To Scorn the Gods- Episode 2: I'm noticing a pattern here

(8:15:27 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: After having saved the lives of fleeing refugees from the northern villages, the group is tired. After a short distance further travel, they decide to set up camp a bit early. After gathering some firewood (Ulyssa and Kineth finding the most), they have a chance to sit around the campfire and relax. Or they can go straight to sleep in the one giant tent
(8:16:54 PM) ***Aelitethe is currently seated by the campfire, eyeing her less-than-sightly stab wound, which at this point is nothing more than a giant blotch of... red.
(8:18:30 PM) ***_Mana is currently seated by Aelitethe, idly looking at her stab wound. ".."
(8:19:25 PM) ***Aelitethe ruffles Mana's hair.
(8:19:25 PM) Ulyssa: Before actually sleeping, she needs to get relaxed and toasty. As such, she's currently bookless and silent, aside from casting worried glances at the loving couple that got something else in common: stab wounds.
(8:21:07 PM) ***_Mana looks away after a bit, feeling a bit of regret everytime she looks at Aelitethe's wound. "...nn."
(8:21:44 PM) ***Aelitethe sighs and hugs Mana. "It's okay. Don't worry about it. At least we're still alive."
(8:22:24 PM) Ulyssa: They don't last long though. And she does speak up eventually! "...We can't let that happen again, though..."
(8:22:38 PM) _Mana: ..It's still my fault you're hurt, Aelitethe.
(8:22:55 PM) Aelitethe: "You got hurt too..."
(8:23:13 PM) _Mana: Eh. I kinda asked for it.
(8:25:30 PM) ***Aelitethe gives Mana another hug. "...Mana..."
(8:26:21 PM) ***Artemis-XE watches over the others, silently, making absolutely sure there are no threatening presences.
(8:27:33 PM) ***Kineth is assisting Artemis in keeping watch, helping to make sure nothing slips by the two of them.
(8:28:18 PM) _Mana: Mana then stands up, almost.. harshly shrugging off Aelitethe. "It's like I'm all: "You wouldn't dare..!" and all of a sudden-" She imitates a stab to the side: "-this happens. If I keep it up at this rate, I'm.. clearly asking for my death." She then sighs softly and sits off to the side.
(8:29:00 PM) Aelitethe: "Mana, please calm down...!"
(8:29:44 PM) Aelitethe: "That matters little in the grand scale of things, because we are alive today, right now..."
(8:30:28 PM) _Mana: Mana closes her eye shut, swallowing down her tears. "I'll calm down when I see that stab wound of yours gone."
(8:31:01 PM) ***Aelitethe winces. "I'm sorry..."
(8:31:06 PM) Ulyssa: Clearly, no one is getting kidnapped on their watch! It's rather relaxing to note. There IS a question on her mind, but she's not saying it at all. "Hm...can't be in the back unprotected, can't be in the front...hmmm..." She gets to her backpack, pulls out the book she's been writing in, and proceeds to take a seat a bit farther away to go write in it.
(8:31:28 PM) ***_Mana shakes her head no. "..don't be."
(8:32:44 PM) Ulyssa: Ulyssa can be heard muttering to herself as she writes in the back of her book. As for what the muttering is...naturally, it's undistinguishable.
(8:33:11 PM) ***Aelitethe sighs. "Mana..."
(8:33:45 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe sighs and stares at the fire with a blank gaze. "...I hope I'm not a vulnerability."
(8:35:07 PM) Ulyssa: There's a silence on Ulyssa's end before she speaks. "Mana? What can you do in battle...that's not throwing knives or something? It'd be good to know!" She's completely sincere.
(8:36:25 PM) _Mana: "Besides leaving a bard alone without any defenders, I don't know." Mana then walks off, in search of the tent.
(8:38:06 PM) Ulyssa: Battle planning: Not going so well. Aaaa. "H-hey..." A pained sigh, before resuming writing in the book.
(8:39:10 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe turns her head and sees Mana walking away. "Mana...! Wait...! Ah..." She sighs before facing Ulyssa. "...Don't mind her, friend... She's just shaken up. I'll go see her, unless you have something you need to ask me."
