Ameena shrugs.
"I did not see." she says. "I was hiding. They were fighting. So many strange creatures, always wanting to destroy each other...I have never understood such desires. If the...Grour-gall...is weakening, they will stop fighting soon. He has killed many of them. They may destroy him. I do not like it, but I see nothing I may do to stop such fighting. It is not my business. I would rather leave."
(RPG) The tale begins...
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"Can you ...live...in the desert?" asks Almulsis, trying to push himself to a sitting position. He clutches his chest and coughs. "That is...the only place that is safe...from that thing." He wobbles unsteadily.
"I have heard... of it, I have even move briefly...been... to its plane for in my folly, I ....knew its legend was real." He coughs but seems stronger for sitting up. However, he cannto hide the fear as he fully remembers the thing that is before him. The hushed slow tones and position seem to aid his speech,
"It is death, pure and simple. It leeches the energies of negativity and death from the world, happy and willing to create them first. Nothing should have summoned it though, nothing should have been great enough to warrant its attentions and awaken it." He looks grim, an odd thought in his head. "Not even the reapers themselves, for all their efforts, should have done enough to drawn it forth."
He looks over to Ameena intently. "It exists on negative energy, it cannot die for it feeds on death. I have no idea how the Ekeel are weakening it at all, are thinking they can battle it, but they simply cannot kil it!" He coughs again and realises he is taxing himself ith his enthusiasm. He lets a grim thought calm him.
"And if they cannot succeed, I do not know what else to do - it will, now it is here, simply move over the lands, slowly manouvering each village, each town, each nation to kill each other so it can feast on the results. It will pull open all the doors thayt remove farspace from nearspace and ruin the lands with the void energy that would drain here. All to satisfy its immense hunger"
He shudders. "I have seen one slumber and felt this, felt the edges of its dormant mind in its own home and almost lost my mind in the dispair of it. I know of only one legend of the Gruug'al, of when it came to this plane last. It came when the last age of water started, when all died in the embrace of the solid ice. It only stopped and hibernated again, it is said, when the ice formed a natural barrier and kept some races safe beyond the deserts of the south."
Almulsis finally comes to a point and nods to Ameena. "You should run, it is hopeless, but I at least am in a position to lure it and to aid the Ekeel. " He points to the leader and the staff weirder that is currently tryign to strike the beast, but the beast is still fast even as it sometimes falls back a step in its stupor.
"I have heard... of it, I have even move briefly...been... to its plane for in my folly, I ....knew its legend was real." He coughs but seems stronger for sitting up. However, he cannto hide the fear as he fully remembers the thing that is before him. The hushed slow tones and position seem to aid his speech,
"It is death, pure and simple. It leeches the energies of negativity and death from the world, happy and willing to create them first. Nothing should have summoned it though, nothing should have been great enough to warrant its attentions and awaken it." He looks grim, an odd thought in his head. "Not even the reapers themselves, for all their efforts, should have done enough to drawn it forth."
He looks over to Ameena intently. "It exists on negative energy, it cannot die for it feeds on death. I have no idea how the Ekeel are weakening it at all, are thinking they can battle it, but they simply cannot kil it!" He coughs again and realises he is taxing himself ith his enthusiasm. He lets a grim thought calm him.
"And if they cannot succeed, I do not know what else to do - it will, now it is here, simply move over the lands, slowly manouvering each village, each town, each nation to kill each other so it can feast on the results. It will pull open all the doors thayt remove farspace from nearspace and ruin the lands with the void energy that would drain here. All to satisfy its immense hunger"
He shudders. "I have seen one slumber and felt this, felt the edges of its dormant mind in its own home and almost lost my mind in the dispair of it. I know of only one legend of the Gruug'al, of when it came to this plane last. It came when the last age of water started, when all died in the embrace of the solid ice. It only stopped and hibernated again, it is said, when the ice formed a natural barrier and kept some races safe beyond the deserts of the south."
Almulsis finally comes to a point and nods to Ameena. "You should run, it is hopeless, but I at least am in a position to lure it and to aid the Ekeel. " He points to the leader and the staff weirder that is currently tryign to strike the beast, but the beast is still fast even as it sometimes falls back a step in its stupor.
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Ameena
- Wordweaver, Murafu Maker
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Ameena frowns.
"If you cannot stop it, why stay?" she asks. "Though if it feeds on Death, cannot it therefore be countered by Life? Or water, since it seems formed of fire?"
"If you cannot stop it, why stay?" she asks. "Though if it feeds on Death, cannot it therefore be countered by Life? Or water, since it seems formed of fire?"
______________________________________________
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
"If you would eventually be dispcovered, why have you always hidden?" asks Almulsis in return, but not aggressively, his tone amused. "We live and so we humans fight, or run, or hide - even if it is futile."
He shrugs, for clearly Ameena's other words have sparked an idea and for now he does not with to argue with Ameena's personal beliefs nor engage in a discussion of ethos. "The creature is not really of fire, I suspect it is the aspect or form of red energy that it has taken from our perceptions and thought in farspace. Water would not work...but..." He nods slowly. "Life..."
He suddenly cocks his head, as if listening, and smiles, pointing to a corpse of a cat creature, the one that it had killed earlier to regain strength. Barely visible is a small offshoot of green close to it.
"Green energy. That cat creature may have channeled itself with green energy - life, as it were." Almulsis ponders, even as the Ekeel leader loses his followers to a suddenly wild fiery swing from the creature before him, even as the leader himself is smashed backwards yet again, his staff flying, and the creature bellowing.
"It wouldn't kill it, but weaken it for us to escape, for the Ekeel to do somehting..." Almulsis looks feverishly at Ameena as he spots that the creature is now starting to scan the opposite side of the hall for opponents ready to stand up.
