Turn 34:
Turn 33
Squelchy, the Apex Omnislime (Coolrune206)
Danger above! Look out, feathered friend!
Squelchy hops down the tree, back to his group. It hopes its warning gives the friendly bird the chance to escape, but does not want to stick around in case the shadow is more dangerous than it can handle.
Squelchy quickly has the slimes form up and begin moving to the East. The mountains sound interesting to cross.
This tragic event only reminded you of the savagery of the jungles. You urged everyone to get moving. To the East, past the mountains until you will see the blue horizon.
Travel (Leaving the Jungle): [1]
The journey through the jungle remained uneventful for a good few hours, all thanks to your careful pace. How long could you avoid unwanted attention, you wondered?
[Scouting]
[Easy-Moderate] 8: [17]
Outcome: [2] -Success-
Zed returned from recon: the area ahead was filled with hostile creatures with great perception. Moving past them undetected would be extremely difficult. You assessed the situation. Going through this hostile area would be faster but more dangerous, while circling around it would take longer and wouldn't necessarily guarantee a safer path.
What did you decide to do?
HP: 25/25MP: 21/21Essence: 6/50Attributes:STR 3CON 3POW 0RES 0INT -1IND -1Status: -Fine
Location:-Savarde Jungle - North-East Area - Near the border
The Savarde Jungle. A massive tropical jungle bordered by the Esmerande Sea to the West, and the Iron Ridge to the East. It covers a great part of the South-Western part of the Continent.
Companions: Slime Community
Numbers: Around 40 individuals
Morale: Good
Status:
-
Companion: Gloup Blop (Inkblack Coroblob)
HP: 15/15MP: 12/12Essence: 5/10Status:
-
Companion: Swift Zed the Mad Tornado (Leaping Slime)
HP: 15/15MP: 12/12Essence: 5/10Status:
-
Companion: Tacloo (Spinebomb Slime)
HP: 15/15MP: 12/12Essence: 5/10Status:
-
Companion: Balabalababa (Pungent Filth Eater)
HP: 15/15MP: 12/12Essence: 5/10Status:
-
Ulkas, the Horned Demon (Sarrak)
Ulkas grinned ecstatically at the news:
"Hehehe... Awesome! Astrosa, Liel, do you see same opportunity I saw? Let us visit beacon first and use it to grind the city into dust next. Maybe even literally..."
Then, demon gestured dismissively in the stage 8 direction:
"As for our follower, it is very simple, naturally. We interested it greatly - yet it either lacks capacity to get us in the air or is content to sate its curiosity instead of battlelust. For now. From my predictions, higher stages, to survive so far, should develop either a great following or a good deal of caution. Seems to be the latter case here."
Fly to the beacon, surely whatever we find would be worth slight delay in carnage.
Naturally, Liel was on board for going to the beacon.
"That's an option that greatly benefits my goals."On the other hand Astrosa lightly bit her lip, gazing at the nearby human town. She sighed a bit and forced a light smile.
"Carnage will have to wait, I guess. Let's go to the source of the signal then."You flew skyward, following Liel's directions. In the sea of clouds, then past it, higher and higher. The air started becoming colder, and more aggressive due to the many currents of the upper spheres. You had never flew so high and there was still no sign of some structure above you. That is not to say the sky was fully clear, many individual clouds and layers of clouds leisurely moved far above you.
"Ulkas wait."Flavor: [2]
Astrosa stopped you, why? You looked at her, she was gritting her teeth in a hostile expression. She then pointed at the layer of cloud under you.
"Ulkas wait. This bastard, it can fly! It is still following us, and yet I feel no hostility- It pisses me off, it fucking PISSES ME. IS IT MOCKING US? HEY! I KNOW YOU ARE THERE! SHOW YOURSELF!"Her eyes were bloodshot with rage, and she was shouting like a Fury on the verge of being unleashed. Still, there was no answer.
"YOU- Raaaah! Ulkas, is it fine if I just go kill it? Right now? I don't care how strong it is, my blood is starting to boil!"(Astrosa's state of mind seems unstable. I would suggest calming her down and pursuing the mission, there are too many risks taking on an unknown enemy of that stature)"YOU- Raaaah! Ulkas, is it fine if I just go kill it? Right now? I don't care how strong it is, my blood is starting to boil!"If it's you, you are sure you will be able to reason Astrosa. But then again, you could understand her. What was up with that Monster, what were its intentions?
