Graded [Azuran City] The Sewertorium's depths

[saxon]

Hello everyone; this RP is set in the world of Isekai Hell; you can find information about the world here.

***
Setting:
Locations: The Sewertorium of The City of Azuran
Time of Day: 10:00 AM
Weather: Clear skies, warm breeze from the south (Not that it matters since you are underground.)
Inside the sewers: The air is damp and humid, moss covers some of the walls lining either side, leading into the entrance of the recently discovered area.
Goal: Dive into this new dungeon's depths and return with information and a map.
Interactions/Mentions: Develius


The Sewers of Azuran have always been a system of natural caves and man-made sewers. Even young adventurers have gone down into the sewers themselves, looking to make their first mark of fame. These tunnels are home to various creatures, from slimes to kobolds, to even various types of undead creatures.

Though many of the quests that have tended to pop up here are for killing off some of the excess monster populations that thrive deep in the sewers, a new part of the sewers that looks completely man-made has been found. City officials are offering rewards for those brave enough to delve into the depths and return with valuable information.

Many adventures are no doubt eager to see what this dungeon has to offer, especially what potentially new creatures that could live in here. With Azuran already having a thriving monster trophy business, no doubt a good corpse would be worth a pretty amount of money if retrieved and returned to them quickly.

So far the city guard has posted several guards by the entrance of the new area to keep watch, though they are just there to make sure nothing leaves the new area besides adventurers. Each person willing to dive the depths is given a card to show to the guards that allow them passage into the new area.

Kasumi Kagu
​

Kasumi checked her pack off to the side of the narrow sewer pathway, the kunoichi pulling out a few basic items such as rations, some rope, a fire starter, a bed roll, a lantern, and some paper the city had provided her and some other adventurers. The paper would mark her path on itself upon passing the threshold into the new dungeon. This paper was often referred to as a dungeon paper since it only activated inside of a dungeon.

"Good looks like I got everything; I should be ready. Though I'm not sure how far I will delve down though," Kasumi stated, closing her pack and slinging it over her shoulders. Checking her twin daggers tucked inside her clothing. She smiled felling the hilt of one of them nodding her head she continued the last little bit toward the area the guards were going to be posted.

This discovery had been the talk of the city many people were trying to make a quick profit and exploration of the sewer was one of those things that could do it. Though that brought a few risks as well. Which she was reminded of as she heard the sound of clanking metal in front of her as several guards with a stretcher were running toward her carrying someone. Stepping off to the side, she saw it was an adventurer with some rather severe burn marks. Well, I suppose that is something to look out for while I am here. She thought to herself as she continued on along the path.

The air started to smell fresher as she saw the torches by the guard post. With a smirk, she tightened her pack and jogged over towards the lights. She was quickly stopped by the guards as they ordered for her to show the pass. Reaching into her top she revealed the card as the guard stepped off to the side.

Glancing at the entrance, there was some kind of runes etched at the top of the doorway which she found to be odd. "Miss, I would be careful, one of the adventurers who only made it a few hours in ran into something that burned him. Though he was already dead when someone else found him." The guard warned Kasumi as she gave a simple nod of her head.

Taking a few steps in before taking a deep breath as the entrance was not trapped, pulling out the paper she saw the dungeon paper was already starting to mark her path. She was curious if any of the other parties had left any clues or hints further in.

​

 

[Develius]

​

---

Mentions:
| saxon (Kasumi Kagu) |
​

---

As high morning began reaching its lively apex over clear cerulean skies, curious city bypassers would find their gazes shift towards a hulking reptilian figure stomping down the streets with purpose in his stride. Some would nervously whisper to each other, while a few gawked various profanities and shouted out rude nicknames. Yet for the sailed-back Baharius, carrying a bindle that hung near the end of his great-sword, he paid no attention to any of the rude locals. After all, he initially wasn't going to stay here for long. He found himself here, in the city of Azuran, to stock up on supplies before venturing south to go fishing at a lake that he'd heard was not too far from here. Supposedly there was a great fishing spot in the area that was known to harbor a sizable population of giant-sized fish. Baharius made sure that all of his essentials were restocked and that he was prepped for the trip.

However, he couldn't help but take on a quick little side quest to recoup the costs of all his bait and equipment. And from the sounds of it, it was right up his alley. A good ole' fashion dungeon crawl through the bleak sewers, harboring what he heard were a menagerie of creepy crawlies awaiting termination by any brave explorer who dared take the plunge. It certainly wouldn't be the worst place for for Baharius to spend a bit of time in. Just who knew what he might find down there?

Getting closer to the entrance, the saurian's eyes were quick to notice a pair of city guards carrying out a person upon a stretcher. From the looks of it, the victim appeared to be badly burnt by something... or someone. Baharius' eyes flickered as he recalled the event within the marsh, seeing fire blazing around him as he fought off a great tree beast at point blank, before snapping back to reality with a winced expression. He certainly didn't want to relive what the poor thing felt for a third time. Still, this wouldn't deter the veteran saurian, as he continued on towards the sewer entrance before being stopped by the guards stationed.

"No entry without a pass." the guard on the left stated.

"Here." Baharius growled quietly as he rummaged through his bindle and pulled out the card in quick order. A quick scan later, both guards nodded soundly and allowed the saurian access into the dungeon.

"You may proceed. Stay safe down there." the guard on the right warned cautiously.

Baharius bowed shallowly at the two men before passing them by and entering the sewers. Upon entering the immediate hallway, Baharius would find that he wasn't the first adventurer to enter recently. Indeed, he recognized the figure belonging to Kasumi Kage, whom he remembers seeing in his last little venture upon a magic thrill-ride with several other odd and unique characters.

"Ah, fancy seeing you again." Baharius greeted with a friendly bob of his head as he slowly approached her, "Kasumi, if I recall? We met at that one tower sometime ago. I take it you're here to make a quick coin too?"

 

[saxon]

Kasumi Kagu
​

Kasumi was about to start her trip further into the dungeon when something large was heard coming her way. The strange thing was it was coming from behind her, turning around as she heard the guards ask for a pace. She saw the familiar creature that she had met while on that magical trip? If one could call it that, though, she was still trying to work out in her mind what was going on.

As Baharius spoke to her she gave a simple nod. "Yes, that is correct and you are Baharius if I recall." Kasumi replied with a smirk signifying that she was teasing the large creature. The kunoichi placed her hands on her hips as she looked up at the creature. "Yes that would be an accurate assumption, though since you are here as well I can assume the same thing. Well I suppose that works out in both our favors really," Kasumi replied with a smirk as she spun around on her heels and took a few steps further in.

"Well, I wasn't planning on going very far in but, if you provide the muscle, I can provide the stealth, and ability to search ahead so we don't run into traps," Kasumi suggested turning around towards the Baharius as she waited to see what her recent acquaintance was going to say on the matter. She thought it was a rather good arrangement. Since they would be able to make more money working together.

Interactions/Mentions: Develius

 

[gmimperfecti]

Vanta the Lost​

Vanta had three problems. Apparently he was supposed to have a card, but he did not have such a card. Apparently he was supposed to have gotten inside from the outside, which he had no memory of doing. Apparently, he was supposed talk in the weird ways of the light folk. Even though he knew their language, he did not know their idioms. Shadow language was the absence of things, so even if he got the words right in the Light language the people he asked questions from either ignored him or worse.

