[@Crusader Lord]

[color=silver]“Yes yes, I know all that! I helped mother make those bodies of yours!”[/color] He impatiently replied, though soon shifted to a rather amused tone with a light chuckle. [color=silver]“The old tower...the old Lab...it was before my time, but she lets me play with the inmates every now and then. Really, poor sods the lot of them. All because they wanted to lock auntie up. Ah well, mortals will be prideful and foolish mortals...that’s what makes them fun.”[/color] A dark chuckle followed. For a moment Leannah would feel something...odd. Like a prickling sensation on her skin. It passed quickly, but it was noticeable enough for her to register it as odd.

[color=silver]“How is the old Deer anyways? Still hates me for that prank, I presume? Ah well, no matter no matter that. Bury the hatchet as they say. Or bones, in that case.”[/color] He didn’t elaborate on what that prank was, but what little information she had it was probably only funny to him. Another feeling of something odd. This time she swore the stone in front of her would...warp slightly. As though space was starting to bend somewhat.

[color=silver]“Alright then! If you’re so eager to learn, fine then! Lets see how willing you actually are, Bastelian. No better place to learn than my own home.”[/color] The voice replied. Leannah would blink...and the wall behind the pillar suddenly wasn’t there. Infact, it was almost looking into something entirely out of place. Like someone had stitched two places together haphazardly.

Gone was the trappings of an old temple. In front of her was a long, pristine hallway of smooth white floors and ceilings...made of Marble? They were definitely smooth, white stone of some sort, but it seemed as though the entire structure was carved into it rather than build. It stretched until it slowly started to curve, Leannah being unable to see around it. It was conveniently brightly illuminated, Illumicrystals creating an almost fluorescent bulb like lightning. The areas where the floor and ceiling were connected, were colored grey.

Several hallways jutted from either side corridor, though some doors seemed to be locked tightly.

[color=silver]“Go on then! I’ve not had visitors in quite some time, not even mother visits these days. I have one of my servants making a delicious cake right about now if you make it to the end. Just don’t ask what’s in it, if I were you.”[/color] A pause. [color=silver]“...of course you can refuse, too if you're boring...and I really, really, don’t like boring people.”[/color]

...she would get the distinct feeling if she walked through there, there was a very good chance she might not come back for a while and despite the hostility in his voice, there was a good chance she could refuse, too.

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Nobbu, the Fox, and a Traveler
[@VitaVitaAR][@PKMNB0Y][@PaulHaynek]
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“...I see. You are quite cunning.” The deer replied with a slow nod. “Killing a God truly is nearly impossible without the aid of another divine...but ‘killing’ in the sense of rendering him obsolete...that may indeed work. I doubt it would keep him away for long he takes great pleasure in meddling in mortal affairs...but it could avert catastrophe here. Starting with the children would indeed be beneficial...though there are few in the village these days for a number of reasons...I would start with that one by the name of Lazhira.” He said with a nod.  “She has not visited in a while, but she would visit this grove from a young age in the past.”

He glanced towards Nicholas.

“...your words are naive, but perhaps some are not entirely without merit. It is true that this grove is sequestered away from the village...but the reason is simple. It is not a place for most men to tread…perhaps constructing another nearer would be beneficial.” It would turn its attention back towards Nobunaga and Misaki. “You may tell the Chief I will agree to meet and build a relationship with him, should he desire. I can not say much about the God himself...but I’m sure the Chief can help in that regard. In the meantime, I shall determine what it is I could teach these humans.”

It nodded.

“If that is all, it is best you work as swift as a stormy wind. With the involvement of those touched by the moon, I fear things will only hasten towards a conclusion.” It would turn its attention back towards Nicholas. "...you should start sooner, rather than later. The Sage is known to only appear to those who they deem worthy to guide, whatever such a thing means. Many have gone their entire lives searching, without seeing."

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The Roma Mob
[@ERode][@Pyromania99]
[hr]

“The...dwarves did what?” Sorcha narrowed her eyes at Augusta, observing her for a moment.

“U-uhm...” Leuca hopped down from Sorcha’s arms, frowning as she would hug herself tightly. “They...wanted to take me...we don’t really know why...”

“...I see...” Scorcha said coolly, casting a glance towards the mountains, in the opposite direction from where they came. “Firebeard, firebeard...If I remember correctly, he’s a respected warrior, and the captain of the Iceguard...hm.” She frowned, shaking her head and bowing towards Isidore and Augusta. “Once again, you have my thanks. I’ll withhold judgement until I speak with him personally, but for now its best to avoid the Dwarven city it seems...”

Sorcha would tug on her cloak the cloak around her neck.

“Stieneter shouldn’t be an issue. It shouldn’t bother us, and the Apostles...well, they’re not equipped to heading to Gloomhollow.” She’d start walking. “If you’re coming with, we got a bit of a ways to walk so get moving. Slow down, and I’ll be leaving you.”

And so the group would head further into the mountains, the storm oddly seeming to abate the further they headed up. Leuca kept close to Sorcha, and Octavia hung constantly behind Augusta, obviously terrified of Sorcha. So much she she didn’t even look at her, keeping her head low and tail between her legs, almost as if she was fearful of offending Sorcha.

Eventually, Sorcha would lead them to a small tunnel carved into the rock. Barely noticeable from the outside, hidden behind a rock and nearly buried under some snow. It would be now, Sorcha seemed to feel comfortable with speaking more freely when Isidore would bring up the first of his questions.

“Its not magic.” She replied. “Not in the traditional sense...it was a talent I was born with. In simple terms I can control and weaponize certain energy. It lets me do some...neat things with metal.” It was a decidedly non answer she gave, but Isidore could probably make a few assumptions considering what he saw earlier. Soon they would find themselves beneath the mountain entirely, the rocky tunnel they were in gently sloping downwards. “Watch your head...but keep quiet. Nothing should bother us but lets not tempt fate.”

