone.

[UncleWolf]

Ruined Temple- Later

Aequitus listens to the story with a small smile, passing the cider back to her every so often when she needs to wet her lips, and at the end his smile is still there. He doesn't turn towards her, instead still looking at the stars still. "I am glad you and your mate found one another. There seem to be few instances of true happiness, but I admit that that is one of them. It brings me hope for myself, and I thank you for that."

[Recaiden]

Yep! Well, not the clouds and trees and stuff. Those just randomly appear and disappear. Goddess of chaos, after all. The wolves and doves that inherit my domain, yes.

"The dove looks like a machine; a real complex wind-up toy. Is it?"
Leah sets herself to shaping a dove out of darkness. This one is Excitement. Lyrina's creations area bit different, right? Made out of solid light and having color and detail.
"How real are they, the wolves?"

[Zefir]

Ruined Temple

How could he have power over Hope? She has no machines for the god to control.

He can watch Hope, but nothing happens. She doesn't have her conversation with Aequitus until the gods are gone.

Ruined Temple

I never mention any power over Hope or did I use anything on her. I'm not sure how you cam t that clue. DM is just controlling the robot and watching her nothing more. And DM will watch through hsi robot the whole time until they go, she may think he is gone since the robot won't move after a while.

[happyturtle]

Ruined Temple - Later

I said the god of machines had no power over Hope, and you told me I was wrong. But it doesn't matter, if the god isn't going to try and do anything.

Hope will keep vigil with Aequitus, sharing stories with him as long as he chooses.

[Arkhosia]

"The dove looks like a machine; a real complex wind-up toy. Is it?"
Leah sets herself to shaping a dove out of darkness. This one is Excitement. Lyrina's creations area bit different, right? Made out of solid light and having color and detail.
"How real are they, the wolves?"
Yep! I didn't make it, obviously.
The wolves are similar to constructs. They don't have to eat or breathe or sleep. They do have personalities, feelings, and intelligence. They're kinda like warforged.

[Beans]

Riki zip-zops off the wall and out of the fire's path. How rude; her little stone shield is starting to scorch and melt. She zoobity-zooms over towards the Queen and tries to bop her with an extended chameleon-like tongue.
[House of Bill Cosby Noises]
Kusu replies by trying to grab the tongue; should she succeed, she'll try to yank Riki toward her and kick her in her lizardy face.

[Recaiden]

Yep! I didn't make it, obviously.
The wolves are similar to constructs. They don't have to eat or breathe or sleep. They do have personalities, feelings, and intelligence. They're kinda like warforged.

That's so much responsibility. :smalleek: Creating an intelligent robo-animal-form like that. Leah doesn't seem to mind it though.
"Haven't heard of warforged, but okay. I'll look them up. May I see it?" She's looking up at the dove, here.


[House of Bill Cosby Noises]
Kusu replies by trying to grab the tongue; should she succeed, she'll try to yank Riki toward her and kick her in her lizardy face.

Grabbity-yank. An expression of surprise crosses the lizard's ridiculous grab-tongued face, and the expression is wiped away by a punch. Ow. She spends a while disoriented from the pain, but if Kusu is slow or melodramatic enough, will turn into a large crocodilian thing and endeavour to chomp down on the tongue-grabbing hand.

[Beans]

Grabbity-yank. An expression of surprise crosses the lizard's ridiculous grab-tongued face, and the expression is wiped away by a punch. Ow. She spends a while disoriented from the pain, but if Kusu is slow or melodramatic enough, will turn into a large crocodilian thing and endeavour to chomp down on the tongue-grabbing hand.
[House of Petals]
She manages to be smart right now, letting go of the tongue and trying to hit Riki again.

Seiner struggles to stand, a barely-conscious Bishop trying to lend some small aid.

[Recaiden]

[House of Petals]
She manages to be smart right now, letting go of the tongue and trying to hit Riki again.

Seiner struggles to stand, a barely-conscious Bishop trying to lend some small aid.

Riki manages to slip and wriggle out of the way of the hit, and steps around Kusu. Laughing.

Meanwhile, an invisiwoozle is trying to help Seiner to her feet.

[Arkhosia]

That's so much responsibility. :smalleek: Creating an intelligent robo-animal-form like that. Leah doesn't seem to mind it though.
"Haven't heard of warforged, but okay. I'll look them up. May I see it?" She's looking up at the dove, here.



