[@Crusader Lord]Into the depths? [@Click This][@Crimson Paladin] [hr] Novak approached some books on the tables, soon donning the mask he had found earlier once more after gaining no insights with his own eyes. Curiously, it seemed to help. Though he’d glean nothing solid from the books themselves, a voice would whisper in his head as he looked over the books. [i]“Crystal...”[/i] [i]“...baleful fog...”[/i] [i]“Move the altar...”[/i] [i]“...where is the other half...?”[/i] ...nothing overly useful, but perhaps the individual pages could be roughly translated to some larger whole? OR maybe they had nothing to do with the words at all. The diagrams themselves would prove equally as unenlightening. Seemed like one was some sort of instruction for creating some sort of jelly like substance? The disturbing thing was that the diagram seemed to have a human heart as some sort of component… Once done there, he moved towards the door. The light reflecting from his blade would reveal little. Whatever was within was definitely moving, but it was unclear as to what. He would poke his head in...some humanoid was moving at the far end of the large altar room, right under a massive stone idol, the same shape and type as the one that had been above, but scaled to mildly ridiculous proportions. Definitely not someone he knew. The place was better lit, but it was not so much as to give any comfort. Large crystals on chandeliers seemed to be the main source, with the statue also having several growing upon it. If he did decide to go back to the tarpit, his little skull friend seemed peaceful enough, not seeming to engage. He’d hear Lazhira’s and Narkissa’s voice once he got about halfway back down the hallway, and he’d easily be able to see them standing at the junction where the hallways split towards the pit and the pedestal room. He wouldn’t be able to make out what they were saying until he got closer, though. “Petroleum?” Lazhira frowned. “I dunno what that is...but it kinda looks like the same stuff those slimes were made of.” She’d say idly, looking about the sub level, following slowly behind Narkissa as they traveled into the hallway. She’d frown slightly, lingering her eyes on where the Library was [i]supposed[/i] to be, but now was blocked by a wall. She didn’t say anything, though. Now, she has stopped when Narkissa asked her about her abilities, fidgeting on the spot. “...uhm...do we have to do this now?” Lazhira would question, clearly uncomfortable. “...Geh, no, its fine. I trust you...I guess.” She didn’t sound too sure of that, holding her hands together and rubbing them against each other nervously. “W-well...uhm, The Illuminator...w-well, I used to be part of this cult. T-that’s all. I learned some things there that help with uhm, tricking others minds and preventing people from even noticing you.” [hr] [@Crusader Lord] Leannah would have...minor success with her telekinesis endeavors. Very minor. In fact, she couldn’t be sure she was doing anything at all. She would extend her reach outwards towards the cage...but it felt odd. Almost as if...it was much further away that it seemed like it was. She could definitely ‘feel’ it with telekinesis, but it felt far too distant for any fine control or any actual leverage. Either way, while she may have realized she could utilize telekinesis in some way, it seemed like it wasn’t going to be helpful here without a decent bit of training. The riddle would prove as equally as frustrating. None of her answers seemed to initially, at least, give any sort of indication of being right...at least, initially. Until a rather amused, masculine voice would echo from the engraving itself. [i][color=silver]"I ask for a who, and you give me a what! IS your brain full of nothing but fur, cat?!"[/color][/i] A jovial, friendly tone. [i][color=silver]"I swear you mortals get more amusing the more I leave you alone!"[/color][/i] There was a pause. [i][color=silver]"Amusingly [i]frustrating.[/i] Bah, I don't suppose I should have expected you to solve it. Only one person in the world knows the answer, and its not me!"[/color][/i] His tone shifted from jovial to a more angry, almost hateful voice as he spoke. [i][color=silver]"Well, you have my attention now, Bastelian. What do you want? I'm busy right now, so tell me before I make a scarf from your tail."[/color][/i] [hr] Nobbu, the Fox, and a Traveler [@VitaVitaAR][@PKMNB0Y][@PaulHaynek] [hr] “...your lips are far too noisy for your own good.” The deer replied towards Nicholas. “You should not so easily mention your origins. There may be those who seek to exploit or harm.” He turned his head towards the sky for a moment, inhaling and closing its eyes. A few seconds passed as the wind carried words to its ears. “...That is...quite the curious artifact.” The deer replied. “An ancient stone, from the same place you woke I assume...yet not a stone native to that area. It perhaps once belonged to the sage those of the Mountain revere, but as for what it is - I can not say. It is old. Perhaps older than the Moonless Era. As for a passage back...those within the mountain speak of the Sage being able to peer into worlds other than this. Perhaps you should start there.” It would turn its attention back to Misaki and Nobunaga as she