TheTimePiece

[East Empire] Operation Snatch Gear

Miraculously Miyu’s stunt to avoid having to commit to physical exertion didn’t end up killing him as he catapulted himself in his pocket dimension and then opened the other side near the top of where the band of thieves needed to enter.

Neo who had reached inside the hole in the wall, now looked over in the direction where Miyu spoke, his expression shifting from a smile to a curious one.

As a result unfortunately Marrion did not get squished Miyu to nom on. But she was able to scale the rope to near where Neo was when all was said and done. Aren was able to catch him with the time window provided and get Miyu to next to where Neo was though it likely all felt a bit rough.

Neo continued to listen to what everyone had to say while Ool flew with flying F into the stone tiled hallway which they now had access, to, to take a look around ahead presumably without Neo even having to tell the owl beast too.

Neo looked focused at this point, not reacting much to some of the banter going on other then a slight smile that pursed his lips before he went to get a move on, once everyone was up the rope, he’d move in and pull the rope up, presumably so they didn’t gain any more unnecessary suspicion from the outside if more guards came around for any reason.

Neo then gestured for the others to follow him assuming they were all ready too. “We will head down this hallway this way..” he’d speak softly, gesturing the way, it was lit with some small arcane torches that didn’t seem to burn out, illuminating the dark stone hallway, which was wide enough for about four of the group members to stand shoulder to shoulder.

“And watch your step.” He’d of course also gesture to the piece of the wall which jutted up that they’d need to step over to actually get into the hallway.

“We’ll be making our first left shortly.” Presuming they all followed Neo they’d find themselves just before a left turn in the hallway at a point, which if they looked they’d see that it soon led down about five stone steps to a slightly lower part of the facility, however there was what looked like yet another east empire guard who currently had his back turned speaking to another guard idly about both about 40 ft down the hall, they had spears and sort of just looked like they were idling.

When Neo got to just before the turn, Ool landed on his shoulder and put his beak near his ear and said something to him.

He then turned to the rest of the group, not saying a word, he simply made a hand gesture pointing to around the corner and then holding two fingers up, to indicate that there were two hostiles down there, not wanting to risk being heard.

Neo Actions:
Retrieve rock
walk down hall presumably after group joins to follow.
After Ool shares info, confirm to rest of group before first left turn.

[IH] Great Northern Dungeon Early Floor Arc

Between the divine surge that looked a bit brighter from being bolstered that smited the knocked over sizable chest mimic, in tandem with Marcelin’s raw mana bolt smudge erasure attack which looked a bit more hefty from being bolstered, both flashy magics struck the chest mimic with impact on it’s under side, causing it to break apart in a bright spectacle in the dim space, it had been defeated.

Kain felt that the numbness and a rather uncomfortable tingly feeling was still lingering some in the arm where he had been bitten by the book mimic but gradually it was going away, still in part thanks to the healing.

There were a couple of sort of interesting objects left in the mimic’s remains.

From the book mimic, there appeared to be a small pearl like object that was a dark purplish hue.

From the chest mimic there appeared to be a larger pearl like object which looked like it was also dark purplish but this one had a bit of a sinister aura which eventually died down to look more mysterious and neutral.

“Guess those are cores..” Clarisse said a bit more softly but still aloud.

“And it looks like we can agree there, they’re vile creatures which are better off destroyed..” She’d speak on what the party had shared regarding their opinions on mimics.

Though she turned to look when Samuel spoke up.

“A bit of a pedestrian task for someone like myself..”She murmured, but even so,

“[Lum Adiuvare]” She spoke aloud, moving her fan around in a bit of a circular motion, before a ball of light simply moved forward into the areas that were darker so that the party could see what was going on.

It had been a bit harder to see just with the brief smite flashes when Samuel had been trying to see what was going on in the dark corners, but now it was much easier.