Grabbity-yank. An expression of surprise crosses the lizard's ridiculous grab-tongued face, and the expression is wiped away by a punch. Ow. She spends a while disoriented from the pain, but if Kusu is slow or melodramatic enough, will turn into a large crocodilian thing and endeavour to chomp down on the tongue-grabbing hand.

Hence why they're as smart as an average dog.
Sure!
The dove flies over and lands on Leah's shoulder

[Beans]

Riki manages to slip and wriggle out of the way of the hit, and steps around Kusu. Laughing.

Meanwhile, an invisiwoozle is trying to help Seiner to her feet.
[House of Petals]
Kusu's foot hits the floor... and out of it, all around her, vinespears burst from the stone.

Seiner is sort of helped, but it sure is taking a while.

[Recaiden]

[Domain of Twilight]

Leah turns to look at the dove. Is it really just a machine? Does it have a heart and mind? She idly wonders how long she would have to work at just learning how to make something like that.

[House of Petals]

Riki springs up into the air, scales falling away to reveal a slithering draconic form, all red and orange and having less of a cross-sectional area but still getting stabbed through with a vinespear and careening wildly about the hall.

Well, you really can't rush a proper rescue.

[Gullara]

"Oh, good. No fresh material for Dipsnig to go chatting with the press about, then." Magtok seems sufficiently convinced for now, and lets his shoulders drop as he puts on a fake smile and pretends he was joking all along.

[Movie Madness]

"He'll have to try hard if he wants to find any of there." Harry laughs and claps Magtok on the back with force that is still surprising from one so small. "Alright, Sakura, why don't you get to costumes with Cindy so we can get your measurements."

"Alright. It was nice meeting you, Magtok. I'll see you later." The dryad gives Magtok a smile and a nod and heads off toward the woman she'd been talking to earlier.

"Okay, now where was that scri-" And just int he nick of time, the young man from earlier puts the script into Harry's hand. "Oh, thank you. Right then, the script. Can't have you going into this blind, now can we? So basically, it starts..." And the rest will be given off screen, so as to not spoiler it for anyone following this scene. :smalltongue:

[Lord Magtok]

Movie Madness

Magtok nods. Okay, so it doesn't seem to be a porno, thank goodness. That's most of his fears alleviated. I mean, unless there's a hell of a lot of stunt doubles and extra scenes involved that they're not telling him about, but even then, that sounds pretty unlikely. Looks like he won't have to burn this whole place down after all.

"So...Lady Belladonna is Sakura, then? And in the second act she...wow, that's a pretty dramatic entrance. Doesn't look like I'm in that scene, either. Can I watch that part?"

It's obviously just pretend villainy, but one so focused on the art of proper nefariousness as Magtok couldn't possibly pass up an opportunity like that. I dunno, I'd keep him away, though. Don't want him criticizing every little thing Sakura does wrong and trying to force the crew to run through the scene a million times until it's more dramatic and nefarious than a real, entirely non-fictional Lady Belladonna would be.

[Gullara]

[Movie Madness]

"Of course, of course! I'm glad you approve. The writers really have outdone themselves, don't you think?" Harry says. He's very pleased by how this is all going. He gestures for Maggy to follow him again and he starts walking at the rapid pace of his again. "With that done, we just have some details to go over, papers to sign. We'll need you over in costumes too sometime before you leave." Harry goes on about a number of other details as they walk. The rest of this scene can probably drift off screen as they handle the little stuff, however.

[Ashen Lilies]

[The First Circle of Hell -> The Clockwork Fortress]

The imps will escort Decker from General Ethuriel's study to the airship hangers, leading her through a twisting maze of corridors and several flights of stairs. From the number of turns they take, Decker may get the feeling that they are taking a slightly more complicated route than strictly necessary, walking a wide circle around Castle Ashmedai. Eventually, however, they reach a spire that opens up onto a narrow gantry; a teetering spindle structure that stretches out at a dizzying height into the howling desert winds of the First Circle. At the end of the gantry is an elegant wooden sailing yacht, with sleek lines and broad, white sails. The entire rear of the yacht is taken up by a spinning bronze cage holding a swirling dimensional distortion, which hums slightly as it keeps the yacht airborne.