"Can you command it?" asks Almulsis, "Can you command green energy? I am afraid that I am uniquely positioned not to channel it well...it is, if you like, why I journey..."
The creature bellows, and begins to turn backwards driven by the fiery face, the face that is looking towards Ameena and draggign the body to spin with it.
He shrugs, for clearly Ameena's other words have sparked an idea and for now he does not with to argue with Ameena's personal beliefs nor engage in a discussion of ethos. "The creature is not really of fire, I suspect it is the aspect or form of red energy that it has taken from our perceptions and thought in farspace. Water would not work...but..." He nods slowly. "Life..."
He suddenly cocks his head, as if listening, and smiles, pointing to a corpse of a cat creature, the one that it had killed earlier to regain strength. Barely visible is a small offshoot of green close to it.
"Green energy. That cat creature may have channeled itself with green energy - life, as it were." Almulsis ponders, even as the Ekeel leader loses his followers to a suddenly wild fiery swing from the creature before him, even as the leader himself is smashed backwards yet again, his staff flying, and the creature bellowing.
"It wouldn't kill it, but weaken it for us to escape, for the Ekeel to do somehting..." Almulsis looks feverishly at Ameena as he spots that the creature is now starting to scan the opposite side of the hall for opponents ready to stand up.
"Can you command it?" asks Almulsis, "Can you command green energy? I am afraid that I am uniquely positioned not to channel it well...it is, if you like, why I journey..."
The creature bellows, and begins to turn backwards driven by the fiery face, the face that is looking towards Ameena and draggign the body to spin with it.
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Ameena
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Ameena is slightly startled at Almulsis's question - is he expecting her to fight this creature? She has no desire to do so. She hates to harm, and she refuses to kill. More puzzling, though, are the words of the question itself.
"Green energy? What is that? That is your name for the magic of Life? I take my own life from the air, but I do not wield magical forces in the way I have seen others do, conjuring light and heat and such things."
Her gaze flicks briefly toward the door again, but then returns to focus on the fire-creature. She is ready to dart aside, should it attempt to attack..
"Green energy? What is that? That is your name for the magic of Life? I take my own life from the air, but I do not wield magical forces in the way I have seen others do, conjuring light and heat and such things."
Her gaze flicks briefly toward the door again, but then returns to focus on the fire-creature. She is ready to dart aside, should it attempt to attack..
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Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Almulsis sees the creature start to move towards her. "Perhaps you have more than you think, its greatest feeding will be as strong life's energy turns to black energy"
Almulsis rolls partially away from Ameena, trying to stagger to his feet but only getting to his knees. He reaches for his chest, but somehting happens which stops his action for now.
The creature is smashed from behind by the Ekeel leader and knocked to its face again. There is a slight pull in the flames of the fiery arm towards the staff. The leader tries to stand tall, and closer too it is obvious from a patchwork of cuts and scars and scrapped fur that this has been a tough battle for the Ekeel, but he still raised the staff to push down into the creature. The creature however rolls on the floor and kicks it away viciously, the staff knocked fom his hand sideways hitting one of the back pillars.
More Ekeel, but a pitiful amount compared to how many started, painfully rush towards the creature as it lies on the ground and swarms. Almulsis only half heeds this.
"Why the staff...what is it doing..." Almulsis asks, then cocks his head as it is, perhaps, answered.
He seems to nod, as if realising a potential purpose. The other Ekeel have been smashed away and the creature is again to its feet, the fiery face emerging and snapping abckas it looks left and right, focusing finally on Ameena.
"If we do not ahve green energy to poison it, we shall have to use black to distract it..." he says out lou. Almulsis pulls at his chest, and the strange darkened stone in the smaller swirling mist of his almost repaired chest. He rips it off and drops and and immediately screams as the blakc energy disipates and the wound on his chest grows again.
The fiery creature laughs and moves eagerly towards Almulsis.
Almulsis rolls partially away from Ameena, trying to stagger to his feet but only getting to his knees. He reaches for his chest, but somehting happens which stops his action for now.
The creature is smashed from behind by the Ekeel leader and knocked to its face again. There is a slight pull in the flames of the fiery arm towards the staff. The leader tries to stand tall, and closer too it is obvious from a patchwork of cuts and scars and scrapped fur that this has been a tough battle for the Ekeel, but he still raised the staff to push down into the creature. The creature however rolls on the floor and kicks it away viciously, the staff knocked fom his hand sideways hitting one of the back pillars.
More Ekeel, but a pitiful amount compared to how many started, painfully rush towards the creature as it lies on the ground and swarms. Almulsis only half heeds this.
"Why the staff...what is it doing..." Almulsis asks, then cocks his head as it is, perhaps, answered.
He seems to nod, as if realising a potential purpose. The other Ekeel have been smashed away and the creature is again to its feet, the fiery face emerging and snapping abckas it looks left and right, focusing finally on Ameena.
"If we do not ahve green energy to poison it, we shall have to use black to distract it..." he says out lou. Almulsis pulls at his chest, and the strange darkened stone in the smaller swirling mist of his almost repaired chest. He rips it off and drops and and immediately screams as the blakc energy disipates and the wound on his chest grows again.
The fiery creature laughs and moves eagerly towards Almulsis.
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Ameena
- Wordweaver, Murafu Maker
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Ameena backs away from both Almulsis and the creature, unsure what to do. She has no way to stop the creature from attacking, and does not understand Almulsis's references to different-coloured magic. Should she try to help the Ekeel again by retrieving the staff once again? Should she seek cover, and wait until there is an opportunity for Almulsis to tell her something which she can do? Or should she run?
No, the latter choice she has already decided against, at least for now. She crouches behind a nearby pillar, watching the scene but acting no further until she has some idea of what she might do.
No, the latter choice she has already decided against, at least for now. She crouches behind a nearby pillar, watching the scene but acting no further until she has some idea of what she might do.