Luckily, he was a shadow fae schooled in the Labyrinthine depths. He didn’t have to depend on emotions like hope, faith, or self. So he waited in the darkness near the entrance like a living shadow. Waiting was the absence of action, and he was quite good at waiting. It was said a hunter was successful not by killing his prey, but by waiting for the right prey to present itself. Not that he was looking to kill any of these light folk.

One of the reasons why he had to be so good at waiting was the silence of the darkness was a madness. Living beings craved noise and light, their brains would make it up if they couldn’t get it. It took quite a lot of patient waiting for the madness to subside, and if you tried to force the madness to leave it would cling tighter then the worst nightmare.

One of the more recent light folk to shun him came staggering out. This one had been interesting, because apparently he didn’t trust shadow fae as far as he could throw them. It made Vanta laugh, because it was the burning light that hurt him and not the hungry darkness. The light folk made it as far as the door outside before other light folk in metal came running.

It was these same people who wouldn’t let Vanta out. Vanta waved to them, but they ignored him. He really needed to figure out how to get one of those cards. Given the death rate, he was sure he could find one if he went in deeper. The light folk loved to loot dead corpses, so it should be fine for him to do so as well in their company. He just needed to get some of these light folk to let him follow them.

Vanta saw another opportunity when the most beautiful light folk he’d seen walked in. It was said that the brightest light had the darkest shadow, which gave credence that his observation of waiting was perhaps coming to an end. What happened next made him hesitate. A Saurian entered after her called Baharius. They were an ancient race, and such races often held race memory that pre-judged against shadow and darkness. And learned the beautiful light folk’s name was Kasumi, which was a rare gift.

“Would you say then that three are better than two?” Vanta said, walking in from the darkness further in. He was casual with his hands held steady in front. Vanta thought himself quite unremarkable save for his arctic blue eyes, so it was not that he had been lurking. That was what most accused him of, so he added another thing to make it easier for them to answer his questions. Vanta opened his mouth, pulling his lips back in a reflection of how light folk smiled. “Would you say it was a good thing to so easily find a companion that can further supplement muscle and stealth with nothingness?”

---

Interactions/Mentions: saxon , Develius

 

[slifer37]

Remy Silver
​

Two figures sauntered up to the dungeon guards, both of two opposing sizes. One was a large beast of a man, large, with corded muscle and a thickness that denoted strength and muscle- in simple gear, with a large axe in a holster on his back. The other was a cloaked figure of a man at least a foot smaller and thinner than him- the man's face was hard to see under the the hood that covered most of his head- but subtle movements showed a more wiry frame than that of his companion.

Looking at the dungeon entrance, there were two guards, their gazes alert for any trouble. Kasumi seemed not to have waited for them outside, which meant they were surely running a little late.

When the pair had seen the advert for a dungeon crawl for money, they immediately jumped on the chance for money- especially as they made a good team. Gideon was the intimidating muscle, and Remy had the magic that had brought the pair of them together.

Upon approaching the guards, who seemed to eye the larger man warily, not seeming to notice as much when the smaller person reached under his cloak to pull out the card required to get in, passing it over without a word, even before the guard asked for the entrance card, walking past without saying a word, with . He caught the tail end of voices, especially from the shadowy figure that seemed to not have a card, but wanted to come anyway, considering the fact he was loudly announcing his credentials to Kasumi, the one who organized the whole venture.

"Hello, sorry we're late, Kasumi." Remy said casually, reaching up to pull down his hood to reveal a boyish face with untidy black hair, blue eyes, and a pale complexion. "The carriage broke down on the last leg of the journey." Though he wasn't sure why the shadowy man was declaring how not allowed he was to be in the dungeon, considering the guards could probably hear him. That was when he saw the Saurian Baharius, and for a moment he gaped at the reptilian creature, his eyes sparkling with a child-like wonder that only the reptile would notice, before quickly schooling his features at the display of emotion, considering the coolest creature was right in front of him, even with its own sword!

Trying not to insult anyone, he gave the shadowy man and the Saurian both a respectful nod. Gideon didn't say much, but just looked around, his gaze alert and attentive, in case anything tried to attack them here- a bodyguard to Remy always.

 

[Develius]

​

---

Mentions:
| saxon (Kasumi Kagu) | gmimperfecti (Vanta) | slifer37 (Remy) |
​

---

Baharius nodded at Kasmui's request to being the muscles of the quest, while she represented the stealth. The arrangement seemed pretty fair to him. "Very well." he replied with a confident look, "You lead the way."

Yet as they were about to descend further into the depths, another voice called out before them. The saurian turned to see a hooded humanoid with dark gray skin and piercing blue eyes emerge from the darkness and into view. He couldn't help but be wary of its presence at first. He gave a cautious look, with his grip tightly around the hilt of his blade, but quickly determined that his casualness to be on the harmless side. "That depends." Baharius replied bluntly to his first question. Three can certainly be better than two; so long as said individual can pull its own weight.

For the second question, "Consider yourself lucky." the saurian replied with a chuff. Baharius gave another careful examination of this gray-skinned individual, going so far as to give a solid whiff (Heightened Sense [Smell] E) in an attempt to get a good idea of who he was ahead of time. Just to be sure. But before he could have the chance to ask him, two other individuals would join the scene; one being a tall brawny individual accompanied by yet another hooded figure of a younger demographic. The latter appeared to have known Kasumi, greeting her casually as if he was intended to enter with her from the start. If only their poor carriage hadn't broken down would they apparently have been there sooner. Meanwhile, Baharius had to walk all the way from the last town all the way here. He could pay for a carriage ride, perhaps, but not many provided room of his stature and size; let alone his fearsome looks.

Speaking of looks, the boy appeared to have a strange child-like wonder when gazing up at the saurian. Baharius quickly took note of that expression, giving an odd look. Not every day had a random stranger looked at him with such fascination. It seemed rather weird to him. He gave an unsure glance of acknowledgement towards the boy, before glancing at the respected newcomers. "Before we get started, may I ask who you three are?" he asked them curiously before briefly introducing himself, "As for who I am, you may refer to me as Baharius. A saurian."

 

[gmimperfecti]

Baharius quickly took note of that expression, giving an odd look. Not every day had a random stranger looked at him with such fascination. It seemed rather weird to him. He gave an unsure glance of acknowledgement towards the boy, before glancing at the respected newcomers. "Before we get started, may I ask who you three are?" he asked them curiously before briefly introducing himself, "As for who I am, you may refer to me as Baharius. A saurian."

Vanta sighed. This was the impossible question! Who am I? It was the endless torture of the ego, the light of reason shining bright to blind the Truth. How could this Baharius have such profound insight to attack his ignorance so easily! Beharius must be a grandmaster as sure as any from the Labyrinth. It was a test, one he wasn’t sure he could pass. If Baharius knew the Truth then this could be no smaller a loss than even out growing his debts.

At all costs, he couldn’t waste this opportunity. It was too precious. He realized that he’d been distracted by the flame of beauty Kasumi, and in doing so missed the biggest shadow! Of course!
Vanta’s brows furrowed in deep thought. How could he demonstrate even a shadow of his attainment towards the Truth of what he was? This was the kernel of the question…at least that is what he’d always assumed to be the case. What if he was missing something. He must be missing something to be so slow in his attainments.

“AH!” He exclaimed. “Perhaps? Perhaps?”