Two incubi, dressed in slim, elegant robes wait at the ramp up onto the yacht, and if Decker walks on, will escort her into a richly furnished lounge. There is tea, biscuits, and cake. Once Decker is on-board and settled, the yacht will depart, swiftly sailing away from castle and into the skies above the First Circle. Several minutes into the flight, Decker may feel a slight tingling sensation, and if she looks out of the window, she will see that the desert of the First Circle seems oddly faded out, as if seen through a fine sheet of rice paper, and quickly slips away from her vision entirely, like watercolors doused with a bucket, replaced instead with a dark black lake, dotted with jagged islands of red stone. The Second Circle of Hell. And floating above the endless black lake, is Decker's destination. The Clockwork Fortress.

The same dimensional cage technology that powers the yacht Decker is sitting in is clearly in evidence in the fortress, but on a hideously inflated scale. While the vortex to the rear of Decker's yacht could roughly squeeze into a small family living room, the vast engine at the heart of the Clockwork Fortress could comfortably swallow several apartment buildings without needing antacids of any sort. Massive arcs of solid bronze, each the size of a skyscraper, circle around the rolling dimensional vortex, the magically charged metal keeping its boundless infernal energies contained. Suspended around the central cage are twelve vast, gear-shaped rings of successively larger size, all at oblique angles to each other, slowly spinning around the central cage in graceful orbits. At a closer look, Decker will be able to see that each ring is actually a building of some description: balconies, outcroppings, and gantries of every sort emerge from the surface of each ring. Outside the twelve rings, there are six additional structures: six tall, pointed spires which hover over the center at right angles to each other. These spires, oddly enough, do not seem to orbit or even move at all, maintaining strict, cardinal positions from the center of the fortress, as if rooted in place by invisible bars.

As the yacht passes by the outer spires and into the inner revolving mechanism of the fortress, Decker will note an odd, weightless sensation as the yacht slowly rotates in space. Upon fully passing through the threshold between the spires, Decker might notice that the yacht seems to be hanging sideways compared to the Second Circle, the horizon between black lake and reddish sky forming a vertical slash in Decker's vision. However, her sense of perception of 'up' and 'down' will have changed - traveling upwards will bring her to the center of the fortress, towards the spinning bronze cage with its spiraling maelstrom of infernal power, and going downwards will bring her away from the center. The yacht flies upwards, passing through the outer rings of the fortress until it reaches the fifth ring from the top and docks at a jutting gantry.

The two robed incubi will get up and lead Decker back onto the deck of the yacht, extending the ramp out so that she can step out onto the ground. In front of her is the stone wall that marks the side of the massive ring she's standing on. Above, below, to her left, to her right, she'll see windows, balconies, more landings, all jutting out of the side of the ring. Far above her, the dimensional engine burns with a harsh red light, glowing like a second sun. And all around her, the other eleven rings, four smaller, seven larger, all orbiting in oblique paths.

One incubus climbs back up the ramp, pulling it back onto the yacht, which quickly prepares to depart. The other will lead her off the landing and into the ring itself. The corridors inside are long, and richly decorated, with hanging lights and elaborate pillars and hangings. Though the effect is subtle, dampened by the sheer size of the ring, the corridors definitely seem to slope slowly upwards in both directions, taking Decker in a circular path around the ring. The incubus leads her on, much more swiftly and efficiently than the imps at Castle Ashmedai, bringing her through a few side doors and a single wide set of steps before they reach a wide set of solid gold double doors, each door forming half of a massive diabolical sigil. For now, however, the double doors have been flung wide open, allowing Decker a clear view of the room beyond, which the robed incubus will lead Decker into.

Through the double doors is a huge, rectangular hall with high vaulted ceilings. On the walls, the spaces in between each pillar are occupied by giant painted panels, each panel a mural depicting scenes of various lusts, from wild, Boschesque fantasies, to more intimate couplings and concepts. At the foot of each pillar stands a tall, lean figure, exactly three meters tall, swathed entirely in hooded robes of deep crimson. They stand unnaturally still, featureless and weaponless, though it's clear that they are guards of some description.

The floor of the room is bisected by a long red carpet, which leads to a colossal raised dais at the end of hall, constructed from stacked semi-circular terraces which stretch up halfway the height of the hall, with stairs leading up to the top. On either side of the carpet, the hall is littered with rugs and couches and cushions, occupied by scores of undressed or half-dressed people. Most are devils, of course, but there many mortals among them too: humans, elves, and other races, both male and female, but all highly attractive. Some merely lie, either sleeping or simply basking in the beauty and lustful atmosphere of the hall, but most seem too consumed by lust to rest, kissing or groping each other with wild abandon.