There were two small wooden buttons on each of the two corner wall pillars on the wall that Marcelin had been investigating. There still wasn’t really any kind of indicator what they did. Or how they had to be pressed to do anything.

Thankfully there wasn’t any kind of additional monster revealed that could have caused that earlier growling sound either.

“I guess the question is whether we want to push those or not, these types of dungeons can change in..ways I’ve heard when the monsters repopulate it.”

Clarisse actions:

Lum Adiuvare! - Magic E + Light Affinity F + Magic Targets F + Magic Range F + Magic Duration F + Selective E + Energized E
Clarisse creates up to five balls of lights up to 30 ft away to better illuminate a space or strike targets dealing radiance damage.

[IH] Great Northern Dungeon Early Floor Arc

As Kain attempted to throw the book monster away it still managed to sink it’s sharp teeth into the lower part of his left arm, causing him a very unpleasant feeling, but it’s follow up bite attacks missed, More troublingly for Kain was that his basic dodge was not sufficient enough to dodge the more powerful larger mimic, who used it’s tongue to force him down so that it could clamp down it’s sizable teeth on him, this caused searing pain, as a large portion of his body suddenly felt numb like it wasn’t responding properly to what he wanted it to do, perhaps some kind of paralytic that this mimic had at it’s disposal.

In either case it was not a good experience for him, and he wasn’t seeing much inside of the mimic’s dark mouth.

Thankfully it wouldn’t be all that much longer even if he felt like he was on the verge of losing consciousness that it seemed some hope had arrived.

“These things?! Seriously?!” Clarisse called out a bit exacerbated at seeing two mimics attack, even less happy about the stronger one trying to attack. Though she did suddenly feel somewhat stronger than usual with the bolster, so it was apparent that her teammates had some powers it seemed, everyone who had been bolstered feeling similarly like their physicality, magic and mind processes were working more efficiently to a not extreme at F but noticeable degree.

Marcelin’s magic bolts after his bolster looked like they had more ‘oomph’ looking more glowy than usual thanks to the intel bolster as one slammed into the side of the mimic cracking it’s natural armor some with magical burns on it’s body, as it let out an earpiecing screech.

The book Mimic who still had its teeth sunk into Kain also got hit the book’s ‘cover’ taking significant damage.

Once again at being bolstered Samuel’s magic origin cards struck their targets true with a bit more oomph, hitting the book mimic and knocking it off of Kain’s arm finally as it landed on the ground, bleeding out a strange gray goo, it tried to get up and leap at Clarisse it’s mouth flapping still with sharp teeth as it bled.

Clarisse’ eyes narrowed as she moved her fan around,

“Don’t even think about touching me you filth!” She exclaimed with utter disdain.

“[Lux Terra Percutius!]” She called out allowed and sent suddenly two sizable fists made of earth from where her fan ended, they were like balled up fists with light energy glowing on them sort of like runes as her magic brutally smashed the book mimic to a fine goo as it was already almost dead before she hit it, and it even knocked over the chest mimic who was already quite damaged too from the others as it’s mouth eventually opened up when it was flipped over, it's natural 'wooden' armor pretty well looking destroyed.

At feeling the healing Kain got a chance to feel the numbness go away gradually and he felt better

To team up with Samuel she also used her own support there,

"[Lume Satem M!] She called out in Terran and a gentle orb of light left where she waved her fan and it washed over Kain some, furthering along the healing process as his bite mark wounds closed quicker between her and Samuel’s healing.

However the chest mimic didn’t look like it had been entirely killed, as it was trying to right itself up, just struggling some as it bled the same gray sort of substance from before.