______________________________________________
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
The creature steps close, and for a moment hesitates, whipping the fiery face to and fro obviously looking for Ameena. Her swift movements away leaves the fiery creature confused. For once though, he human face does not follow the fiery creature as a puppet, head whipped around.
This close it can be seen that the battle has not been kind to the body and has taken its toll. Slices deep into the body revealing blackened and on fire internals of a corpse that is barely held together.
Almulsis can block the base thoughts of the Gruurg'al, massive thought its presence is. However, the corpse, the corpse that hsould ahve no life now does have some vestiges of thought left. For now it seems a release, areleasefrom this torment its brain should no longer register. For once the body moves first and the feiry trails of limps are the ones pulled forward, the fiery face torn with regret away from seeking its prize of Ameena.
The body and Gruurg'al seem to become of one accord as they look upon the dying Almulsis - the Gruurg'al beholds a feast of death and energy it had not suspected in one of these humans, the corpse can see Almulsis's body will make a much better host and knows the Gruurg'al will finally let it die.
Almulsis blanches, making a sacrifice he had assumed that at worst he would die, and that the Ekeel would not let him down. Only now does he realise that the stakes are so much greater and more terrible, and his saviours are not to be seen rushing to his aid.
This close it can be seen that the battle has not been kind to the body and has taken its toll. Slices deep into the body revealing blackened and on fire internals of a corpse that is barely held together.
Almulsis can block the base thoughts of the Gruurg'al, massive thought its presence is. However, the corpse, the corpse that hsould ahve no life now does have some vestiges of thought left. For now it seems a release, areleasefrom this torment its brain should no longer register. For once the body moves first and the feiry trails of limps are the ones pulled forward, the fiery face torn with regret away from seeking its prize of Ameena.
The body and Gruurg'al seem to become of one accord as they look upon the dying Almulsis - the Gruurg'al beholds a feast of death and energy it had not suspected in one of these humans, the corpse can see Almulsis's body will make a much better host and knows the Gruurg'al will finally let it die.
Almulsis blanches, making a sacrifice he had assumed that at worst he would die, and that the Ekeel would not let him down. Only now does he realise that the stakes are so much greater and more terrible, and his saviours are not to be seen rushing to his aid.
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Ameena
- Wordweaver, Murafu Maker
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From her cover once again behind a pillar, Ameena watches the creature looking around, presumably for her. But then it continues to stalk toward Almulsis. The creature no longer seems as strong as it did before. Perhaps if it can be kept busy, distracted, it will weaken until it is no longer a threat.
Ameena slips through the shadows to the far end of the room, away from the fiery, undead monstrosity. She steps away from the shelter of the pillars, avoiding the corpses of dead humans and felines who lie around her. Then she calls out.
"What do you want?" she asks. "Death? How can a creature feed on Death?"
She keeps herself in a half-crouch, ready to spring away behind a nearby pillar if the creature decides to turn and attack her.
Ameena slips through the shadows to the far end of the room, away from the fiery, undead monstrosity. She steps away from the shelter of the pillars, avoiding the corpses of dead humans and felines who lie around her. Then she calls out.
"What do you want?" she asks. "Death? How can a creature feed on Death?"
She keeps herself in a half-crouch, ready to spring away behind a nearby pillar if the creature decides to turn and attack her.
______________________________________________
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
The creature freezes. The fiery face pulls free of the human face and spins fully around to look over to Ameena. There is a bellow of air, a strange laugh of joy.
The body does not spin its head around, it tries to lurch forward towards Almulsis, but the feiry limbs spill quickly left and right in visibility and the body is stuck.
Almulsis tries to reach over, as if to pull the body closer to him and stop its looks at Ameena, but he is too weak and too far and falls to the ground.
With another bellow the feiry creature tears its limbs out and a feiry glow erupts into the temple for a moment until the corpse body is jerked in s pin to again fall in line. It is bakc under control, and the body and fiery limbs start a strange slow, anticipatory two - step towards Ameena's position.
Ameena can see, out of the corner of her eyes, that the Ekeel are not beaten. The leader is staying low, his own cloak not hiding the fact he has the staff back in his hand and holidng it low. He and a a few Ekeel are trying to flank behind the creature as it advances on her.
The body does not spin its head around, it tries to lurch forward towards Almulsis, but the feiry limbs spill quickly left and right in visibility and the body is stuck.
Almulsis tries to reach over, as if to pull the body closer to him and stop its looks at Ameena, but he is too weak and too far and falls to the ground.
With another bellow the feiry creature tears its limbs out and a feiry glow erupts into the temple for a moment until the corpse body is jerked in s pin to again fall in line. It is bakc under control, and the body and fiery limbs start a strange slow, anticipatory two - step towards Ameena's position.
Ameena can see, out of the corner of her eyes, that the Ekeel are not beaten. The leader is staying low, his own cloak not hiding the fact he has the staff back in his hand and holidng it low. He and a a few Ekeel are trying to flank behind the creature as it advances on her.
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Ameena
- Wordweaver, Murafu Maker
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Ameena is used to making use of her peripheral vision to watch nearby creatures, but never before has she had such creatures to consider as allies. She slowly starts to move backward, keeping a greater distance between herself and the creature advancing on her, wanting it to pass the Ekeel so they wil be behind it and, hopefully, out of sight in order to act.
______________________________________________
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
The creature seems to not care about Ameena's retreat, relishing the slow advance and the anticipation. The flaming face whips left and right hooting and breathing strangely in its joy. It takes a few moments to register that the air moving is words.
Liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiife
It stomps passed the point where the Ekeel are. The head whips left and right again, but it is too focused on its message, on Ameena to see the cat creatures move with barely audible steps.
Sooooooooooooooooooo muuuuuuuuuch liiiiiiiiiiiife...soooooooo muuuuuuuuuch deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeath
It seems to be relishing the thought of the kill soon. It finally stops, seeing Ameena falling back so far, and slowly bunches itself up.