The terraces of the dais too, are occupied with rugs and cushions and couches bearing more of the mortal and diabolical courtiers, engulfed in a passion that seems to intensify as they approach the top of the dais. At the top, set against the far wall of the room, is a curling sculpture, carved from stone and gilt and covered with ivory and opal and amethysts to resemble the mouth of a giant, glittering orchid, facing the rest of the room. Flanking the sculpture are two giant, obsidian-skinned devils, each over four meters tall, broad and muscular, wearing only a narrow white cloth that drapes from a cord tied around their waist to brush the floor by their feet. Between them, nestled in the mouth of the orchid itself, is Morgana (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v222/Li_Kenta/KKRequest3.jpg) herself, draped in a sheet of gold cloth and lounging against the cushioned surface of the bottom petal, which serves as her throne.

And on the second terrace down from the top, in an ornate, but otherwise ordinary chair, looking as unhappy as anyone has ever been sitting in the middle of a giant diabolical harem, is Kal. He's slouching sideways in his chair, wearing black trousers and a shirt open to the waist, ignoring the naked elf woman trying to unbutton it with her teeth, or the drow man stubbornly tugging at his boot, and looking upon the endless frolicking and debauchery with an expression of abject boredom.

As Decker reaches the halfway point of the hall Morgana will smile magnanimously, rising from the orchid throne and extending her arms in greeting.
"Welcome, Lady Dekaros." Says Morgana, her voice rich, sultry, and soft, yet somehow carrying down the length of the hall, over the sounds of her court. Though those, thankfully, seem to be dying down, as her attendants cease in their activities to look upon her in rapture, now that she's speaking. "I'm so glad you could visit." She says, beaming.

At the mention of Decker's name, Kal sits up in surprise, accidentally kicking the drow at his boot in the nose through his haste, and staring at Decker with a confused look on his face.


The Clockwork Fortress
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x280/kriskatarn/Nexus%20and%20Plot%20Materials/ClockworkFortressVisualization_zpscbb2ac28.png

[Lady Serpentine]

((*stares at above post* *hides in a corner and wonders why I'm here*))

[Inside - Undeath]

On the streets in the Blue Zone, a girl of perhaps fifteen is looking for... Anyone, really. She could go to Remnant, maybe. But they scare her. And she doesn't even know what's going on. What if it's something that could get them all in trouble?

And, so, she wanders. Determining why she wanders, of course, will probably take talking to her.

[Arkhosia]

((*stares at above post* *hides in a corner and wonders why I'm here*))

[Inside - Undeath]

On the streets in the Blue Zone, a girl of perhaps fifteen is looking for... Anyone, really. She could go to Remnant, maybe. But they scare her. And she doesn't even know what's going on. What if it's something that could get them all in trouble?

And, so, she wanders. Determining why she wanders, of course, will probably take talking to her.

Celica happens to walk by!
Hello miss, is something wrong?

[Lady Serpentine]

Celica happens to walk by!
Hello miss, is something wrong?

The nervous-looking girl nods, glancing around and generally being highly twitchy.
"It's my sister... I dunno what happened to her, she was fine one night and then just... Started to shrivel up the next day, like she'd been starving for weeks... Can you help?"

[Arkhosia]

The nervous-looking girl nods, glancing around and generally being highly twitchy.
"It's my sister... I dunno what happened to her, she was fine one night and then just... Started to shrivel up the next day, like she'd been starving for weeks... Can you help?"

No, but I know who can! Wait a few minutes while I go get her!

Celica darts off, and 5 minutes later, Luxia walks up to her!
My friend said you need help?

[Lady Serpentine]

No, but I know who can! Wait a few minutes while I go get her!

Celica darts off, and 5 minutes later, Luxia walks up to her!
My friend said you need help?

"Yeah... Come on, my house is this way..."

Should the pair follow, she'l lead them to what seems to be a pretty standard modern house; it's in nice shape, fresh paint, even got a garden out front, and a pair of cats are sitting in the window.

Mind, if either of them can sense ambient energy, they'll probably notice something... Off about the place. But it's probably just the worry from the family. After all, nothing bad could be going on here, right?