Clarisse Actions:

1. Use following ability on mimics
Lux Terra Percutius! - Magic E, Light Affinity F, Earth Affinity E, Magic Targets F, Accurate Affinity F Magic Range F, Energized E,
Clarisse causes up to five fists conjured from earth and light to bash up to five foes for light and earth affinity damage, up to 30 ft away. -E grade ability ( cooldown 0, Energized)

2. Use following ability on Kain:

Lume Satem M! - Magic F (flux), Light Affinity F, Earth Affinity E, Magic Targets F, Accurate Affinity F Magic Range F, Energized F,
Clarisse casts a minor light of healing to help heal, up to five allies up to 30 ft away. -F grade ability ( cooldown 0, Energized)

Round summary:

Kain gets super injured by mimics, almost loses consciousness but twin healing team up helps bring him back.

Book mimic defeated, friendlies bolstered.

Chest mimic damaged badly but not defeated, instead trying to right self up.

[IH] Great Northern Dungeon Early Floor Arc

Clarisse, let out a bit of a ‘hmph’ at Kain’ response. For the time being she looked into the room from the doorway, and periodically back out into the hallway as if just to keep watch and make sure nothing was sneaking up behind the group, while also watching what they were doing, to be at the ready to intervene if need be, even if her opinion had been made pretty clear early on that the room didn't seem particularly dangerous.

Marcelin examined one of the dark corners and he’d find what looked like a sort of small wooden button on a stone pillar in the corner. It wasn’t really known what it did, could be something helpful, neutral, or problematic for all that could be told immediately.

Samuel using insight, took notice that room felt sort of off, like it was curated well beyond what might be expected for a side room in a dungeon with so few objects in it, the stone floor looked cleaner as did the walls than the parts they had seen so far.

As the arcane book was picked up and examined his appraisal would soon reveal that the book said [monster] as a title pretty quickly..but that was probably apparent as by the time he was trying to open the thing, revealing completely blank pages, rows of sharp teeth materialized from the edges and three small amber eyes appeared along either side of the cover and it let out a screeching sound as a long purply tongue shot out and it immediately tried to bite him on the arm with a

Book Bite! Attack (E grade attack)

And two more follow up basic bite attacks.

While that was going on the chest didn’t fare much better as after he kicked it, the chest opened up revealing a large gaping mouth of rows of teeth, and a single large amber eye opened up on the front of the chest, as it sprouted brown almost goo like arms from it’s sides and it opened up it’s mouth wide and let out a screeching sound before moving aggressively and sporadically in to try to swallow kain, with it’s wide mouth, trying to clamp down on him after with a

Mimic Swallow- (D grade attack)

Thankfully The chest mimic didn’t go for a multi-attack.

A disconcerting growling sound was heard from the darkness in the corner parallel to the one which Marcelin had been exploring.

Round Summary: Marcelin found a mystery button in the corner,
Samuel could tell the room look sorta off and different, two mimics are trying to eat Kain for lunch,
there’s weird growling sounds coming from the dark corner on the same wall as the one that Marcelin was exploring.

[IH] Great Northern Dungeon Early Floor Arc

Clarisse looked to Kain and rolled her eyes a bit at being a 'follower'

"I think you'll find I'm one whose most suitable to follow." She stated matter of fact. She also looked to Samuel a bit of a mildly interested look at what he said but she quickly moved on.

At hearing that two thirds of the group suggested leaving it up to fate, she'd sigh a bit, "If it was up to me I'd go through the intended path just to get us all through with this task as soon as possible...but it's no matter I'll flip a coin.." Clarisse took out a coin without saying much else and she proceeded to flip it, looking to where it landed, she then simply said,

"If you all really want leave it up to fate, It looks like we'll be going through this door." She pointed a the one with the danger marks on it.

"Of course you're all safe either way since I'm here anyway.." She made her way over to the door and opened it up.

On the interior of the room the light was on the dim side with a few amber glowing orbs inlaid into the ceiling which crackled with occasional arcane energy, and the room's walls and floor had the same brick pattern, but it was decently sizable, there weren't any other obvious doors on other walls. What was noticeable was that it was pretty hard to see into the far corners of the room, the darkness got more intense, and plopped right in the center of the room was what looked like a sizable oak wooden chest, with a metal latch on the front of it.

