Fantasy Rifts [IC][Closed]

[Chaos Gallant]

Terrence nodded in agreement with the Sobekon's choice. It didn't seem like any of the doors would be welcoming by any meaning of the word. At least this door didn't appear as if it held anything that would silly any more of his clothing.

"Aye." The orc positioned himself behind the lizard man, raising his ax overhead in anticipation as they proceeded.

 

[Beann]

With quiet footsteps, Aelestra followed quietly behind Arnas. She frowned for a brief second as the mercenary's heavy footsteps caused the floorboards to creak. Perhaps it wasn't entirely his fault, this entire building was ancient. Without much luck in investigating the first door, the second door proved to possibly be the worst option out of the two of them. The scene before them made even the expressionless monk cringe in disgust. She was starting to feel uneasy as Arnas proved to be daring by prying a dead man's book from their arms. His dying words were written in hurried ink.

The last few words were concerning. What did they mean by 'it'? A shiver ran down her spine as a gust of wind brushed against her from behind and she flinched at the loud thud of the book being dropped. With the obvious scene before them, something was definitely not right. She looked at the book on the floor and then back at Arnas who had drawn his weapon. Aelestra nodded slowly before turning to the door, wanting to regroup and report their findings.

 

[Oreo Cookie]

"Oddities and aberrations, huh?" Vera echoed as she swept a cautious gaze across the dimly lit interior. Her sword arm twitched, itching to preemptively draw her weapon just in case. She refrained for now, and exhaled a sharp, nearly inaudible sigh before nodding her head once in agreement with Fraskia's suggestion. "Let's hope that's not the case. Can't imagine this place getting any more odd and... abberant than it already is."

 

[joshuadim]

Arnas was about ready to lead the both of them out the room, but the hair on the back of his neck stood up as a crunching sound filled the air. Not unlike grass being crushed under one's footsteps, something stirred in the chambers that was entirely unnatural and not of this world. His gaze slowly turned back to the red crystalline growths at the windows, which now moved with intent and purpose. A vague, humanoid shape emerged comprised of the substance as it joints and limbs cracked with every movement. A small twitch caused the air to pop like static, and in turn made it entirely uncomfortable just being near its presence as the young mercenary felt a sensation of pain creep up through his forehead.

Aelestra would feel the same sensation as well, but she would also notice another detail of this creature; there was also its "arms". appendages extending unnaturally from its body, that ended in jagged peaks that menacingly protruded from its extensions. Like shining mountains at its ends, it was poised to strike at anything it deemed a threat. At the moment, this was both Arnas and Aelestra as it suddenly lunged at them! Without thinking, Arnas grabbed his companion by the arm and shoved her out of the room before slamming the door shut behind them. What little good the old wood would do was that it provided some measure of distance as it began to bash its way through the obstacle, sending splinters flying outwards - some of which remained floating in the air in defiance of gravity.

"SER BROZ!" Arnas shouted as the duo made their flight out of the building.

The paladin, who had thus far been spending time on watch outside while Lucina wandered about nearby, quick snapped his attention to the return of familiar faces. But he recognized Arnas' immediate distress as he put a hand to the hilt of his blade. But before he could inquire as to the nature of the trouble, it made itself known as the entity charged out of the building with reckless abandon.

Crystalline Entity
20 HP
Trait
Mind Rager - Deals 2 damage per turn passively to all nearby enemies.
​

"Gods! What did you bring out!?" the Justicar shouted with wide eyes as he drew his steel. Arnas readied himself as well for the fight to come as he spun about and brought his blade in front of him for a striking position.

"I don't know, but we better kill it fast!" the young mercenary replied before gritting his teeth and charging to meet the creature head on with his allies.

Beann

---

Having made their choice, Edoardo and Terrence chose their path further into the stockades with the door that bore scratches upon its surface. Their entry was met with no discernable resistance as Edoardo pushed the door open, bracing himself slightly against the heavy wood and metal bracings; a slight groan of the wood hit the air as the duo found themselves facing the interior of a large, and dark, storeroom. Its function had long since been abandoned, save for the myriad of crates and barrels that littered their surroundings and lined up against the walls, there were enough supplies that could have been housed in here to last quite a while.