[Arkhosia]

"Yeah... Come on, my house is this way..."

Should the pair follow, she'l lead them to what seems to be a pretty standard modern house; it's in nice shape, fresh paint, even got a garden out front, and a pair of cats are sitting in the window.

Mind, if either of them can sense ambient energy, they'll probably notice something... Off about the place. But it's probably just the worry from the family. After all, nothing bad could be going on here, right?

Actually, it's only one person: Celica left... at least from the girl's perspective. :smallwink:
May I see your sister?

[Lady Serpentine]

Actually, it's only one person: Celica left... at least from the girl's perspective. :smallwink:
May I see your sister?

"Sure, yeah... Hard to miss her, actually."
The girl nods, and presumably they both step inside; her sister is indeed quite hard to miss, given she's laying on the couch in plain view, highly emaciated, though it's plain everyone's been doing her best to keep her from starving - despite their best efforts, she almost seems to be getting visibly thinner as Luxia watches, and a thin layer of dust covers her.

[Arkhosia]

"Sure, yeah... Hard to miss her, actually."
The girl nods, and presumably they both step inside; her sister is indeed quite hard to miss, given she's laying on the couch in plain view, highly emaciated, though it's plain everyone's been doing her best to keep her from starving - despite their best efforts, she almost seems to be getting visibly thinner as Luxia watches, and a thin layer of dust covers her.

Yeah, definitely something supernatural going on here.
Lucia riles, horrified

[Lady Serpentine]

Yeah, definitely something supernatural going on here.
Lucia riles, horrified

"That's what we thought... We found her in a back room, upstairs, if you want to check it out?"

The girl seems ready to lead her there, if so.

[Arkhosia]

"That's what we thought... We found her in a back room, upstairs, if you want to check it out?"

The girl seems ready to lead her there, if so.

Luxia nods.
She wonders if she can create divine light as well as regular light...
((Also, you can post first in Mallside (in case you missed this earlier)))

[Lady Serpentine]

Luxia nods.
She wonders if she can create divine light as well as regular light...
((Also, you can post first in Mallside (in case you missed this earlier)))

Whether or not she can, it may or may not be effective; depends on what sort of undead she's facing, if it truly is a proper undead.

In any case! Luxia is led up to the back room, on the second floor. It's not a very nice room; it seems to be covered in dust too, and there's a small heap of dusty clothing to one side, as well as small bits of junk, and various battered furniture.

Is... Is that a cat's skull on the windowsill?

[Arkhosia]

Whether or not she can, it may or may not be effective; depends on what sort of undead she's facing, if it truly is a proper undead.

In any case! Luxia is led up to the back room, on the second floor. It's not a very nice room; it seems to be covered in dust too, and there's a small heap of dusty clothing to one side, as well as small bits of junk, and various battered furniture.

Is... Is that a cat's skull on the windowsill?

Miss, did one of your cats go missing recently?
Luxia asks, gesturing to the cat skull

[Lady Serpentine]

Miss, did one of your cats go missing recently?
Luxia asks, gesturing to the cat skull

"No... That was there when we got the place. We tried to clean all this out, but it just came back the next morning..."

Well then. Apparently some messes are just more persistent than others?

[Arkhosia]

"No... That was there when we got the place. We tried to clean all this out, but it just came back the next morning..."

Well then. Apparently some messes are just more persistent than others?

Interesting...
Luxia examines the dust!

[Lady Serpentine]

Interesting...
Luxia examines the dust!

It seems to be just dust! Though if she sweeps some up, she'll find that the pile doesn't shrink, so it's not just that the same dust is being redistributed, but the patch of floor does quickly start to accumulate more.

[Arkhosia]

It seems to be just dust! Though if she sweeps some up, she'll find that the pile doesn't shrink, so it's not just that the same dust is being redistributed, but the patch of floor does quickly start to accumulate more.

Luxia then examines the dusty clothes!

As she enters the corner, an aura of light that's faitly divine outlines her

[Lady Serpentine]

Luxia then examines the dusty clothes!

As she enters the corner, an aura of light that's faitly divine outlines her

Depending on exactly what she does, that may or may not get a reaction; is she just looking, or will they be disturbed at all?

[Arkhosia]

Depending on exactly what she does, that may or may not get a reaction; is she just looking, or will they be disturbed at all?

They will be disturbed.