Vanta raised both hands and slowly moved his left hand towards the wand belted at his waist. “If I may?” Vanta patted the wand, slowly inching it out from the sheath.

Spoiler: “If no one interrupts him…”

Vanta’s wand cut through the darkness, drawing lines and spiral patterns with the darkness that deepened like blood seeping from a cut. The Void ate its way through Creation, the patterns written in the air were silent as death and ate the warmth making the temperature drop nearby. It took only a moment to cut away the right portions of reality to reveal a pattern that would lure a portion of the Great Old One from its prison.

Drawn from its forgotten prison in the Tower that was a Room, an eye shaped void in the space above Vanta’s head rippled as the air, light and anything of substance was devoured. He saw what Byatis had forgotten, which was what was still known and not yet lost to the world, but within the domain of the great old one none the less. Through unforgetting, he learned not what was but what was not, detecting the relative levels of absence around him which lingered for an hour before reality heals itself and the distortion faded. Vanta was able to detect the difference between shadow, darkness, deeper darkness, and deepest darkness. If someone was lost, how lost they were. If someone was in debt, how in debt they are. If someone was cold, how cold they are. If someone was hungry, how hungry they were. This was a focused, channeled activity which was very distracting for both Vanta and those so appraised.

The empty, blacker than black eye hovering over Vanta’s head looked upon the four others in the room. It saw nothing that exists, rather it understood through not seeing what was not there.

“Does this answer your question?” Vanta mumbled through the strain of maintaining the spell.

Spoiler: “The Spell:Lost Eyes of Byatis’s Forgetfulness - Grade F (flux), Cooldown 1.”

• Lost Eyes of Byatis’s Forgetfulness - Grade F (flux), Cooldown 1. #Magic E, #Appraisal F, #Feature [Darkvision]; #Magic School F (Affinity Darkness, Range E 30ft -> F 100ft, Target F 5x, Duration F 1hr), #Appraisal F (F grade or lower), #Feature [Darkvision].

[/spolier]

 

[saxon]

Kasumi Kagu
​

Kasumi was about to speak again when there was the sudden appearance of another person. Though they had come out of the wall, she instinctively reached for her daggers. As she saw the being was empty-handed, she relaxed, letting out a sigh as the being seemed to want to join them on the excursion. She didn't have any issues with though she found it strange he came out of the wall to begin with.

Kasumi opened her mouth but was then stopped as Remy rounded the corner and spoke up. Maybe now I can speak my mind, though I wonder what will lay in wait for us. She thought to herself as she cleared her throat. "Well, all is well that ends well, I suppose Remy," Kasumi responded as she looked at the people assembled at the entrance, which seemed more like a rag-tag group of adventurers or arms for hire.

Turning her attention back to Baharius as he started to inquire about the other's he didn't know. "We can do introductions along the way, The young looking one is Remy, and the man with him is his bodyguard. The shadow guy I have no clue but the more people the better equipped we are. I don't see anyone trying anything stupid with a giant like you around Baharius," Kasumi pointed out as she shrugged her shoulders and motioned for the group to start following her.

"Ill scout ahead and look for anything off, from what I heard the first level is the most explored part of this dungeon so far, as we get deeper and deeper it gets more unknown, the deepest depth has been level three. After that we are basically blind," Kasumi pointed out to the group as she used stealth, disappearing into the shadows of the path and moving on ahead of the group.

The path leading into the dungeon was rather small, a long hallway with a few doors on either side. They had already been opened probably by another party earlier in the day as the rooms seemed rather picked over. However the dungeon was known for resetting its traps and the monsters always seemed to creep back up.

As Kasumi moved on ahead, she could smell smoke off in the distance as she got closer, she could see several goblins sitting around a fire in a large square room. In the room was a large throne with a particularly nasty-looking goblin upon it. The goblin was using some kind of makeshift greatsword or well it would have been a normal sword for a human but for a goblin, it was the equivalent of a great sword. Rolling her eyes, she turned back around to rejoin the group.

As the group was no about to round the last corner before they could see the large room. Appearing before the group, "So there is a group of goblins and a goblin boss of some kind in the room around the corner, we could try and sneak past them or we could take them out. Though either way works for me, the room is large enough we could probably sneak around the edges so long as we don't a loud noise." Kasumi pointed out as she waited to see what the group was going to say.

Spoiler: abilities/cooldowns

• Stealth - Undetected E (Sight, Smell), Stealth E,- The nature of her trade had taught her to hide in plain sight from those around her and to move. She becomes harder to notice by sight and blends into the shadows. The skill is effective 1 post variable depending on combat and exploration. - Grade E - 1 Post Cooldown

notes: Any actions you use while not in combat will not incur a cooldown.
Interactions/Mentions: Develius gmimperfecti slifer37

 

[Develius]

​

---

Mentions:
| saxon (Kasumi Kagu) | gmimperfecti (Vanta) | slifer37 (Remy) |
​

---

The grayskin would be the first to answer Baharius' request. However, it would seem the individual gave everything BUT his name in a vague and elaborate display of magic presented by his wand. The saurian watched what he assumed was the person's backstory silently, trying to make sense of what he was being told. This was already way too much for him to take in at once, but he was patient. Though he had to admit the display was fairly impressive. And by the end of it, the individual seemed sure that he'd answered the question. Baharius' stared at him with a neutral gaze. "Impressive display of magic," the saurian praised with a hint of exhaustion in his voice, "But your name would've been plenty enough... stranger."

Meanwhile, Kasumi would introduce the hooded man as Remy, though left the other large figure unnamed. Baharius chuckled at the woman's ending remarks as he gestured his giant great-sword in his hand. "Oh, I imagine not." he replied with a dismissing, yet confident, demeanor, "Even so, we mustn't leave our guard down. For who knows what other entities lurk deeper within." With that said, he proceeded to lumber behind Kasumi and enter the sewer proper; stopping only after she offered to scout ahead for any potential enemies. She also seemed to emphasize the saurian's earlier warning, with the deeper they go being relatively uncharted territory with an equal risk of being potentially more dangerous. They certainly had to be careful.

It wouldn't take long for Kasumi to report back regarding what lain just around the corner. There was supposedly a group of goblins setting up camp just further down that hall, with a larger goblin boss wielding a great sword of his own, leading them. When having to pick whether to fight or sneak their way past them, Baharius scoffed at the latter option as he walked forth with his giant blade to his side. "I'll deal with that rabble." he offered himself self-assuredly, eager to get on with the first fight of the day. He wasn't intimidated in the slightest by the mention of those tiny gnarled pests. Nor would he be opposed to take them on by his lonesome if he had to; though he suspected the others would follow his lead regardless. Whether they did so or not meant little to the hulking saurian.

Stepping out into the large room, the beast began snarling to grab the attention of the entire goblin troop. He hoped that his sheer size and looks were enough to break their nerve and possibly scare them off of a fight in the first place [Intimidation E]. Though he secretly hoped they were foolish enough to stand their ground and revel in their approaching demise. His eyes glared straight at each goblin, shifting through each one before setting his sights upon the leader. Revealing his even greater great sword - being the size of 2 - 3 regular-sized goblins alone - Baharius continued to slowly approach their camp for as far as he could before unleashing a loud guttural [Bestial Roar E] being directed straight at their leader.

