Turn 22:
Turn 21
Skee, the Insect Parasite (Legendary Marksdorf)
Go claim the essence, then have your host eat and tend to its wounds, and return to the pack when the others do. Once you get there, keep observing and trying to understand the Makralian language.
You claimed the essence, absorbing it in your body. And fortunately, your host didn't seem to interfere with the essence absorption.
Flavor Roll: [5]
The Makralians didn't notice you taking the essence. The three Makralians, your host included, gathered around their prize and started carving its flesh out. One of the Makralians handed you a pink and juicy lump of flesh, which your host gladly ingested.
They kept trying to say something to your host, using the Makralian dialect. Though you couldn't understand, they seemed worried if you were to guess. And finally, they resorted to the monstrous tongue, the common language that all monsters understood.
"Shnapa, do you understand me?"
This time, you nodded.
"Oh, he can still understand the tongue. Are you alright? Got a bad hit somewhere? You've been weird as of late."
He then said something in the dialect, and returned to the tongue right after.
"Yeah, definitely something wrong with ya. You can't speak the dialect anymore somehow? Feeling okay?"
The other Makralian then added.
"Don't push'im. Let's return to Ksharpa and the others first, okay Shnapa? You will get better with some rest."
As the Banberus body was way too heavy for you to carry, you three proceeded to take apart meaty parts to bring back to everyone. Your host's body, named Shnapa, still remembered how to proceed. Once that was done, you returned to the pack.
Event Roll: [5]
You managed to return to the pack without a hitch, each carrying a large far and meaty Banberus bodypart. To everyone's surprise though, there were more Makralians than before. Their fur also had slight variations compared to those of "your" pack: slight color shifts and patches of colored fur. Your pack leader seemed to be discussing in Makralian with another pack leader. One of the Makralian you hunted with interjected in the discussion.
"Can I ask that we speak in the tongue? Shnapa has been unable to use the dialect after he took a bad hit."
The Makralian was obviously lying, but it was the simplest answer given the situation. Ksharpa, the pack leader, agreed with the suggestion. It seems the other Makralian didn't mind either.
"I am Sherpo, leader of a pack that usually lives farther in the eastern territories. With the other packs of the east, we are looking to form a great alliance with all Makralians."
"Cause of the "Wasps". They are growing too dangerous, and this fellow and his pals are suggesting we band together to survive. I'm not against it myself, thought about consulting with ya first though."
Some of the Makralians present were uneasy at the idea of uniting the packs. Competition among packs had always been a thing, and some had less than cordial relationships. But when it came to the Wasps, which one was the lesser evil was crystal clear.
Nearby Monsters:-2 Adult Makralians:
"Kin"> Side: -6HP
-Ksharpa, Makralian Pack Leader
-Sherpo, Makralian Pack Leader
-a dozen of Adult Makralians
HP: 4/10
MP: 10/10
Essence: 0/2
Status:
-Badly Wounded
-Full
Inventory:
-Large piece of Banberus meat
Location:
-North Savarde Jungle
Host: Adult Makralian
HP: 7/15
MP: 12/12
Essence: 0/10
Status:
-Critically Wounded
Attributes:
Str 1
Con 1
Pow -1
Res 0
Int 1
Ind 1
Known Skills:
-Rallying Call
-Vicious Bite
-Fur Hardening
-???
Terrence the Bone Baron - (ironsnake345)
Time to put the plan into action! Stalk close to the creature and attempt to "backstab" the undead. Regardless of whether or not I manage to sneak close enough to attack it, be prepared to run the moment it knows I'm there, luring it away - specifically in a direction that would make it a prime target for Vel's charge. It's time to T-bone this thing!
((Also: Hurrah! Nakeen has returned to us!))
Sneaking: Action Roll (6): [16]
Outcome Roll: [1] -Success-
You moved into the fog, hearing the clapping sounds of Vel's hooves disappearing in the distance until only the light ruffling sound of your steps could be heard. You circled around the Abomination, whose imposing and bloated shape was visible despite the fog, and stopped only once you were close to see it without being detected.
This Abomination had two arms, a main body and a large toothless mouth. Its "lower body" was made of large intestine-like lumps of flesh that it dragged as it moved as if it was cut midsection.