Three Ekeel are on it pulling and in the distracted moment the leader again pushes the staff fully into the back. However, this time the damage to the body must be so great and the leader's movement so violent that the staff explodes out of the front of the body. The fiery face emerges and tries to howl but there is no sound, suddenly there is an odd silence.
The body staggers, the flaming limbs try to whip out but they are pulled back into the body. The staff itself grows red for a moment and then fades to jet black again, pulsing in odd rhythmn. Each pulse weakens the cretaure, it staggered injured.
For a moment the fiery faces tries to pull free and looks with regret at Ameena, but it realises it cannot hope to get there and feed. A wild spin and the Ekeel are again scatterered.
The leader stands firm for a moment and it takes the creature all its fading skill to land a blow, enough to stagger passed the leader towards Almulsis's barely moving body. two of the Ekeel have found wands, and start to fire bolts that do have a greenn tinge to them. Sparks of the power change to tiny flies that vanish in a moment, leaves that disintergrate into nothingness.
The creature staggers under the assault, it's leg slipping frm it, but it is obvious that the pulsing staff is still the thing that is wounding it. It staggers closer to Almulsis, reaching out.
"You!" says the Ekeel leader, pointing to Ameena and speaking in perfect, accentless and emotionless words, oddly clipped. "We are not of this land. We must not touch the staff again! You! You must tame the staff! You posses the traits to keep it safe! Before the mage touches it!"
Liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiife
It stomps passed the point where the Ekeel are. The head whips left and right again, but it is too focused on its message, on Ameena to see the cat creatures move with barely audible steps.
Sooooooooooooooooooo muuuuuuuuuch liiiiiiiiiiiife...soooooooo muuuuuuuuuch deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeath
It seems to be relishing the thought of the kill soon. It finally stops, seeing Ameena falling back so far, and slowly bunches itself up.
Three Ekeel are on it pulling and in the distracted moment the leader again pushes the staff fully into the back. However, this time the damage to the body must be so great and the leader's movement so violent that the staff explodes out of the front of the body. The fiery face emerges and tries to howl but there is no sound, suddenly there is an odd silence.
The body staggers, the flaming limbs try to whip out but they are pulled back into the body. The staff itself grows red for a moment and then fades to jet black again, pulsing in odd rhythmn. Each pulse weakens the cretaure, it staggered injured.
For a moment the fiery faces tries to pull free and looks with regret at Ameena, but it realises it cannot hope to get there and feed. A wild spin and the Ekeel are again scatterered.
The leader stands firm for a moment and it takes the creature all its fading skill to land a blow, enough to stagger passed the leader towards Almulsis's barely moving body. two of the Ekeel have found wands, and start to fire bolts that do have a greenn tinge to them. Sparks of the power change to tiny flies that vanish in a moment, leaves that disintergrate into nothingness.
The creature staggers under the assault, it's leg slipping frm it, but it is obvious that the pulsing staff is still the thing that is wounding it. It staggers closer to Almulsis, reaching out.
"You!" says the Ekeel leader, pointing to Ameena and speaking in perfect, accentless and emotionless words, oddly clipped. "We are not of this land. We must not touch the staff again! You! You must tame the staff! You posses the traits to keep it safe! Before the mage touches it!"
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Ameena
- Wordweaver, Murafu Maker
- Posts: 7577
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- Contact:
Ameena frowns. Tame the staff? The staff currently protruding from the fire-creature's back? What traits does the Ekeel believe she possesses? Thinking these things even as she darts forward toward the creature, she pauses close behind it, wondering what will happen, and hoping nothing will die because of her actions - all life is equal, and it is for no creature to take the life of another.
But Almulsis will probably die...again...if she does nothing. Though whether that will mean much (since he may return to life again) is another matter. Still...
Ameena sighs, then reaches out with both hands, albeit a little tentatively, to grasp the staff where it protrudes from the creature.
But Almulsis will probably die...again...if she does nothing. Though whether that will mean much (since he may return to life again) is another matter. Still...
Ameena sighs, then reaches out with both hands, albeit a little tentatively, to grasp the staff where it protrudes from the creature.
______________________________________________
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
The creature flares brightly the second Ameena touches the staff. The fiery face spins around to stare at Ameena, as if hoping the bright glare of it could illuminate into Ameena's hood.
It tries to spin around, but the body simply falls to the ground dragging the face with it. Feiry limbs flail out, smokey and bright yet insubstancial now, there is no heat, no presence as they try to flap at Amulsis or back towards Ameena or to grab the staff protruding from its chest that Ameena is holding from the back.
The body is no longer pulled by that creatre, it flops down. The body was already dead, Ameena can take comfort in. The fiery creature too, despite its flailing, is not dying.
An outside awareness, similar and similarly unwelcomed as when she carried Almulsis's soulstone, is trying to signal her. Siren songs call to her, probing her defences for a need, a lust, a desire. It does not expect the patience nor lack of hungers . It is confused, and is forced to turn its own desires to join on something else - the fire creature.
With a suden bellow the thing is sucked - its essense, its power - into the staff, fusing into every element of the material. A second flash and all that is left are drifting embers of fire, a smouldering corpse.
The staff glows red hot in appearance yet cool to the touch. It soon darkens to its jet black appearance, weightless yet with a definite prescence. A small sliding action occurs and the staff reduces the a third of its length as its smaller protrutions are lost into the body again.
The Ekeel leader, and the tow other Ekeel who an stand, look on impassively, yet make a small bow to Ameena.
The only noise in the room is a small scratching noise - Almulsis, perhaps realising the danger has passed, is scramblign and failing to retrieve the soulstone.
