Graded [Frontier][Jareth]Chapter 1: Metamorphose

[Novama]

Michael The Blue Knight​

Mentions: Clyvelle
Music:
Cooldowns: C 1/2, B 3/3

Michael sighed heavily with eyes obviously irritated by Jareth's repeated regressions. The escalating circumstances around them did not help either. If it wasn't Jareth falling apart and keeping them pinned in an obviously very bad place, then this massive monstrous creature next to them would bring the whole tower down on their heads. Michael would have lumped the vapormen into the mix, but they were little more than sheets on a string to him now. The bad vibes of the monster were only mounting, but it was getting to the point where Michael could no longer tell how in over their heads they were, so it was somewhat comforting, the ignorance.

With debris now constantly raining down around him, Michael was forced to leave Jareth to piece himself together for the moment while he tried not to get flattened into dust, himself. His body was much more capable of surviving, but Michael had no wish to be trapped under a boulder, being perpetually crushed and unable to properly die. His chest and legs flashed blue through his cloak and pants as the mana in his body circulated with the same flow that enabled his body to utilize the supernatural skills bestowed to him. Suddenly, running became a breeze and jumping was as easy as lifting a feather.

"[Nimble Evade]!" - Fast E, Jumping E, Acrobatics F, Fancy Falling F, Energize E - is able to more quickly escape from a position in any direction to a greater degree with a sudden dash or jump flip - Grade E - 0 Post Cooldown

As his legs seemed to do all the work, almost mindlessly, the rest of his body stayed lithe with his hands and swords at his sides and back. He only raised his arms to occasionally gain balance. Running up a wall here, jumping between falling boulders there, backflipping a few times to avoid sections of roof and wall. In anticipation of more to come, Michael kept his eyes up while trying to keep dust out of them so he could see. The opening in the roof above was the most promising yet since it looked like sky. He would need to collect jareth and try to make it up there. Collect Jareth how, though.

There were large urns still around that looked suitable to Michael. Swooping in, he snatched an urn just before it was shattered. It was a clay vessel with some old and fading lacquer on it. The chips at the top didn't seem to weaken the usefulness of the vessel, so Michael considered it good enough and zoomed over to Jareth where he proceeded to start scooping him inside. Trying not to breath as he did his dirty task, Michael shouted,

"We gotta go. You can take your time piecing yourself together when we get some place safer. That thing is going to bring the whole building down on us!"

Michael reached for the wands that seemed to help Jareth and chucked them into the urn too if he could fit them.

 

[Clyvelle]

Jareth Fletcher
|Human|Eyeglass Adept|Scorned|​

The sand immediately thrust the wands out of the urn after Michael tossed them in with Jareth's remains. Other than that, the sands were motionless.

Albedo had fled shortly after the entity destroyed the ceiling. The robes continued to fire at the remaining restraints on the creature. With an arm free, the creature looked like it could begin to wreak serious havoc, and in fact was winding up for another swing at its remaining constraints. As it was about to strike, however, the entity suddenly recoiled as if it had sustained a blow. It teetered for a moment then fell weakly towards the observation platform.

Its feet remained anchored somehow to the platform on which it stood, and the few remaining chains binding it pulled taut as the creature's full weight came to bear. Its free hand clung to the ledge while its head landed gently on the far side of the platform. The attendants, who were standing between where the head and hand landed, suddenly acted dazed. Deep, heaving breaths inflated the chest slightly beneath the creature's binds. It appeared to be out of energy. The transparent, shadowy wings had unfurled some and waved back and forth through the chamber.

There weren't many chains left, but Michael could use the remaining ones to gain some altitude. Alternatively, the elevator still seemed operational, but it was directly beneath where the creature now was draped against the observation platform.

BLACK robe

Spoiler: Stats/Passives

Stats

• Strength - F
• Precision - B
• Intelligence - C
• Vitality - C
• Speed - D

Senses

• Supersense [Tremorsense] E (14) - 100ft radius

Passive Skills

• Resistance [Physical] F
• Regeneration F
• Resilient [Fatigue (caused by hunger, thirst, lack of sleep)] F

 

[Novama]

Michael The Blue Knight​

Mentions: Clyvelle
Music:
Cooldowns: B 2/3

So Jareth didn't want the wands. Michael frowned and snorted with exasperation.

"Fine! You don't want them, we don't need them! Let's go!"

Michael declared continuing to shovel Jareth into the urn with his hands. It was quickly apparently to Michael he would not be able to carefully carry Jareth and his borrowed equipment, so he sheathed his blades and hoped they would be able to quickly resolve the situation and get moving before he would be forced to defend himself again.