Whatever that hadn't been spoiled or destroyed in the calamity that beset this town, that is. The dim torchlight from the hallway behind them provided only a modicum of lighting, while the remainder came from moonlight in various embrasures that had been carved into the stone as a precaution against potential attackers. The outside vistas of desolation were visible through them, if only through a narrow viewport, which in turn provided comfort to both men that they were still on ground level.

The skittering of rats across some of the crates nearby jostled them out of their comfort for a moment, bringing their attention back towards the room itself. The vermin skittered with hurried pace, making their way towards safety in the crevices that they knew and in turn left the room devoid of life except for them. But when it was expected that they would be alone, a feeling crept up on them that they could not shake. It was the same feeling that one felt when alone in the woods, or in an alleyway at night in Dandolio, that both instantly recognized as that of being watched.

Both would find the source of this ire among the shadows, where the blacks of blacks inked the walls they would see the faintest outline of eyes looking straight at them - filled with pain and hatred.

No words need be spoken, as they felt what this thing wanted: GET BACK IN YOUR CELLS, PRISONERS.

Chaos Gallant Worthlessplebian

---

"Very well, onwards then." Ser Faralt spoke as he took the vanguard, given that he was already dead. He believed that in such a holy place, however, that no danger would befall them unlike in the outside. Moving through the old convent and towards the rear doors of the chapel, their unbarred entrance led them straight into an immaculately preserved interior of a house of worship that stood as a testament to the marvels of masonry and construction. Grand arches supported the high roof, adorned with carvings and murals dedicated to various teachings, while statues of those very same divines towered over their respective altars. It seemed that this was not simply a singular place of worship, but for all of those in the same pantheon.

Rows of unlit candles sat as offerings underneath them, having long since been extinguished as melted wax had dripped over the edges of the statues' bases and creates small hardened outflows underneath them. There also was the main entrance, which had been visibly barred from this side with a large plank of wood, gave answers as to their difficulties entering. But what drew Faralt's attention was the altars themselves as they went around the prayer mats and pews with careful step. "Ah, Ozdan the Mighty. Warden of Valor... but now also the divine that hates my very existence." the burnt knight commented with bitterness as they passed by the first of the altars. The divine being had been depicted as a great, armoured knight brandishing a flaming sword. Even as a statue alone, it was imposing and impressive enough to have a commanding presence - a positive trait among knights such as the one before him currently.

"How he turned his eyes towards hatred, wielding his burning blade not as a symbol of valor but of terror..." Ser Faralt then spoke before looking down at his hands, "Were I not cursed like this... perhaps my perspective would never have changed."

They then passed a second altar, possessing the form of a hooded man wielding a great executioner's sword at rest in front of him. "Ragul the Just, Warden of Justice and keeper of oaths and honour. I'm sure Ser Broz would appreciate this fine altar."

A third came at the form of a robed scholar with a featureless face from under a cowl, holding a tome in one hand under his armpit while brandishing a scroll in the other. "Kalistor the Pious, Warden of Wisdom... truth be told I know little of his scribal order. I was never one much for reading and studying."

Now having nearly made their full rotation around the church interior, the trio next stopped in front of a fourth altar which showcased a feminine, armoured figure with long flowing cloth to accompany her protection. Like Ragul and Kalistor, she too was hooded and remained obscure for her facial features. "Alandra the Maiden, Warden of Hope. Our friend Lucina is among her faithful... to dedicate one's life in service of healing others is noble and sacrificial. If only they were appreciated more..."

The final altar, which rested at the head of the sanctum, was unlike any of the others however. In particular, it lacked both any sort of presentation - save for a slab of polished stone - or offerings beset upon it. This was, indeed, the site where the Priest would have conducted ceremonies but it was also where perhaps the most important representation was held. "And this, is for the Father. It must be, for no iconography is ever made of him. It would be sanctimonious to try and represent the almighty with simple rock and stone." Ser Faralt commented, his gaze turning upwards towards the stained glass windows above that allowed moonlight to shine downwards. "He is everywhere, and he is all."

A moment of silence passed, before looking around once more. "...I don't think we'll find anything here, if I'll be honest." the burnt knight then spoke, "Perhaps my eyes no longer work at all. Do either of you see anything?"

