[h3]Ash[/h3] [quote=System:Ash] You used Material Analysis I! You used Alchemy II! You are moving too much for proper observation! ---??? Spit (Rubber Frog)--- A ball of spit used in conjunction with the skill of a Rubber Frog. It is Slightly Corrosive, somewhat stronger than normal saliva, but-- ---Analysis Interrupted!--- [/quote] Ash dodged the ball of spit, which struck the ground with an impact like a heavy melon and burst into an unpleasant looking--but apparently not acidic--goop over the forest floor. She darted towards the creature and stabbed out with her tail. The Rubber Frog had just gotten back on its feet and was wheeling to face her, and took the blow right in its side. It croaked and one of its eyes rapidly blinked-- Then its mouth stretched open twice Ash's height and it suddenly lunged forward. Ash was suddenly enveloped by slimy flesh and thrown into pitch darkness. Her back legs, tail, and the tips of her wings were still in the open air, but the ground wasn't under her feet anymore--the frog had turned its head up! She felt herself being pulled and pushed by a powerful tongue and muscles. It was swallowing her--! [hr] [h3]Asteria, Ed, Mother Rat[/h3] [quote=System:Asteria] You used Monster Analysis II! You are too far from the Target creature. Analysis Failed. [/quote] As the white bird swooped into the distance it was soon only a dark shape against the sky--even with her sharpened eyesight Asteria couldn't pick out anything more detailed than the fact that it was a large, white bird. Though from its size and the way it flew, it seemed like a bird of prey--a hawk or eagle, not a songbird. Ed would be able to see that not all of the village's buildings were dwellings, as they got closer. One hut, near the back of a proper cottage, was a simple A-frame draped with bundles of grass no doubt cut from the plains around them. Under this frame looked to be things that might be tools and pottery, and what he could definitely make out as a large stack of firewood. Maybe they could hide under such a woodshed for shelter--rats in the barn--but then again whoever lived in this village would no doubt come to it at some point for their stored things... Asteria was able to detect with her senses that, at least so far as she was aware, the area was safe. As she dug into the soil she found that after breaching through a top layer of roots--the grass held the dirt firmly in place like a mesh net for the first few inches--the earth gave way easily under her paws. Mother Rat soon waddled over and stuffed her nose into the tunnel as well, before beginning to dig. Rats were excellent tunnelers after all, and if they kept it up they could easily make a den...But Ed was almost three feet tall now. He wasn't going to fit in your average mole-hole, and a badger-sized pit would not only take some time but be more exposed... [hr] [h3]Asura, Momma Slime, Ardur, Steve[/h3] [quote=System:Asura] ERROR. You do not have Permission to access the Permissions List. Your Stamina is Low. [/quote] The Hipixie, spider, and Slimes seemed content to take it easy for the moment, though they were all on alert against possible threats. As they moved further west the slopes increased and the ground became more rocky and rough. Soon they were heading up into the mountains proper. They found a path among the rocks and ledges that left them less exposed, though it would be quite the meandering route if they wanted to go up. Going along the actual side of the mountain would have them either heading north or south--from here they could begin to catch a glimpse of what lay beyond the treetops. To the south were grasslands, to the north a thicker and deeper forest. If they wanted to keep going west they would have to actually scale the mountains...would it become more dangerous as they went higher? What other monsters might be out here? Some monsters seemed the same, at least. As the group trundled along, they soon caught sight of a Dire Rat standing on top of a rock. It saw them at the same time, and let out a loud, shrill squeak before ducking behind the rocks. They heard another squeak answer it from a short distance away--further from them. If any of them had ever seen meerkats or prairie dogs, they would probably come to the conclusion that a nest of rats were nearby and these scouts were warning them of predators in the territory. Like Ardur had assumed, however, this group of four monsters--two of whom were evolved--wouldn't make an easy target. It didn't seem the rats were going to attack them for now...then again, how many were in that nest? And...could that nest provide shelter for them? Was it worth it? Or would they keep exploring the mountain in search of other prey, or other resources? [hr] [H3]Danny[/h3] Orchid's fireball had fully ignited the Argep Bush, and was beginning to spread along the forest floor. However, the blast had acted somewhat like the use of gasoline--a big, scary sounding fwoosh and sudden flame, but not quite enough fuel. The blaze soon died down to a manageable level. Had it been left to its own devices it no doubt [i]would[/i] have caused a forest fire, but the larger trees had sturdy bark that wouldn't immediately go up, and green shrubbery wouldn't burn as well as dried twigs or straw. Danny's quick