Noting the behemoth creature's lack of energy, Michael felt extra certain now was the time to get moving. If the monster wasn't traying the vapormen's attention anymore, they would likely soon descend upon him again. Michael scooped in as much of Jareth as he could and used his mana vision to make sure all of jareth was in the pot. The finer grains that were also Jareth would need to find their way into the Jar of their own volition. There was not way Michael at the time or means to hand pick 1000 grains of sand out of the stony grout of the floor.

"Focus Jareth, we gotta go! Pull yourself together as best you can,"

Michael coached as he kept frantically glancing around for what would come next if they didn't get out of there. Seeing the way up, Michael considered scaling the big creature, but wasn't sure how direct contact with it would affect him. His hands were occupied with Jareth's urn, so climbing the chains would also be difficult. Michael noted the elevator too, but it was kinda foreign concept in this world and he was also leery about entering one during a crisis situation. He recalled lingering memories of his first world and how the elevator was the last place you wanted to be.

The blue knight grit his teeth and made the call: without his hands, he would trying running up the wall and if it came down to it, spring boarding off the giant in the middle. Once Jareth was ready to go, he would begin is ascent. The chains ripping and smashing into things as well as the ceiling crumbling had pockmarked the wall creating several spaces for Michael to rest inside or make use of for better traction during the ascent. The prospect of escaping into sunshine was too tantalizing as well.

"We're getting out of here...no matter what,"

Michael said encouragingly, more for himself than Jareth.

 

[Clyvelle]

Jareth Fletcher
|Human|Eyeglass Adept|Scorned|​

Although Jareth did not resume his form, the sands began to stir as Michael began to climb the precarious wall. After he had risen several feet off the floor, tendrils of sand sprouted from the urn and began supporting Michael's climbing efforts. Sand encircled the urn and Michael's torso, shifting and attaching the urn around to Michael's back. Two tendrils came up and over each of his shoulders and projected themselves into the wall as he climbed, giving him extra leverage and support, allowing him to traverse areas that he would otherwise be unable to climb. In this manner they began making good progress towards the ceiling.

As they were reaching the halfway point, the creature began to stir. Simultaneously, the attendants appeared to collect themselves and spotted the escapees. As the robes loosed a barrage of spells, the grasping hand of the creature rose and crushed most of them in a single slap of the palm. Several glowing white lights were then sucked into the gaping mouth of the creature. It's aura and mana exuded a renewed vigor as it began to slowly rise once again.

In response to the barrage from the robes, the sand appendages jerked Michael sideways along the wall. Allowing him to resume steering their climb, the sand appendages defaulted to bracing and supporting the climb as they were. As they went higher, the structural integrity of the wall degraded from the earlier blast of the creature. The upper portions of the room had crumbled in places from the shock.

At about three-quarters of the way up, they climbed into a partially destroyed chamber. In it were various chests and containers filled with all manner of equipment and items. On a table further into the room was a familiar set of blades that Michael would recognize. One sand appendage snagged a sling laying on the floor and drew it into the urn beneath the sands.

Behind them in the chamber, rumbling could he heard from down below.

BLACK robe

Spoiler: Stats/Passives

Stats

• Strength - F
• Precision - B
• Intelligence - C
• Vitality - C
• Speed - D

Senses

• Supersense [Tremorsense] E (14) - 100ft radius

Passive Skills

• Resistance [Physical] F
• Regeneration F
• Resilient [Fatigue (caused by hunger, thirst, lack of sleep)] F

 

[Novama]

Michael The Blue Knight​

Mentions: Clyvelle
Music:
OOC: i notice some light and loose ness with that skill there. but sure to be working towards those things with the points you get from this.
Cooldowns: B 1/3

"WOOOHOOO!"

Michael cheered as Jareth did curious and sandy things.

"This is more like it!"

The Knight was ecstatic as they started making some real progress and the arduous climb became much more manageable. Michael's hands were freed up as well, which he greatly appreciated. His eyes lit up even more and he genuinely smiled when they appeared in the chamber to find his equipment on the table.

Immediately moving to the table on which they sat, Michael picked up his items and Alpha, his sword, in particular. The other items he had collected up to that point, trash in comparison, were tossed aside. He looked at Alpha for a moment longer than necessary, deep in contemplation as to whether or not he should use his regained power immediately or save it just in case there was a greater need later.

Michael turned to the urn and watched it suck things in. He was visibly puzzled, but then took in the scenery. Very high up. Monster suddenly very active again. Way out stay a bit further up. They would need to climb some more and hopefully avoid attention, so it would be best to keep moving.