One Bony Backstab: Combat Roll (Str 1 vs Con 2): [3]+2 (Sneak Attack +2) vs [8]
Critical Roll: [8] -No Counterattack-
With one swift swoop, you slashed your Bone Broadsword at the Abomination. And to your dismay, your attack was completely ineffective, merely bouncing on its very dense body. While no damage was done, your presence and hostility was still acknowledged. Following an ear-splitting roar, the massive Undead turned toward you and started chasing you.
You had started running way before it started screaming of course.
Running away: Action Roll (
: [12]
Outcome Roll: [5] -Overshoot-
You outran the Undead with ease, as despite its surprise speed, you were still the fastest. But you ran so fast that a coincidentally badly placed pebble made you slip. Dragged by your momentum, you crashed in a clattering blaze, ending in an unsightly position for a four-armed-four-legged skeletal thing.
[Malus to next action]
The Abomination's figure was approaching dangerously. But confident in your partner, you waited. In the distance, you could hear frenetic riding...
Chaaarge!: Combat Roll (Str 1 vs Con 2): [11]+2 (Sneak Attack +2 Charge +4) vs [5]
Critical Roll: [5]+3 -Normal Hit-
Damage Roll: [5]*0.75 + 2 (Rusty Arming Sword) = 5
With the power of the charge backing him, Vel slashed its sword in a lateral strike with both hands. The blade managed to sever the Undead's flesh, creating a gaping wound from which poured a putrid liquid. Surprised and enraged, the Abomination's body appeared to soften.
Nearby Monsters:-Vel, the Dead Rider: [Friendly/Ally]-Undead Abomination: [Hostile] [Enraged State (Reduced Defences)] > -5
HP: 15/15
MP: 12/12
Essence: 4/10
Status:
-Fine
Inventory:
-Bone Broadsword [Wielded]
Location:
-Deadland of Easenval
> Fog
Companion: Vel[/color]
HP: 15/15
MP: 12/12
Essence: 2
Status:
-Fine
Inventory:
-Rusty Arming Sword [Wielded]
The Azarian Project, the Thoughling (Dustan Hache)
Devour the shaman's mind! Disrupt the spell by any means possible!
Mind Eater: Combat Roll (Pow 1 vs Res 1): [10] vs [9]-2 (Focused)
Outcome Roll: [5] -Overshoot-
Just as you finished taking your decision, the Ogre Guards were already upon you. The Beings of Flesh moved in front, protecting you from their assault. Without any disturbance stopping you, you focused on eating the mind of the Shaman.
Too focused on its spell, the Shaman was unable to actively protect its mind from any potential assault. With its defences more open than usual, your attack slipped in, and you gnawed at the Shaman's mind. As soon as the part of mind was transfered to you, you felt pure bliss from the meal. This mind was like none others, here there was experience, a savoring complexity sprinkled with this taste of natural intelligence that was sorely lacking from primitive minds.
Your bliss was cut short by the sudden burst of mana you felt, which combined with the Shaman's painful scream didn't bode anything good.
The Shaman's spell has gone haywire!You saw the Shaman suddenly collapsing, as if drained from all its might. For a moment, you wondered if your Mind Eating was the cause, but what followed shortly quickly corrected you. The Ogres guarding the Shaman also suddenly collapsed, powerless, as if their bodies were too heavy for them to bear.
Then a second later, you felt your forces being drained, siphoned by an invisible whirlwind with the Shaman's location as a source.
Resist: Action Roll (13): [11]
Outcome Roll: [1] -Critical Failure-
You attempted to resist and hold to your strength, but the accidental link between your mana and the spell caused you to be unable to fight off the energy drain.
Mana completely drainedYou are now Exhausted (At your limit)The other beings are faring even worse. The Beings of Thought vanished as soon as their power got drained, and the beings of flesh are starting to slowly disintegrate. You can feel this siphoning storm is increasing in radius.
Nearby and not-so-Nearby Monsters:Close:
-Ogre Shaman (Stage 2):
Unconscious-Ogre Guards (Stage 1)
Exhausted> 2 of them incoming
Exhausted-4 Beings of Flesh (Stage 0)
Disintegrating-2 Being of Thought (Stage 0)
GoneFar:
-Envious Grasper:
Independent-Many But Quite Less Ones of Thought (Stage 0):
[Neutral+] Stabilized -Many But Quite Less Ones of Flesh (Stage 0):
[Neutral+] Stabilized -Ogres Warriors (Stage 1)
HP: 15/15
MP: 0/12
Essence: 5/10
Status:
-Sated
-Exhausted (At your limit)
Location:
-South-East Nepkeros - Unnamed ruined village
Neophytos the Sole Survivor, Psychic Pain Spider (randomgenericusername)
Pain. While it didn't really bother him physically, the burns reminded of the horrors that happened in the woods. The fire didn't hurt as much as the memories of his old home...