Spoiler: Abilities List

• Bestial Roar - [Intimidation E] - [E] - COOLDOWN +1 - Baharius unleashes a powerful roar in an attempt to intimidate any who dare face him.

 

[gmimperfecti]

Turning her attention back to Baharius as he started to inquire about the other's he didn't know. "We can do introductions along the way, The young looking one is Remy, and the man with him is his bodyguard. The shadow guy I have no clue but the more people the better equipped we are. I don't see anyone trying anything stupid with a giant like you around Baharius," Kasumi pointed out as she shrugged her shoulders and motioned for the group to start following her.

Vanta chewed his lip. He was not of introductions but of endings. It was the way of the Shadow, even the deeper darkness had always been. Either way there was no time of introduction. He was already nervous that this group would not let him lurk in their shadows, and he felt like his use of the light folk’s language was flawed somehow. He just couldn’t see it, but of course that was the point wasn’t it? Still what was the shadow without something to reflect upon. The point of the flame was not to burn but to create shadow. He sighed.

The grayskin would be the first to answer Baharius' request. However, it would seem the individual gave everything BUT his name in a vague and elaborate display of magic presented by his wand. The saurian watched what he assumed was the person's backstory silently, trying to make sense of what he was being told. This was already way too much for him to take in at once, but he was patient. Though he had to admit the display was fairly impressive. And by the end of it, the individual seemed sure that he'd answered the question. Baharius' stared at him with a neutral gaze. "Impressive display of magic," the saurian praised with a hint of exhaustion in his voice, "But your name would've been plenty enough... stranger."

“What is the darkest of darkness amongst the light, but of the prime colors is the unity of all? What was the beginning and will be the end, endless in a cycle without beginning nor end?” Vanta said, sighing again. As he trailed behind the massive Baharius, luxuriating in the shadow within the darkness, whispering the timeless echos of the shades long past and to be. In his left hand he held onto his wand, while his right hand trailed along the walls as they walked. Like his fingers were wet with black paint, his fingers left contrails of tiny ice blue eyeballs along the wall like moss. They drifted from the wall into the air and upon the floor behind Vanta. They only lasted but a breath of air before fading from existence. The tiny black eyeballs cling to anything occult or emitting mana energies like fine black dust, but there was nothing to be found as they walked.

Spoiler: “The Blind Eyes of Greed and Hunger - Grade F”

The Blind Eyes of Greed and Hunger - Grade F, Effectiveness 6, Cooldown 0* multi-cast.#Magic F (immediate area 1 post duration), #Tangle F (Duration 1, 1 Action), #Appraisal F (F grade or lower), #Arcana F (signs of magic), #Energize F.

He can pick upon signs of the arcane. They cling to the occult and the mana energies like a fine black dust. He can cast this rapidly and the tiny gleaming ice blue eyeballs can get everywhere but melt within a moment like new fallen snow.

"Ill scout ahead and look for anything off, from what I heard the first level is the most explored part of this dungeon so far, as we get deeper and deeper it gets more unknown, the deepest depth has been level three. After that we are basically blind," Kasumi pointed out to the group as she used stealth, disappearing into the shadows of the path and moving on ahead of the group.

“Amongst the Blue Flame Angels, whose patience is eternal, standing as statues before the Gate of the Void, when asked what the greatest treasure of all was, this reply was heard, ‘When we are finally blind, we are able to see the truth. Seek not what is found, but what has been lost.’” Vanta‘s hands came together, and he gave a bow towards Kasumi.

As the group was no about to round the last corner before they could see the large room. Appearing before the group, "So there is a group of goblins and a goblin boss of some kind in the room around the corner, we could try and sneak past them or we could take them out. Though either way works for me, the room is large enough we could probably sneak around the edges so long as we don't a loud noise." Kasumi pointed out as she waited to see what the group was going to say.

Vanta arched an eyebrow, peering around the rear of Baharius. Still he waited patiently. He wasn’t stealthy although he could cling to darkness and walk, the quiet darkness was not a path he’d studied.

Baharius scoffed at the latter option as he walked forth with his giant blade to his side. "I'll deal with that rabble." he offered himself self-assuredly.

Stepping out into the large room, the beast began snarling to grab the attention of the entire goblin troop. Baharius continued to slowly approach their camp for as far as he could before unleashing a loud guttural [Bestial Roar E] being directed straight at their leader.

Vanta walked in the lee of the massive Baharius. He enjoyed the fear bubbling in his belly when Baharius roared. Worried the goblins might flee before Baharius could get to work and eager to see what his newest companions had to teach him, Vanta whipped his wand out. A soft whisper regaling in hoarse words spoken in the time when all was darkness and the first dark star was born. His wand cuts through the skin of Creation, coaxing out the darkness, eating away at reality and leaving contrails of darkness forming five spiral patterns in the air above his head. It’s tiring work and Vanta’s pace lags behind, his attention more consumed on what he is drawing forth than on what the others are doing.

Raising his hands above his head, the five spirals behind whirling and spinning around each other growing from two-dimension patterns into three dimensional stars, hungry centers of darker darkness. The fabric of the world frays as they stars grow from small points into fist sized spheres. They are nothing, and in their nothingness they are all consuming. Vanta pulls creation around the dark stars, devouring creation as they pull towards their targets, leaving a trail of darkness in their wake like the contrails of some terrible sky creature. The dark stars make their way towards each of the five goblins.

Spoiler: “Descent of the First Dark Stars - Grade E, Effectiveness 7, Cooldown 1.”

• Descent of the First Dark Stars - Grade E, Effectiveness 7, Cooldown 1.#Magic E, #MagicSchool F (Affinity Darkness, range 30ft, 5 targets).
  • Vanta curls both his hands around a single point of darkness, tearing at the fabric of the world. As the void grows, pulling on creation the first dark star is born. It is nothing, and in it’s nothingness it is consuming. Vanta pushes the dark star forth, shattering it into five smaller spheres that do not move themselves but rather through devouring creation are pull towards their targets leaving a trail of darkness in their wake like the contrails of some terrible sky creature.

 

[saxon]

Kasumi Kagu
​

Kasumi watched as her companions on this quest seemed to choose the fight option. Brushing some loose hair behind her ear, she let out a sigh. She hadn't expected much less from Baharius. No doubt it would have been interesting to see the giant lizard try and stick to the shadows. Retrieving her daggers from inside her clothing, she walked with the group as the loud roar went off. Signaling the start of combat as the group reached the room's threshold.

Then the weird dark obs went off, and thanks to Baharius' roar, the four goblins around the fire were frozen in place. Many of them gripped their weapons tightly as the orbs came in and quickly absorbed the goblins into nothing. Well, now that is an interesting skill set if not creepy. Kasumi thought to herself as she now joined the fray with the party. The last goblin took the sphere as it let out pain as its existence was being eaten. After a moment, the large goblins let out a shriek again as the orb disappeared. The leader goblin was the last one of the group still standing.

Kasumi rolled her eyes as it couldn't have just gone down with the first wave. Though the goblin wasn't frozen the roar from earlier definitely intimidated the goblin. Kasumi moved forward to the creature and went to stab the creature using Thieves Flash. As she struck the creature, it out out a growl of pain as it started to frantically look round. As the creature was now blind for a round. Before it started to swing blindly around it trying to hit anything.