would finally speak herself. It quietly listened to the proposal, a stillness overcoming the air as she spoke. It was near impossible to determine what the deer was thinking as she relayed her plan, but it did not seem hostile. “...It is not unheard of for those in other regions to worship or to seek guidance from the Beasts as myself as divinity. Occasionally I meet my kin, and they tell me as such.” The deer replied. “I have never needed to, nor thought I should. Beasts such as myself should not involve themselves in mortal affairs...but I can see how it would benefit the whole.” He exhaled. “...I suppose you have a thought as to how we could go about this, then? While those in the village may not all fear - they all are wary, and those within the village seeking to work against me would surely sabotage such efforts to prove otherwise. Perhaps you should merely find those and end them as they would end the forests.” The deer by Misaki’s side would eventually settle down, taking a rest upon the ground near her. Seemed like she had made a friend. [hr] The Roma Mob [@ERode][@Pyromania99] [hr] Leuca would break away from her hiding place, running down the slope and heading straight for the woman in front of them. She’d ignore Isidore’s motions, bolting past him and Augusta with an uncanny swiftness. She nearly tackled Sorcha as she’d wrap her arms around her in a hug. “Sorcha!” The blond woman would drop her sword, picking up the small elf, hugging her tightly and letting her sit in her arms. “Oh, blessed stars, you’re okay…!” The woman laughed in relief. “Ah, I knew you were alive. I taught you well, after all didn’t I?” She’d laugh, ruffling the elfs hair with an open hand and turning to her companions. She peered at the curiously, amber eyes lingering on them both...and then falling to the hound that was currently cowering behind Augusta. Octavia whimpered quietly, seemingly terrified of something as she hug the back of Augusta’s feet. “...Leuca...these people helped you, I take it?” She’d ask cautiously. “Mhmhm! Isidore and Augusta. Isidore’s reeeallly strong~! Like he can fight a dwarf! And-and Augusta she can heal almost as good as the Druids back home.” “...I see.” Sorcha would reach down, reclaiming her blade and sheathing it. “Well...you both have my thanks.” Her voice was cool, tinged with a bit of suspicion. “...I suppose since you helped Leuca I can trust you somewhat.” Sorcha exhaled, keeping Leuca in her arms. Isidore could at least tell she wasn’t dropping her guard for anything. “If its the Shadow Elves you seek, then you are welcome to come along then. I know these mountains well. Once we reach the dwarven gates we should find it easily.” Seemed like she might not know things were not well with the dwarves. [hr] Wayward builder [@Guy0fV4lor] [hr] “Yes, let a random human just lift me by my bootstraps and carry me off to who knows where!” The dwarf protested again. “That sounds like a right [i]wonderful[/i] idea-aaaah!?!” Donovan focused that divine energy into his lower body, breathing relatively calmly as he would allow it to build. The moment the beast pounced, his foot also hit the ground...and he’d find himself being launched forward. Perhaps not quite as far as he had hoped, but far enough to get out of the beasts grasp, and...tumble right out of the forest near the camp of the Merchant. He’d find his footing failing him, the dwarf tumbling out of his grasp as she’d roll a few feet on the ground before managing to hold up a hand. “So...you were tellin the truth about that, eh?” She sat up, frowning slightly as she’d hold her side. “Tch, I think I broke something in that tumble...tsk, really at least ask a girl ‘for you get rough with her.” A group of Oni workers had taken note of their rather abrupt arrival. The beast was probably not far behind. [hr] Send Feet Pics [@Cu Chulainn] [hr] “Enli is a pushover.” Soyala said flatly. “Too concerned about the status quo, and fears upheaval in case the people here suffer. Unless he suddenly has grown a spine, I doubt he’d give you too much trouble if you tell him the hunters desire to put together a feast to welcome these newcomers.” She would smile slightly. “As for their relationship...well, she’s the only one who has the patience to hear his stories and legends passed down from the elders. I suppose they’re close, no matter if she complains about his lessons.” Malphas would have no trouble returning to the tree where the flowers were growing. No more beasts seemed to find them here. The only odd thing perhaps he’d take note of on his return trip...was what appeared to be the same black fox that he had pursued the other day. He’d only catch a momentary glimpse of it, but it was no doubt the same. It’d run off in the same direction he had been heading in. Otherwise, though, the trip back to the village would be uneventful. Whenever he would return to Mie, she’d greet him with a sly smile. The area seemed much less lively than it had been earlier that day, as the sun slowly sank lower and lower into the horizon. “Ah, so you’ve returned. I was almost hoping you wouldn’t, fufu.” She’d chuckle, sliding on thin, cloth gloves onto her hands. She’d hold a palm open and out. “Hand it over. Its getting late and I’ll likely be closing shop soon..”