In front of the chest on the floor was what looked like a standard sized brown leather covered book, with a little red tassel, and a generic looking arcane symbol on the front.

Clarisse looked around the room and fanned herself a bit with a tad of a bored expression, staying close to the doorway peering in. However there was enough room for the group to move in

"Well this room is anti-climatic, I'm not sure what all the warnings are about.." She commented.

Clairsse Actions:
Flip coin,
Open door an enter doorway, to peer inside.

[??? - Underground] Free Fall

While the chaos continued to unfold despite the searing pain of getting some of her side basically burned off, thankfully the wound had been automatically cauterized, and Shael still wasn't entirely sure where it had all come from. Instead of freaking out Shael grit her teeth in part thanks to her focus F no doubt, looking a bit paler than usual afer the hit.

She just did her best to focus on not dying on the descend, fighting the instinct to reach out to her side after she'd been struck, Shael continued to use her cloak to the best of her ability, damaged or not at that point, to maneuver around any remaining obstacles on the way down that could become a problem, like structures or formations in the space.

She was not able to fight properly mid air like this, nor help anyone so it was really the best she could do given the circumstances at the moment, doing her best to focus even as the group broke through the strange barrier.

Shael Actions:
1. Attempt to dodge incoming debris and or structures where needed.
Aerial Maneuvers - Acrobatics F + Fast F + Focus F + Energized F.

Shael attempts to perform acrobatic action(s) and or dodge with some focus to hopefully succeed. - Grade F 0 post cooldown (Energized)

2. Attempt to dodge incoming debris and or structures where needed.
Aerial Maneuver - Acrobatics F + Fast F + Focus + Energized F.
Shael attempts to perform acrobatic action(s) and or dodge with some focus to hopefully succeed.
Grade F 0 post cooldown (Energized)

[IH] Great Northern Dungeon Early Floor Arc

“So your magic is like that of a street magician?” Clarisse looked over at Samuel’s cards with a touch of skepticism in her voice like she was evaluating it like someone who was seeing a card trick on the street.

A bit to her surprise, it looked like the magic was more then a slight of hand parlor trick.They became a protective barrier which went around his allies, cards also struck the five skeletons and on impact it looked like all of their very old armor took damage, pieces falling off here and there,

The bolster which Marcelin laid down with his magical words only strengthened the effectiveness, the card barriers looked a bit thicker, the cards which hit the skeletons had a bit more ‘oomph’ and weight behind them than usual causing
Su-Yari skeleton #2 to fall over, as it had pivoted to a drained less powerful attack in part thanks to the restrictions of Enervate.

Kain felt his power increase a bit as well from the buffs he received. He dodged both su yari skeleton’s attacks in part thanks to the buffing he received and he draining which they received, as he simply moved out of the way with some basic side steps pivoting into hitting the Su Yari skeleton #1 again, causing it’s ribcage to shatter as it fell apart on the spot into a pile of bones, which echoed in the hallway.

The three Katana skeletons swung with two basic attacks each as they moved into position against Kain but their blades simply slashed across the barrier dealing 1 hp of damage each some of the cards getting torn on the surface level, and a bit lower. (Kain’s barrier 4/7) The attacks still not even scathing the fighter.

“Well I don’t much feel like only watching.” Clarisse let out a bit of a sigh figuring she could help them more now that they’d shown they were competent in this fight.

“This is what truly noble casting looks like.” She spoke with a smug expression on her face.

[“Acribus Lucem!”] She’d exclaim in Terran with a focused look on her face.

She extended her hand forward with her catalyst fan. And a series of vibrantly light yellow flames shot out from the fan, and they promptly engulfed the remaining four skeletons who had already all been damaged and impaired from the other’s attacks.

The weakened skeletons falling to the ground the surface of their bones blackened from the flames as they fell apart.

“Well then let’s get a move on.” Clarisse continued sounding a bit impatient, as she began to walk around the skeleton’s remains further down the hallway.