Breadman Oreo Cookie

 

[Beann]

Aelestra stared wide eyed as her question of ‘it’ was answered. Red crystals packed together to form what resembled as a disfigured person. The initial movements were disturbing, a mixture of a fawn learning to stand up on its own and an undead awakening from a long slumber. Then within seconds, the atmosphere snapped into immediate danger as the entity charged at the two of them without warning. Aelestra felt a painful sensation originating from her arm as she was yanked by Arnas and shoved out the room, moments before the entity could pierce them with their sharp appendages.

Her feet didn’t stop there though as she sprinted alongside Arnas, hurdling over broken chairs and other debris that littered the townhall until they finally found themselves out in the open. Just as they reunited with Ser Broz, the sound of splintering wood drew Aelestra’s attention back to the town hall entrance. The crystalline figure had followed them with malicious intent and it appeared their only option was to face it head on. Separating from Arnas and Ser Broz, she sprinted around the immediate perimeter, intending to flank the entity.

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Edoardo Vargas Melcher​

The door's hinges creaked sickeningly open as if the sound itself cautioned Edoardo. Ignorantly, he lead the way with a khopesh in his fist. The waft of stale air spread over the two, despite the presence of embrasures. Edorado paced forward into the half-lit storeroom, eyes glancing at the abandoned-or ruined-supplies, not bothering to inspect them all as his predatory shadow merged with the darkness.

The Sobekon's senses, vaguely aware of the ork behind him, were tuned to the front. If they were submerged in water instead of moonlight, nothing would escape his sight. Then the pitter-patter of tiny clawed feet halted Edoardo in his tracks. He watched the vermin scuttle into crevices nearly smaller than their bodies, recognising the instinctual mark of fear in their furry hides and hairless tails. They were scrambling over each other.

His cold blood froze when he was beset by a familiar feeling. It was the feeling a young hatchling feels when swimming for the first time. Alone. Watched from below and above. Hunger, teeth slaked with drooling anticipation.

He found it. The source of their terror. Their observer. Eyes. Pallid dead but wide with pain. Hatred. Perched on a body of darkness.

Edoardo put his hand gently below Terrence's collar without taking his reptilian eyes off the figure. Clawed digits urged the ork to fall back cautiously as Edoardo took a step or two back.


"Sir Warden, we're here to assist you!" Edoardo urged with his priestly baritone.

 

[Chaos Gallant]

The storeroom came into view as Terrence followed Edoardo in. The orc let out a low hum as he scanned the room over. 'It certainly does not detract from the mood of the rest of the compound.' He thought to himself as his eyes wandered around the bleakness.

A chill ran up his spine, his stomach turning as a malignant silence followed the rats. Danger. Terrence tensed, his attention drawn to the specter across the room from them. Feeling the Sobekon's grasp on his shirt gave him a small hint of confidence, they at least were on the same wavelength. He mimicked Edoardo's movements, stepping back slowly, ax still held firmly at the ready. Hearing his companion's words, Terrence nodded in agreement, letting out his best negotiating voice, "Indeed, we only seek to provide a modicum of assistance!"

 

[Breadman]

Fraskia listened as ser Faralt talk about the different statues and who they represent. She wasn't very religious, but she knew better about what the saints can do in a holy place. There was nothing wrong in this area, at a glance at least. Fraskia moved her fingers to summon a rune in her palm. She extended it halfway and began to wander around the small space to see if it would react to any magic.

 

[Oreo Cookie]

Trailing behind the lamenting knight, Vera was only partially attentive to Ser Faralt's narration as he guided them past altars and their divine effigies. The venerable statues may have held great symbolism to some, but to the knightess they were just that — statues. Impressive, yes, and more than once the irreverent urge to disturb the altars arose in her, but what they represented were far removed from her own ideals and beliefs

"Nothin' but a distinct lack of the gods." Vera said in answer to Ser Faralt, but moved to give the altars another, more thorough looking over.

 

[joshuadim]

Leskau Town Square Skirmish - Turn 1

Ser Broz, Aelestra, and Arnas take 2 damage! [Mind Rager] Ser Broz, Aelestra, Arnas HP = 28.​

ALLY ROLLS
Arnas - 8; Hit. Arnas deals 4 damage to Crystalline Entity. Crystalline Entity HP = 16.
Aelestra - 6; Hit. Aelestra deals 4 damage to Crystalline Entity. Crystalline Entity HP = 12.
Ser Broz - 4; Miss.