(8:40:59 PM) Ulyssa: "...Well...could you tell me? You know her well, and...I'm trying to make sure no one lets that happen again. We're going to be at our best next time!"
(8:43:43 PM) Ulyssa: Something else on her mind? Of course! Actually ask her about it? ...Not right now.
(8:44:01 PM) Aelitethe: "Mana's quick with her hands. Wields a mean dagger, but she has to be up close to do any sort of serious damage. If you ask me, Arty would be much better suited for the whole 'defensive' thing than Mana."
(8:44:03 PM) ***Aelitethe sighs.
(8:46:08 PM) Ulyssa: "That's what I was thinking, actually." Nod nod. "Arty defends you...and Mana...hm, does that mean we need two people on the defensive, or can Artemis cover both..." Thinking!
(8:47:47 PM) ***Aelitethe stands up and takes a step in the supposed direction of the tent. "...Consider the terrain wisely. No precise situation in battle ever occurs twice in succession. ...I'm going to see Mana."
(8:48:27 PM) ***Artemis-XE sees Ulyssa deep in thought over... something. He decides to walk over and ask about it. "Is something on your mind?"
(8:49:53 PM) ***_Mana ..is currently inside the tent at this point in time, untying her hair, letting it flow down her back. "..."
(8:49:59 PM) Ulyssa: "...It'd be nice if we had a bow. But I guess Mana is more useful for being sneaky and resourceful than fighting, and there's nothing wrong with that." Nod nod. As for Aelite going to visit Mana, she can only give a nod. As for Artemis... "N-nope!" Ulyssa is a terrible liar. It shows.
(8:50:48 PM) ***Kineth notices Artemis walk off, but doesn't pay it any mind as he simply continues keeping watch.
(8:51:30 PM) Artemis-XE: "Come on now, let's hear it." He says, letting out a chuckle.
(8:53:30 PM) ***Aelitethe hurries to the tent to go see Mana...
(8:54:23 PM) ***_Mana blinks as she hears footsteps sooner or later. She then assumes it's one of the others and pays it no mind. "...tch."
(8:54:49 PM) Ulyssa: She recognizes her ranks in liar are zero right away. "...Well. After that skirmish...Aelitethe did...something that made the horse better. But she's not a church person, is she?"
(8:55:23 PM) ***Aelitethe enters the tent and sighs. "Mana, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry."
(8:56:36 PM) _Mana: "For..?"
(8:56:37 PM) Artemis-XE: "Come to think of it, I haven't seen her around the church, no. But to be honest, I haven't paid it much mind."
(8:57:19 PM) Aelitethe: "...Well, let me put it this way. I'm not angry or mad at you about what happened, okay?"
(8:58:19 PM) ***_Mana looks at Aelitethe, even though the bangs of her hair seems to get in the way of her eyes, making her look even more... shaken up than usual. "You're not?"
(8:58:55 PM) ***Aelitethe hugs Mana tightly. "Why would I ever be resentful towards you? I understand you did what you did because you were concerned for me."
(8:59:49 PM) _Mana: "Y-You don't understand, Aelitethe. I left you alone. You were completely vulnerable. All because of me."
(9:00:41 PM) Aelitethe: "No, not all because of you. You needed to get up close to do what you needed to do. If anything, I should be more resentful towards the paladin! It's their role to be defenders!"
(9:01:09 PM) Ulyssa: "But if she isn't a church person, yet she can do that...that's some kind of illegal, isn't it?"
(9:02:21 PM) ***_Mana opens her mouth.. then decides that it was the best time for her to completely break, hugging Aelitethe tightly, hiding her face in her chest as she starts to cry..
(9:02:38 PM) Artemis-XE: "That's for the higher ups to decide. I haven't even 'proved' myself yet."
(9:03:05 PM) Aelitethe: "Mana, it's alright. It's okay to cry. Just let it all out. I'm here... and I'll never leave you." Aelitethe cradles Mana in her arms...
(9:03:29 PM) ***_Mana just.. whispers "I'm sorry.." to Aelitethe, almost a bit repeatedly..
(9:03:58 PM) ***Aelitethe nuzzles Mana. "I forgive you."