"If you are done Jareth, let's go. We need to keep ahead of whatever that thing is,"

Michael prompted Jareth as he lowered himself, expecting the urn to sand fasten the urn to Michael's back. He intended to make their escape as soon as possible.

 

[Clyvelle]

Jareth Fletcher
|Human|Eyeglass Adept|Scorned|​

As Michael cocked his shotgun equipped his swords, the sand rose in a hitchhiker signal. Latching on as Michael passed by, the duo worked together to get all the way to the roof, totally ignoring the large, black, dessicated hand grasping for them from below.

They emerged on the shoulder of a centralized peak atop an island. All around them, they are surrounded by a sea of clouds as far as the eye can see. A body of water can be seen far below, seemingly streaming out of the central peak. The sand sprang out of the urn suddenly as Jareth began quickly walking towards the edge. His mouth formed effortlessly as he said over his shoulder, "You would not believe how thirsty I am. I need that water. Last one down's a horned rabbit!" Without another word, he leapt off the cliff they were on.

Assuming Michael follows, Jareth would offer an explanation on the way down.

"While I was holding that wand, that creature suddenly took control of me. It was brief, but during that moment when it was using my powers, I suddenly gained an intimate understanding of how to control the sand. Now it's super easy!"

They would plummet down to the water, Jareth dispersing into a cloud of sand just before impact. He would allow his sandy bits to collect in the water and soak for as long as possible as they were washed away from the compound on a hill. Jareth coalesced and flagged Michael down to a beach just before washing off the island's edge.

They rested on the beach a moment. Now Jareth could finally study Michael's new body up close. A hollow sigh escaped him as he sat down.

"You, uh...look different." Jareth said hesitantly. "I'd almost say you might've had it worse than me...Not that it's a contest...."



BLACK robe

Spoiler: Stats/Passives

Stats

• Strength - F
• Precision - B
• Intelligence - C
• Vitality - C
• Speed - D

Senses

• Supersense [Tremorsense] E (14) - 100ft radius

Passive Skills

• Resistance [Physical] F
• Regeneration F
• Resilient [Fatigue (caused by hunger, thirst, lack of sleep)] F

 

[Novama]

Michael The Blue Knight​

Mentions: Clyvelle
Music:
OOC: let's aim to wrap this up this week. It'll be hard for me to consistently post over vacation next week.
Cooldowns:

"Hm..I really hope not,"

Michael replied thoughtfully as he kicked back on the beach for a moment and allowed the sun to warm him. He didn't want to dwell on his weeks of capture. Best if he forgot everything. Otherwise, the nightmares threatened to haunt him.

He was never one for excessive sun bathing or spending time in the sun without training as the goal, but this was different. While the monster kept their pursuers busy, this was his first taste of freedom in the past month. It hadn't even been a full month, but it might as well have been an eternity. He breathed in the fresh air deeply. It was nice to smell something other than blood and sweat and defecation. His blue skin highlights and bluer hair shimmered in the sun as a consequence of the procedure done to him.

"So you are a sandman now?"

Michael asked while keeping his senses alert for enemies that may be nearby. He needed a rest mentally, but he knew they were not yet home free. From the vantage before, it was obvious they would need to escape the sky island still. Michael didn't know how to operate a ship. Doubted Jareth knew even if he could keep himself together now. Leaping over the edge seemed suicidal too, but somehow more appealing to him when considering the prospect of rushing back into the lion's den too look for something that may not be there to find. Thinking on it, going back into their complex was the last thing he wanted to do even if it meant putting his vengeance on hold.

A small crab popped out of the sand and scuttled over to Michael and gave him a pinch. It didn't hurt. It couldn't break Michael's enchanted flesh. Michael simply plucked the crab off and tossed it to the side. He had not yet taken the time to consider how much different he was from a normal human now. He merely had an idea of what he might be capable of now and that was enough. The philosophical questions could wait till later.

 

[Clyvelle]

Jareth Fletcher
|Human|Eyeglass Adept|Scorned|​

Jareth looked at his hand as it soldified into shape then fell away as loose sand.

"Yeah...it's kinda weird....I've had nightmares of this very thing ever since that ritual...but now that I'm here--actually living it...It's hard to put into words. I guess...my worry made it seem like it would be worse...somehow...."

Jareth's hand reassembled as he used it to push himself to his feet.

"Well...for now I guess we should figure out how we're getting off this rock. We have people missing us back in Ryken after all. You do at least."