Nearby Monsters:[!!!]Unknown Stage 8 Monster (Tailing you, currently in the lower layer of clouds)
HP: 29/29
MP: 38/48
Essence: 290/300
Attributes:
STR 0
CON 0 (+1)
POW 1
RES 0
INT 5
IND 2
Status:
-Fine
Gear:
-Xatares Adaptative Suit
-Xatares Mining Armor
-Xatares Shielding Device (Glove)
Inventory:
-Ashafan Journal about the Taes ruins.
Contents: partial map of the early levels of the Taes complex. Expedition log.
-Xatares Shatterer
-Xatares Collapser
Location:
-Baldarus Plains, "Hole"
> Unknown settlement northward, close to the Beacon
Companion: Astrosa
HP: 63/63
MP: 39/39
Essence: 20/750
Attributes:
Attributes:
STR 6
CON 2
POW 0
RES 0 (+2) (Bracelet)
INT 0 (+1)
IND 3
Status:
-Pissed!
Gear:
-Xatares Adaptative Suit
-Xatares Mining Armor
-Xatares Shielding Device (Glove)
Inventory:
-Electrum Bracelet of Magical Protection (+2 Res)
-Xatares Shatterer
-Xatares Collapser
Companion: Liel
-Data still pending-
Status:
-Worn [Special]
Skee, the Insect Parasite (Legendary Marksdorf)
"Hmm... The contestants I've been pitted against seem like regular Makralians, no need to go all out right away. Best play it safe for now and keep our energy for later." Skee thought. Thus, he commanded his host to use Fur Hardening, and made him assume a defensive stand, wielding the banera's tail with both hands, ready to strike at any Makralian that got close.
[Fur Hardening]
Your host assumed a defensive stance, at the ready to retaliate to any approaching contestant.
Flavor (Battle Royale!): [5]
Secret alliances, schemes or tactics had no place in the minds of the Makralians of your group. Everyone immediately attacked their nearest opponent, without a regard for matchup. One such Makralian rushed at you, emitting a battlecry.
Skee vs Makralian Contestant[(Skee) Pre-emptive Strike]
(Str 1 vs Con 1): [8]+2 (Stance 1 Biobond 1) vs [5]
Critical: [10]
Damage: [8]+2=[10]
You cleaved the Makralian from the shoulder to the mid-torso, inflicting a very severe wound on it. You pulled on your makeshift weapon, causing a fountain of blood to emerge from the wound. The monster collapsed with a gasp, clutching at its wound with its two hands.
In the short span of time it took you to eliminate your opponent, half the contestants of your group had been thinned. Four of them had died, while three others had surrendered. The remaining 8 contestants eyed each others, this time more carefully.
The cheers of the crowd drowned the screams of the wounded.
Nearby Monsters:-15 opposing Makralians
> 8 active
>> 4 with (+2Essence)
> 1 Severely Injured (-10) /
Heavy Bleeding /
Internal Damage> 3 out of combat
> 4 Dead
-Nearly a thousand of Adult Makralians
-The 8 Greater Leaders
-The 39 Lesser Leaders
HP: 17/17
MP: 17/17
Essence: 10/20
Attributes:
STR 0
CON -1
POW 0
RES -1
INT 3
IND 1
Status:
-Fine
[Biobond]: +1 to most actions
Inventory:
-Banera's Bladed Tail (Wielded)
Location:
-North Savarde Jungle - Heading for the Reunion spot
Host: Adult Makralian (Shnapa)
HP: 15/15
MP: 12/12
Essence: -/10(Not awakened)
Status:
-Fine
Attributes:
STR 1
CON 1
POW -1
RES 0
INT 1
IND 1
Known Skills:
-Rallying Call
-Vicious Bite
-Fur Hardening
-??
The Newborn Elemental Spirit of Ice - (TricMagic)
Float among the tree branches, and find something to use Antarctic Wind on. Something I can beat, that's alone..
You floated in the grove, looking for something easy enough for you to defeat.
