[hider=Quote][quote=@Ponn] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/BKV06Ya.png[/img][/center] Steph exhaled in relief after the harpy’s partially decapitated body crashed to the floor in front of her. [color=DeepSkyBlue][i]Welp, I guess that takes care of [b]that[/b]… Now I just have to deal with those creatures out there…[/i][/color] Moving to a better position, Steph saw that several of the beasts were gathered around a centrally located building, attempting to get inside. She only had three, perhaps four, shots left, so she needed to make each one count. Taking careful aim on the first creature’s head, she squeezed the trigger, snapping off a quick shot, before moving on to the next. One. Two. Three… [i]Four.[/i] A quartet of corpses now lay upon the ground surrounding the building, but there were still six of the creatures left, and Steph’s rifle was now completely out of energy. She needed a new plan… Thinking fast, she instructed her nanites to reassemble her rifle into a sword. Although she was reluctant to engage the creatures in close combat, she knew her enhanced body was fully capable of doing so. She took a deep breath. [color=DeepSkyBlue][i]Okay… Here goes nothing![/i][/color] Leaping from her balcony, Steph used the momentum she had generated to bring her blade down hard upon her first target’s neck. This, coupled with her superhuman strength, allowed her weapon to slice clean through, neatly decapitating the creature. Wasting no time, she swiftly jumped over to the next beast and repeated the process. She kept this up until the area around the central structure was completely free of the beasts. This didn’t mean Steph was about to let down her guard, though. She had been keeping count, and she was well aware that there were a few beasts still unaccounted for. Not wishing to hunt them down, and potentially be caught unawares, she opted to take up a defensive position in front of the structure’s entrance and wait for them to come to her… [/quote] [/hider] [center][h1][b][i][color=00aeef]Tinkertown[/color][/i][/b][/h1] [color=0076a3]Stephanie and Ayaan[/color][/center] There was just one lizard-bear left, and it was pregnant. She shrunk back into the corner, away from the bloody gore of the others, shivering, frightened. She would fight, if she had too, but mostly she wanted down and to protect her baby, she wanted down so badly. She could see the small human with the sharp claw that had rent through the others easier than she herself could tear through a fish, the human had its eye on her, and that eye spoke of murder. She hissed and laid down, trying to make herself smaller. Suddenly a giant bear wearing a satchel and rope jumped onto the balcony! Roaring and swiping defensively it put itself between the lizard-bear and Stephanie, the human simply watched, waiting to see if the bear might attack. The bear backed a couple of steps, not taking it's eyes off the human. When it got to the lizard-bear it turned and grumbled a bunch of odd noises and whines, the lizard-bear rumbled back as if they were talking. Then the lizard-bear started slowly walking towards one of the suspension bridges and the bear followed close behind, keeping one eye turned towards the threatening human just in case she decided to attack again. There were no longer any threats and so Stephanie was allowed to relax. Behind her came a hesitant knock on the wood that used to be a door. [color=6ecff6]"It may be strange to knock since you are outside and I am inside,"[/color] came a timid voice, [color=6ecff6]"But I'd rather you not kill me if it pleases you."[/color] A small head with big ears, a pointy hat, and circular, wire-rim glasses poked its head around the corner. [color=6ecff6]"Oh my,"[/color] he said, looking at all the gore of the dead lizard-bears and the tiny speck of a girl who didn't even appear to be sweating. [hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/hknm2eX.jpg?1[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/gMyMAuS.jpg2[/img] [h3][color=6ecff6]Minoc's House[/color][/h3][/center] Minoc sipped his tea and nibbled his cake, he watched the young girl, Ste-fah-nee she said was her name... most peculiar. [color=6ecff6]"First of all, allow me to thank you for saving us,"[/color] he said in his elfish voice, fumbling a little over his words. [color=6ecff6]"I... er.. I... don't know where to start."[/color] He put down his tea, "[color=6ecff6]I've imagined this for so long you see. Ever since I was a lad, and my dad looked after you, and even before then when I saw my Grandad look after you. I always wondered if you woke up... well, never mind all that. You have woken up, and you're no where near as fragile as I suspected."[/color] He tried to smile assuredly as he refilled his tea from the teapot on the table. [color=6ecff6]"I don't suppose you realize the creature you just killed do you?"