I turn to the gypsy/mermaid and say "You brought us here. You might want to tell us what is going on. I want to know what we're getting into before we go rushing off blindly." Aside, to Jade. "What you saw sounds like an octopus. The things at the bottom were not hair, they were tentacles. They're sort of like arms."
[RPG] Sword & Sorcery 2
Jade raises an eyebrow. "Eight cats? weird name for Mr. Ball." She doesn't bring up the affair with the mermaid directly, feeling rather self-conscious around her.
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Setting: The three witches!
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Long ago a woman made a contract with the Queen of Demons and where given power, they nearly destroyed this dimension until the mageslayer Vulcanus used the powers of light to thwart there plans. In a latch ditch effort to survive the woman servered her soul into three parts and engraved them into three magically talented individuals. Two of them are known to Merlina.
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Update
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Merlina looks at the castle at sighs. "This kingdom is beyond saving. It has fallen to one the three. We must leave this place." She snaps her finger and before you know it your back in the Tavern. La Croix is there as well, but no one else.
LACROIX"Took you long enough, boss. Did you find it?"
MERLINA "You mean this?" She pulls out a black comb. "Oh yeah I found my old comb. One of three. Just got to find the other two combs now."
FORTUNETELLER "That's mine! Give it back." Screams the mermaid. Lunging for the comb. But La Croix kicks her into a wall.
L "Back off unless you're looking to get hurt fish, Don't expect me to hold back this time either." He cracks his knuckles.
N "My name is Nerinae not fish. But point taken."
M "Here's the scoop, the other two combs are most likely in the hands of the three witches, she'll need all three of them to recombine. We need to fine them and destroy them before that happens. I heard another comb is somewhere in the Forest of Fey. Don't want to deal with Queen Alraune but we might have to. If thing's go south, just run. we don't want to start a war between the Fey and Outsiders like us. It's happened before and it's not pretty. You guys interesting in coming along too, what about you Nerinae? You've got a target for your revenge now. Wanna come along?"
All of a sudden there's a knock on the door.
IMPORTANT
Cause: Didn't go after La Croix who would of changed Merlina's Mind.
Effect: A Mermaid Kingdom Died Out, But Nerinae SURVIVED! :nerd:
What could of happened: Alliance with mermaids.
This is an example of making a bad decision folks!
Like or no Like? I can stop if you don't like these Important Decisions.
/me nudges Skie and sneaks him off somewhere private. Then she looks around a little before speaking
"I couldn't bring this up to Merlina directly... they uh, don't like Dragons, see... but she just said one of those combs was in the woods right? Traditionally, woods and ocean are considered two of three environmental "elements" so to speak. Dunno where the third is, could be a mountain, a desert, etc. ... But I'm sure it isn't in an ocean or woods. We should probably not let anyone outside the party know this though."
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Rules Update: Flow Control
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If someone doesn't provide a post before a post marked update which are once a week usually. I will simply make the character do what seems logical. "In this case answering the door."
This will only happen twice. After which, I assume you've lost in the game and stop providing updates except at the start of a new arc. BTW we are starting a new story arc. And I'll be posting a setting update after this one on the races of Nosgoth.
Since last time...
Found the mermaid city in ruins. Oh well Merlina said you were too late. At least one of them survived.
Merlina found a comb and made note that she is looking for two more.
Jade [MENTION=40954]King Aquamentus[/MENTION] had a conversation about the environmental elementals with Skie [MENTION=60919]TheDarkOne[/MENTION].
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Update
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Skie nods and answers the door, to be greeted by a shrine maiden with crimson eyes and blonde hair. Her haori is stained with streaks of blood as is her katana. She frowns and is about to turn away when she notices Merlina in the back of the tavern. She smiles at her but then notices La Croix and the smile fades.
"I see, you have chosen to betray your raison d'etre. Very well. It does not matter the time will come when we shall have to fight. But it shall not be to day. Take care Merlina. And watch where you sleep at night, terrible things happen can happen in the dark."
She walks into the fog and disappears.
You leave the tavern and Merlina stops and arranges transportation out of the fishing village via a fur trader toward the elven town of Lyeserin on the edge of the Forest of the Fey. Now would be a good time to gather any supplies you might need for your long voyage. Merlina will cover your cost, she is quite wealthy after all. You notice La Croix seems restless. And Merlina bothered by the appearance of the woman from last night.
What do you do?
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Setting: Races of Nosgoth
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Humans are not the only intelligent life of Nosgoth. Others exist too. Here's the list. with a short description and their "natural environment"
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Forest "Fey Bloodline"
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Elves: As outgoing as they are they get along with everyone except the Eladrin.Half Gnolls/Half Elfs do exist but are often banished opon reaching adult hood.
