A Heroic Trial [@Click This] [hr] The mutated slime creature struck forwards, the slime’s weapon being weakly deflected off Narkissa’s blade. The force was such that she would stumble back slightly, her arms and muscles straining from the impact. She could take consecutive hits like that from this thing without putting herself in danger, likely. Quickly thinking, and sensing she had quite likely received some sort of ‘power up’ Narkissa focused that energy within her once more. A precise attack, aimed at the slime creature’s ‘core’. Water gathered at the tip of the blade, coalescing into a single point...a thin stream of highly pressurized water launched towards the slime. Near instantly the water cut through the slime, the creature gurgling and screaming in seeming discomfort as the water jet cut through it, taking some of its mass with it. At the same time though, it would lash out again, a tendril of the slime slamming against Narkissa’s side just as she said something about Novak being a coward, cutting off the end of her sentence as the force was enough to knock her to the ground, winded. Strangely enough though, nothing felt broken or seriously injured...yet. “Narkissa!” Lazhira would help her to her feet again, concern clear on her face. She glanced at the slowly approaching slime, its body roiling again as it lashed out at the pair. “...Ngh, okay. I didn’t want to do this. Don’t tell anyone I helped you though, got it!?” Lazhira took both her hands, a white ball of pure silvery white light forming in them. If Narkissa was paying attention, she would notice her eyes flash a similar color. She swung upwards. There was a crackling, sizzling as the creature immediately screeched in pain. Instead of hitting the two of them, it had instead hit a silvery, white hot barrier of some sort. It lasted only a few moments before fading. It recoiled from the attack, shuddering as it formed more tendrils. “I’ll take care of the little ones, focus on the big guy! I-I’ll help if I can when its done!” The creature was quickly reforming itself from its previous wound. Narkissa probably had to act fast if she wanted to permanently injure this creature. Dungeon Diving ho~! [@Crusader Lord][@Crimson Paladin] [hr] Leannah, instead of taking a chance of getting lost, took more of the crystals that she could carry in her hands. Leaving a trail of breadcrumbs behind for anyone following her so they could easily do so. She walked down the corridor, curious, but not running after the figure she had seen. Who else would be down here after all? Surely it was just a trick of the mind...or perhaps, something, or someone more dangerous. She found herself in an old library. Like before, most of the books seemed to be weathered and useless, though perhaps there would be something useful to find here. So she would start combing through the books. Most still legible were written in unfamiliar languages. Most of Tthe ones that were writing in something she could understand, weren’t preserved well enough to be of any use. Maybe if she had Lazhira or someone that could maybe translate… It was when she was going through a shelf near the entrance of the room, would she perhaps, regret her scholarly pursuits. She reached for a book, and there was an audible click. The room rumbled, quaking and moving as a massive stone slab rock fell from the ceiling, completely blocking off the hallway from the outside. She was now trapped in here. Instead of helping kill the monstrosity, Novak instead chose the intelligent option, to flee. He had no idea that Narkissa was being coerced to fight here, after all. Would he help even if he did? Perhaps, but that was neither here nor there. He would follow Leannah down the room, and find the same safety she had upon landing. He would bounce lightly as he landed, the soft pliable goop that served as the pits landing. Now that just left where had his feline friend had gone. Surely she hadn’t recklessly started exploring this level by herself, did she? There was the grinding of stone on stone, something slamming shut. ...seems she might have. Seems she pilfered most of the sources of light from the room too. A trail of the same crystals led forward. He would have just enough time to see the stone wall slamming shut some door. Leaving him with just what seemed to be a kitchen, a bunk area, and the pedestal room... [hr] Nobbu and the Fox [@VitaVitaAR][@PKMNB0Y] [hr] [hider=Goddess Note] Item Received: Kyr Reed An herb with mostly recreational uses. A plant with wide leaves bearing numerous fronds along its stem. While having no noticeable medicinal purposes, it relaxes one and slightly alters one's perception. Can be smoked or eaten normally. Only found in the forest in which the Kyrnith dwells. [/hider] The fawn that had been surprised at Misaki’s and Nobbus appearance, cautiously watched as the fox tailed girl retrieved the reeds. It didn’t seem hostile at all, and perhaps it might have crossed either of their minds this might be one of the ‘deer’ they weren’t supposed to bother. But why was it out of the grove, in that case? And surely this fawn couldn’t be dangerous to her. In fact, the small animal seemed almost curious about her, too. It lowered its head, making a call that seemed curious and mildly upset, before sensing that at least Misaki had no intention of harming it. It however, looked to Nobunaga, noticing her weapons and backed off a bit more. But it wouldn’t leave entirely, no. The moment they would start to leave, it would start following them too. Unless they purposefully interacted with it, they would find it slowly following them through the forest, though it would also cautiously take a few steps back whenever they attempted an approach. Eventually, whenever they decided to move on they would find the ground beneath them sloping upwards. A hill gently raising above the forest floor, the undergrowth thinning out and eventually fading altogether, leaving just a snow covered ground beneath their feet. Eventually they would find what seemed to be their destination. A shrine carved from stone, had been erected near a cluster of trees. It was a simple construction. A single slab of stone laying upon the ground and a second erected horizontally over it. A clay bowl was sitting on the one laying down, and small holes had seemingly been carved into the area next to it. Kyr Reed was growing from the base of it. The party could see in the distance, more of those deer too. Fully grown, though most were paying them no mind. Oddly, an old wooden flute had also been left behind on the altar, though it seemed fairly old and likely it had been there for awhile. A sense that they were being watched would emanate through the grove. The fawn that had followed them