(9:04:58 PM) _Mana: "..prove it."
(9:05:06 PM) Ulyssa: If Ulyssa wasn't in bookmode, this line of questioning wouldn't go any farther (or even get that far). For the attentive out there. "But...don't you think that if you're getting help from the people the church doesn't like would would be...bad or something?"
(9:05:21 PM) ***Aelitethe pecks Mana's forehead. "What do I need to do to prove it to you, dear?"
(9:05:57 PM) ***_Mana glances through the small opening in the tent before glancing back at Aelitethe. "..move a bit down if you're going to peck me."
(9:06:32 PM) Aelitethe: "Hnn~ Oh, Mana~"
(9:06:49 PM) Artemis-XE: "...If something so much as unique talents is enough to garner ire from the church, then I obviously haven't given faith enough thought."
(9:06:56 PM) ***Aelitethe gives Mana a ~*~proper kiss~*~ this time.
(9:08:21 PM) ***_Mana blushes a bit deeply at first, soon.. closing her eye as she returns the kiss, holding it for a bit.
(9:08:23 PM) Ulyssa: "Well...maybe it's about how she got them? I always thought that if it didn't come from the church, it came from a demon or something...but Aelite doesn't sound like someone that'd make a deal with one..."
(9:09:13 PM) Artemis-XE: "From a demon? I dont think what she did could come from a demon
(9:10:07 PM) Artemis-XE: "All in all, that's some flawed logic. But we wont know until she's ready to tell us."
(9:10:34 PM) Artemis-XE: "Which, given my...idiocy, should be a while yet."
(9:10:54 PM) ***Aelitethe huggles Mana.
(9:12:18 PM) Ulyssa: "Neither do I! But then, where...? ...I guess so, but......if you got help from someone that they don't like, if they knew, couldn't they revoke your title?" This is why she's on this quest, and to have that completely invalidated might be...SOMETHING.
(9:12:28 PM) ***_Mana hugs back. "It's okay to go back to the others, if you want."
(9:13:23 PM) Ulyssa: "...though if a demon did have healing magic, it'd be kinda dangerous, maybe some might..." DEEP IN THOUGHT, etc.
(9:13:32 PM) Artemis-XE left the room (quit: Read error: Connection reset by peer).
(9:13:55 PM) Aelitethe: "I need to have a /talk/ with the others. I'll be back, Mana dear~"
(9:14:37 PM) _Mana: "Okay.."
(9:15:18 PM) Artemis-XE: "Well, let's put it this way, Ulyssa. I'm still me. If I lose my title, i seek a new profession."
(9:15:27 PM) ***Aelitethe petpets Mana before leaving the tent to return to the others, now seeing Artemis accompanying Ulyssa.
(9:16:11 PM) Ulyssa: "But if you lose your title like that, then--oh, hi Aelitethe!" NOT TALKING ABOUT THIS. TOTALLY.
(9:17:04 PM) ***Artemis-XE cuts himself off, mid sentence.
(9:17:08 PM) ***Aelitethe raises an eyebrow. "Don't bother hiding it, I know you're suspicious."
(9:18:20 PM) Artemis-XE: "Well, I'm bound by law not to lie, so, yes, I am a little suspicious. But I assure you, we weren't talking about that."
(9:19:30 PM) Ulyssa: Nailed. "...more curious. You're not a bad person, but...how..." This confuses her.
(9:21:05 PM) Aelitethe: "Miss Ulyssa mentioned something about the possibility of losing your title. That means you're talking about involvement with something potentially deemed illegal by the Church."
(9:21:30 PM) ***Aelitethe shrugs. "You all must have seen me healing the horse. I couldn't just leave the poor animal there to die."
(9:22:18 PM) Artemis-XE: "Yes, we saw it. I just didn't want to press the issue at the time."
(9:23:30 PM) Ulyssa: "...If I could do that, I'd have done the same thing." Nod nod. "And I only actually thought about it a few minutes ago, so..."
(9:24:05 PM) Artemis-XE: "Agreed. You did what you thought you needed to do. No big deal."
