A skill Seeker and Warlord [@Crimson Paladin][@VitaVitaAR] [hr] “No idea.” One of them replied. “You…think the Hag is behind this whole thing?” Another would question. “We were told if we saw her to kill on sight, but Soyala told us to focus on recovering the orbs and since she’s the one in contact with the Illuminators’ Face…” “...hey you don’t think with the seal weakened they wouldn’t need both to undo it?” The third remaining one would chime in. What followed was a heavy silence between the group as a concerning realization perhaps, started to fall into place. "Well if we don't know where it is, is, it shouldn't matter right? But then what about the second one?" Didn't seem like the hunters may have any more immediately relevant information unless they were pressed further or had anything else specific they'd want to ask. "Oh...uh...we could show you two to that pit with the seal in it. That's where you're heading, isn't it?" A Traveler [@PaulHaynek] [hr] “...Necromancy.” Baba replied with a passionless voice. “The faithful of the goddess of death are given the ability and permission to use Necromancy to both punish sinners and use them to protect people.” The younger girl would shake her head. “Most people always found it…repulsive…they just wanted an excuse. The Apostles gave them that.” She’d take a few steps towards Nicholas. By now a few alarm bells in his head might be going off. “The maids marked me for death. Even if I run to the furthest lands, they will pursue.” A smile, would form on her lips, slowly turning into a wide, toothy almost excited grin. “So if I’m going to die…I’m going to take as many of them as I can with me, simple, right? They deserve it, just as I do. As for you…” A pale hand would reach out and grab Nicholas by the chin. “I could. Do you want me to?” Yeah, maybe he should be careful about his words now. “...You’ve not done anything to insult me. Yet. So you can stay. Until you do. Are you planning to?” She’d release him taking a seat and starting to eat. Well, she didn’t seem like she was going to harm him, but he was getting the sinking feeling the longer he’d stay, the more in danger he’d be if he let his words run completely unchecked. [hr] Send Feet Pics [@Cu Chulainn] [hr] Breathe in. Breathe out. The waves lapped upon the shore, then receded, rhythmic as Nomura’s breathing would slowly become as he meditated upon the shore. He could already direct his mana into a specific part of the body, that was fairly easy to do now and honestly not too taxing as long as he didn’t continuously do it. Strengthening everything at once though, did seem to put some strain on him. First his arm again. It was hard to tell how much of an effect it was having as he wasn’t actively applying the force when he was strengthening it, but there was definitely some change. A bit like a coiled spring - tension forming in his muscles perhaps. Next his legs. As the energy shifted, leaving his arm it’d feel a bit like being drained of energy. Fatigued, a bit. His legs would feel much the same as his arm did. Moving it back to his arm, the fatigue would vanish entirely as it’d resettle into its resting place. It seemed he could roughly keep the strengthening up for about a minute if he focused on one limb, and only thirty seconds if it was two, while enhancing more at a single time seemed completely out of reach for now. Perhaps, he’d need a way not to just push or test his limits - but find a way to actively break them. The gentle waves upon the shoreline was broken by the sound of something splashing in the water, though if he looked he’d see nothing immediately unusual. [hider=Goddess Note]Skill Evolved: Muscle Reinforcement (lesser) -> Muscle Reinforcement A skill denoting ones ability to reinforce their muscles via magical means, making them temporarily tougher and stronger. Can be used on multiple parts of the body, though as one may expect doing more than one limb at a time causes greater drain on mana reserves. There is an upper limit that exists, dependent on the physical ability of the user.[/hider] The Roma Mob [@ERode] [hr] “Oh? Most warriors don’t care for the process,” The half elf dwarf would say, a tinge of curiosity in his voice. “Well, I’m not one to turn away a lad who wants to learn.” He’d say with a hearty grin. “Alright, Isidore. Asvar. Lets show ya the forge, then. Rael, bring out some of the iron and a suit for Isidore here.” With a wordless signal of affirmation, Rael would head into the back store room. The Blacksmith, would lead Isidore into the forge, a noticeable shift in temperature from the burning furnace where arms and armor were made. The room itself had all the trappings a blacksmith might need - a large forge where ore was blasted with heat to make them malleable. Anvil, to hammer said ore into shape. A grind stone on which to sharpen the blade to a fine point. Table and materials to make repairs to armor and weapons. “I’ll assume ye don’t have any knowledge whatsoever, eh Isidore? So we’ll start from the basics.” He’d say, grabbing a nugget of raw Rubell ore in one hand and Iron in another. “The ore itself. Each is different. Each has different strengths and weaknesses. Rubell ore that’s