Luck: [1]
As you searched for something, something found you instead. A large, rough ball of ice emerged behind you. It grew an icy spike, which it shot at you!
[Dodge]
[Hard] 14: [16]
Outcome: [6] -Overshoot-
You managed to dodge the icicle shot, but accidentally slammed on a nearby frost branch, stunning yourself a bit. [Stunned]
Nearby Monsters:-Frost Sphere (Stage1)
HostileHP: 10/10
MP: 10/10
Essence: 0/2
STR -1
CON -1
POW 0
RES 0
INT 1
IND 1
Status:
-[Nature Spirit] Active
-[Stunned]
Location:
-Iron Ridge
> Frozen Summits
>> Frost Trees Grove
Azarian, the Imbued Thoughtling (Dustan Hache)
Human magic? perhaps I should seek some of them out. In the meantime, search the area for some sort of shelter other than the tower.
Luck: [6]
Exploring a bit further, you found even more ruined stone structures. Those which still had a roof could make for some descent shelter. The place was fortunately deserted, though you still noted some traces of recent activity. Some living things, and maybe not living passed by at some point.
There was nothing of interest in there, apart from the protection the place granted.
Nearby Monsters:-None
HP: 17/17
MP: 15/17
Essence: 5/20
Attributes:
STR 0
CON -1
POW 1 (+1)
RES 1 (+1)
INT 1
IND 0
Status:
-Fine
Location:
-South-Easternmost Nepkeros
> Ruined Stone Structures
> Control Tower (nearby)
Terrence the Bone Baron - (ironsnake345)
Terrence, having not much else to do, engages in the conversation with his undead companions.
Yes, 'tis an intriguing dynamic indeed. Life, death, and then unlife. What is it, fundamentally, that separates us from the living?
In the mean time, I suppose you would wonder what it is that I and Vel aim to accomplish in these fields? In short, we seek to escape, but to do so would require us to challenge and best a powerful undead creature who has been lost to the furor of unlife. Until such time as we overcome this being, it will act as our warden, this fog as our prison. Naturally, as we are now, we stand no chance against such a mighty foe, therefore we reave these cursed fields in hopes of gathering out strength until we may triumph. Would you join us in this crusade, Artomal? If you prove your worth, I believe I can see the makings of a fine count in you. Perhaps even a duke!
"A duke? Hohoho! Now that's not everyday you meet an unliving with such ambitions. I will be honest, I am but without a goal. A purposeless ectoplasm, wandering this land and content merely existing. It is most refreshing to meet someone so... pardon me the term... alive! How curious, you rekindle a fire long gone inside me. How could I have forgotten life?"[Artomal, the Spectral Fencer has become your companion]
You continued resting, until the unlife energy of the corpses had run out.
[Undead Healing]
[Easy-Moderate] 8: [10]
Outcome: [2] -Success-
Squeezing every last drop of energy, you managed to gather enough for your bodies to restore themselves to their usual shape. How intriguing was the way of the undead, even the metallic parts of Vel had mostly "healed" back.
[+5HP]"Much better. Shall we proceed? Our journey is far from over."Nearby Monsters:-Artomal, 'Gentleman' Specter
Ally (+2Essence)
HP: 15/15
MP: 12/12
Essence: 8/10
STR 1
CON 1
POW 0
RES -1
INT 1
IND -1
Status:
-Okay
Inventory:
-Bone Broadsword [Wielded]
Location:
-Deadland of Easenval
> Fog
Companion: Vel[/color]
HP: 13/15
MP: 12/12
Essence: 9/10
STR 1
CON 0
POW 0
RES 0
INT -1
IND 1
Status:
-Okay
Inventory:
-Rusty Arming Sword [Wielded]
Some Traits:
-Armoured Undead
Companion: Artomal[/color]
HP: 15/15
MP: 12/12
Essence: 2/10
STR 0
CON 0
POW 0
RES 1
INT -1
IND 1
Status:
-Okay
Inventory:
-Spectral Rapier
Some Traits:
-Spectral Undead
Go'Von, the Strangler Ooze (Puppyguard)
Go'Von
First, a successful escape, and now dinner? Today is a great day! Sneak close to the beast, grab each leg with one of our arms and flail the creature around like a ragdoll. When it dies, consume.