decision to throw water on the flames regardless of whether he was seen by the humans allowed him to stop the fire in its tracks. By using Mana Shape, he was able to increase the area of his spell's effect, although the amount of water he was using was the same and it took multiple casts. By the time his MP was exhausted, however, most of the flames had been smothered out and the wet ground would keep what remained from spreading...he sat down to Meditate, only now looking back towards the humans. They were both at the bottom of the hill now, in front of the cave--and both looking right at him. "Master, what is that creature? Is it friendly?" the boy asked. He held his shield at the ready but looked between Danny and his knightly mentor. [quote=System:Danny] You used Monster Analysis II! ---Immature Human Male, Apprentice Knight(?)--- Humans are not technically considered Monsters. They are of the Enlightened Races, highly evolved creatures considered truly sentient, though this may depend on definition. Nonetheless they are an advanced race with a fully functioning civilization, a varied history, and distinct cultures. This one is still an adolescent but appears trained in combat. [color=red]WARNING: DANGEROUS![/color] ---Adult Human Male, Knight(?)--- (You have analyzed this type of creature before, effectiveness boosted!) Humans are not technically considered Monsters, and seem fundamentally opposed to them. They are of the Enlightened Races like Elves and Dwarves, highly evolved creatures considered truly sentient, though this may depend on definition. Nonetheless they are a technologically and magically advanced race in control of multiple nations, with a varied history across most of the interior continent, and distinct cultures in different biomes. This one is an adult and seems to be an expert in the use of high quality weapons and armor, perhaps of a higher class background. [color=darkred]WARNING: LETHALLY DANGEROUS![/color] ---Analysis Complete!--- [/quote] "Odd...that's a Poltergeist." The baritone voice was distorted by the helmet as the knight spoke. From here Danny could hear them, though now that the goblins were out of earshot they didn't seem as concerned about revealing their presence. "They're a Transformation of the Wisp, so I don't suppose it's impossible for them to be out here...but it's quite rare for something in this cave's sheltered environment to Transform like that." "It was casting a water spell to put out the fire, sir! Do...do Monsters do that?" "Magical creatures tend to be a bit smarter than something like a Goblin, and if it's protecting its territory..." The knight scratched his stubbly chin with one metal coated finger. "But again, it's odd for a Poltergeist in this area to know a water spell...Anyway, it's not attacking us for now! Focus, squire." "Yes sir!" The boy snapped to attention, saluting with his right hand now that he had sheathed his sword. "You said you confirmed a dungeon? Report, and tell me what you should do next." "Yes sir! When I entered, it triggered a Worldly Echo. It's called the Otherworldly Cavern. There weren't any monsters immediately present at the entrance, but from the nauseating feeling I think it might be inhabited by Undead!" The boy now scratched his own chin in imitation of his master. "The aura isn't repulsive even for me, though, so it has to be low level. If I were to hazard a guess, something killed a large number of the goblin tribe we knew to be here. Since we didn't see the Bugbear with them and the tribe looked quite diminished, they were probably killed off and forced out of the cave. That much death in a short time could have caused the kind of negative Mana build up needed to form the Dungeon." He paused to look at his teacher, and the older knight only motioned for him to continue. "But...that Bugbear was strong enough to be a dangerous threat to novice solo Adventurers, and the tribe was too large for low rank parties--at least the standard quartet--to suppress without a great deal of planning and precaution. So it's also possible that some kind of strong predator did the deed...and has now become Boss of the Dungeon. If it has Necromantic abilities, or at the very least is intelligent enough to give orders to the Undead, that means this wild cave could soon become an actual strategic base." "And for all that babbling, your solution is?" "Ah! Um...since I can't be sure I can clear it by myself, and I'm not equipped for a scouting expedition...Guild Code would advise that..." He looked around, taking note of Danny still sitting there and the various bits of wood lying about. "...Sealing off the Dungeon until proper recon can be conducted and a suppression party dispatched?" "Correct." The knight gave the boy a half-smile and nodded his head. "How will you do that?" "Ah...given the local materials..." The boy lifted up his cloak, revealing a small pack strapped to the back of his hip. A handle poked out of one side of it, and from this he produced a small hand-hatchet. "I could probably just make a wooden barricade for now?" "Are you asking me or telling me?" "Telling! Sir, I'll cut some branches and make palisades or spike-horses, and use that to block off the entry way! It'll be a temporary measure, but at least will buy