common here in Gloomhollow, soft. Easily worked, but is good at conducting magic. Iron is harder. Needs a firmer hammer and more heat, but sharper and harder than Rubell ore. Knowing what you’re working with, and what you want to create with it is important.” He’d let Isidore have both of them. The Iron was hard, rough…and well, exactly as he’d expect of Iron. The Rubell, was similar to the previous time he had felt the blade. Sharp, but soft. He could likely break it with his bare hands if he had enough force on it. “You can add other metals and things to strengthen it. Normally Rubell blades are made with a bit of iron, to make them not so brittle.” He’d move over to the forge, grabbing a hammer as Raelzeth would appear with a box of a few pieces of iron ore and an apron for Isidore to wear. “Put it on lad. Best way to learn is to do. The forging process is simple enough. Once the metal is heated, start by shapin’ the metal into a shape that best fits the tool or weapon you want to make, making sure it stays up to temperature while you hit it.” A hammer, tongs, and a variety of other tools were laid out near the anvil. Asvar would hand the hammer to Isidore. [hr] Back to Roots [@Guy0fV4lor][@Crusader Lord] [hr] “Don’t have to tell me twice lass! I didn’t sign up to get eaten by some sorta slime!” Eirhild would yell back, as she’d hop off the cart. A certain little fox would use this time to flee the scene, heading back into the direction of Mie’s camp. Donovan would surge forward, divine speed carrying him to his target. He’d leap into the air, intent to smash the creature with a heavy blow to its supposed head. The hunters were still too disorganized to respond properly, the creature though - was already recovered from the blow Soyala herself had just dealt. Slimy tendrils would latch onto his leg, a hardened bone weapon impaling his shoulder. Pain rippled through the point of impact as it would pull the blade upwards in an attempt to sever Donovan’s arm from the rest of his body. Leannah’s timely intervention, may be the only reason that it wasn’t. The blast of fire would slam into the ground behind the beast, causing it to recoil forwards - right into Donovans hammer. The sound of glass shattering. A myriad of colors as the creature's head seemed to fracture into multiple fragments. The creature would toss Donovan aside with a pained shriek, he’d land on the ground, a large gash in his right shoulder and bleeding profusely. It’d lash out at everything in fury, its body starting to lose cohesion as slimy, oily liquid dripped onto the ground along with a number of bones and the weapons it had taken into itself. “Kkkkrr…gggrrrrk-” Pained, furious gurgles as its body began shrinking. “Mmrttthher…hlllk-hhhrrrst….” Whatever it was communicating was difficult to tell, but though the blow it had been dealt was fairly staggering, it wasn’t completely losing its cohesion just yet - no, instead it would lash out for more of the hunters, grabbing them by their ankles and bodies, pulling them into itself more. Consuming, assimilating as its body would stabilize. Of course, the water bolts being slung towards the creature would have done more damage - had it not used the bones from the hunters it had recently consumed to create more armor for itself, the bolts of water not able to penetrate it, it appeared. As the chaos settled, the remaining hunters were few in number. The slime’s body bubbled and rippled, morphing and shifting into a larger form as the bodies it had consumed were serving to further its own growth now. From one side of its lower body, two large slimy hands would form, tipped with bony claws and covered in painful looking spines. Armor made of more bone would form upon its upper body. No doubt getting near this thing was going to be tougher. Soyala herself, would take this time to bolt from the scene, deeming the ambush lost and the goal at the moment, not mattering as much as making a swift exit. Narkissa would at least be able to note she was fleeing back towards the forest. Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to follow her? She was still far enough away from the slime she could flee, but at the same time the thing looked like it wasn’t going to be going down as easily as the others. Misaki [hr] [@PKMNB0Y] “Right.” Lazhira would exhale, still seeming a bit on edge from the situation. “Be safe, Narkissa.” Lazhira would start making her way back towards the village. It’d probably be safe enough there for now, back at her house. The deer would follow, prancing along beside Misaki seeming awfully pleased that it was able to help in the situation. “Jeez, i’m not cut out for playing hero, am I?” Lazhira would say, trying to lighten the mood just a bit as they’d walk. “You and Narkissa are really good at this sort of thing, aren’t you? Well…I suppose you didn’t really do much…sorry rambling because I’m nervous.” She’d chuckle sheepishly. A few moments would pass where Misaki could reply if she wanted. “Whew…I’m tired after that. Hey…Misaki? Can I use your tail as a pillow to nap on once we get back?” She’d innocently ask, seeming as though she still wanted to get a chance to since she hadn’t really since they’d arrive.