Try to resist transforming as long as possible.
Survey the new area. Is this a suitable place for us to get settled? Use my speed and Squack to try and keep everyone safe, identifying dangerous monsters while remaining safely beyond reach.
Name: Squacks
Species: Carrion Bird
Appearance: A dirty grey medium-sized bird with an all-purpose sharp beak. It eats carrion and anything that looks sufficiently defenseless to be pecked or torn to death in groups.
Attributes:
HP: 12/12
MP: 15/15
Essence: 0/2
Str. 2
Con. 0
Pow. -1
Res. 1
Int. -1
Ind. 0
Traits:
Flies. Can fly naturally.
-> Acrobatic Flier: Squacks is an incredibly agile and acrobatic flyer. (When not movement impaired, Squacks is able to use its Strength instead of Constitution for the defense rolls).
Carrion Eater. Can eat rotten or tainted food that would be passed up by others.
Slashing Claws: Long, bladed claws with blade, well suited for blows delivered at high speed.
Skills:
Squack: Call echos oddly, making it difficult to tell its point of origin.
Dirty Fighter: Can disable opponents with a successful strike to a vulnerable location.
Hit and Run. Can attack and attempt to disengage, preventing a follow-up attack by the target. Cannot be used on first turn after it was last used successfully.
Spell Resistance. Costs MP. (Aiming for a spell worthy of a 15MP casting cost.) Provides some protection against MP-using skills, be it extra resistance or making opposing skills occasionally fail to affect the target at all.
MP focus. +1 Str.
Squacks finally changes in appearance a bit, growing slightly longer in the chest, wings, claws, and tail. Still not much larger and still the same colour.
Trait Changes:
Upgrading Acrobatic Flier -> Aerobatic flyer. Some changes in wing geometry (more triangular and a longer more v-ish tail.), as well as multiple oil glands to allow for improving wing performance characteristics with proper grooming. Looking for an offense boost from the increase in speed and maneuverability.
Diamond Claws: Disposable claw sheaths, like on felines, with extreme sharpness and hardness. Wear off after the first few hits in a battle, but will regrow naturally.
Skill changes:
Upgrade Dirty Fighter to Infighter. Improved performance against larger foes, and can use larger foes as temporary cover.
Upgrade to Spell Resistance. Been plenty of practice and there's now more MP available.
[Transformation suppression]
[Easy 4]: [20] -Critical Success-
As soon as you had subconsciously envisioned your future self, your body started urging to match with your new self. But through sheer force of will, you managed to quell the raging essence. You knew you couldn't hold it in indefinitely, but you could definitely last one more attempt without an issue before it would start becoming hard to resist.
[Scouting]
[Easy 6]: [8]
Outcome: [1] -Success-
Luck: [2] -Not so good-
You and the most able bodied Carrion Birds set off to explore and scout the area. The vegetation here was even more dense and tropical than where you just came from, the canopies forming a quasi uniform carpet of verdure separating you from a different world below. It was difficult to see through, but the place was definitely teeming with monsters of innumerable species. Exploring the jungles would be ill-advised as you would have reduced manoeuverability down there, and the trees could be fileld with traps. You concluded the place was very much not fit for settling. Not discouraged, you continued exploring the area over the course of the day. The skies were relatively safe and devoid of dangerous monsters, but that in itself was worrying. It could mean that for some reason, creatures of the skies didn't thrive well here.
The dawn eventually broke from the west, heralding a new day. With the light of day illuminating the landscape, you noticed mounds of land in the seemingly infinite body of water. Islands?
“You mention core quality. Was that a natural trait of Typhidna Era alliance partners, or they used Ichor to alleviate nature? Currently, only direct absorption seems possible, but I can’t help to wonder if there were different, easier ways back then.”
“Just like Xatares, you seem highly specialized in your task. Do you mind describing purpose of Sateris facility for us as current Visitors?”
“And as we are about to visit… What can you tell us about Sateris Zeos? Even knowing you do not possess current information, any hints could help.”
Enter Sateris Zeos.
Liel-Sateris seemed to ponder for a few seconds. For some reason you imagined a sigh hiding behind the silence.
"Allow me to correct your lacking knowledge.
1. Firstly, "Core" refers to an essential characteristic of all individuals, it is the information and potential of the self. Historically the nature of the core shaped civilisations and the boundaries between people and beasts. That is to say, sapience was associated with a core of sufficient quality which would allow the self to interface with Ichor.