ENEMY ROLL
Crystalline Entity - 9; Ser Broz takes 5 damage. Ser Broz HP = 23.

---
​

The entity roared as it charged into the fray, first being intercepted by Ser Broz as he swung with his blade an overhead strike towards the creature. However powerful his blow was, it was blocked by the thick crystalline layer covering its arms as it parried his blow before delivering a backhand blow with its other appendage. The strike rang against his armour and sent him flying before crashing into a nearby abandoned cart. His momentum and weight caused him to break through the older wood until he was flat on his back on the ground; stunned as he was from this sudden blow, there he remained for the time as he let out a groan.

Arnas and Aelestra would have more luck against the creature as the former took advantage of the attention taken away from him by Ser Broz and sliced at the creature's hip - or rather, where he assumed it would be. The crystalline layers were far less hardened and thick on its body, and his blade crashed through its body like a rock crashing through glass; a large chunk of the being was cut away by the force of his blade, leaving to fall to the ground and shatter on the cobbles. Aelestra in the meantime would strike from behind, using piece of wood as an improvised club, and striking the creature on its head. Several chunks of its form flew off as a result and it stumbled forward, before turning around and roaring.

Arnas gripped at his head as a surge of mental pain flooded his mind, as it did to the others involved as well. "F-fuck!" Arnas said as he gripped the side of his head with he free hand and winced. "Let's kill this damn thing, quickly!"

Beann

---

A tense moment of silence passed between Edoardo, Terrence, and this spectral haunt that permeated the area. Its form did not move even an inch, and both men wondered if they were about to be lunged at by this presence. However, it then spoke again in a voice that shuddered through time: "GUARDS! TO ME! THE PRISONERS HAVE BROKEN LOOSE! ... THE TOWN IS FALLING APART! FLEE! FLEE!" Both Edoardo and Terrence looked at one another with confusion for a moment as the entity now seemed to ignore their presence entirely - as if they were not even in the room.

But then, it spoke again: "GET BACK IN YOUR CELLS, PRISONERS."

And then spoke what had followed afterwards again, looping again and again in the same moment that it had once been in.

Chaos Gallant Worthlessplebian

---

"Sadly, I must agree." Ser Faralt spoke with a somber tone in response to Vera as he looked around again, before seeing Fraskia conduct her own search. With her rune in place, she began to walk through the chapel as she tried to distinguish anything that would stand out as sensitive. The burnt knight watched with intent as she went over the entire area again in search of any hints and remained quiet to let her do her work. She went over the most obvious suspects first, the statues; although they were the most prevalent part of the holy house, she felt nothing out of the ordinary radiate from them. She then tried the altar of the Father, only to meet the same results, and then moved on to more of the mundane objects scattered around.

The long extinguished candles were, as expected, devoid of any energy. And so too were the long empty rows of seats that once were inhabited by the faithful in sermons. In fact, it seemed as though this place was entirely devoid of energies - perhaps as work of these divine? But it was then when her hand trail briefly over a wooden door that led elsewhere that she felt a spike. And when holding it over again she felt an anomaly that emanated: life undying. It reminded her of the ruined village where they had found Faralt in the first place. It was enough that Ser Faralt could notice that Fraskia had discerned something of importance from beyond those doors and looked towards it.

"It leads towards the residency of the bishop and priests." Ser Faralt muttered, before putting a hand on his blade's hilt. "...what do you feel there, my lady?"

Breadman Oreo Cookie

 

[Beann]

Aelestra’s improvised attack had proven to be successful against the crystalline entity. Seeing how its hardened shell easily deflected Ser Broz’s blade, she was certain that attacking with her bare fists would be unwise. Their synchronized attacks though seemed to have angered the monster as it turned to face her and let out a horrendous screech. It took nearly all her willpower not to drop the piece of wood she held as she bowed her head and winced in pain.

“Nngh–!” Her free hand clutched the side of her head, covering one ear with her palm as she looked back up at the creature before her. Despite the pain, Arnas’ words reached her, fortifying her resolve to defeat the entity before her. Tightening her grip around her improvised club, she breathed deeply, and as she exhaled, she lunged forward with the intent to kill.