Jareth went as close to the edge as he dared, looking out at the sea of clouds before them then straight down the side of the island. The clouds nestled right up against the island's lower half, obscuring most of it--and the ground--from sight.

As he observed, a powerful gust made him scurry back away from the edge as a medium sized aircraft suddenly burst upward from the clouds. It rose aggressively to just above ground level and hovered there on the edge of the island, daring the pair to try and escape. On the top deck a black robed individual stepped into view. Michael and Jareth would recognize this as the Sceptre that had antagonized them in their respective experimentation chambers. He rose into the air and floated over to them.

"What do we have here, hm? A couple of runaways? Normally, I'd give you the choice of dying at my hand or jumping off, however, this azure fellow has hardware inside of him that is mine. If you let me rip it out of you first, I'll gladly let you jump...." he said, his words dripping with malice and confidence.

Spoiler: Stats/Passives

Stats

• Strength - F
• Precision - B
• Intelligence - C
• Vitality - C
• Speed - D

Senses

• Supersense [Tremorsense] E (14) - 100ft radius

Passive Skills

• Resistance [Physical] F
• Regeneration F
• Resilient [Fatigue (caused by hunger, thirst, lack of sleep)] F

 

[Novama]

Michael The Blue Knight​

Mentions: Clyvelle
Music:
OOC: Here we are
Cooldowns:

Michael was on his feet in mere moments. He could sense the airship approaching and the dark robes seemed like something special all too himself. His ability to fly with his power alone was a strong indicator he was at least as capable as the vapormen. He seemed a lot more confident to Michael than the vapormen too. Memories of his captivity made his blood boil. He clenched his fists as he instinctively reached for his swords.

These abductors had never really given Michael a fair chance. Aside from his speed, his ability to spin with his swords was one of his few redeeming qualities in that world. He only just recently got his swords back. Now was the first time since The Duchy where Michael stood a fair chance to do anything against these guys at his full strength. It was tempting. Tempting to use the body they forged against them and to finally get the chance to use the techniques that he created through his own efforts.

Problem was two-fold. Michael did not yet have complete mastery of the new body he was given. It felt to him like a new pair of shoes: clearly better than the old one, but not yet broken in the way he liked. There was also the issue of the black specter, the ship, and the island they were on. Michael felt uncertainty . There were too many unknowns and he felt too unprepared. What if the black robes was weak? Would the next one be weak? How would he know. There was the question of the ship. If he got himself and Jareth aboard, would they be able to properly pilot the thing without killing themselves?

Michael did not lack fury but he had waning confidence. He had an urge deeper than the others to train and prepare. Unlike in a video game that lets you charge ahead until you die and then gives you a redo. If Michael went on a rampage here, what were the odds he would come across something stronger than himself? What if they took Jareth hostage? Could he protect Jareth at all? The options the robe gave were no better: jump or die. Due to the clouds, Michael wasn't even sure where in the world they were. Even if they could survive a fall, what if they were over an ocean or lake several miles from shore?

"We're gonna run for it. Hang onto me as best you can!"

Michael said as he grabbed Jareth by his materialized hand. This felt like the best choice to Michael, but is was by no means a safe bet. Michael would attempt to slip past the black robe with Jareth and leap over the edge. Unless robes could fly as fast as they could free fall, Michael hoped it would be enough to put distance between them. He would then try using his parkour and fancy falling abilities to turn curve his downward momentum enough to avoid splatting into the ground or sea.

 

[Clyvelle]

Jareth Fletcher
|Human|Eyeglass Adept|Scorned|​

The appearance of the Sceptre caused Jareth's sands to bristle in agitation. This was the one entity he wouldn't mind never seeing again. Of course, fighting him was completely out of the question even as Jareth would love to exact vengeance. At present, he had no means of doing so, being barely able to control his form. Glancing to Michael, Jareth would see that even he with all of his apparent power and newfound abilities hesitated in the presence of the floating apparition before them.

The airship idled in its place midair just off the border of the island. There was no motion from the deck, but one could assume, perhaps, that at least one creature was aboard piloting it.

Something had to give, and it seemed as though the Sceptre had no intention of letting Michael, at the least, simply waltz off the edge. Despite knowing conflict was inevitable, the knight grasped Jareth's hand and tugged him along as a layer of sand was shook loose in their wake. A small laugh issued from under the Sceptre's golden mask as he pivoted in place to track their movement. As Michael was leaping from the edge of the island, a golden needle materialized in the Sceptre's outstretched hand, pointing towards the pair.