2. Secondly, what you infer has been confirmed by our observations: the current world's Ichor surface density is at a critically low level, preventing one's core to naturally coalesce into its ideal shape. It is thus not a surprise that the world would revert to the barbarous act of consuming the Ichor of another sentient. In civilised society, this relic from the dawn of civilisation was eventually replaced by the absorption of refined Ichor, until even this method was obsoleted in the later eras of civilisation when ambient Ichor was sufficient to fulfill the needs of the majority of cores. Only exceptional individuals, requiring Ichor of the highest quality still required to direct absorption then."
"As per your Visitor status, I may reveal onto you the partial nature of this facility. As previously mentioned, my purpose is that of defence and surveillance, as well as support and logistics for Sateris Zeos. And although specialized, facility administrators were created versatile enough to be able to act and react autonomously."
"Now I must reject your last request, as information about Sateris Zeos is strictly regulated. Your current status does not give you the credentials to access such information. Although as a Visitor, you would at the very least usually have been aware of the public designation of Sateris Zeos, that of a science and observation facility specialized in deep astrology, that is, the study of confluence and divergence of the elements of the outer space."Ulkas shuddered. It did not sound like good news, considering what glimpses he already knew. No, it was certainly bad news… But that did not dissuade him, in the end. Danger and mysteries of the world were but an opportunity for inquisitive mind, to rise above itself and reach for infinity…
He did not finish “or perish trying” while mentally preparing to meet what laid inside Sateris Zeos.
And so did Ambition. Its instinct warned him of a colossal danger behind the secrets you were about to face, and he shuddered in apprehension and anticipation. He laughed loudly and took a step forward into the platform.
"Gahaha! How could I not desire to know more, even if my life was at stake now? What foolish thoughts! I will ascend above my enemies, or die trying!"Astrosa threw an annoyed gaze at your partner. Calling your name, she then turned toward you.
"You are too loud, fool. Ulkas, I will be your spear that carve the path you show me, and the shield that guard the same path. Now, show me the path I must carve."You received her vow with pride and gratitude, and stepped onto the raised platform: a huge reflective disk with a chrome outer ring, of a diameter approximatively fifty meter long.
"Connection to the Sateris Zeos Connective Gate established. Gate activation in 10 seconds."[Spatial Magic Analysis (POW / Advanced Magic (Translocation))]
[Easy 8]: [9]
Outcome: [6] -Overshoot-
You sensed an incredible flow of magic inside the platform and an impervious spatial sphere formed around you, visually distorting your surroundings. Analyzing the spell structure, you recognized spatial magic similar to the one you used although this one was incredibly more complicated and secure, impervious to tampering. If your magic was opening a door with a crowbar, this magic was opening an automatic door with a series of locks without damaging any of the involved components. The unnatural complexity was such that combined with the visual distortion, you started feeling a bit nauseous from the information overload. You understood right before it was too late that the spell must have had a counteranalysis component imbedded in it as another layer of security, and you thus stopped analyzing it to avoid potentially taking serious damage from a mental attack.
"I must apologize. According to the connection establisment, the communication embargo of Sateris Zeos is still in effect. Consequently, I not be able to accompany you to Sateris Zeos until the embargo is lifted. May Ey Ephter guide your souls, I will be praying for your unlikely success."As soon as the ten second timer had concluded, space shifted seamlessly around you.
(...)
Darkness. The purest darkness, through which you couldn't peer, through which words couldn't circulate. Just like that, your senses had been robbed. Where were Astrosa and Ambition? Were they still with you, right next to you? Were their senses also robbed? You tried to reach a hand, but couldn't move your body.
A voice rang from deep within this darkness, a faint candle in the night that blinded you from its faint glow. It was your own voice. Whatever it was, was borrowing your voice. Your voice was threatening, and asked a silent question whose words you couldn't understand.
".........."[Sateris Zeos: Memory Inspection]
Zeos Intelligence: 10
Ulkas Individuality: 2
> Highly Developed Brain/Hardened Mind: -2 to Attacker
Attacker Check: d20 vs -4
Roll: [11]-2: [9] -Successful Hit-
Outcome: Memory accessed!
Your mind answered by itself, without you being able to stop it. Your mind told the voice everything about you in words that made no sound. It was a terrible feeling of powerlessness, as if your very being was being carefully dissected and read like an open book.
"......." Finally, the voice called you by your name. Nor Ulkas, not the name you couldn't remember, no... another name. It was Ulkas, it was also the name you couldn't remember, and it was also the names you would take on after. It asked you a question to which you had no answer, but felt compelled to answer.
"What is your destiny/purpose?" you felt it said. And you answered.
Suddenly the darkness changed, and your senses came back to you. Your surroundings were still dark, but this new darkness was blinding compared to one before. Right as you sensed a presence in front of you, a voice rose in your mind.