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Edoardo Vargas Melcher​

Edoardo looked at the spectral remnant. The silence, the tension turning his blood to ice, the grip on the leather-bound handle tightening. The spirit's unmoving form gave an omen of suddenness; it could lunge at any second, much like that of a Sobekon, submerged beneath the swamp-water. Then it spoke; rasping, quivering, and fear-heavy. Edoardo slid a clawed foot gingerly across the cracked flagstone, however, the agitation in his muscles lessened as he realized the oddity in the spirit's words. His head perked up from his combat stance, partially tilting.

The town isn't falling, but fallen already. Edoardo chanced a glance at Terrence, maintaining confused eye-contact before turning back to the spirit. The Sobekon's tail slid across the dust-lined stone, the priest paced a few steps forward, edged with caution.

"It..." Edoardo began, voice low and quiet, enough for Terrence to hear. "Seems that the warden is confined in his final moments. Damned forever to order prisoners long-dead."

He considered his next course of action, whatever had happened here, has soul-bound the warden to dungeon's walls and his own memories. He wondered if the ancient reptilian Gods of the Sobekoni could free this splintered soul. Or would they want to free a former fleshbag, knowing how unfavourable they looked up the Sobekon's mammalian brethren, but a soul is soul. He got down to one knee, cloth vestments caressing withered stone, he set aside the khopesh and began the silent prayer towards his Gods.

 

[Chaos Gallant]

"A tragic fate." Terrence furrowed his brow. A lost soul, perhaps doomed to eternally relive its likely panic filled last moments, had the two of them not stumbled up on it. The orc let his priestly companion to his prayer, still keeping his ax at the ready, unsure of whether his abilities would even have an affect on the spectral being.

He thought back to the teachings of the one god still revered in Dandolio, Kalistor. While he'd never been much of a holy man, Terrence scrounged through his memory of the texts he'd read through in his youth. 'Perhaps a plea to Kalistor. If you are listening may you bestow your wisdom and knowledge, if not upon me, but to my ally. So that he may guide this lost soul to tranquility.' He could only wait now, tensed in anticipation for what may come next.

 

[Breadman]

"I suggest you get your swords ready." Fraskia looked back to ser Faralt as she rested her other hand on the hilt of her own. They were fortunate with the discovery of the burned knight, but she couldn't discoutn any possible threats because he's friendly. "The nature of magic tugging at the rune is life undying. It is best we proceed with caution." Fraskia reached for the door, preparing to open it.

 

[Oreo Cookie]

With Ser Faralt, a living contradiction to mortality, standing near, the words life undying held an even more palpable meaning to Vera. The mere suggestion of what awaited beyond the threshold served as more than enough encouragement for the knightess to have her sword unsheathed and held at the ready. She positioned herself a couple paces behind Fraskia and nodded. "After you."

 

[joshuadim]

Leskau Town Square Skirmish - Turn 2

Ser Broz, Aelestra, and Arnas take 2 damage! [Mind Rager] Aelestra, Arnas HP = 26. Ser Broz HP = 21.

ALLY ROLLS
Arnas - 4; Miss.
Aelestra - 8; Aelestra deals 4 damage to Crystalline Entity. Crystalline Entity HP = 8.
Ser Broz - 2; Miss.

ENEMY ROLL
Crystalline Entity - 9; Arnas takes 5 damage. Arnas HP = 21.

---
​

Once Ser Broz got back on his feet, he rejoined Arnas and Aelestra in the fray as the entity let out a roar once again. Another wave of mental anguish shot through the trio that they tried to fight through. Through all the incorporeal waves being thrown at them, something had suddenly changed as - through the faintest of whispers - they could hear something through the noise. "KILL... ME..." a voice cried out in anguish, drowned out by the horrors that was its existence. Arnas was taken aback by this as his eyes widened in shock, and turned towards Ser Broz to see if he was not going crazy. All signs indicated, however, that the paladin too heard it as his face dropped to one of pity.