Eladrin: They kill gnolls on sight. And look like elves with silver eyes and crescent moon symbols on there foreheads. They're stuck up on egocentric, opposite of elves. They don't even like the true fey. They are the closest to the Fey Bloodline.
Halflings: These look like miniature versions of humans and are deadly with a rapier and crossbow, most have left the forest in search of a life in the city.
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Sea
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Mermaid/Siren: They can change their lower half at will. There are no males.
Sahuagins: Fish man
Kuo-Toa: Frog man
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Mountains
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Dwarves: No the woman do not have beards but they are short and stocky.
Gnomes: Short like halflings but the most intelligent of the races they often dabble in illusions. They also make good mechanics and engineers.
Giants: Not dumb and ugly like in the books, solitary yes. They are basically just humans, only bigger. They stand any where between 4 to 10 meters at adult hood.
Orges: at 2.5 meters in height and 1600 lbs of dense muscle they can easily lift boulders and rip out trees by the root. They are usually docile, but you better not piss them off.
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Desert
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Gnolls: As barren as these places are, the Gnolls call this place their home. They are a feral cult of beast man whose hunting skills are second only to elves which they actually get along with for some strange reason. Strangely. Most gnolls prefer the forest now.
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Tundra
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Drow: The drow's story is a sad one. In truth it was the Spider Goddess Lolth who disguised her self as an elf an tried to lead the elves to rebel against their god that led to there fall. Now fearing the warmth of the sun they live in the underdark and the cold reaches of the North. They ARE weak to fire.
NOTE: THe ones in the underdark are weak to light as well the ones on the surface are not but do not worship Lolth either so...
Orcs: Not much is known about orcs, except they hate Gnolls and Elves with a passion and the feeling is mutual. What's really sad is nobody knows why.
I sell the harpoon I found in the chest for some extra coin. This shop offers an interesting item, a magic rope that can extend to any length, and will hold to any surface without the need of a grappling hook This would be useful for a rogue like myself but I do not have even half of the purchase price. It could possibly be stolen, but I made myself a promise that I would never steal again, not since the incident that cost me Artanis...but I really wish I could get that rope. Leaving the shop (without the rope), I meet up with my companions and ask Merlina about the woman.
Jade needs only a change of clothes and food, though she is easily distracted by things that she sees.
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Update
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[MENTION=40954]King Aquamentus[/MENTION] [MENTION=60919]TheDarkOne[/MENTION]
Merlina turns towards La Croix, "I was about to ask him the same question, and I want an answer La Croix. That woman seems to know you. Who is she?"
L: "She is an agent of death like myself, working directly under the raven king himself. Her name is Helena the Dusk Maiden and she is a Peacock Roc. with an affinity of fire."
M: "I see, we will need to deal with her quickly then. We can not let her reach the Raven King with news of your betrayal."
The fur trader in his cart pulls up. A half gnoll half elf. Merlina doesn't seem to mind the mixed blood despite being an Eladrin. "Looks like our ride is here let's go. It'll be about a day's travel to Lysterian. So prepare for some rest."
The travel's go good and night falls your about half way there and everyone notices that Merlina seems to have vanished in thin air. The furtrader says she can't wait for you to go and find her and she has a deadline to keep. What do you do?
THe mermaid votes to just forget about her and Lacroix doesn't seem to care.
P.S.
Note this new character is [COLOR="#FF0000"]NOT locked. Have fun doing what you please him.
[/COLOR]
I ask La Croix "Where did Merlina go?"
(GM text here)
Trying to get comfortable in the back of the cart, my hand brushes against something rough under one of the furs. Taking a closer look I discover it is one of the magic ropes. I look toward the trader but his attention is elsewhere. It would be easy to steal it...but I push it away. I made myself a promise and will not break it. Artanis, if he were still alive, would not have hesitated to take it...but that is why he is not alive. I forget about the rope and just settle in for the ride.
Jade returns, looking very anxious. She has one or two magic ropes slung around her shoulder. "Hey guys are we ready to go gosh I'm ready to go how bout you yep any time now where is Merlina come on lets go" She's nervously glancing around.
"Skie?? Where is Merlina?"
[MENTION=40954]King Aquamentus[/MENTION]
[MENTION=60919]TheDarkOne[/MENTION]
"Don't know, she'll show up soon enough. Let's just hurry up and get to town.
Hat to do this, but I'm just not feeling it. Hiatus time.
We'd need more players, but nobody else is interested, it seems.
I wonder why [MENTION=39330]CJC[/MENTION] and [MENTION=38704]mrz84[/MENTION] haven't showed up yet myself.