No way you would let this chance go!
[Surprise Attack]
[Easy] 5: [4]
Outcome: [3] -Failure-
You attempted to sneak in close, but the beast still managed to sense your presence! Forgoing any subtlety, you jumped from hiding and attacked.
[Grab and Smash]
(Str 1 vs Con 0): [3]-1 (Wound) vs [9]-3 (Bad Wound 2, Bleeding 1)
[Counterattack from Monster]
(Str 1 vs Con 1): [1]-3 vs [3]-1 [Critical Failure]
[Critical Counterattack from Go'Von]
(Str 1): [3]-1
Critical: [10] -Critical Hit-
Damage: Fatal
The beast first dodged your attempt to grab it with a pained leap. It lunged at you, intending to lacerate your body, but the pain of the arrows caused it to stiffen in pain and stumble before you. Jumping on the occasion, you grabed it and trashed it around until it stopped moving.
You ate your fill, as well as absorbed its Essence.
+2 Lesser Essence, you can transformNearby Beings:-1 Winged Feline monster [Dead]
HP: 8/15
MP: 12/12
Essence: 10/10
Attributes:
STR 1
CON 1
POW 0
RES 1
INT -2
IND 0
Status:
-Fine
-Wounded
-One arm lost
-Full Stomach
Location:
-Baldars Plains, Savage Country of Marandars
> near a Baldars Monster Pit
Eximius Res, the Rusty Ring (Hawk132)
"This place looks fine. Let's fight it here, kid."
Perhaps a spiked pit or concealed stakes to impale the creature upon? Rope at leg level to trip it? Eximius is no hunter - aside from giving some ideas, he's perfectly fine with leaving the exact nature of the traps to Prias.
But the more traps we have, the better.
"Given the opponent, more traps won't hurt. Mmh... given the position of the sun, I don't have that much time to dig a deep pit."Before setting up the traps, Prias placed an alarm system. Some bells attached to a thin thread at potential checkpoints.
[Setting up traps]
[Easy-Moderate] 7: [7]
Outcome: [4] -Critical Success-
Prias had a lot of rope, and made good use of it. He created several instances of the trap you had witnessed against the Gargarm: a complex network of concealed ropes that once triggered, would bind the target. The counterweights were placed and hidden, and the safe areas carefully memorized. This trap could easily backfire, as a monster could cut a taut rope, which then could badly harm the hunters.
Prias had confidence in his traps though, and meticulously set them in such a way he knew how to avoid any kind of backfiring. Then to prepare for a likely nocturnal battle, he finally placed some piles of easy to lit materials here and there.
"I guess we are ready. We should start before the sun sets, I will use this vial as a lure. I will be the bait in some way, the Hearteater will know I'm around even if it can't detect me."Prias threw the vial on the ground, in the middle of your trap network. A pungent smell of blood and excrements rose up the air, and Prias went into hiding.
Luck: [4]
You waited. Prias was immobile and aware of his surroundings. He had reduced his presence to a minimum, controlling its breathing and movements. The forest was as silent as ever, as if it was holding its breath. Prias could feel breezes from time to time, but the ruffled leaves made no noise at all. Despite the unnerving situation, he remained calm.
A bell rang. This distinctive sound came from the west perimeter. Something was coming. You and Prias had full vision of the area.
And then it appeared. You felt Prias tense up, and his emotions flowed inside you. Surprise, an unpleasant one. Something wasn't right it seemed, though you couldn't ask as a mere sound could attract its attention. The Hearteater.
It was indeed a slender, long limbed humanoid creature, a bottomless black frame supporting a white head. You could see neither features of a mouth nor eyes, and this Hearteater was standing perfectly upright. It walked with slow, calculated steps, which added some creepiness to its already ominous aura.
It was a bit different from the description Prias gave, but it was definitely a Hearteater, you knew it from Prias emotions. The creature stopped before the broken phial. Prias was going to activate the trap.