It tries to spin around, but the body simply falls to the ground dragging the face with it. Feiry limbs flail out, smokey and bright yet insubstancial now, there is no heat, no presence as they try to flap at Amulsis or back towards Ameena or to grab the staff protruding from its chest that Ameena is holding from the back.
The body is no longer pulled by that creatre, it flops down. The body was already dead, Ameena can take comfort in. The fiery creature too, despite its flailing, is not dying.
An outside awareness, similar and similarly unwelcomed as when she carried Almulsis's soulstone, is trying to signal her. Siren songs call to her, probing her defences for a need, a lust, a desire. It does not expect the patience nor lack of hungers . It is confused, and is forced to turn its own desires to join on something else - the fire creature.
With a suden bellow the thing is sucked - its essense, its power - into the staff, fusing into every element of the material. A second flash and all that is left are drifting embers of fire, a smouldering corpse.
The staff glows red hot in appearance yet cool to the touch. It soon darkens to its jet black appearance, weightless yet with a definite prescence. A small sliding action occurs and the staff reduces the a third of its length as its smaller protrutions are lost into the body again.
The Ekeel leader, and the tow other Ekeel who an stand, look on impassively, yet make a small bow to Ameena.
The only noise in the room is a small scratching noise - Almulsis, perhaps realising the danger has passed, is scramblign and failing to retrieve the soulstone.
-
Ameena
- Wordweaver, Murafu Maker
- Posts: 7577
- Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2003 6:25 pm
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- Contact:
OOC - Hood? Lol...where did you get that idea from?
BIC - Ameena eyes the staff warily, then sets it on the ground, giving the Ekeel a vaguely questioning look. She is unwilling to handle the weapon again, considering what it has just done. Then she glances toward Almulsis and slowly walks over to where his soulstone lies on the ground. She picks it up by its chain and goes to crouch about an arm's length in front, and slightly to one side of, Almulsis. Then she slowly, almost tentatively holds it out toward him.
BIC - Ameena eyes the staff warily, then sets it on the ground, giving the Ekeel a vaguely questioning look. She is unwilling to handle the weapon again, considering what it has just done. Then she glances toward Almulsis and slowly walks over to where his soulstone lies on the ground. She picks it up by its chain and goes to crouch about an arm's length in front, and slightly to one side of, Almulsis. Then she slowly, almost tentatively holds it out toward him.
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Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
OOC: Oh, I got it into my head Ameena's cloak had a hood so you couldn't see her face...too long since we started I guess! Sorry, can edit that out...actually, you can edit that out you mod you!
The soulstone does not make a move towards Almulsis as it did last time, it seems dead. However, there is a light bobbing and it gentle parts from Ameena's hand and hovers and weaves towards the mage. It does not flare to life again even as it touches his body, instead energy seems to come outwith, swirlign towards his chest.
Ameena could perhaps imagine a mixed ape and dog-like hand holding the soulstone, invisible to the naked eye. yet holding it and channeling magics towards the mage until the previous enchantment, whatever it was, cautght again.
The Ekeel leader meanwhile makes a strange noise behind Ameena. "You!" it says in its forthright manner. "You! You are like us, not in the flow of these creatures! You must hold the staff!"
The soulstone does not make a move towards Almulsis as it did last time, it seems dead. However, there is a light bobbing and it gentle parts from Ameena's hand and hovers and weaves towards the mage. It does not flare to life again even as it touches his body, instead energy seems to come outwith, swirlign towards his chest.
Ameena could perhaps imagine a mixed ape and dog-like hand holding the soulstone, invisible to the naked eye. yet holding it and channeling magics towards the mage until the previous enchantment, whatever it was, cautght again.
The Ekeel leader meanwhile makes a strange noise behind Ameena. "You!" it says in its forthright manner. "You! You are like us, not in the flow of these creatures! You must hold the staff!"
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Ameena
- Wordweaver, Murafu Maker
- Posts: 7577
- Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2003 6:25 pm
- Location: Here, where I am sitting!
- Contact:
OOC - Bah, check her profile, lol. It's a cape which comes from her shoulders and appears to have a life of its own in that it can move when she's standing still with no wind blowing, and never seems to get in her way.
BIC - Startled, Ameena quickly stands and turns round to face the Ekeel. She has a number of questions she would like to ask in response to this...order...but chooses to paraphrase them into a single word.
"What?"
BIC - Startled, Ameena quickly stands and turns round to face the Ekeel. She has a number of questions she would like to ask in response to this...order...but chooses to paraphrase them into a single word.
"What?"
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Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
"You...you are of the world not in the world such as these humans we seek to defend. Like that," he spitswith real vemon in Almulsis's direction.
"we must not interfer with the flow, we have sought the distance. Yet you are here, like us yet not. We trust you. We do not believe in the stars nor fates, but you have come when we needed you. In your hands the weapon that can aid these lands will be safe. Will not be used for evil, onbly for the purpose it was forged over eons for."
The cat nods, as if its flow of speech answered everything.
"we must not interfer with the flow, we have sought the distance. Yet you are here, like us yet not. We trust you. We do not believe in the stars nor fates, but you have come when we needed you. In your hands the weapon that can aid these lands will be safe. Will not be used for evil, onbly for the purpose it was forged over eons for."
The cat nods, as if its flow of speech answered everything.
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Ameena
- Wordweaver, Murafu Maker
- Posts: 7577
- Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2003 6:25 pm
- Location: Here, where I am sitting!
- Contact:
Ameena looks with disdain at the staff lying on the floor, then back at the Ekeel.
"There is no such thing as Evil, or Good - those terms are only what creatures use to describe things. But the only use of a weapon is to harm others. I do not wish to do that. If you think you know of a use for this...item...then use it yourself. This is not my business. I do not understand any of this. So many creatures are too complicated..."
As she says this, she remembers something she planned to ask the feline.