"Stay Thy Hand [Grade ???]." came the magic-infused phrase. Michael and Jareth immediately froze mid leap. The Sceptre would keep his wand pointed at them as he began to draw near.

As the Sceptre seemed about to follow through on his promise to reclaim the hardware within Michael, a horrible shriek pierced the air around the island as an incredible pressure suddenly bore down on all present. Even the Sceptre was bowed by the force of the shriek. The airship tilted to one side, while the river rippled wildly.

Once the sound receded, the pressure also subsided and the Sceptre jerked around to look towards the compound. There clawing its way out of the hole it had created earlier in the ceiling was the entity from the containment chamber. A horrified exhalation escaped the Sceptre as his ability cast on the runaways was rescinded. He shot off with incredible speed towards the compound as the airship righted itself and followed behind.

Michael, having been in midair when he was frozen, now plummeted through the sky. They fell for a long while, but eventually they broke through the white to see a desert below fast approaching. Michael would steer them down as best he could. Jareth would disperse just before they hit the ground.

Above them, the clouds would blacken as streaks of red lightning flashed violently within. A strong wind would kick up without warning as the desert was agitated by unseen turmoil overhead. The sands would blow into a sudden sandstorm that would take the pair by surprise. Michael would try to hold onto Jareth as the golden sand swirling around them was tainted red by an aura now descending from the sky. Despite Jareth's best effort to maintain his form, this bewitched sandstorm would cause his sand to begin dispersing against his wishes.

"Don't let me go, Michael!" Jareth would scream, helplessly clinging to his friend's arm. "Don't let me go!"

Jareth's form would slowly fade away as the sandstorm pulled his sands right through Michael's fingers. Using his mana vision, Michael would be able to track Jareth's general location briefly, but the very air around him soon radiated with mana, clouding Jareth's specific signature from his sight. Michael would be forced to fend for himself as the storm became unsafe for him to linger, red lightning beginning to strike randomly in the area.

Thus, Michael and Jareth managed to escape their captors only to be separated once more.

Spoiler: Stats/Passives

Stats

• Strength - F
• Precision - B
• Intelligence - C
• Vitality - C
• Speed - D

Senses

• Supersense [Tremorsense] E (14) - 100ft radius

Passive Skills

• Resistance [Physical] F
• Regeneration F
• Resilient [Fatigue (caused by hunger, thirst, lack of sleep)] F

 

[Novama]

Isekai Hell RP Grade​

Clyvelle Novama
It is finished. The beginning felt like we were writing solo rp's that just happened to be in the same space. Things quickly picked up once the characters transitioned from their prisons (physically and mentally). There were areas where it felt like there could have been more ushering of what was to come. In this way, characters could march their characters through the transition into the next scene confidently or at the minimum be narrated as arriving so they could immediately start contending with the next scene's struggle. Unsure if the big black thing was standing appropriate for this rp, but we'll just keep it as a background piece and not worry about it. The combat rules were not published for the beginning of the rp, but it felt like we ran things light and loose as it came to combat and ability use in high tension moments. Felt like the stand out moments was when the characters were able to gear up with their stuff and when they got to have a moment to catch their breath at the edge of the world into the ending.

Aftermath
Michael's new body allowed him to survive the harsh desert long enough to get help.
Michael is no longer considered missing.
Jareth is now considered missing.
Mysterious organization is now known to the adventurer's faction.
Mysterious red mana threat from mysterious creature or the vapormen is now being watched for.
Information is limited to adventurers due to suspicion vapormen have backing from one of the major factions.

Rewards


Jareth(clyvelle) - 100 points (narration included)

• optional title acquired [Sandman] - character's body is made of sand. Is likely to leave sand behind wherever they go. Has an easier time staying together in moist environments and less windy days. Even when solid, can give off the impression they may blow away at any moment.
• optional title acquired [On The Wind] - character is considered missing or actively avoiding being found. Can make it more difficult to establish trust with those they come in contact with. Those that know them already will not immediately recognize them.

Michael - 79 points

• optional title acquired [Azure Fellow] - character is decidedly more blue than others of his kind. More likely to receive odd looks for the variation and garner uncertainty. More likely to fit into a body augmenting sub-community.
• optional title acquired [West Empire Adventurer E] - character is an adventurer of the West Empire adventurer guild. Able to handle the frigid boreal forests of the south or the dry grasslands of the north, West Empire adventurers are not as well rounded but can generally handle greater extremes. E grade means the character has shown promise for the life and is no longer required to participate in basic trainings or mundane odd jobs. While they still have a ways to go, they at least know the basics now.