"I apologize for the rude, but necessary treatment. You have cleared the core and fate security tests: your Cores are still yours and your arrival is still part of the Awakening. Although in your case, there is a potential danger: you were marked by the Fifth Beyonder: the one referring itself in your memories as Tinzakena, or rather its true name Anathena. Well done on avoiding corruption, and most importantly, arriving here."
The platform started glowing with a dim light, and you could see the human before you. The moment you saw him, you knew he was an existence similar to the twin Heroes you fought back then. Platinum hair and eyes, perfect ivory skin. The distant aura of someone belonging to a different world... He seemed closer in nature to an artificial being, but in your bones you could feel the blood flowing in his veins. And although he had a youthful appearance for a man, the pressure of the ages accompanied his every moves.
"You may refer to me as Last. I am as you presumed, one of those you call Ancients. A Levemite."
Like you, Ambition and Astrosa were still in somewhat of a daze from prior. Ambition seemed pensive, looking toward the dark ceiling, while Astrosa was weakly gripping at her spear. Her usual bloodlust was gone, but you could still feel her resolve trying to fight something. Of the three of you, she seemed to have been the more affected by whatever you just went through.
"Sateris Zeos is still in the process of reactivation. We can talk as we wait for the facility to awaken, I haven't had company in a very long time."A sound then left the mouth of the man named Last - a single word. Four comfortable looking seats appeared from thin air, one for each of you. Ambition snickered with an air of defeat and slumped in the seat which had perfectly adapted to his complex body.
"Very well, I will play your game. You saw everything about me anyway, it's your win so far."Liel's voice whispered in your mind.
(Ulkas, I can't connect to the outside. Tread carefully with this person, he possesses enough authority to override me. We should consider him on the same level as Sateris Aline and Sateris Zeos in our interactions.)Azarian was surprised. There was much to discover here, even if it would take time to understand!
The first thing he did was inspect the strange fabic that depicted the human again, more intensely with his non-physical senses. He couldn't afford to destroy something this interesting, especially when fragments of a mind clung to it so readily. He needed to know why and how, as it also may have explanation for his own survival during several other bleak situations.
The second thing he did was he inspected and followed the direction of the strange mechanical ring. It was clearly meant to guide the human to something, or as a extraneous tool for navigating. He also kept the human’s colorful clothes on, figuring they would be flamboyant enough to fool anything looking at him from afar, such as other humans. Worst case, being warmer didn’t hurt either.
[Inspection (INT)]
[Easy 8]: [6]
Outcome: [3] -Failure-
Filled with curiosity, you attempted to divine the secrets of the strange depiction and the origin of the lingering mind attached to it. Unfortunately your inspection proved fruitless, and you dejectedly put back the coloured fabric in one of the secure pockets of the colourful clothes - a new use you had discovered on the spot. Looking at the changing skies, another novelty of this fascinating land, you instinctively understood much more time had passed than you realized. Somewhat in a hurry, you thus resumed your eastward exploration, glancing behind you from time to time.
[Exploration (LUCK)]
Outcome: [3] -Not bad not good-
You crossed the grassy hills of faint blue tall grass and discovered a brand new landscape, guided by a mechanical arrow pointing somewhere eastward. Behind one hill extended a rustling, living sea of a deeper tone of blue similar to that of the hills. You mentally gasped for before you stood innumerable trees covered with what looked like bright, fragile scales of aquamarine. Where those really trees? The trees you knew of, those from the Deadland, were scarce and twisted effigies of black dried wood. A sense of wonder filled you as a fresh wind charged with magic particles drifted toward you from the forest, but you nonetheless remained on your guard. You carefully took a hold of one of these coloured scales stuck to the branches of the trees. They crumpled easily and were cool to the touch, soft and rough. It was a novel sensation.
The forest was filled with countless signals of life, from small to big. You noticed a somewhat intelligent mind close by and quickly hid in the underbrush. Some sort of goblinoid creature was foraging for food at the base of a tree, and that one seemed much less vicious than the unstable goblins of the deadland. This specimen had a white skin dirtied with specks of blue and brown from too much foraging, and it wore some crude cloak made from the local vegetation. Then it glanced in your direction and suddenly jumped from the surprise, letting out a loud "Gwaagh?!". It had noticed you a bit too quickly, you noted you had underestimated a bit how flamboyant your clothes were.
The goblin seemed unsure about running or staying, it could be that your gaudiness was so unexpected the goblin was in a state of pure confusion.
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Topic: You are a Monster - Turn 63 (Read 215753 times)