"I am told your race is called Ekeel." She gestures in the direction of Almulsis. "He told me I should run from you. Why?"
Though she is facing the Ekeel, there is a sense that the question is directed as much at Almulsis as at the feline.
"There is no such thing as Evil, or Good - those terms are only what creatures use to describe things. But the only use of a weapon is to harm others. I do not wish to do that. If you think you know of a use for this...item...then use it yourself. This is not my business. I do not understand any of this. So many creatures are too complicated..."
As she says this, she remembers something she planned to ask the feline.
"I am told your race is called Ekeel." She gestures in the direction of Almulsis. "He told me I should run from you. Why?"
Though she is facing the Ekeel, there is a sense that the question is directed as much at Almulsis as at the feline.
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Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
The Ekeel chooses to ignore the question of the staff for now.
"We are the Ekeel" it says, creating a greater hiss and squeak than any other tongue would be capable, "we are old. We remember the ice that seperated the world when one of those" he nods with true loathing at the staff, or presumable the thing in the staff, "tried to feast on the land last."
The Ekeel shrugs, and oddly huamn gesture. "Why he would run from us is obvious - tainted! Evil! A perversion of nature!" The Ekeel doens't look to see if Almulsis is still breathing or not, not looking in his direction.
"Why you should run from us? You should not. You are one of us and not one. We sense the age in you, your ties to this world that we have long since strode outside of."
Now the Ekeel gestures to the staff. "With each word you mouth, you show why you and no other should carry the staff."
Again the human shrug. "The staff knows you now, no other can touch it and live unharmed."
"We are the Ekeel" it says, creating a greater hiss and squeak than any other tongue would be capable, "we are old. We remember the ice that seperated the world when one of those" he nods with true loathing at the staff, or presumable the thing in the staff, "tried to feast on the land last."
The Ekeel shrugs, and oddly huamn gesture. "Why he would run from us is obvious - tainted! Evil! A perversion of nature!" The Ekeel doens't look to see if Almulsis is still breathing or not, not looking in his direction.
"Why you should run from us? You should not. You are one of us and not one. We sense the age in you, your ties to this world that we have long since strode outside of."
Now the Ekeel gestures to the staff. "With each word you mouth, you show why you and no other should carry the staff."
Again the human shrug. "The staff knows you now, no other can touch it and live unharmed."
"You do not wish death for other creatures, yet you would let them touch this?. And I spoke of unharmed. One could wield it and let it feed off of them. They would become no bteter than him" again the agreesion at Almulsis, "but they could use the staff to kill who they will. Until such time as the creature feeds enough on them to free itself into their bodies!"
The Ekeel shudders.
"We knew this day would come, when one such as it could be drawn to our world. And we knew that only a greater danger would draw it. Great death, or worse, great dark energy."
The Ekeel points to the staff. "That thing was biding its time, tending to its hunger here waiting for Reapers. We saw the perfect simplicity, to remove the threat and give the world a chance against one greater."
The Ekeel again shrugs. "It is not the perfect solution. The creature is not dead, we cannot kill it. The staff is not a true weapon, but oculd be used as such - and not for the purpose we intended. Or it could be used to defend. Or used to walk this world. Or concealed from the world." The Ekeel leader gives a final drug, life seeming to drain from it. "It is not an item for us to take, for us to weild... the staff is from our magic, our power - it would join with us even if it knew us, break its hold on the creature inside to bond with us."
The few Ekeel behidn the leader are starting to move now. Some who should not be able to stand themselves pick up comrades barely breathing in their arms, or take their full wait as they walk side by side. Only seven finally can leave, more lying dead than have ever been seem together on the face of the world before.
"We leave you to your choices...with him" the Ekeel leader says, barely nodding to Almulsis. "We wish you luck in the coming dark times."
The Ekeel shudders.
"We knew this day would come, when one such as it could be drawn to our world. And we knew that only a greater danger would draw it. Great death, or worse, great dark energy."
The Ekeel points to the staff. "That thing was biding its time, tending to its hunger here waiting for Reapers. We saw the perfect simplicity, to remove the threat and give the world a chance against one greater."
The Ekeel again shrugs. "It is not the perfect solution. The creature is not dead, we cannot kill it. The staff is not a true weapon, but oculd be used as such - and not for the purpose we intended. Or it could be used to defend. Or used to walk this world. Or concealed from the world." The Ekeel leader gives a final drug, life seeming to drain from it. "It is not an item for us to take, for us to weild... the staff is from our magic, our power - it would join with us even if it knew us, break its hold on the creature inside to bond with us."
The few Ekeel behidn the leader are starting to move now. Some who should not be able to stand themselves pick up comrades barely breathing in their arms, or take their full wait as they walk side by side. Only seven finally can leave, more lying dead than have ever been seem together on the face of the world before.
"We leave you to your choices...with him" the Ekeel leader says, barely nodding to Almulsis. "We wish you luck in the coming dark times."
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Ameena
- Wordweaver, Murafu Maker
- Posts: 7577
- Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2003 6:25 pm
- Location: Here, where I am sitting!
- Contact:
Ameena looks at the Ekeel with some indignation.
"You seem to assume I will do as you say." she says. "I have no desire to use this...weapon...but I know of many places in the world. There are many of those which are unlikely to be found by any other creatures. If I were to take the staff to one of those places, and leave it there, would that satisfy you, perhaps? if you cannot touch the staff yourself, it seems I will have to do this, for I have no desire to use it, and would not know how if I did."
Then a new question suddenly surfaces in her mind, one which she hadn't thought of before but which suddenly, now, seems important.
"You speak of me as though you know me." she says. "How is that? I had never heard of, or seen, any of your kind before now. What do you know of me?"