Curious. Why being close to death made him feel so alive? Why did he want to feel more?
The jungle resonates with the pain Neophytos is currently feeling, increasing the intensity of their attacks and trashing around the wasps in despair.
Neophytos continues the song of the burning woods, trying to protect the Lifetree and the Sylvarians.
Silva Dolorem: (-4MP) Combat Roll (Pow 1 vs Average Con 1): [11]+4 (Jungle Environment +2 Burning Pain +2) vs [4]
Critical Roll: [9]+2 -Critical Hit-
Average Damage Roll: [6]*1=[6]
You managed to hit all the Elemanopteran Soldiers present.Resonating with your pain, the controlled plants started moving in a frenzy. Now digging at an even faster rate into their targets, they caused massive damage to the Elemanoptera. But as a price for such power, the trees started withering, having over-expanded their energy.
3 Elemanopteran Soldiers died from the infestation, while the remaining 6 have suffered heavy damage.Sedre and the two Sylvarian Warriors completed the ward around the Lifetree thanks to everyone's support. Now safe from harm, they joined the fight and engaged the remaining enemies. With the three fighting warriors, they took the 6 Soldiers in a pincer. With their hardened wood spikes, they managed to kill four of the weakened Elemanopteran without taking damage.
Jijjia completed its illusion spell. You yourself couldn't know what was happening, but the remaining 3 Elemanoptera started moving erratically. Their attacks ended up completely missing their marks, as if they fired at invisible foes.
A blinding red flash of light emanated from Boor's location. Suddenly, the large Elemanoptera emerged from the woods. It looked very different: its shell was bright red, infused with energy, and you could feel great heat emanating from its body. The energized wasp flew to the location of its dead kin, and cannibalized them.
A new surge of power coursed through its body as it incorporated thunder elemental energy to its fire element.
Boor emerged from the same location soon after. Half his body was charred, but he was still standing and brimming with fighting spirit.
Nearby Monsters:Allies:
-Sedre, Sylvarian leader (-2)
-2 Sylvarian Warriors (-2)
> Raising a ward around the Lifetree
-3 Sylvarian Warriors (-2)
> One: Critically Wounded
> Fighting on the frontline
-Species representative Jijjia (Owl) (-2)
Casting an Illusion Spell-Species representative Boor (Boar) (-2?)
Enemies:
-11 Elemanopteran Soldiers
> 5 Dead
> 6 Alive (-6)
Infested Grounded-Large Elemanopteran Soldier (-7)
> Elemental infusion [Fire/Thunder]
HP: 9/15
MP: 4/12
Essence: 0 + a small amount
Status:
Wounded
Burning Pain
Casting Silva Dolorem
Location:
-North Savarde Jungle - Midway toward Arachnastinian Territories
Go'Von, the Strangler Ooze (Puppyguard)
Go'Von
Stay hidden and out of sight. if they do retreat, avoiding their gaze is Vital.
You remained hidden, but you were still within the danger zone.
Flavor Roll: [4]
The battle continued with reduced intensity. Both fighters seemed to try to save their forces, and were probably trying to find an occasion to inflict a decisive blow. But none managed to create this opportunity, the Carkrul had a very slight edge at first sight, but not big enough to warrant taking risks.
You could tell the two monsters were on the verge of retreating.
Nearby Monsters:-Red-Eyed Albudron (Eel Hydra):
Slightly Wounded> Estimated Stage 2+
-Spinal-Horned Carkrul (Humanoid Rock-beast):
Slightly Wounded> Estimated Stage 2+
-Many!
-A lot of critters
-Some very dangerous ones
HP: 15/15
MP: 12/12
Essence: 3/10
Status:
-Invigorated
-Filled (t19)
Location:
-Underground, Cave Network
> Great Yellow Luminescent Cave
> Nearby: Underground River
Squelchy, the Omnislime (Coolrune206)
Squelchy quickly orders all the slimes to bind together in a ball-form, then activates Glimmering Hope. If successful, he orders the slimes to burst and attack the opponents from all sides. If not, he orders the slimes to try to roll away by having the slimes on the bottom move in such a way that the ball rolls.