Spoiler: abilities/cooldowns/ations

• Thieves Flash - Fighting Style Daggers E, Adrasian Style E, Flexible F, Flare F (Sight) - Kasumi strikes a target blinding them with her attack for 1 post and must be within melee range. - Grade E - 1 post

Actions:
1. Moved to goblin
2& 3 used for Thieves Flash

note: Combat has begun; we will be doing three actions per round. Some tech cores cost and require an extra action to use, so keep that in mind.

mentions: Develius gmimperfecti

 

[gmimperfecti]

Then the weird dark obs went off, and thanks to Baharius' roar, the four goblins around the fire were frozen in place. Many of them gripped their weapons tightly as the orbs came in and quickly absorbed the goblins into nothing. The last goblin took the sphere as it let out pain as its existence was being eaten. After a moment, the large goblins let out a shriek again as the orb disappeared. The leader goblin was the last one of the group still standing.

Kasumi struck the creature, it out out a growl of pain as it started to frantically look round. As the creature was now blind for a round. Before it started to swing blindly around it trying to hit anything.

Vanta looked up, watching the goblins disappear into the Darkness. He seemed neither happy or nor sad. He looked to Baharius, dwelling within the giant shadow. Vanta waited.

Spoiler: “If Baharius Attacks”

Vanta trails behind Baharius, his movements fast and fluid in the shadow like a dolphin cutting through water. He waits until Baharius’ arms raise and sword slashes, before unleashing more dark magic. Whispering unforgotten words, Vanta beacons the Dweller in Darkness to reach forth and draw his target deeper into the darkness. The touch is cold and deathly arising from the darkness around the Goblin Leader.

Spoiler: abilities/cooldowns

• Action: Move. Moves closer, following behind Baharius.
• Action: Attack 2x. The Darkness of the Dweller’s Caress - Grade F,
  Effectiveness 6, Cooldown 0* multi-cast; #Magic F (self, Range 5’, 1 target), #Tangle F (Duration 1, 1 Action), #MagicSchool G (Affinity Darkness), #Energize F.
  • Vanta beacons the Dweller in Darkness to reach out and draw his target deeper into the darkness. The touch is cold and deathly arising from the nearby darkness, reaching out to grasp and rip.

mentions: Develius gmimperfecti saxon (Kasumi Kagu)

 

[Develius]

​

---

Mentions:
| saxon (Kasumi Kagu) | gmimperfecti (Vanta) | slifer37 (Remy) |
​

---

It was clear that Baharius' sudden presence had frightened the poor goblins. So much so that they seemed to have frozen in place out of pure shock! Granted, this was a fairly common reaction that most individuals have when seeing a giant reptilian beast like himself emerge from the inky depths of the sewer. However, he wouldn't notice that the dark robed ally was assisting him until noting the strange eerie dark orbs that kept these mongrels from moving in the first place. These rips in reality were as dark as the void, darker then anything the saurian has ever witnessed. Then, the orbs suddenly vanished as the minor goblins were absorbed into them, the last one crying out before its dark demise overtook it.

Baharius' eyes were stunned upon seeing all of this unfold, before gazing back to see both Vanta beside him and Kasumi emerging from the corner to join them. The saurian grunted upon seeing them come to his aid. He didn't need their help in this instance; for this was trivial work for the saurian anyways! However, he wasn't going to be rude about it; neither could he blame them really. Surely they too must've been itching to join in and test their new weapons and spells for what's simply target practice. Least it'll give him a teaser for what to expect out of them in a relatively "safe" portion of the environment.

Only one goblin remained standing to greet the approaching forces: the head goblin itself. Unlike its minions, it wouldn't be frozen in fear after Baharius' roar, though it certainly looked intimidated enough to stand its ground. Then, Kasumi lunged forward and blinded the goblin with a quick strike; leaving it to flail around in sheer panic as it struck at empty space with its moderately decent great sword. Baharius couldn't help but chuckle at its unfortunate misery. Poor thing didn't know what's coming. He proceeded to move forth, as he wound his massive blade and unleashed a powerful upward strike [Lifting Cleave] at the Goblin, hoping to slice him in half or lift it into the air a few feet before crashing down to a bloody death.

Spoiler: Abilities

• Lifting Cleave - [Savage DuneLord E, Super-Strength F, Accurate F] - [E] - COOLDOWN +1 - Baharius sweeps blade upwards to try and lift his target within 10 feet into the air.
• Bestial Roar - [Intimidation E] - [E] - COOLDOWN +0 - [Ready]

 

[saxon]

Kasumi Kagu
​

With the combined efforts of the group, the goblin leader didn't stand a chance as the goblin was cut down. As the final cry came out of the goblin leader Kasumi let out a sigh. Even she had to admit that these first-floor monsters were not really a threat to much of anyone. Maybe a party that had less experience would struggle a bit. But the party from Kasumi seemed experienced or smart.

Taking a few steps forward she put away her daggers, and starting to rummage through the corpse that was in front of her. She pulled out a few goblin totems that were around the goblins necks, though she left the armor and crude weapons they were using. Passing out one of the totems to each of the group members. "If you take these back to the guild and collect some more you can sell them to the guild. They often pay for monster materials or things that can be repurposed into something else," Kasumi explained as she looked around the room. There wasn't much else of note as she peered further down the hall and saw some stairs going down.

"So do we keep moving down our head back? I mean the fight here wasn't really hard at all." Kasumi pointed out as she pulled out her map and saw the first floor had been mapped since it was only that singular hallway. So there wasn't a whole lot on this floor. So there was going to be a lot more stuff on the next floor compared to this one. Though the deeper they went the more dangerous it would get.

mentions: Develius gmimperfecti

 

[gmimperfecti]

She pulled out a few goblin totems that were around the goblins necks, passing out one of the totems to each of the group members. "If you take these back to the guild and collect some more you can sell them to the guild. They often pay for monster materials or things that can be repurposed into something else," Kasumi explained as she looked around the room.​

Vanta raised his hands as Kasumi approached, unable to comprehend her words. He thought he understood at first. His usefulness was over and now they would kill him to sell his corpse. It wasn’t inevitable that he would die in this way or in another more gruesome manner. His only regret was that with his massive debts, death would be the beginning of eternal servitude, a missed opportunity.

He didn’t know what the guild was, but he was quite familiar with blood sacrifice, corpse defilement, and bodily experimentation. Even the concept of payment was foreign to him. He lived a world of debt. Every lesson cost something. There was never gifts given. He wasn’t even one of them, just a shadow lurking in the wake of their gravity.

He looked down at the totem as Kashmir placed it in his hands and was struck speechless. After some time moisture formed on the edge of his eyelids. After a few more moments tears formed and silently slid down his cheeks. Still Vanta did not move. He was frozen by emotion he had no name for. The nameless were always an opportunity to outpace his debt and in that final moment he realized she was teaching him a lesson. Such was the nature of the light to cast shadow and reflection so those beyond might see, watch, and learn.

He turned it over in his hands once more before walking over to Baharius. He had not the courage to perfectly mimic Kasumi’s tutelage, for it was impossible for him to grasp the sum of it. He only still now remembered fragments of what she had done. He bent over and placed the totems she had given him at Baharius’s feet. Lowering his head, he took two steps backwards and stepped back into the giant’s shadow.