Thus the group would travel further in, eventually the sloping tunnel opening to a large cavern, illuminated only by large clusters of bioluminescent fungi growing on the walls. Several small creatures skittered away from them, though none like the large insects from before.

“What? You expect me to fight thirty men myself?” Sorcha scoffed with a light chuckle. “...perhaps I could but I achieved my goal. Leuca managed to flee, and fighting could happen after I reunited with her. I don’t know morgan, though he’s not one I’ve heard of. I only know Railey because he rightly has a personal vendetta against me. I’ve done some things in my history I’m not proud of, and let's leave it at that.” She was being awfully honest about that...perhaps she was simply too trusting.

Sorcha would lead them deeper into the mountain, the mushrooms and fungal growth on the wall growing with each chamber they passed, a clear sign that they were getting closer and closer to Gloomhollow. They had been walking for some time now, and Sorcha would stop by a flowing river of water, letting Leuca take a break and for the party to rest.

“O-oh I can answer that one…!” Leuca replied excitedly. “Uhm...the Fey are the oldest beings alive!” She smiled. “Uhm...the Elves like me have been worshiping and living with them since before the Moonless era, supposedly. They’re the reason we managed to survive.”

“She’s not wrong.” Sorcha would reply. “While they are perhaps close to dietes, they aren’t true deities themselves, nor are they beasts. I’m not sure where they come from, that history has far been lost, but while they don’t have the overwhelming force that the Gods or Beasts do, they have much more subtle influence over the world.”

They would continue on again, traversing past the large pool of water and further into the bowels of the earth. They had to be quite far down, now. Further than any natural cave suitable for human travel had been on earth, at least. A fairly long walk later, and they would finally reach their destination.

[url=https://i.imgur.com/MNkeJGg.jpg]A massive, underground cavern with a ceiling so large one couldn’t see it.[/url] The ground was oddly covered with grasses and moss, instead of the usual rock one would expect to see underground. Large mushrooms and other fungi rose from the floor to the ceiling, their bioluminescence serving as the basis of most of the areas lighting. It was a sight they certainly wouldn’t have seen back on earth. Seemed like there was a whole ecosystem here...and in the distance they could make out what seemed to be the trappings of a city, with a large mushroom serving as the city's centerpiece with its roots seemingly having grown into a large stone building beneath.

“...that depends on if I can trust you two or not.” Sorcha would reply to Isidore’s final question. “This was supposed to be a peace deal of sorts. We can talk more about this once we meet the queen.” Sorcha would move towards the city, and soon the group would find themselves in the heart of Gloomhollow, and thus their first look at the Shadow Elves.

Rather than perhaps the dark skinned people they may be expecting depending on their fantasy interests, the Shadow Elves were starkly pale and grey skinned, typically with white hair and lightly colored eyes from the look of them. Most were dressed in light garb woven from likely mushroom fibers and other things found in the hollow. A few armed people milled about, wielding swords with a red colored blade.

Understandably, they would attract some attention, though most would simply go about their day. Most of the buildings here seemed to be built from an odd combination of mushrooms and traditional stonework, the two styles blending together fairly fluidly.

“...Mhm, alright. It is odd there is no one here to greet us...” Sorcha would stop in front of the large building, the long luminescent tendrils hanging from the mushroom swaying in some unseen breeze. “I’ll inform her majesty of our arrival...I would however, suggest that unless you’re willing to see whatever is happening here through to the end, you leave now. I doubt the Shadow Elves would give either of you much trouble as long as you kept your heads down. Either way, I would like to trust Leuca with you until I return.”

From here the group could see a few people moving about, and a few notable locations. One was a particularly ornate building. Lanterns glowing with pale yellow light hung from various spots as its roof gave way to a large bluish green colored mushroom. Several people seemed to be moving about...notably there seemed to be...quite a few scantily clad women around it. Another less questionable building was nearby. Smoke billowed up from a chimney, and the clanging and hammering of metal could be heard within. A group of what seemed to be guards was standing nearby, exchanging a few glances towards the group, too. Otherwise, the only other place immediately noticeable was a large tower, jutting up into the ceiling high above, illuminated and surrounded by numerous plants and foliage that live in the environment.

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[color=lightgreen]"Shite!"[/color] Don cursed as he and the dwarf tumbled across the ground, and out of the woods. Gathering his bearings quickly, a low grunt escaped Donovan's lips as he climbed back to his feet, cracking his neck on both sides before turning his head slightly to the dwarf as she spoke. [color=lightgreen]"Aye lass, I aint th' lyin' type.... Aye'll treat yer wounds after weh get this thing back in ehts damn pen-- just get whatever tha hell et wants offayah so weh so eht'll calm the hell down!"[/color]

Turning toward the rampaging animal rapidly approaching, he raised his shield, ready to fend the creature's initial assualt off.

Donovan didn't have to wait long for the beast to break from the treeline. The weasel like beast would slam into the ground, having leaped after them. Its powerful muscles left deep impressions in the snow. It would first notice Donovan, halting a moment as it would paw lightly at the snow under its paws.

"I dunno what ye mean! I ain't got nothin on me this beasty would want!" The dwarf replied hastily, quickly gettin' back to her feet. The Oni by now, realizing that the beast was angered or agitated by something quickly shouted orders in their native tongue to each other, one running to Lady Mie's tent while the others seemed to hurriedly find some things to restrain the beast with.

The beast wouldn't take much longer to lunge towards Donovan, the beast slamming its forward weight into the mans shield - but he would be able to hold against its weight as it would make an attempt to bite at Donovan's face over it.