The slimes banded together even more tightly than usual, compressing into a tight ball. With your Glimmering Hope shining in its core, the slimes looked like a lustrous drop of goo.
[-1 MP from Glimmering Hope activation]You shared your plan with the slimes, and everyone braced themselves for it.
Battle! (d20):Elemanopteran Barrage: [7]+4 (Elemental Energy +2 Resonator +2)
vs
Slime Surprise: [15]+3 (Desperate Morale +2 Glimmering Hope (Half) +1)
You timed the burst with the next barrage, allowing the slimes to dodge the energy bolts and immediately retaliate. Some of them managed to land directly on their opponents, while others had to pounce from above or the side to join in the fray. Assaulted by desperate and empowered slimes, the Elemanoptera were being overwhelmed by the many abilities of the slimes. Some released powerful enzymes or/and poisons on their targets, other used more physical means, like crushing and stabbing...
Your enemy was losing their advantage, but you could still tell the fight was not in your favor.
Until the smell arrived. Emerging from where you came, a huge Miasma Dragon appeared. This one was different from the first one you met, it was larger, and its scales were paler than the yellow copper scales the other had. The ooze dripping from its body was also moving rhytmically, and formed rising tendrils that seemed to probe the surroundings.
Nearby Monsters:-Many of desperately motivated slimes: Desperate Moral!> Many are wounded
-Numerous Elemanoptera : Hostile> Some are wounded
-Elemanopteran Resonator: Hostile-"Advanced" Miasma Dragon: HostileHP: 11/17
MP: 11/17
Essence: 4/20
Status:
-Fine
-Slightly Tired
Location:
-Savarde Jungle - North Area
> Unknown area
Companion: Gloup Blop (Inkblack Coroblob)
HP: 11/15
MP: 12/12
Status:
-Desperate Moral!
-Slightly Tired
Companion: Swift Zed the Mad Tornado (Leaping Slime)
HP: 7/15
MP: 12/12
Status:
-Desperate Moral!
-Slightly Tired
Eximius Res, the Rusty Ring (Hawk132)
"I'll increase your speed. Get behind it."
Eximius becomes a spear and activates Blink.
You took the shape of a slate gray spear, elegant and deadly in its simplicity. It had the perfect length for Prias, such that he could wield it with one hand effortlessly if need be. Infusing your wielder with a new power, you activated Blink-
-2MP-Prias moved so quickly it appeared as if he vanished, allowing him to dodge the arrow the Warknight had just released. Despite this inhuman level of speed, the Warknight didn't flinch and the lower skeleton started assuming a close combat stance.
Stab: Combat Roll (Str 1 vs Con 1): [5]+3 (Ancient Combat +2 Blink +1) vs [3]
Critical Roll: [4] -Normal Hit-
Damage Roll: [3]*1=[3]
"Haa!" Using a feint, Prias baited the shield and side-stepped to the left. Then with a better angle, he thrust the spear in a gap of the Warknight's armor, aiming at the spine. The bone cracked, but remained unbroken. The Warknight retaliated immediately.
Warknight Slash: Combat Roll (Str 2 vs Con 1): [4] vs [9]+3 (Ancient Combat +2 Blink +1)
Critical Roll: [3] -Normal Counterattack-
Combat Roll (Str 1 vs Con 1): [2]+3 (Ancient Combat +2 Blink +1) vs [4]
Damage Roll: [3]*1=[3]
Prias dodged the diagonal slash and threw another thrust toward the spine of the Warknight. Sensing the danger, the undead took a leap back and assumed a more defensive position.
