Skill Seeker [hr] [@Crimson Paladin][@VitaVitaAR] [hr] “Worry more about yourselves.” Enli would say, shaking his head. “You’re the ones jumping into danger. I’ve lived here my entire life - the forest and land won’t get me, at least.” The old man would start to leave, a brisk pace leaving both Nobunaga and Novak to head to where their hideout were. Assuming they’d move with haste, it wouldn’t take them long to reach the ancient grove where the temple had once been. It was difficult to see through the fog, but it was no longer there as far as Novak could tell. In its place was a circular pit, an ancient waterlogged altar situated at the bottom. Of course, that left the question of whether or not they should pass through the mist. It was dangerous wasn’t it? Yet, when they would approach there was the sound of something ripping and tearing, crashing in the distance causing the earth even to rumble lightly! A nearly impossibly strong gust of wind would blast through the area, nearly knocking both Novak and Nobunaga off their feet, and also blasting the baleful fog, carrying it onto the wind and dissipating it giving them a fairly clear path to travel to the entrance of the hideout, should they hurry through. The winds seemed to be picking up, and if they happened to look upwards they may just so happen to see winds starting to coalesce, spinning, some distance further north east... Unlike with Donovan and Malphas before, there was no illusory wall to act as a buffer...seemed like someone else had already gone in? [hr] The Builder [@Guy0fV4lor] [hr] The trek through the fog would be easy enough, and Donovan would have no trouble locating the entrance he had used last time, nor any difficulty getting past the illusion. The inside was just as he’d remember, the white stone walls with the illuminated crystals for light, the plush red carpet and questionable paintings. This time, though, it seemed to be more inhabited. Several hunters had gathered inside, readying to go support the others at the village so they could solve their little Elder Beast problem. One that was now, coming for them and seemed to already have found the secondary entrance Donovnan had told him about. There was little time for him to do what he was going to do here if he wanted to get people out safely. “What’s it doing here!? Did it follow one of us!?” “They were all supposed to return to the village! Send someone to tell them-” A handful of hunters would run into the main worship hall, around four in total would immediately stop as they’d notice both Akando and Donovan. “- did he lead it here!?” Surprisingly, Akando would be the first to speak. “I’ll hold my tongue to what I think about you putting Dawn in danger,” Akando would say quickly. “But for now we need to get everyone out of here before the Kyrnith gets here!” “Akando...fool, we’re doing this for the good of dawn. Without the illuminators guidance the village would have already been destroyed.” Donovan would likely need to interject here, but at the same time it looked like they may not go so quietly. And this, would also be the scene Novak and Nobunaga would eventually find themselves stumbling on. [@PKMNB0Y] [hr] Lazhira, was understandably a bit worried that Misaki had more or less just left her to the proverbial wolves. The native would slowly back away from the hunters as they’d quickly move forward, one of them grabbing her roughly by the arm. Thankfully, Misaki had other ideas. The pot of boiling water was fairly easy to lift for her - perhaps surprising herself with her own strength - as the boiling water would slam into the back of the hunter that still hadn’t approached Lazhira yet. He would scream in agony, the boiling water while absorbed by his furs would still soak into it, and the back of his exposed head would be entirely burnt from the boiling liquid. The pot would sail through the air, hitting the one that had grabbed Lazhira by the arm square in the head. The recipient would give a startled shout as he’d lose his grip. Narkissa and Leannah both would be able to hear this commotion. Realizing her chance, and with a bit of spunk Lazhira would kick the one closest to her right the gut, sending him tumbling to the ground for good measure with a hearty laugh before taking off and running after Misaki. Assuming the pair would run to Mie’s camp, they would run right past a man with a bird mask as he’d exit, passing various Oni workers. Mie herself, was just about to leave her tent, too, it seemed as they pair would nearly run into her. “...well its been quite awhile, Lazhira. What’s the matter? You two look like you’re in a hurry.” A few shouts from outside the encampment would catch her attention. “...in trouble?” A deal, perhaps? [@Click This] [hr] “What else? The Moonless Era!” He’d chuckle. “When the old world and gods all died in abject terror, ahah!” The old man would tap the cane in his hand against the floor. “Fun times, it was...I think. Ah, memories are fuzzy, but oh well. Indeed, I am a god...the one who Illuminates and leads to truth! You don’t need to know more than that.” He’d then point the cane at Narkissa. “Power of some sort.” He’d state simply. “Some sort of...thing to make it work. Y’see, I managed to pick all your brains before auntie was able to put all you in those bodies of yours - I’ll take a thank you for that at some point by the way - but that’s not important!” He’d lower the cane again, leaning on it as he’d look to the front of the house, where there was a pained shout. “Needs to be powerful. Needs to be able to have enough oomph to kill a giant in one blow.” He’d smile. “You help me with that...I’ll give you the designs for it, and who knows, maybe I’ll feel generous enough to throw in a bonus. Better hurry and decide though, before your friends get in trouble out there. Just leave the how and why to me, lass. Surely you've got something from that head of yours that can help!” A Traveler [@PaulHaynek] [hr] “You probably won’t be the last to make that assumption.” Cynthia would reply, curtly. “And no, its just a simple cloth and gift from my employer. I was born with a rather nasty disease that rendered my eyes extremely sensitive to even the smallest amounts of light.” The maid didn’t seem particularly interested in such small talk as her gaze would now focus on Nicholas proper. For a moment it seemed she was going to say something else, her mouth slowly opening but then closing as she’d grab the broom again. “If its a source of light, Viorel can light the lantern for you when you leave. He’s capable of at least that much.” She’d start sweeping again. Not the friendliest sort, it might seem. “Need to get back