[/color] he looked at her inquisitively, "[color=6ecff6]No, I guess you wouldn't. Her name was Jub Jub, she's one of many nightmares in our world and her death will be no loss of happiness to the bunch of us here, I'll tell you."[/color] He nervously chuckled a little. He sighed and settled himself down, [color=6ecff6]"You must be asking yourself who we are, and what's going on,"[/color] he said pointedly. [color=6ecff6]"Well, I'll tell you all that I know. I am a member of a secret society of wizards, alchemists, and archeologists who have discovered you all in the pods you woke up in. The pod that used to be over in that corner, as a matter of fact,"[/color] he pointed to the far wall, [color=6ecff6]"You turned that into a sword you say? Remarkable, absolutely remarkable."[/color] He paused to sip his tea and appreciate the enormity of the moment. [color=6ecff6]"I am an archeologist,"[/color] he continued, [color=6ecff6]"I have been digging into the mountain with these good folks researching whatever mecha from the ancients we could find and put to use. I've never heard of this nano-tech, but we have found books and manuals detailing the magic of biogenic tech. Fascinating stuff really, just absolutely fascinating. Some of our more... imaginative members of our sect have been able to translate these secrets into the manipulation of, of Lightning, Fire, Wind!"[/color] He became more animated as he got more excited, spilling tea with his punctuations. [color=6ecff6]"It's really quite amazing and gives us another step up on the enemy,"[/color] he was sputtering a bit now. He settled himself again, [color=6ecff6]"That would be Lord Draygon, or Lord Dragon as we generally call him, or it, whatever he is, the monster."[/color] He went to drink more tea but found his glass empty and motioned to the little girl near the back of the room to get him more. [color=6ecff6]"Lord Dragon has in his employ others whom he has made monsters like him, creatures who can shoot bizarre beams of light from their eyes which can melt stone, change their form to become a person or a beast, and reports say there is one who can even phase through walls. It's all terrible, terrible stuff, but we have the advantage you see, we have the works of the ancients which give us strength, and now, well girl, for some reason we have you."[/color] He sat back, the little girl brought him some more tea and he took a sip. [color=6ecff6]"If we can trust you that is."[/color] [color=6ecff6]"You've proven that you capable of incredible violence, and I understand that sometimes that is necessary, but in this town we eschew such application, even if it seems our last option,"[/color] he sipped his tea and licked his lips. [color=6ecff6]"I want to trust you, but I am not the leader or our cult and so it is not for me to determine. You will need to go to the Castle of Solace, far, far to the north and west of here. I.. uh.. don't suppose you can turn that sword into a back pack can you?"[/color] He asked while pointing. [color=6ecff6]"Oh that's good, then, you'll.. uh... you'll also be needing this."[/color] He handed her a tightly woven bundle of cloth that was about a meter long and about 25 cm wide, it must've weighed 12 kilograms. [color=6ecff6]"When you arrive at Solace you must speak to Tornell, the wisest and strongest of us all. Present him with this package I give you and tell him who you are, he will be waiting for you."[/color] Minoc smiled warmly as the meeting concluded, [color=6ecff6]"Now your transport, I bet that's what's on your mind, huh?"[/color] he sniggered like a kid with a secret, [color=6ecff6]"You're in luck! We have a special, underground transport that was left to us by the ancient ones. Oh yes, you'll see! It is a sub-way, as the sacred texts call it, and there are not many in existence but it has been my project for many years and I am proud to say that we have the only working rail travel device in existence!"[/color] He was bouncing in his seat at this point. [color=6ecff6]"But you mustn't go alone, oh for sure you will not! You will take my apprentice. Peter!"[/color] He yelled, [color=6ecff6]"Come!"[/color] [hider= Peter][img]https://i.imgur.com/gkrdvvn.jpg?1[/img][/hider]A young, pleasant looking boy came running up, carrying his backpack and ready for travel. [color=6ecff6]"Peter my boy! You will take this young lady into the mountain and there is no time to waste! Young Stephanie, before you go do you have any questions for me?"[/color] [hider=SYNOPSIS] Animals- gone. You have tea with Minoc and he tells you many things. If you have any questions now is a good time to ask them. You are to go to the Castle of Solace using an underground Rail with Peter, and NPC you may play as you like, however, when you get to the train like carriage he should tell you that they have used a device to move the train that neutralizes inertia, so you can travel at very high speeds and stop very quickly without being killed. Detail the play as you like, if you unwrap the sword and touch it it will trigger another event.[/hider]