It messed with their senses and concentration as they pushed ahead to attack, and in turn prevented Arnas and Broz from dealing any damage. Their blades, instead, travelled towards the thicker crystalline growths upon it. It then simply shrugged Ser Broz away, while delivering a backhand strike towards Arnas that sent him flying in the air. Landing a few meters away, he tumbled and crashed into the base of the town square's fountain with a hard thud. His ears rang and his vision doubled as he struggled to regain his bearings in the moment, but could see that Aelestra would have more luck.

Again, she would be able to position herself behind the creature as it was distracted with the other two combatants and then - with an audible crack - strike at the creature's arm towards its middle parting. The thinner connective structure there was weak enough that she practically severed the creature's appendage with one fell swoop as it stumbled back and roared again. And unlike any other creature of normality, this one did not bleed as what remained at the stump of its arm were smaller edges of its composition. By now, Arnas staggered back onto his feet and shook his head again. Wordlessly, he charged once more at the creature with intentions of putting it out of its misery.

Beann

---

The shade continued to ramble on in perpetuity, repeating its final acts and words to what it saw as that fateful day. In reality, Edoardo and Terrence both took the opportunity to try to relieve it of its mortal burden and help it pass along at last. Being a cleric himself, Edoardo was the one to prepare the holy rites of his people while Terrence prayed to Kalistor the Pious; the Sobekan began to rumble a tune in his mind he had practiced and heard many times already: one aimed towards the Sobekoni gods of his people and land. He asked them to listen, and also to outstretch their favour towards one's suffering.

In particular, he emphasized that of Seben - the Sobekoni God of Peace - in asking to bring her peace to this entity once and for all. From Terrence's point of view, there was naught but silence as he watched his companion in that moment sit still. For a moment, it seemed that nothing was bound to happen as the shade continued to speak to no one. In Edoardo's case, he felt the same as he had prior as he let the words hang in his head. The silence was almost eerie, until it was broken by a feeling within him. For Terrence, he could see a pale orange glow begin to emanate from the Sobekan's body.

This feeling that Edoardo felt was a comforting one, but also that of a reassurance that welled up in his head. Instinctively, he outstretched a hand towards the shade and began to draw it forth. Incorporeal tendrils of shadow that had kept it bound on the wall like roots to the soil gave way and broke apart as it was drawn further and further away. Until, at last, it was silently severed from the wall; from that moment, it began to dissipate like reducing ash that moment later became nothing at last. The presence was finally gone, and freed from its unnatural bindings. Edoardo could also feel, briefly, a feeling of peace came from the last vestiges of the soul that then slipped to the realm beyond.

Chaos Gallant Worthlessplebian

---

Ser Faralt didn't need any additional cues as he draw his blade from his scabbard, and readied it at his side while Fraskia and Vera did the same. He was closer to Fraskia than Vera was as she approached the door handle itself and laid her hand around it. "I'm with you." the burnt knight said with reassurance as his grip tightened around his sword's hilt, wielding it in a guarding stance. As Fraskia pulled it open, there was a weight behind it due to its material that caused her to exert more force to get if fully open. With a thud that echoed through the hallow halls, the way was open to them and they were greeted by a strange sight.

"S-stay back!" a woman's voice cried out as she sat curled in the corner, raising a palm towards the three of them while her other arm cradled something. "Please! Stay away!"

"Who are you?" Ser Faralt asked, keeping his blade by his side as the figure remained cloaked in darkness. She only panicked in response: "We don't want trouble! Please!"

He nudged Fraskia to give a bit of light, and when she delivered with a small flame rune the image became clear. A woman wearing a fine dress, one befit of nobility, was huddled in the corner with terror laced in her eyes. But those eyes were dead, as a milky white colouring took place at its edges and her skin took on the colour of a corpse. Her face was scarred from a wound, which disturbed the otherwise smooth features that graced her ones lively form. But what was even more strange was what she was holding: a head. And one which was very much active still as its eyes moved, brow furrowed in anger, and mouth moved to speak: "Get away! I won't have you hurting her!" it shouted in anger, trying to protect the lady despite lacking a body.

They were both Undying, and Ser Faralt quickly relaxed himself as he came to the realization. "Gods... they're like me." he muttered, before turning to Fraskia and Vera. "Lower your steel. They are not enemies!"

Breadman Oreo Cookie

 

[Breadman]

"This is..unorothodox." Fraskia commented as she lowered her weapon. The madam and head could be a threat, if they weren't cowering at their presence. It could be a trick, but zombies and ghouls aren't smart enough for that. Something was different with them. "What are your names?"