some time!" He turned towards the trees with axe in hand...then stopped before he had gone three steps. "Umm..." "The Poltergeist isn't a strong creature. That one still looks young, even. Standard protocol." "Right. Standard." The boy raised his shield again and edged towards the trees at an angle, watching Danny with wide eyes. His breathing was somewhat strained. "Go on, Poltergeist...get outta here, why don't ya..." The knight watched his protege with arms crossed. He glanced at the place where the goblins had been, especially at the remains of their campfire, then at the bush Orchid--Orchid, the Demiblin, with her different skin and glowing brand--had tried to burn with her magic. Then he looked at the cave, peering into the entrance but not stepping inside. After a moment he "hmmm'd" and then went back to watching Danny and his Squire. His eyes narrowed at the Poltergeist--the out of place monster with out of place magic, in an area where something stronger than usual had turned a normal cave filled with weaklings into a Dungeon. It was obvious he was thinking deeply about something, but so far he hadn't taken any initiative of his own... [hr] [h3]Digbie[/h3] As Digbie edged around the Flak Beetle, it turned in a circle where it stood to keep its bitey mouth parts pointed at him. It fluttered its wings to make an angry chirping noise. But right now this standoff didn't seem violent. As Digbie continued to try and preserve his Yill flower, its color seemed somewhat brighter...but another petal fell off, and drifted towards the east. Oddly enough, nothing else--not the leaves from the trees or any grass--seemed to feel that breeze. But just before Digbie could get far enough away to make a break for it, the beetle suddenly charged with mandibles spread--! [hr] [h3]Jason[/h3] [i]"You dum! Not smart! Kill and eat now! Rat got less em-pees than we uses waiting for it to grow back! Eat da whole ting!"[/i] Teef countered. Jason's attempt to use Mana Drain on the earth itself was...surprisingly successful. That odd pulse of his own mana he had used only seemed to deplete his MP without causing any noticeable effect--but the Mana he drained from the ground was more than that pulse, enough to top him off again...and then push him over. He suddenly felt a buzz throughout his being, a satisfaction not unlike the rush during a battle or the thrill of achievement. But this amount of Mana wasn't as much as he would have gotten from a Mana Crystal, which seemed to have all been consumed now. And it wasn't as much as he had gotten from any of the souls he had eaten thus far either. Was this what he had heard of before, in the Analysis text of Mana Crystals and Healing Herb? Ambient Mana? How much of it was there, and how much could he drain? And would there be any consequences for doing so? [i]"Da spirit world and livin' world two different tings."[/i] Bonie said as Jason headed back towards the pool. He would have to make a loop around a rock wall to get to the entrance, after all. [i]"We in da livin' world now. Spirit world all black and white, no cold or hot, no light or dark. Is big empty where erry-ting come togetha, and fall apart. When we stops bein' us, falls all aparts, what's left goes back arounds. For us, anyways. Dunno bout youse. Dis ain't your world, Ja-Soon."[/i] They were getting close to the Pool...but oddly enough, the ground was wet even several feet away. Like the pool had overflowed recently or something. And a few piles of lifeless bones could be seen here and there. What had happened? Jason could see the entrance to his old cave in the distance. There was now a dull, slowly pulsing red light coming from its depths...and two skeleblins stood to either side, clearly on guard. Other monsters were patrolling here and there. But the Otherworldly Cavern was now deathly silent... [hr] [h3]Oberon[/h3] Oberon's attempt to make the Mana solid expended more MP, but seemed to work--the Wall became much more substantial in its "mass" even though it became smaller. But it also seemed to become more stable when he changed its shape. It had expanded naturally into a circle, but when he tried to turn it into a "pane," no doubt thinking of something like a window or a screen for reference, the circle's natural expansion seemed to "fill" an invisible border. And perhaps because a square was a "harder" geometric shape than a circle--pointed edges, straight lines--the Wall continued to stabilize. When he tried to change his Mana's frequency to that of the Earth element, however, the Wall began to sink towards the ground...Oberon had no means of really controlling its movement, only altering its shape. When it touched the earth, the Wall sank into it...and it must have dispersed after leaving Oberon's sight, as he felt the spell suddenly cut off. The Sacred Ground spell he had learned from Digbie required one to channel Mana into the earth. Changing magic into Earth Mana seemed to require something similar--had he seen Digbie or Jason use their Stone Shot spells, to know that they imbued the Mana into the material before it became "earthen?" He had certainly seen Digbie use his Earth Wall spell by this point, and knew that it emerged from the earth when it was cast, not from the caster's hand like the Wall spell.