If the group followed her, the hallway eventually lead to a sizable dark wooden door with some marker arrows carved into the stone pointing that way, but there was also a smaller dark wooden door to the right side of the hallway,with some exclamation type marks like they were danger warnings.

It would be up to the group to decide where they wanted to go from there.

Clarisse Actions:
Searing Flames of Light - Magic E + Magic Range F + Magic Targets F + Accurate F + Flare (Sight) F + Continuing F + Light affinity + Fire Affinity Selective E + Focus E + Energized E

Clarisse sends forth a stream of accurate searing flames of light on up to 5 targets within 30 ft of her, dealing fire and radiant damage to targets. Targets lose one effectiveness to dodge actions, and their sight is impaired with a light flare, they are set ablaze temporarily, dealing an additional 1 damage during the next round. - E Grade Ability (0 Cooldown, Energized)

Combat round status:

Out of Combat, skeletons pwned from team effort. Good Job.

[IH] Great Northern Dungeon Early Floor Arc

Clarisse looked a bit smug at Samuel’s comment, while she observed what was going on.

“In the Duchy of Roran we actually have elevators in places.” She spoke truthfully, like she was proud of that fact.

Clarisse also listened to what Marcelin had to say, “If I were permitted to use the full extent of my power as frequently as I’d like too you’d certainly see where the laurels would lie.” She said a bit smugly.

Kain successfully got the attention of the skeletons as he spoke to them and made contact with the closest one to him. He struck Su Yari Skeleton #1 with a smite causing it’s bones to move violently as the energy coursed though it, it’s bones looked singed after, the little armor that was on it’s body got destroyed, though it was not downed entirely, just looking pretty beat up and singed after.

(narrator note: a lot of narrators due to IH rules as written would require you to have the focus skill in your magic ability for kain to move and cast magic in the same post, but as narrator I’m allowing it this time around)

Irrespectively their focus was on him as the first one who attacked.

“Rudimentary, but..not completely ineffective.” She commented softly at seeing Kain’s casting.

Samuel was able to appraise the skeletons. His F appraisal revealing that they were simple skeletons with some old kuridan equipment. Likely all F grade at best, He’d also learn that they were likely to work together to target whoever hit one of them last between his insight and appraisal skill as he’d see while they all moved toward Kain.

He’d also gather that the one who had been smited one was likely to go down in another successful hit.

Meanwhile Marcelin’s voice kicked into effect, Clarisse actually looked a bit surprised when the the magic words impacted their targets. The skeletons who were approaching Kain to try to swing at him all began to move more stiffly and weakly.

Su Yari Skeleton #1 attempted to stab at Kain with a basic Stab attack with [Blight (Piercing) F.

Su Yari Skeleton #2 also attempting to stab at him with Blight [Piercing) F.

But their attacks were weakened in effectiveness their strikes not as steadfast as they might have been, easier to dodge and counter attack as well as more clumsy.

Two of the three katana skeletons moved on either side of the su yari ones trying to close in but they were slower and sluggish thanks to Marcelin’s debuffing.

Combat Round status:

Su Yari Skeleton #1 hurt badly, debuffed, trying to attack Kain with basic F ability with Blight Piercing

Su Yari Skeleton #2 debuffed trying to attack Kain with basic F ability with Blight Piercing

Katana SKeleton #1 debuffed, moving in sluggishly next to Su Yari Skeleton #1 to try to get ready to swing at Kain

Katana Skeleton #2 debuffed, moving in sluggish next to Su Yari Skeleton #2 to try to get ready to swing at Kain.

Katana Skeleton #3 behind Su Yari Skeleton #1

[IH] Great Northern Dungeon Early Floor Arc

Clarisse looked to Solvaris Kain and blinked a couple times. Before a smile began to appear on her face, it might have almost been wholesome if it didn't eventually devolve into a haughty laugh, as she raised her fan and opened it.