"You seem to assume I will do as you say." she says. "I have no desire to use this...weapon...but I know of many places in the world. There are many of those which are unlikely to be found by any other creatures. If I were to take the staff to one of those places, and leave it there, would that satisfy you, perhaps? if you cannot touch the staff yourself, it seems I will have to do this, for I have no desire to use it, and would not know how if I did."
Then a new question suddenly surfaces in her mind, one which she hadn't thought of before but which suddenly, now, seems important.
"You speak of me as though you know me." she says. "How is that? I had never heard of, or seen, any of your kind before now. What do you know of me?"
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Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
The Ekeel seems to avoid the second question for the moment, as near as can be determined from a strange creature, it looks uncomfrtable. "I would hope you would follow your nature. I ask nothing of you, and will expect nothing of you. We have merely tried, as always, to help as far as we can."
The leader looks around. "We have given much this time," he says sadly, and seems lost in those thoughts.
Almulsis chooses this moment to make a noise, a small laugh. While not without simpathy, he perhaps spots the amateur actions of one trying to avoid a line of discussion.
OOC: AS I said, this section may not be over...just...I have no inspiration right now, and it's an too important a charatcer thing to just wing it - so either Sophia can answer, or I'll confer with her on the world and perhaps there will be a concrete answer
The leader looks around. "We have given much this time," he says sadly, and seems lost in those thoughts.
Almulsis chooses this moment to make a noise, a small laugh. While not without simpathy, he perhaps spots the amateur actions of one trying to avoid a line of discussion.
OOC: AS I said, this section may not be over...just...I have no inspiration right now, and it's an too important a charatcer thing to just wing it - so either Sophia can answer, or I'll confer with her on the world and perhaps there will be a concrete answer
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Ameena
- Wordweaver, Murafu Maker
- Posts: 7577
- Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2003 6:25 pm
- Location: Here, where I am sitting!
- Contact:
OOC - Character thing? You mean Ameena? If so, then Soph will have to confer with me about it, I suppose - I don't think I did yet decide exactly where this one comes from...I know her life history, just not her actual origin.
BIC - Ameena walks back to the staff and slowly picks it up again, eyeing it carefully as she does so.
"So, I shall hide this staff so that no other creature may find it and cause trouble with it." she says. "But you still seem to refuse to say what you know of me. If you hide that, I wonder what else you have not said..."
BIC - Ameena walks back to the staff and slowly picks it up again, eyeing it carefully as she does so.
"So, I shall hide this staff so that no other creature may find it and cause trouble with it." she says. "But you still seem to refuse to say what you know of me. If you hide that, I wonder what else you have not said..."
Last edited by Ameena on Mon Feb 05, 2007 1:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
OOC - yup, seems like too good a character beat for Ameena to find out something concrete, or something with a good solid story angle, rather than have it be a vague 'yes, we know your kind, you should go west tho the edge of the thing and stuff to see for yourself' etc that would just drive the story without it meaning anything
OOC: Well, Sophia provided a solid place to go to, but otherwise I just went with the above! 
The Ekeel leader stands tall, considering the comments of Ameena before him. Finally he nods. "There are not Fates, and yet I cannot believe mere chance could have allowed such a worthy recipient of this item to cross our paths at this time. The staff is yours, we release it to the world under your protction. An artefct or weapon to do with as you feel is best, with our gratitude for carrying it."
He goes to leave but realises he must say something more. "I do not wish to tell you things that may come to nothing, that may lead you into dangers and in turn doom your world..."
The leader pauses one last time but nods internally, shifting aside to allow the final Ekeel to leave. This Ekeel carries sadly the dead body of one of his fellows. Why this one is special and how the Ekeel has the strength to carry the body is not something revealed by the blank tired face.
"I am sorry...." says the leader as he sadly watched the Ekeel go, then comes back to focusing on Ameena. "Your kind, should they still exist, may have been pushed beyond the Horakkaqua Desert, as we all were the last time a Gruurg'al fed, when the desolation and ice came. The ice pushed us back and few of us now bother to return to the world. The Grakk, the Elder Sylph, the Ekeel...so many of the Old Ones lost to this world and barely surviving in the next. I recognise your demeanour, it is the same as ours, I recognise a world walker of the flow but not in."
The cat nods his head. "If your kin has survived, it will have survived there. If you remember not your origins, they may have begun there."
The Ekeel seems sad. "We have not the strength ourselves to return there now, and so divided my race may well die while we restore ourselves. It is the way of things." The Ekeel sadly shrugs, and makes to leave the temple behind his fellows.
The Ekeel leader stands tall, considering the comments of Ameena before him. Finally he nods. "There are not Fates, and yet I cannot believe mere chance could have allowed such a worthy recipient of this item to cross our paths at this time. The staff is yours, we release it to the world under your protction. An artefct or weapon to do with as you feel is best, with our gratitude for carrying it."
He goes to leave but realises he must say something more. "I do not wish to tell you things that may come to nothing, that may lead you into dangers and in turn doom your world..."
The leader pauses one last time but nods internally, shifting aside to allow the final Ekeel to leave. This Ekeel carries sadly the dead body of one of his fellows. Why this one is special and how the Ekeel has the strength to carry the body is not something revealed by the blank tired face.
"I am sorry...." says the leader as he sadly watched the Ekeel go, then comes back to focusing on Ameena. "Your kind, should they still exist, may have been pushed beyond the Horakkaqua Desert, as we all were the last time a Gruurg'al fed, when the desolation and ice came. The ice pushed us back and few of us now bother to return to the world. The Grakk, the Elder Sylph, the Ekeel...so many of the Old Ones lost to this world and barely surviving in the next. I recognise your demeanour, it is the same as ours, I recognise a world walker of the flow but not in."
The cat nods his head. "If your kin has survived, it will have survived there. If you remember not your origins, they may have begun there."
The Ekeel seems sad. "We have not the strength ourselves to return there now, and so divided my race may well die while we restore ourselves. It is the way of things." The Ekeel sadly shrugs, and makes to leave the temple behind his fellows.