Nearby Monsters:-1 Dead Warknight:
Hostile> -6HP
> Wielding: Sword and Shield / Bow
> Armored
HP: 15/15
MP: 10/12
Essence: 0/10
Status:
-Ring Form
Location:
-Safara (Eastern Village of Nepkeros)
-Unnnamed Ruined Nepkeros Magical Facility
Host: Prias, Human Villager of Safara
HP: 7/10
MP: 10/10
Status:
-Fine
-Bonded
Internal Scars
Attributes:
Str 0 (1)
Con 1
Pow 0
Res 0 (1)
Int -1
Ind 1
Notes:
-Locked Potential
-Ancient Combat Techniques (Bonus to combat)
Companion: Veras, Human Archeomancist
HP: 3/10
MP: 25/25
Status:
-Badly Wounded
Estimated Attributes:
Str -
Con -
Pow +
Res +
Int +
Ind =
Notes:
-Investigated Prias "restraints"
-Known Villagers:
Veras: the village's mage
Sandra, Septor, Iseis: Prias's close friends
Eten, Luaros: villagers on townwatch
The Protoquin (Failbird105)
The Protoquin
try uh, try to lick-slap it?
Lick-Slap: Combat Roll (Str 0 vs Con 0): [10] vs [3]
Critical Roll: [10]+2 -Critical Hit-
Damage Roll: [5]
Extending your tongue, you whipped the white phoenix. In this dreamrealm, you could feel your powers being greater than in the real world. The force of your blow bent the wing of the phoenix, and caused it to crash on the ground.
As a side-effect, you could feel the terror this realm had toward you increasing, causing you to feel stronger than usual.
[Empowered by terror]
Nearby Visible Dreams:-The Phoenix Nightmare:
Hostile> -5HP
-mini Dandakaras:
Sleeping-Dandakara's Nightmares:
Hostile /
Terrified of Protoquin-The White Nightmare:
RampagingHP: 10/10
MP: 10/10
Essence: 0+Tidbit
Status:
-Empowered by terror
[Mind touched by a corruptive influence]
Location:
-Inory Hills (Western Inory Hills)
> Dreamwalking inside a Dandakara's dream
Ulkas, the Horned Demon (Sarrak)
Ulkas nodded, gathering his memories. With such non-living, rational-based entity as Xatares, it was easier to say truth instead of half-truths required for most - if not all - other sentients. It was an interesting twist in his opinion, coming from the very nature of each sort of being.
"I'm Ulkas and my companion - Astrosa. We are surviving demons from a fallen country of Infernum, one of the few non-human nations to emerge after a world-wide Cataclysm that claimed sentience of monsters living before it and led to destruction of much culture and structures predating it. Currently, demons of Neodemonium, successor of Infernum in a sense, wage war upon alliance of human countries, with various other monsters caught in a conflict. Seeking power in this rapidly-changing world, we wanted to gather information and understanding of the past long gone, to be able to forge our future. For that, ruins of Ancients, your installation included, were perfect chance. We did find remains of human expedition that awakened you, but did not understand the implications before I was able to contact your Guardian."
The Core Unit's voice wavered for an instant before returning to the usual calm tone:
"Non-human nations... I assume by that fact that the human race is the dominant force of this world. You said both of you are of the demon people, but I am unfamiliar to the names you mentioned. A Cataclysm you said. And you called this place "ruins of the Ancients"...The short silence that ensued led you to guess the Unit was shocked by the turn of events.
"I am deeply grateful for your truthful answer. The Ancients you mentioned, must refer to the Levemite. The people who lived while this installation was still active, before its shutdown. This Cataclysm you spoke of, what was it? Were the humans and the demons the only races to avoid that loss of sentience? What kind of disaster could have befell on the world, for even the Etherlink to become inaccessible?"You could tell the Unit was now open to your questions too.
Nearby Visible Beings:-Xatares Sentinel: Non-Hostile-Xatares Core Unit: Non-HostileHP: 21/29
MP: 48/48
Essence: 60
Status:
-Somewhat clearer Map in your head
Inventory:
-Ashafan Journal about the Taes ruins.
Contents: partial map of the early levels of the Taes complex. Expedition log.
-The Cart of Ancient -potentially harmful- Goodies [Mining Tools, Armor Sets x2]
Location:
-South of Copper Desert, Levemite Ruins Entrance "Taes"
> Second Level - Hangar
Notes:
Known areas of the Taes complex:
-One hangar for excavation equipment storage
-Living quarters
-Mundane storage rooms
-Exits for the surface
-"Source" of the ruins reactivation
Companion: Astrosa
HP: 63/63
MP: 39/39
Essence: 0
Status:
-NothingN
Inventory:
-Electrum Bracelet of Magical Protection
Author
Topic: You are a Monster - Turn 63 (Read 215500 times)