"O-hohoho, I'm supposed to believe that someone taking a job like this used to have worshippers? So you're a former god then? Going to smite all the monsters we encounter with your divine might?"

"The main reason I was assigned here was to make sure nobodies in the guild like yourself don't get killed because you decided to venture into a great dungeon, so pardon me if I find that hard to believe, So Kain, If I'm wrong then I hope you can prove it with your abilities in there."

She then looked to Samuel Chance, continuing her almost smug smile. "Of course the Grand Duchy of Roran sent someone of high caliber, the academy sent me, only from one of the finest noble houses in the nation, House D'Estelle." She'd give a bit of a curtsey, and you are all in the presence of Clarisse D'Estelle.

Clarisse also looked to Marcelin, whom she likely would have included in that, as she stood up straight, "Someone speaking sense, yes I suppose my heart is pretty gilded to lower myself to low level guild work to make sure that you all don't get harmed." she accepted the praise smuggly.

"Though a storyteller doesn't exactly sound like someone whose been in a fight much.." She sighed a bit, "Looks like even Clarisse D'Estelle has her work cut out for her a bit, now then let's get going, the sooner we clear these floors the sooner you all get paid or whatever and we can be somewhere more comfortable.

====

With that Clarisse headed into the entrance. The group would pretty quickly be met with a series of square stairs that headed downward, They were wide enough for them to walk in pairs side by side if they desired, but thankfully it looked like someone had placed some torches which had enchantment runes on them, keeping them burning much longer than a standard torch. The rock itself was dark and tiled.

Should the others follow Clarisse after about 15 flights of stairs heading downward, with some more beastial carvings in the staircase walls here and there, they'd eventually reach what looked like the start of the first floor, another tori gate this time stone marked 'first floor' in multiple common languages including common., beyond the gate was what looked like an obsidan tile hallway with some more torches aligning it but thankfully it was wide enough for the group all to stand in aline across it's width and walk through it if they wanted too.

However down the hallway some it became pretty clear that they were not alone, there were a group of five or so skeletons which were milling about, their bones making creaking sounds as they idled and walked around the dungeon, if anything looking sort of bored in their body language, three carried rusty katanas, two others carried what looked like old Republic style su yari spears, some of them also had what looked like broken crummy condition kurdian armor on their bodies.

Instead of acting immediately Clarisse simply waited for the others to act first, knowing full well she wasn't supposed to blow everything away on this job but give the others a chance.

(Narrator note: Not formally in combat yet, the skeletons do not appear to notice the group yet. It can be assumed that they are within melee attack range with a single movement action, within Range F attack range.

[??? - Underground] Free Fall

While the hectic scene continued to unfold around her, Shael had quite a few things to deal with avoiding. First there was some sort of stray magical attack which had been shot off probably to try to kill some of the monsters that had been showing up. But Shael did not have much time to think about that, first she’d attempt to dodge any incoming stray magic coming toward her.

Her expression didn’t shift from one of focus and seriousness when she paid attention to the next upcoming obstacle, as she attempted to shift herself through the air using her lune elf silk cloak some by taking either side in her hands, and shifting away from the upcoming rock spires, then using another movement to try to avoid any other obstacles rock or otherwise.

Shael Actions:
1. Attempt to dodge magic attacks with:
Lucky Maneuvers - Acrobatics F + Fast F + Lucky F + Focus + Energized F.

Shael attempts to perform an acrobatic action(s) and or dodge with some focus and fae luck involved to avoid the worst outcome. - Grade F 0 post cooldown (Energized)

2. Attempt to dodge upcoming rock spires with:
Aerial Maneuver - Acrobatics F + Fast F + Focus + Energized F.
Shael attempts to perform acrobatic action(s) and or dodge with some focus to hopefully succeed.
Grade F 0 post cooldown (Energized)

3. Attempt to maneuver in air to avoid more hazards in the cavernous space, bugs, rocks, attacks ect.