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Ameena
- Wordweaver, Murafu Maker
- Posts: 7577
- Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2003 6:25 pm
- Location: Here, where I am sitting!
- Contact:
Ameena shrugs herself, though it is more a gesture of indifferent acceptance than of any real emotion.
"If the way of things should lead to my being destroyed," she says, "then so be it. Many creatures I see have others who are sorrowful when they, as they say, "die", but I would not be missed in that way. When my time comes, I shall accept it, but till then, I shall continue to see what I may see. I have never really thought as to whether or not there may be others of my kind, but I do not feel that there are. Still, I have not heard of this place of which you speak, so perhaps I shuold go there regardless, just to see it."
She looks at the staff in her furred hand.
"But first, I should put this...object...somewhere it may do no harm."
She mentally casts about for something final to say to the Ekeel before he leaves, but as she can think of nothing of any particular value, she opts to say something most other creatures seem to use.
"Goodbye."
"If the way of things should lead to my being destroyed," she says, "then so be it. Many creatures I see have others who are sorrowful when they, as they say, "die", but I would not be missed in that way. When my time comes, I shall accept it, but till then, I shall continue to see what I may see. I have never really thought as to whether or not there may be others of my kind, but I do not feel that there are. Still, I have not heard of this place of which you speak, so perhaps I shuold go there regardless, just to see it."
She looks at the staff in her furred hand.
"But first, I should put this...object...somewhere it may do no harm."
She mentally casts about for something final to say to the Ekeel before he leaves, but as she can think of nothing of any particular value, she opts to say something most other creatures seem to use.
"Goodbye."
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Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
The leader paused for a moments and nods without looking around, aparently feeling it is a fitting statement.
Almulsis stirs, his eyes seem bloodyshot from what can be made out under his hood. His chest is still a mess, the healing magics not as strong as before. He tries to move but groans and stumbles closer to the floor.
"Wait!" he cries out feebly, "You surely cannot mean to leave us! Will you not stay to aid us?"
The leader pauses beside the Ekeel with the heavy burden, and taps him lightly on the shoulder. The shoulder slumps, but the creature turns. Gentle the leader picks the body up from those arms, and without looking back walks down the steps out of sight. "HE will stay, if you wish it," comes the ghostly voice of the leader.
The cat creature raises its shoulders again, and with a deliberate slow movement turns around. It walks back into the temple and gives a deep, aggressive look at Almulsis.
Ameena can spot that the cat walks with a strange gait. While the small number of remaining Ekeel, see close too, all have many injuries large and small, the leg of this one is not a new wounding. The gait, too, is familiar - it is very likely the cat that tried to detect her earlier.
Almulsis looks more towards the eyes, feeling the intent burning into him even in his weakened condition. The creature, in obvious loss, makes a point of standing anyway ready to serve. Worse, Almulsis can detect that if they ask him too he will remain.
The cat looks up from Almulsis however, choosing to soften its expression and bow its head to her. It is obviously standing waiting her decision, havign the same lack of regard for Amlulsis as the Ekeel leader does.
Almulsis stirs, his eyes seem bloodyshot from what can be made out under his hood. His chest is still a mess, the healing magics not as strong as before. He tries to move but groans and stumbles closer to the floor.
"Wait!" he cries out feebly, "You surely cannot mean to leave us! Will you not stay to aid us?"
The leader pauses beside the Ekeel with the heavy burden, and taps him lightly on the shoulder. The shoulder slumps, but the creature turns. Gentle the leader picks the body up from those arms, and without looking back walks down the steps out of sight. "HE will stay, if you wish it," comes the ghostly voice of the leader.
The cat creature raises its shoulders again, and with a deliberate slow movement turns around. It walks back into the temple and gives a deep, aggressive look at Almulsis.
Ameena can spot that the cat walks with a strange gait. While the small number of remaining Ekeel, see close too, all have many injuries large and small, the leg of this one is not a new wounding. The gait, too, is familiar - it is very likely the cat that tried to detect her earlier.
Almulsis looks more towards the eyes, feeling the intent burning into him even in his weakened condition. The creature, in obvious loss, makes a point of standing anyway ready to serve. Worse, Almulsis can detect that if they ask him too he will remain.
The cat looks up from Almulsis however, choosing to soften its expression and bow its head to her. It is obviously standing waiting her decision, havign the same lack of regard for Amlulsis as the Ekeel leader does.
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Ameena
- Wordweaver, Murafu Maker
- Posts: 7577
- Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2003 6:25 pm
- Location: Here, where I am sitting!
- Contact:
Ameena looks slightly surprised as the Ekeel appears to be awaiting her actions.
"I do not need your help." she says, not intending such a statement rudely but possibly sounding so. "I have always managed by myself."
She fully intends to take the staff far away and leave it somewhere no creature will likely find it, then continue with her own explorations. She needs no-one's help to do that. Indeed, they would be a hindrance, unable to travel as she does. But she has patience, and is unwilling to simply leave at this time.
She steps a little closer to Almulsis and cocks her head inquiringly at him.
"What are you going to do?" she asks. "Your people here did not seem very helpful, though I do not know why you came to speak with them in the first place. Creatures of your species always seem so complicated..."
"I do not need your help." she says, not intending such a statement rudely but possibly sounding so. "I have always managed by myself."
She fully intends to take the staff far away and leave it somewhere no creature will likely find it, then continue with her own explorations. She needs no-one's help to do that. Indeed, they would be a hindrance, unable to travel as she does. But she has patience, and is unwilling to simply leave at this time.
She steps a little closer to Almulsis and cocks her head inquiringly at him.
"What are you going to do?" she asks. "Your people here did not seem very helpful, though I do not know why you came to speak with them in the first place. Creatures of your species always seem so complicated..."
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Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!