I mainly haven't shown up because I don't know what I want to do in here yet. To put it simply: I don't know what my character's plot/motivation is or what character I want to play yet...I haven't had this much problem with putting together a character for something like this for years. I apologize for that and I'm hoping to have something soon.
[MENTION=38704]mrz84[/MENTION] You could bring back Zataka. There are any number of ways to explain how he got here.
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Setting: The 4 Rocs Kings
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There are 4 (technically 5, but Garuda is unknown to this dimension) mystic birds of legend. They're names are as followed.
Flamier: The Winged Hellfire FIRE
Usually taking the form of a majestic bird of fire or a harpy Flamier is a condescending Roc. She was the first to arrive in Nosgoth. And caused much distruction, it wasn't until the 2nd roc arrived and told her to stop that things settled down. She roosts in a desert temple.
Voltos ELECTRIC
The 3rd bird to arrive was Voltos who settled in the mountains with the gnomes. It resembles a giant . He is a genius and it is because of him that gnome technology is so damn far ahead of everyone elses. He resembles a cockatrice and is mischievous and loves food and money.
Tempest CRYONIC
The 2nd roc to arrive was Tempest who resembles Articuno. If anyone knows just how angry Tempest of the storm can get it would be Flamier, it's said it only took a sky tackle and a death stare to get her to stop her rampage. He is not one you want to piss off. He has no roosting spot and surveys the Tundre preying off unfortunate animals.
The Raven King: VOID
Not much is known about this one. Accept that he has the most followers and governs the domain of death. He accepts both Rocs and Humanoids "like La Croix for example" into his entourage. His location is unknown.
Garuda:
The Roc King himself. The other four are at his beck and call. And they never give him no for an answer. He is immortal as long as one of the four rocs which serve as his Hexys are still alive.
Now for rocs in genera: Rocs are shape shifters and powerful mages. They have a huge distruption on the Mana Field "more on that later." and are not easily defeated. They're greatest weakness is each other. They just can't seem to get along the four of them. Drives Garuda crazy.
THere are three classifications of rocs. Roc Kings "the 5 above", Roc Servants "La Croix", and True Rocs "those giant birds and they are simply magical beast but become all the more dangerous."
also chapter 2 is where you guys find out who Merlina and La Croix really are. :shocking:
[MENTION=38704]mrz84[/MENTION]
Yes you can use Zataka, this is a entire new dimension anyways. Dragons cannot exist her, although dragonkins can.
Zataka is no dragon so I don't see an issue there. He is a inter-dimensional travelr so I could use him again. But I wanted to think over other options first (and in case the original of CJC's restarts to avoid keeping track of 2 different instances of Zataka). I'll have something sorted out before the weekend though.
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Update
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[MENTION=40954]King Aquamentus[/MENTION] [MENTION=60919]TheDarkOne[/MENTION]
It was a day's trip from the fishing village to Lyeserin. But you have arrived at midnight exhausted from your long travels. La Croix checks everyone into a inn for a nights rest. Explaining that we will all begin asking around for Merlina in the morning. The night is peaceful, and you both soon fall asleep from your long restless travel...
ZZZ
You awaken to screams from Nerinae's room and the two of you find Lacroix and the Inkeeper holding down nerinae. Wait? Is she thrashing around in her sleep. You've heard of vivid dreams before, but you never seen anything like this. Then the Inn Keepers wife rushes pass you with a bucket of water and splashes it on Nerinae. Her eyes open and screams one last time before coming to her senses. And then tears...
All is quiet for a little while as she sits up La Croix with his arm around her shoulder. Then he asks the question everyone is wondering. "What did you see Nerinae?"
�The forest of the fey was approaching but I knew something was going very wrong. The sky was turning red and the sun turning black. The forest began twisting in on itself as I fly through it towards the center. And then I saw her. A monstrous tall figure no less than 7 feet tall with red horns and eyes, silky black hair and an upside down crescent moon on her forehead. She opened a fanged maw and out of it flew locust that engulfed me. They began devouring me, the pain it felt so real. I thought I really was going to be eaten alive!�
What do you do?
P.S. Shit get's real in this chapter. Prepare to drop your jaw like 4 times or so.
Joining time!
My character and his stuff.
Name: Alty
Race: Author (Former Human)
Background (thus far): Once an ordinary young man in high school, he one day witnessed a friend of his being attacked by a monster. Not knowing any better, he jumped in the way of its attack and the two were fatally wounded. To save both their lives, his friend revealed her magical powers and bound their souls together until they could heal. Shortly thereafter, his own powers manifested themselves. With the newfound ability to travel through time and space at will, he decided to make himself stronger, no matter the cost, in order to protect his friend and others who would share the same fate. Years later, he is a forced to be reckoned with, having collected various artifacts from other worlds and training his body to superhuman levels. Now he travels to test his strength and abilities and to protect those who are too weak to protect themselves with an anti-hero-ish sense of right and wrong.