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Edoardo Vargas Melcher​

In the quiet, solitude of this desecrated chamber, with naught but the echoes of memories past, Edoardo, the Sobekon Cleric, prayed to his saurian Gods. In the deep and long recesses of his mind, he elevated a hymn. A canticle of serenity. At first, there was but the clarity of his mind, however, that soon gave way to an immense tranquility. Visions of a sun-streaked swamp and calm, yet muddied, green waters flash in his mind's eye, gifted imagery while also an echo of the divine's powers. One breath relieved decades of soul-pain, physical anguish. The words of the prayer continued until true silence entered.

He feels his arm stretch out, though he did not command it, like the turning of a rampart's cogs. The feelings of comfort and reassurance welled within the crocodilian, he could feel each tendril snap, each burden be removed from the bound spirit. Like the last deep shadows of dawn, the tendrils were banished by the balmy light of Edoardo's devotion to his Gods. Once the soul dissipated, the cleric exhaled in a guttural fashion. His knee left the flagstone, putting aside his khopesh. He slammed a closed fist to his chest, a quiet thud as he spoke in almost whispering tone. "My eternal gratitude for thine mercy, Seben, God of Peace. May we all enjoy the immortal marsh." He nodded his head respectfully.

Then turning to Terrence. "Let us investigate this room now." The deep voice was stiffened with determination, yet also softened with peace.

 

[Chaos Gallant]

Terrence’s shoulders fell as the tense in the room seemed to dissipate along with the tormented spirit. It was quiet now, he lowered his arm, easing up a bit as the room was empty save for the two. The orc nodded in agreement with Edoardo. “It is fortunate that it was us who came across that being. I am not sure the others would have handled the situation as eptly as you did.”

He began to investigate along with the Sobekon, for any other anomalies that might be lurking within.

 

[Beann]

The feeling of concern infiltrated the back of Aelestra’s mind, a small amount to cause her to shift focus from the crystalline entity to Arnas who was sent flying back. The only hint of emotion that was shown was a slight tinge in her eyebrows. She wasn’t sure exactly what this creature was but it had the same sentiment that it needed to be taken down. She was happy — more so, neutral — to oblige as she prepared to strike again.

 

[joshuadim]

Leskau Town Square Skirmish - Turn 3

Ser Broz, Aelestra and Arnas take 2 damage! [Mind Rager] Arnas and Ser Broz HP = 19. Aelestra HP = 24.

ALLY ROLLS
Arnas - 10; Crit roll 1d6 = 2. Arnas deals (4 + 2) 6 damage to Crystalline Entity. Crystalline Entity HP = 2.
Aelestra - 6; Aelestra deals 4 damage to Crystalline Entity. Crystalline Entity is slain!​

Already on its last legs, Arnas relieved it of one of them as he - with a yell - swung his blade into its appendage and severed it entirely with an audible crack. Pieces of its body scattered across the ground nearby as it collapsed to one knee, no longer able to stand and fight as its form began to deteriorate further. And it was Aelestra that delivered a killing blow as she swung her improvised club, colliding the wood directly with the creature's head. With a final strike, the being's top shattered entirely and in turn led to it collapsing entirely into an avalanche of shards that crashed into the ground below like glass shards. It was then, with a final wave of pain surging through their heads, that the trio involved in this fight heard its final words.

THANK YOU...

For a moment, Arnas was confused until he looked at what remained of the creature. Among its crystalline remnants, he swore he could see bits of bone among them. The young mercenary blinked, making sure what he was seeing was actually in front of him. Ser Broz also noticed this and grimaced: "Poor bastard." the justicar muttered, "A fate worse than death, being... whatever that is. May he find some peace now." He then turned to both Arnas and Aelestra and nodded: "Are you both alright?"

"I'm a bit hurt, but it's nothing." Arnas said, wincing slightly from where he had been struck earlier. He then turned to Aelestra and let out a chuckle: "How about you?"

Beann

---

With the shade being released, Terrence and Edoardo would turn their attention to making sure if there was anything else of note in their surroundings. What they both felt, following the spirit's departure, was that the atmosphere of the area was in fact lighter now. The heavy blanket that once draped them had now dissipated, and the only things they could find now were crates with various random supplies and long expired foods. It seemed that nothing else of interest had remained for the two of them in this part of the prison, but something else arose to break the monotony.