was still watching from a distance too. [hr] The Roma Mob [@ERode][@Pyromania99] [hr] “...ah?” Leuca looked at Isidore curiously as he cut himself off. She didn’t ask though, and merely nodded. She wasn’t going to be rude and ask questions of those who had saved her life. With a general plan in hand, Leuca would follow Augusta and Isidore both, giving a bit more information as they walked, making sure to stay out of sight of the Apostles as they headed for the pass. “N-no...Sorcha is a human.” She would say, eating some of the rations. “Steineter...I think its the Elder Beast I-It’s the one I mentioned earlier I think. I heard my uncle and the dwarves that visited us once talk about it. It eats the stone and carves these huge tunnels within the mountain. It really bothers the dwarves a lot with its size and the fact it eats stone, ores, and gems...but I don’t know much else about it…” She frowned under her hood. “But...why is it out here if it normally lives in the mountain?” She’d question, though she had no answer. The trio would soon find the pass. It was the easiest path to walk through the mountains...at least until they found how exactly impassible it was. The path was situated in a valley, peaks of rocks and snow reaching into the sky. Why exactly it was impassable, was quickly gathered. A massive avalanche had completely swallowed what was the safest path forwards. The storm too, had likely piled foot upon foot of snow within the valley creating this massive wall of snow that would impede any progress forward from this way. Certainly they could attempt to circumvent it, but the mountainous terrain full of loose snow, rocks, and who knew what else would likely make traveling fairly dangerous. The storm once more crackled overhead, rumbling thunder and skies creating a biting wind. More notable, though, were three bodies. Covered by snow, their torsos barely just sticking out of a snow drift. They had met their ends violently, judging from the stab wounds upon their bodies. Curiously, if one were to check the wounds their flesh would be burned. A quick check of their equipment too revealed someone had already beaten them to the punch. Anything useful had been taken. They were most likely apostles, which meant...either they had retrieved their fallen comrades equipment, or someone else had. However - Octavia began barking, growling, digging and pawing at the ground beneath their feet. The three of them could see the snow under Augusta’s feet shifting slightly. The elf would have only a few seconds to react or move before insectoid mandibles sprung up from the ground, attempting to grab her leg. Several more started digging themselves out of the snow around them. About six in total, from what they could see, but they were still too buried to make out what they were entirely. [hr] Wayward builder [@Guy0fV4lor][@PaulHaynek] [hr] “The pair from Chagawa have taken interest in helping. I believe they said something about trying to meet the Kyrnith themselves...” He replied to Nicholas, thinking. “I believe little Lazhira also took a group to inspect the old temple, though I urge caution if you follow her there. Its a dangerous place, and with the wild life being agitated lately...” Enli turned his gaze towards Donovan, who went on to clarify more of what Nicholas meant exactly by the village was going to ‘blow’. He frowned deeply upon having the information relayed to him. “...are...you certain? That’s what it said?” Enli took a moment to collect himself, obviously disturbed by the information. He would then go on to relay a bit more information. “...While we primarily worshipped the God of Knowledge, we also knew of the other Gods as well. The Goddess of the Oceans, Delpithi as you may expect. Much of the old worlds history was lost, but what we know of her...is that the monstrosities once ravaged this land, and she and the Goddess of the Underworld, Rifelshka put them to rest. Rifelshka stealing their immortality and severing their souls, while Delpithi drowned their corpses beneath the ocean and the land.” He would respond to Donovan with a frown. “If...there is something relating to them and the god of Knowledge seeking to do something with it...” He shook his head. “I can not help much, but I do have some money as well as some sway with some villagers. The workshop where Bolcha makes arms and weapons, as well as the fishermen. If you tell Bolcha Enli needs the work done quickly, he’ll get to it in no time..” Enli would walk over to a storage shelf, pulling out a box with several gold coins. He would gather them up in a small leather sack, and hand them to Donovan. “I’ll relay this news to the other travelers if they are unsuccessful with their meeting.” He glanced to Nicholas. “To answer your other question though, Lady Mie is a trader from Chagawa. She comes every now and then to trade wares as well as other resources. You can probably find anything that you might find helpful to this endeavor there.” Unless there was anything else the two needed, Enli would take a seat in a nearby chair, seeming a bit tired and wave the pair off. That left them to decide where to go and what to do here. [hr] Send Feet Pics [@Cu Chulainn] [hr] A swift cut to the neck, and the remaining life of the deer bled out on the cold forest ground. “Of course. Offer still stands to show you how to use that by the way.” Soyala would reassert as she started to lead Malphas to where she was guiding him. The Illuminator wanted to play with him a bit, but she would take the more direct route to his actual temple. Instead of heading to the obvious temple entrance, Soyala led Malphas away towards the back of the temple. Once there, she began walking in a straight line towards a small, rocky hill that was mostly obscured by the mists. It seemed like she might have been following something, but Malphas couldn’t currently see. Whatever she was following though, eventually led her to a small cavern cut into the stone. She motioned for Malphas to slip inside first, and she would follow after seemingly making sure they weren’t followed. “Make sure that honeyed tongue of yours is ready. The others might not take so well to me leading you here.” She’d comment, quickly approaching the back wall of the cave. It looked remarkably plain, save for an image of the Illuminator carved into the wall, a small hole in the center of its face. Soyala placed the small carved stone into it. A low shriek, and the rock began to crack and...become transparent? He could see through it, another cave that eventually gave way to what looked to be stonework deeper within. As soon as Malphas would step through however, he would find something unpleasant happening. A dagger being aimed right for his neck from his right.