Gear and abilities: Capable of traveling through time and space at will. Wields a pair of greatswords and various other weapons. His left arm is cybernetic and utilized in many his attacks. He can also manifest a pair of wings, one silver, the other pitch black. He can fly with or without the wings.
[Insertion removed because raisins]
[MENTION=38704]mrz84[/MENTION]
You find yourself in a cell. Of all the artifacts you've destroyed, you decided to destroy one you shouldn't have and pissed off some Demoness who simply calls herself the Demon Queen. Now you find yourself in a cell with your left arm torn off and all of your powers sealed by powerful black magic.
(ooc: You will get these back one by one don't one. The arm being first.) A blackguard approaches you in bloodstained armor. "She's waiting, let's go" he says. He drags you in chains and forces you to your knees and the demon queen smiles at this.
"So your the one who enjoys breaking my things? Tell me do you want this back?
She waves your cybernetic arm in front of you what do you do.
P.S. It's my job to insert you into the story lol.
Derp. Forgot about the insertion thing. My bad.
Alty: I would like it back, but knowing you there's a catch. So what's the catch?
Jade gently sits on the bed with La Croix and holds her "hey now... I know we haven't all been together long, but I'd be lying if we weren't something like family. If something like that really happens, you won't be dealing with it alone."
"This forest you saw...that's where we're headed, isn't it? I think someone...or something...is trying to discourage us. Nightmares such as the one you described...that's dark magic. But we've come this far...we can't give up now." I look to La Croix. "And we need your help to find Merlina--you know her better than any of us."
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Update
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[MENTION=38704]mrz84[/MENTION]
The demon queen smiles, and traces an emblem on the arm. "This emblem marks you as one of mine, until I see fit to release you from your duties you are to serve me without question. A dark shadow has befallen the dimension of Nosgoth. Entirely my fault and I am unable to do a damn thing about it since a bunch of priest locked me out of there centuries ago. I think I know who is responsible but I need to be sure. I want you to go there and head to the Forest of the Fey near the village you will be teleported to. Also take this crystal, break it when thing go south. It's a one of a kind artifact capable of summoning me."
She blows you a kiss and you are spirited away to Nosgoth, you find yourself in a village with your swords and arm reattached. Strange the emblem vanished though.
What do you do?
=======================
[MENTION=40954]King Aquamentus[/MENTION] [MENTION=60919]TheDarkOne[/MENTION]
The innkeeper speaks up. "Two others are having that same dream, the elders son, and a druid who lives with her brother. I'll make you a map of the town so you can go talk to them."
Who do you wish to see?
I should note here that you can split up if you wish to talk to both.
I examine my left arm to make sure it is properly attached. After I confirm it is, I look for an inn/pub as they are the most likely places to find about the Forest of the Fey and my mission.
Note: <Used for Alty's thoughts to himself>
<I don't trust her, but I let myself get blindsided by her when I thought I was done with my last job. Whatever. I just gotta do whatever the hell she needs me for and be done with it. Just gotta find some info about where I'm going first. Usually I contact my info gatherers from my organization but I don't wanna drag them into this mess. This is gonna be a solo act as far as I'm concerned, powers sealed or not>
[MENTION=38704]mrz84[/MENTION]
ooc: Good, your should never trust a demon. Never the less, they can prove to be powerful allies. Especially her. Just don't let her get too much of an upper hand or your short term service will turn into a lifetime of enslavement.
Just to let everyone else know me and mrz talked about these shenanigans before hand. This is gonna be a hoot trust me. Even if she is sexy as hell. And yes she is a succubus... with no experience what so ever. Shameful, isn't it.
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]
I suggest that we talk to both of them. One or the other might be able to give more insight on the cause or meaning of this dream. I ask Jade to accompany me as I go to talk to the druid, and suggest that LaCroix and the mermaid (forgot her name, sorry) go to visit the elder's son.
[MENTION=60919]TheDarkOne[/MENTION]
La Croix stands up and swiftly approaches you. "Actually Jade will be going with Nerinae and you will be coming with me. I can't stand that fishy smell of hers, and besides I need to talk to you in private. There are things we need to discuss."
Nerinae glares at him as he grabs your arm and drags you out to an alley. After making sure no one is looking he removes his mask... and quickly removes his clothes.
What stands before you is not human nor roc but a revenant. Not only that, but it seems La Croix is actually a woman Her hair ragged, almond eyes empty, skin pale white.
She doesn't appear to have any hostile intentions to you. You notice the bottom half of her torso is all missing except her spin which attaches her pelvis to her upper torso.
What do you do?