In the distance, a yell could be heard and what sounded clashing steel. Both Edoardo and Terrence heard this, without knowing of the conflict that had just finished in the town square itself.

Worthlessplebian Chaos Gallant

---

Fraskia's question went unanswered as the woman looked frozen with fear, only her eyes darting between the three figures in front of her, while the head maintained its aggressive posturing as it gritted its teeth. There was a standstill that the burnt knight recognized as he slowly approached to take a knee. Sitting down to their level, he moved slowly and made sure to not present himself as an enemy: "You need not fear anything, my lady. For I am the same as you." Ser Faralt then said as he slowly removed his helm, revealing the charred skeletal head that remained. This came as a visible shock to them both with this new information, with the woman herself fixing her gaze on the knight's empty eye sockets.

"I... I'm sorry..." she then managed to get out, "I thought... you were here to kill us."

"Hounded by those zealots for something we have no control over!" the head then spoke up angrily, "Forgive us, Ser. It has been an eventful few weeks for us."

"I am Ser Faralt, knight-errant of Lithurnia." the burnt knight then introduced himself, "These are Fraskia, and Vera. We come from a small group to investigate this town on behalf of the Guardian."

"Indeed, for if you were with the Order of the Cleansing Flame we wouldn't be having this discussion." the head then said, "I am Count Gromont Touvelle, and this is my daughter - Fione."

The woman offered a meek wave of her hand while remaining shirked in the corner she inhabited but remained silent otherwise as her father did the talking with what she saw as strangers.

Breadman Oreo Cookie

 

[Breadman]

"I'm Fraskia." The rune knight introduced herself proper as Faralt didn't exactly specifiy who was who. "As our colleague said, we are here to investigate what has happened." She looked to the head seeing as he was the 'head' of the household still "The affliction is most unusual, ser. Usually you'd be mindless zombies or ghouls trying to ravage us for meat and marrow, but you're with your senses. Schollars of our order would kill to have a chance to study you, but I'd rather we just talk, hm?" She paused a moment to think of what questions to ask them.

"This whole situation is different, so I'll skip the obvious. Out of anything that has transpired, what has been in contact with you the most? What oddities do you think may have brought this on you?"

 

[Oreo Cookie]

Vera continued to hold her blade at the ready for the few passing heartbeats that followed Ser Faralt's urgent command. She regarded the undead pair with narrowed eyes, before finally relenting and lowering her weapon with slow reluctance. Her grip, however, remained firm on the hilt.

"And are there others here like you?" Vera piggybacked, her gaze shifting from the lady to the head she held. "Survivors either livin' or of... your sort, I mean."

 

[Beann]

Aelestra’s eyes widened in surprise as her club cracked the creature’s head open, its entire body following immediately after like a mirror — shattering into many pieces. She exhaled through her nose deeply, shoulders relaxing as she dropped her improvised weapon. The fight was over but that didn’t exhaust her curiosity as she reached down to pick up one of the many crystal fragments that littered the ground. She held it up to inspect it for a moment before turning her attention to Arnas. She nodded her head and signed, ‘good.’

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Edoardo Vargas Melcher​

The priest continued the investigation of the prison, the lightened aura of the place bringing his mind peace; opening up crates, unwrapping the cloth-packed supplies. Only to find spoilt food and other supplies. He felt a surge of disappointment as his warm eyes scanned the crates' insides. He quickly suppressed the emotion. Feelings like those are unbecoming to one such as he. What Priest is a good man whilst hoarding or coveting riches? He replaced the lid on a box, then turned around to speak with Terrence, his Orcish companion. "We've done all we can here, take something if catches your fancy, we should go and see the rest of—"

Just as Edoardo was speaking the clashing of steel against steel echoed through the fractured flagstone. A crack which demanded their attention, Edoardo spun, tail thumping against the floor, swiping away dust. "On second thought, we should go see what that was." His reptilian eyes narrowed. A claw gestured in the vague direction from where the sound came. Stepping past Terrence, Edoardo made for the door, his holy vestments—of tan and brown—flowing behind his step.