"So do we keep moving down or head back? I mean the fight here wasn't really hard at all." Kasumi pointed out as she pulled out her map and saw the first floor had been mapped since it was only that singular hallway. So there wasn't a whole lot on this floor. So there was going to be a lot more stuff on the next floor compared to this one.

mentions: Develius gmimperfecti

“Where did the burnt man come from?” Vanta had caught a glimpse of her map. The man and his party had been well equipped. How had the man returned through the goblins, burnt so badly that he had to be carried out on a stretcher? There was more than the light could show. He was no good finding heat.

Skipping from shadow to pools of darkness and other shadows, Vanta acquainted himself with the emptiness of this lone room before the stairs deeper. Was this truly all there was?

Once more he used his wand like a scalpel, slicing through creation to draw Byatis’s Lost Eyes forth. Plunging deeper than the deepest darkness and past the last of all lost things, Tower that is a Room, a forgotten prison opened by a fraction. In the space above Vanta’s head the air ripples and bubbles \ as the air, light and anything of substance is devoured.

A black eye larger than his head does not see but is blind. In it’s blindness it sees what is not there, the forgotten, lost, and debts present. Through unforgetting, he learns not what is but what is not, detecting the relative levels of absence around him which lingers for an hour before reality heals itself and the distortion fades. Vanta is able to detect the difference between shadow, darkness, deeper darkness, and deepest darkness. If someone is lost, how lost they are. If someone is in debt, how in debt they are. If someone is cold, how cold they are. If someone is hungry, how hungry they are. This is a focused, channeled activity which is very distracting for Vanta.

 

[Develius]

​

---

Mentions:
| saxon (Kasumi Kagu) | gmimperfecti (Vanta) | slifer37 (Remy) |
​

---

The goblin leader was slain without a second thought. Baharius growled as he slammed his sword on the ground in a resting posture. He had no love for goblins; having plenty of negative encounters that lead him to looking down upon them. While scaring them off completely would've been more than enough to satisfy him, a bit of bloodshed was enough to get the blood going when starting the day. He glanced back at Kasumi with a mildly-disappointed glance. "Hmph." he exhaled forcibly at her with a hint of jest, "And I wanted to judge its worth in a proper duel."

Nevertheless, the ninja woman quickly rummaged its corpse for any valuables, providing each of them a goblin totem as she referred to these small artifacts. Baharius inspected the trinket carefully, being told that these could be sold at the local guild for some coin if enough are provided and repurposed into other weapons and armor. The saurian nodded understandingly, before placing it in a pocket within his bronze breast plate. "You refer to the Adventurer's Guild, correct?" Baharius asked Kasumi for confirmation. He was familiar with its existence, but he hadn't joined it proper yet. Perhaps it was something he should consider doing after this venture.

Glancing to his right, he'd see the shadowy figure beginning to tear up at the contents before him. It seemed odd that he would be crying over a goblin totem... did he sympathize with these creatures? No, he couldn't have. He helped him strike down these creatures, so it wouldn't make sense if he was just now regretting it. The figure then slowly approached the saurian and placed his totem down at his feet before retreating back. Baharius gave another confused glance as a confused rumble escaped his throat, before slowly bending down and picking the other trinket up.

What was up with him? Did he refuse the gift? Was it something about the totem that offended him? Or perhaps this was some sort of offering?

"Do you... not want it?" Baharius asked Vanta curiously, holding out the totem towards him. An awkward pause later, the saurian shrugged as he'd reluctantly accept the additional totem and place it in his pocket. When Vanta did speak, he asked about the burnt man they'd seen on their way in and where it came from. "I assume from the very dungeon we're in now." he proposed, noting the direction they seemed to have come from, "It could've been due to a trap - or a beast - down within the lower levels." He glanced down at the slain goblin leader before them. "Though I do not think they're the ones to blame."

Speaking of the lower levels, Kasumi pulled out the map of the sewer and asked whether or not they keep descending or head back up. Baharius grunted upon hearing the very mention of turning back. "Let us descend further." he said confidently, pointing his blade down the hall, "It's certainly worth a look. If we feel that things are getting too difficult, we shall leave."

 

[saxon]

Kasumi Kagu
​

Kasumi watched as the strange shadow man teared up when she passed him the totem. Which caused her to cock her head a bit not entirely sure what was going on. Turning around she glanced back towards the path leading further into the dungeon as the man seemed to move from shadow to shadow which only raised more questions than answers in her mind.

Vanta's detection wouldn't detect any more creatures down the path at least on this level, though he wasn't able to sense anything from the lower floors. As Kasumi turned back to the group, she saw the weird break in reality above the shadow fae's head. Needless to say, it sent a few chills down her spine as Baharius spoke now.

"I haven't seen a fire trap, so the man probably was on a deeper level than we are now. Though its probably best not to dwell on the matter for too long. We do have our own goals to accomplish here." Kasumi pointed out as she placed her hands on her hips, the silver-haired woman spun on her heel and slowly started to move further in the dungeon.

"Coming from you, Baharius I would have found it strange if you didn't want to continue. Though if we make it to the 4th floor and map it out, we should be bringing in a good amount of Rykes for our services rendered by the guild. As for the guild, well the Guild in this city is like a single chapter I guess they work the same as the Ryken adventure's guild. But they tend to buy part of monsters to use and study, so I guess you could say they are separate guilds." Kasumi stated as she motioned for the group to start moving once again.

As they descended down to the next level, they were all hit in the face with a heat wave, and the stone walls of the sewers gave way to rock. As they entered the first room, they were met with something that defied reality, a desert, all with an artificial sun that radiated heat. Kasumi shielded her eyes as she stepped out from the shadows and into the light.

"Well that was unexpected," Kasumi stated, glancing back over her shoulder at the group as they had now arrived on the second floor. There were rumors that some dungeons that had multiple floors could have their own environment. Though she never believed it until now.

mentions: Develius gmimperfecti

 

[Develius]

​

---

Mentions:
| saxon (Kasumi Kagu) | gmimperfecti (Vanta) |
​

---

"I see." Baharius replied to Kasumi's explanations; both regarding their continued descent as well as explaining the local guild's purpose being only loosely part of the Adventurer's Guild. It was enough information to satiate the saurian for now. The burnt man they encountered must indeed have been in the deeper levels, seeing as how they didn't see a fire trap as of yet. Even so, the sailed-backed beast was not deterred by the potential dangers deeper within. He was confident in his abilities; ready to take on anything this place could throw him. Hopefully anyways.

With a grunt of acknowledgement, he followed the ninja down to the next level. Yet as they descended, the environment around them began to change. From the wretched cobblestone sewers, the walls around them turned into solid rock; looking similar to sandstone. This was already odd enough. That's when Baharius felt a familiar wave of heat hit his hardened skin. He knew what this represented. It wasn't the heat of them walking into a literal blazing furnace, nor is it the result of something magmatic or something ablaze. It was a dry, overbearing ambience of heat, much like a desert in high Summer.

And sure enough, entering the room before them, he found himself staring at what he can only describe as a literal desert. His eyes squinted against the overbearing light pouring from above, taking in the sights with utter disbelief. "What utter sorcery is this?" he hissed with awe as he scanned the rippling dunes, "How did they~?"