to work. I think your friend is getting antsy to leave already.” As she said, Elisette was...well, bouncing near the door to the old church, seemingly impatiently tapping a finger on her arm as she'd have seemed to finished whatever it was she was doing. The Roma Mob [@ERode][@Pyromania99] [hr] “I-I see...” Leuca would respond to Augusta in her usual uncertain manner. “...Well, you certainly are a man of discretion...” Sorcha responded to Isidore’s last quip with a small bit of a frown. “Well, that is likely for the best. I am certain to at least be free then.” The woman would move over to Leuca, patting the small elf on the head with a smile. “If that’s all though, then I think its best I get Leuca to bed. She has a long day ahead of her tomorrow, it seems.” “O-oh right...it is pretty late, isn’t it…?” Unless there was anything else the four needed to discuss, Sorcha would start getting Leuca ready for bed, shooing Augusta and Isidore both from her room, and rather roughly moving Octavia from the room. Weariness from the travels of the day and general events was finally starting to catch up with the group in general, and they’d be hard pressed to get anything else done, though perhaps a few things could still be done during the night should they wish. Regardless, morning would soon come for the group. Sorcha and Leuca would probably be the first up. The knight had a long habit of waking up early and getting ready, making sure Leuca would be as well. Augusta would wake fairly simply, Octavia sitting idly at the foot of her bed, seemingly still sleeping. Curiously a quick check with her eye would reveal that the pup was completely full, along with a little status message for the seed which read ‘Growing’ and ‘Satiated’...it might have also just been her imagination, but she also seemed to have grown slightly. It was probably fine. She should probably get ready for Rullphana’s lesson and ready to learn from Leuca. Isidore would be woken by a knock at his door at roughly the same time as the others. It was perhaps, a bit unexpectedly, the prince. “Ahem...sorry for bothering you Isidore, but mother has asked me to tell you she wishes to speak with you in private.” He would say through the door. He sounded a bit hesitant, or maybe like he’d have liked to still be elsewhere. [hr] Send Feet Pics [@Cu Chulainn] [hr] “Hmm...there’s that other fox...Misaki, her name is. Lets see...there was also, I believe...his name was Donovan? Nice looking man. If I was a bit more inebriated I might have done something unladylike.” The fox would lean forward a bit, keeping her voice low. “The item itself is the metal fragment of a dagger. It’s engraved with script from my homeland. I don’t know why anyone would steal it - its purely personal in value.” It would be had for Malphas to entirely figure out how much of that was the truth, but it was likely broadly truthful. Someone stole something from her, and she wanted it returned. “Of course. Ayumi-” “If he’s gonna give me two fishes then I’ll do it!” “Well, there you have it.” Mie would respond with a smile. “Ayumi here’s good at her job, so no worries about the hunters either.” She’d sit up, moving to exit the tent with him. As he’d leave, he might notice Misaki and Lazhira running up at about the same time, though he might not particularly care as Mie would quickly turn to greet them. Seemed like the hunters had been riled up about something other than him. Lucky. Malphas would make his way back to Enli’s longhouse, presumably, where Bolcha still was. Ayumi would however, not follow him directly, choosing to stick to the shadows and for the most part attempt remaining unseen as she’d slip between hiding spots and eventually make it nearby. The four Oni warriors and Haruno had already taken up positions inside the building. One was covering the door, two were patrolling the perimeter while Haruno and another remained. “...mhm? Oh, Lord Nomura. You’ve returned. Is there something wrong?” Haruno would gree him, bowing respectfully. “I’ve already received the appropriate payment. I shall return it to Lady Mie soon as I am able to.” [hr] Elsewhere happenings... [hider=...] Though there was no day or night cycle on Gloomhollow, people still had a natural rhythm of rest to follow. As one particular Shadow Elf was on their way home that evening, drunk from an evening of drinking with friends...they would take a detour behind some buildings. Normally, streets were safe regardless of such alleyways. Unfortunately for this man… “...nngh?” he’d pause, a low growl having caught his attention. A scream. The last thing he’d see was a gnashing maw of teeth, dozens upon dozens of teeth and numerous mouths as he was grabbed by earthen roots, dragged into darkness and swallowed whole… “Heh...I do believe...this experiment...was a success. That elf...she has no idea what she’s playing with…!” [/hider] [hider=Wrathful Winds] The deer would perhaps, find the place where Donovan had mentioned sooner than he would have hoped. Feeling where it was, was a simple task. The flow of air and breeze into the cavern. Then it was just a simple matter of getting there, and for a creature that could be as fast as the wind, it was a matter of minutes really. But it wouldn’t immediately attack, no. Instead the ancient beast would turn its head to the skies, its antlers soon gathering the wind between them. The air would be drawn swiftly between its monolithic antlers, quickly becoming more and more compressed as the winds would churn and flow between, building up speed and pressure while more and more would be added. And then - An exhale. A loud noise of something breaking. The winds would completely rip into the current area as though they had been monolithic blades, cutting into the air and land itself. Trees were cut down near instantaneously, the earth itself too, would be cut and broken, swathes of land lifting up and being tossed around carelessly, the cave top being completely and utterly severed and blown backwards some distance as the wind would rush through the entirety of the forest. Inside, a lone hunter, staring wild eyed, and perhaps wishing he had taken the day off. But no, its fury would not be sated. It was the fury of the winds, and while it was normally peaceful, distant and perhaps playful at times...the wind was now tinged with fury. “I am the Kyrnith. I am the wind itself, a child of the Earth, the embodiment of Wind itself.” The winds would once more start coalescing around the beasts horns, slowly extending to cover its entire body. Winds would slowly rise into the air, rotating faster, faster… “You, humans...will not even be whispers upon a breeze.” [/hider]