Nearby Monsters:-Strange Hearteater
Battle ground notes:-Exceptional Binding Traps
-Ready to burn piles
HP: 17/17
MP: 17/17
Essence: 10/20
Attributes:
STR 1
CON 1
POW 1
RES 1
INT -1
IND -1
Status:
-Ring Form
Location:
-Safara (Eastern Village of Nepkeros)
-Unnnamed Ruined Nepkeros Magical Facility
Host: Prias, Human Villager of Safara
HP: 13/13
MP: 10/10
Status:
-Fine
-Bonded
Gear:
-Leather armor set
Inventory:
-Two dark green potions (apply to use)
Attributes:
Str 0 (1)+1
Con 1+1
Pow 0
Res 0 (1)
Int -1
Ind 1
Notes:
-Semi-Locked Potential (True and acknowledged)
-Ancient Combat Techniques (Bonus to combat)
-Strong bones (Less chances of breaking bones)
-Seasoned Hunter (Bonus to hunting related actions)
-Resolution to return to them
Skills:
-Accelerated Flow: at the cost of stamina and/or HP, the user can move at incredible speeds for extended periods of time.
Notes:
-Investigated Prias "restraints"
-Known Villagers:
Veras: the village's mage
Sandra, Septor, Iseis: Prias's close friends
Eten, Luaros: villagers on townwatch
Viridikion the Green Dragon Hatchling (randomgenericusername)
Not paying much attention to the necklace, try to use my sharp claws to climb a tree and have a look around. I want to meet others that are like me, like dragons. If the trees have fruit, try to grab and eat some.
[Climbing]
[Easy] 6: [18]
Outcome: [4] -Success-
You climbed up a tree with ease despite it being your first time. Your body knew how to climb, it was a pleasant feeling. You felt like having a snack, and grabbed a nearby fruit with your jaw. It looked like an apple sized nut. You easily cracked it open with your jaws, and ate the inside. It wasn't particularly palatable, but you instinctively knew it was edible.
Afterward, you looked around. You were in a mountainous forest, with many green hills and valleys. Even the mountain was completely dyed in verdant hues.
Luck: [2]
Apart from trees everywhere, there was not much you noticed.
[Perception]
[Moderate] 10: [4]
Outcome: [1] -Critical Failure-
You heard a very small snapping sound behind you. Just as you turned, you saw a snake monster lunging at you!
[Snake Bite]
(Str 1 vs Con 1): [10]+4 (Surprise Attack) vs [7]
Critical: [6]
Damage: [2]
Effect: Venom!
Flavor: [6]
You protected your head with your arm, having it bitten instead. You managed to keep your footing, but the branch you are on is starting to crack.
This monster is a copper coloured snake with thick and rough scales, it sports two short red horns right above its yellow eyes.
Nearby Beings:-Horned Snake Monster
HostileHP: 8/10
MP: 10/10
Essence: 0/2
Attributes:
STR 1
CON 1
POW 0
RES 0
INT -1
IND -1
Status:
-Just born!
-Poisoned
Inventory:
-Curious bronze necklace (Ebes memento)
Location:
-Eastern Theocracy of Tymarch - Forests of Shegaria
Squacks the Carrion Bird - (Devastator)
Growth? I'm an adult carrion bird. This is as big as we get.
"I'd be happy to come with you if you decide to relocate, but I think we should ambush one of these wyverns first. They only got us because we were suprised. I think if we send a few scouts and find a new place to live, the rest of us can find one wyvern seperated from the group and kill it. Then, if they come back for reprisal, we've already left and they'll find nothing. Plus, there will be one wyvern fewer if they should choose to attack us later."
You shared your idea to the other carrion birds.
[Suggestion]
[Moderate-Hard] 12: [8]
Outcome: [6] -Partial Success-
"But these wyverns rarely travel alone from what we heard. We would be lucky to find a lone one. That seems like a risky plan, I don't know if that's worth the risk."
The other Carrion Birds didn't seem really convinced by the idea. It seems the desire for vengeance that was driving you wasn't something they shared.
"Better lay low for now, we have been lucky to find that carcass. We will resume our migration, will you come with us?"
Nearby Monsters:-About fifteen Carrion Birds (Friendly)
HP: 10/10
MP: 10/10
Essence: 0/2
STR 1
CON 0
POW -1
RES 1
INT -1
IND 0
Status:
-Had a hearty meal
Location:
-Anvarde Hills (east to Savarde jungle)
Author
Topic: You are a Monster - Turn 63 (Read 214791 times)