Baharius took a few steps forward, sniffing the dust-filled air for anything nearby or suspicious [Heightened Sense "Smell" E]. He was no stranger to deserts like there; for it reminded him of the kingdom he belonged to - "Afroiya" - being located in an arid, desert region south of the Powandian continent. He was used to leading his soldiers through the blazing heat, despite how unbearable it would be, with their only saving grace being the rich river deltas that supported their civilization with all the resources they needed. It was mildly nostalgic for the old warrior; a reminder of who he once was:

The High Dunelord of Afroiya.

The general turned towards Kasumi and Vanta, as the unbearing light struck his sail to reveal the patterns illuminated on his massive sail against the backdrop. "Let us move." he called out, "I know not how big this place is, but hopefully there's a place for us to find shade."

 

[gmimperfecti]

Vanta followed in the footsteps of the two light kin. They were each unique like the difference between a camp fire and a torch light and yet they both drew him as if he was a moth. As an object of mediation, both are invaluable.

He wasn’t surprised that there was nothing of note in the goblin’s lair for the thing that was the most plentiful was nothing. Everywhere there was absence and missingness. It was not was that taught as much as what wasn’t.

Patience was ever his, the still silence of the grave and the coldness of the depths. It was all variations of the nothingness.

He quietly walked down the stairs in the shadow of Baharius. Kasumi was too fast and fighting for him to stalk. As the sewer faded and reality transitioned to desert and sun, Vanta retreated further in Baharius’s wake.

He found himself staring at what he can only describe as a literal desert. His eyes squinted against the overbearing light pouring from above, taking in the sights with utter disbelief. "What utter sorcery is this?" he hissed with awe as he scanned the rippling dunes, "How did they~?"​

“It is said that amongst the depths of the sand like the deepest trenches of the ocean, terrible beasts devour and grow in a cycle with the sand. Amongst these Devourers it was once observed that growth happens not by careful planning and great aptitude but by the very act itself. Thus it is said that hunger is what makes one grow and to never be satiated is what is required to attain the deepest insight.”

Vanta walks behind, clinging to the little shadow that remains not because he needs to but because he has fooled himself and does not realize the truth. Lost within himself be is unable to leave the shadow of others. It is the sense that he is lost and the joy of that sensation that consumes him.

“Burned by fire, the man retreated through the endless desert and skulked past the goblins?” Vanta chews off this minor mystery like a dog chews a bone. He can’t find the answers; he’ll never know the truth, but that’s the point.

The High Dunelord of Afroiya.

The general turned towards Kasumi and Vanta, as the unbearing light struck his sail to reveal the patterns illuminated on his massive sail against the backdrop. "Let us move." he called out, "I know not how big this place is, but hopefully there's a place for us to find shade."

There is a sense of Otherness to Baharius that Vanta tastes but can not name. “Of All the difficulties afforded us, finding what is missing is always the greatest and most rewarding.“ Vanta nods to himself and makes his fake smile. “‘We are lost and it is glorious,’ said the Old Ones.”

Vanta bends down and fills an empty pouch with a handful of sand. This he weighs in his hand before belting it to his waist. He whispers to one of the shadows in Beharius wake, warning it not to disturbed them.

 

[saxon]

Kasumi Kagu
​

Kasumi brought her hands up to shield her eyes, they had only been in the desert for a few moments and she was already starting to sweat. Wiping her forehead she looked over at the giant lizard as he seemed to be enjoying this or well maybe it was something of a memory. To what end she really didn't know. "Why does it have to be so hot?" She huffed as she started to follow Baharius into the sands.

Even she didn't know how large the desert was going to be, though she still wasn't sure what was entirely going on with their shadow friend. He seemed to talk in riddles and not the kind that she understood at all. Though she supposed that wasn't entirely bad but, it could be annoying in a pinch.

As Baharius sniffed the air, he would smell some meat being cooked to the northwest, though it was still some ways off as he could barely pick up the smell. "Well it can't be too large, I mean the dungeon was only found a week ago and they have already made it to level three from what I heard," Kasumi stated as she brushed any of her loose silver hair behind her ears in the hopes of keeping it from sticking to her face later on.

Turning to look at their shadow companion as he was now speaking, "Uh sure," Kasumi replied as she clasped her hands behind her back as she move through the desert. Every now and then she shifted the sand around with her foot, after two hours the sun hadn't moved at all, it seemed like the dungeon didn't have any day or night cycles.

After another hour the group saw smoke off in the distance, Baharius if he decided to take another sniff of the air would notice the smell of meat was now much stronger. There was a nearby hill the group could go up if they so wanted to get a better look at the area though the sand dune itself looked particularly sandy.

mentions: Develius gmimperfecti

 

[gmimperfecti]

"Why does it have to be so hot?" She huffed as she started to follow Baharius into the sands.

“Its hot?” Vanta looked down at his hands, oozing sweat collecting in his palms. The wetness was novel. The heat in this world was new. “Is this to absence of nothing?” His brows furrowed and he frowned in thought. It was something to contemplate. He hadn’t realized it until Kasumi pointed it out.

"Well it can't be too large, I mean the dungeon was only found a week ago and they have already made it to level three from what I heard," Kasumi stated as she brushed any of her loose silver hair behind her ears in the hopes of keeping it from sticking to her face later on.

“Once there was a tea cup, sitting forgotten upon the forest floor. Water collected in it, but no one took notice. Time passed in the forest. Days turned into months and a lady most fair picked up the tea cup. She lifted it to her mouth to take a sip, thinking within was tea. As she peered closer she was shocked to see that there were little people within, oceans, and lands of green. There was a whole world within. To those within their world was vast and unexplored, but to the princess there was nothing but little people in little places. Who are we then to comment upon the vastness of infinity contained within a small space?”

Vanta shrugged, swimming in the shadows cast by Baharius. “How much is contained within nothing? Everything?”

After another hour the group saw smoke off in the distance. There was a nearby hill the group could go up if they so wanted to get a better look at the area though the sand dune itself looked particularly sandy.

mentions: Develius gmimperfecti

Seeing the smoke cut through the sky, a rictus smile cut its way onto his face. “Are there more light kin to murder?”

 

[Develius]

​

---

Mentions:
| saxon (Kasumi Kagu) | gmimperfecti (Vanta) |
​

---

“Of All the difficulties afforded us, finding what is missing is always the greatest and most rewarding.“ Vanta nods to himself and makes his fake smile. “‘We are lost and it is glorious,’ said the Old Ones.”

Baharius growled as he glanced back at the cryptic dark figure with an annoyed expression. Outside of a handful he remembered as a youngster in school, or wise-words of thought spoken by his old mentors, he wouldn't count himself as a fan of riddles; let alone solving them. One or two riddles at a time could be considered a useful mental exercise; especially if they had a life message or something to do with a current situation. However, to constantly listen to someone who only speaks in such enigmatic tones would most surely drive one to madness.

Bless that he leaves this place with his sanity still in his head.

Kasumi's reply to Baharius' question on the size of this dungeon was curious enough on its own. Only down to level 3? It certainly hinted to more levels to come... though how many more, and how detailed they are, intrigued the saurian. He had a feeling these would all be biome-related... perhaps they'll encounter a swamp room on the next level; or maybe a snowy biome. The possibilities seemed endless; as to what they may encounter as well.

Meanwhile, Vanta proceeded to make a long-winded philosophical analogy over the concept of space. The saurian groaned as his brain shut itself down after the second statement, reducing his words to nothing but muffled speech, before returning back to normal function right after he finished. "Must you keep speaking in riddles?" the saurian snarled lowly, his sharp, pearl-white teeth baring briefly from his fleshy seal.

Sniffing the air, Baharius would quickly catch a whiff of cooked meat floating down their way. He found himself inhaling the scent with a long sniff, already feeling his mouth water in anticipation. Even his stomach would growl in agreement. "I smell... meat. Delici~ Erm, cooked meat..." he stated as his head turns towards its general direction, "This way... follow me."

As he lead the group through the trudging sand for the next hour, Baharius sniffed the air once more. It was now much more potent; they were certainly heading in the right direction. With a guttural groan and a nod of acknowledgement, the saurian began to pick up the pace. He could sense that it must be coming from just beyond the next sand dune, meaning that they were tantalyzingly close. "Just over this dune..." he stated in a quieter tone, "Stay low once we reach the ridge." And with that he began climbing to the top, his feet struggling somewhat through the deep and loose sand.

It was a difficult trek for someone of his size and stature, but it wouldn't deter him in the slightest.

 

[saxon]

Kasumi Kagu
​

Kasumi had to agree with Baharius as their new companion talked in riddles which in her mind didn't make a whole lot of sense. Though she nodded as the large lizard asked his question of the shadow fae. Glancing up at the artificial sun she let out a sigh as a defeated look slowly crept on her face. "I really want to go somewhere else right now, its too hot," she complained pulling at her top and trying to move some of the hot air away.

Though that was useless as it only drew in more hot air. "Besides, we don't always need to kill everything we come across, apparently, there are even puzzles down here in the dungeon," Kasumi pointed out as their companion mentioned killing more light folk, though she didn't really know what like folk really meant in this situation. Though she didn't deem it too important right now, as the saw the smoke that rose over the dunes. "Well would you look at that," Kasumi pointed out as Baharius mentioned something about cooking meat.

Turning to look at the lizard as he quickly changed his tone, "Well, I can tell someone is hungry," Kasumi teased as she stopped in there tracks for a moment. As he pointed towards the dune overlooking the ridge. "Always a good idea to get a look at what is coming up," Kasumi agreed, following the lizard as they climbed up the dune.

As they reached the dune ridge, they were afforded a whole view of what the smoke was coming from. There were several fabric tents that were formed in a circle, which made the place look like a village. At the center of this village was an oasis and next to the oasis there were some stairs. "Well, I think we found the way down to the next level, though it looks like it could be tricky," Kasumi pointed out as she pointed to the stairs.

From this vantage, they could see what looked like people moving about the village a few stalls were set up here and there. Though what was strange was there was what looked like a large market just outside the village as a bunch of stalls were set up. The people were dressed in brown cloaks, and there was some kind of song being sung that echoed was carried on the wind.

"Dink, dink, di,di,di, dink." As the words were repeated over and over again in various rhythms as the strange group of people seemed to go on about their days. When there was a sudden screech and a zapping sound was heard from inside the camp as one of the little guys went flying from a tent and started to shake from the shock that he had received.

mentions: Develius gmimperfecti

 

[gmimperfecti]

Baharius growled as he glanced back at the cryptic dark figure with an annoyed expression. The saurian groaned as his brain shut itself down after the second statement, reducing his words to nothing but muffled speech, before returning back to normal function right after he finished. "Must you keep speaking in riddles?" the saurian snarled lowly, his sharp, pearl-white teeth baring briefly from his fleshy seal.

Though she nodded as the large lizard asked his question of the shadow fae.

“Must I?” Vanta mulled it over. A few minutes later, “No. It’s just very uncomfortable to be so direct.” Vanta bit his lip and looked down at the sand. He kicked at it.

"I really want to go somewhere else right now, its too hot," she complained pulling at her top and trying to move some of the hot air away.

Vanta looks anywhere but at. Kasumi. “All fire knows endless hunger, but the sun also thirsts. It is best to hide from it.” Despite the heat and Sun, Vanta pulled his black robes further around himself and wrapped his cowl tighter.

Though that was useless as it only drew in more hot air. "Besides, we don't always need to kill everything we come across, apparently, there are even puzzles down here in the dungeon,"

“Hmmm…” Vanta whispered in thought. “She says we don’t always have to kill to solve the puzzles.” He looked at Beharius back, only his blue eyes showing from his cowl. “Is that so?” He looked at Kasumi out of the corner of his eyes, “Or rather, let us see.”

"Just over this dune..." he stated in a quieter tone, "Stay low once we reach the ridge." And with that he began climbing to the top.

Vanta remained low and within Beharius shadow.

As they reached the dune ridge, they were afforded a whole view of what the smoke was coming from. There were several fabric tents that were formed in a circle, which made the place look like a village. At the center of this village was an oasis and next to the oasis there were some stairs. "Well, I think we found the way down to the next level, though it looks like it could be tricky," Kasumi pointed out as she pointed to the stairs.

“It would be odd if there was not tricks.” Vanta looked down at the village and towards the strange dint-dina sounds. “Are they being tortured or is that a game?”

mentions: Develius saxon

 

[Develius]

---

Mentions:
| saxon (Kasumi Kagu) | gmimperfecti (Vanta) |
​

---

Baharius gave an exasperated sigh at the dark figure. "I ask respectfully, shadow one." he stated politely though with a tired expression, "It is better to be direct with us than be vague. A better understanding, if you will." Though he still wondered what could possibly make it uncomfortable for him to state things simply. Proper communication would be especially vital in tough situations, whether it be in battle or troubling puzzles. It makes things easy. Vagueness usually tends to bring discord, unless you are trying to hide something important. While Baharius didn't think he was hiding anything to their detriment, it was already being enough to become rather grating. Even so, he wouldn't be the worst partner he ever teamed up with... if it came down to it, he could soldier through.

So he hopes.

Kasumi would mention how they didn't need to kill everything they came across, something which Baharius nodded in agreement. "I tend to give individuals a chance to prove themselves useful first," the saurian admitted casually, "Unless you are as something despicable as those goblins we've encountered earlier. I have no love for those... miserable gremlins." If you could reason with something, there was a chance for cooperation. If not, there was no other choice then to leave or exterminate the aggressing force. It was purely a survival technique... one that had served him back in his old world. The shadowed one would comment on the ninja's statement of not having to solve puzzles through violence, asking Baharius how true it was.

"MOST puzzles tend to lack killing to solve them." Baharius grumbled in disbelief, "It takes wit, rather than brawn, to solve. Though sometimes, death is not so much as the answer, rather then the punishment... at least for certain locales."

Eventually, they crawled up the sand dune and lain their eyes upon the village below. They saw perched tents that circled around what's apparently a small oasis, with several stalls and shops just outside the village. Yet next to the pond of water, there was the staircase that leading down to the next level. According to Kasumi, their goal was finally in sight; though apparently it would be tricky. Though as they glanced down, they could hear a vague song whistling by them in a series of verbal tones forming from only a single word. There was even a brown robed villager that flew out of the tent after receiving a powerful shock, though he appeared to get up just fine.

The shadowy figure asked if what they were doing was either torture or some game. Baharius simply shrugged. He couldn't quite tell from this distance. To him, he reckoned it may have been some kind of accident. Of what kind however, he knew not. He turned to look over at the ninja. "These individuals seem harmless enough." he stated with a fair bit of confidence, "Perhaps we can walk through to the next level. Though if they force us to fight... we fight. They don't seem tough either."