(9:24:25 PM) Aelitethe: "I'm not stupid. I know your Church considers that kind of thing illegal. Even so, do you honestly think I'm the kind of person who's capable of doing any sort of harm to you? Even if I was, I would never dream of endangering Mana's position."
(9:24:35 PM) ***Aelitethe sighs.
(9:24:54 PM) Aelitethe: "...So, don't act so apprehensive about me."
(9:25:11 PM) Artemis-XE: "This is true, and no, you have no intention ... please, wait a second."
(9:26:06 PM) Ulyssa: "Not at all, I don't. I don't doubt you, I'm just confused. I thought there was just 'church magic' and 'bad magic', but...that's not true, is it?"
(9:26:37 PM) Artemis-XE: "While, yes, my duties involve 'destroying' anything that goes against the ideals of the church, I'll have you know I am completely against the idea of such an act."
(9:26:47 PM) Aelitethe: "They call it Church magic because they snuffed out anyone who didn't gain their ability to cast magic from the Church."
(9:27:09 PM) Artemis-XE: "That's correct, yes."
(9:27:39 PM) Aelitethe: "...I'm one of those people, see? My knowledge, rudimentary as it is, comes from pure self-study of lesser tomes."
(9:27:44 PM) Artemis-XE: "There are all kinds of magic in this world, none are inherently bad, or evil."
(9:28:28 PM) Aelitethe: "Indeed."
(9:29:06 PM) Aelitethe: "By the way - piece of advice - don't charge out like that all nilly-willy in an open space as big as that, mmkay?"
(9:29:30 PM) Artemis-XE: "I was meaning to talk to you about that."
(9:29:41 PM) Ulyssa: "...I think I need a moment..." Excuse her while she processes the fact that the Church did something that would probably go under the Evil side of the spectrum. She'll do that as she writes in her book.
(9:30:06 PM) Artemis-XE: "I was a fool. I screwed up. You have my word that wont happen again."
(9:31:17 PM) Aelitethe: "Splendid. By the way, for a Church initiate, you sure do have questionable opinions. A Free Thinker, are we?"
(9:33:18 PM) Artemis-XE: "I just do what I feel is best for those around me rather than the ideals of... 'faceless entities.'
(9:35:42 PM) ***Aelitethe snickers. "That's good. A typical Church follower would have demonized me then and there!"
(9:38:50 PM) Aelitethe: "Anyway, I'm glad we've come to an... understanding. I'm tired, so I'm going to hit the tent and retire. Good night, friends."
(9:39:23 PM) Artemis-XE: "Good night." He says, waving.
(9:39:46 PM) Ulyssa: "...Night!" Still writing. Furiously fast, even.
(9:40:07 PM) ***Aelitethe returns to the tent, yawning.
(9:40:33 PM) ***_Mana is already asleep, inside the tent. "zzz.."
(9:41:06 PM) Ulyssa: Ulyssa will probably be up a while yet. She'll eventually sleep though!
(9:41:09 PM) ***Aelitethe smiles and blushes, creeping up next to Mana and falling asleep next to her, almost snuggling up to her. "zzz..."
(9:43:09 PM) ***_Mana blinks, slightly opening her eye at the sleeping Aelitethe, soon leaning in to lightly kiss her lips once more before falling back asleep.
(9:48:36 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: The rest of the night is peaceful, and the group continues their journey for the next day, which is also peaceful! As are the next few days- However, on the fourth day after the encounter with the bandits Mana can't help feeling... Uneasy. She keeps hearing small noises nearby every now and then, and something in her peripheral vision WAY off to the side.
(9:48:52 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Nothing seems to be there on investigation, however...
(9:49:53 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: She could have sworn she heard voices though... Oh well
(9:50:57 PM) Ulyssa: Mana isn't Ulyssa, so Ulyssa continues as before, good in spirits! ...Generally not being good in spirits every night, but hey, we'll get to that. It's not night, so onward!
(9:51:19 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Eventually, just a couple hours before the sun is ready to set, the group notices a small structure off the side of the road. Yet... It seems unusual somehow, though from the distance it's not fully clear how so.
(9:52:45 PM) Artemis-XE: "Everyone, look over there. Something feels... off, about that... whatever it may be." He says, pointing off into the distance.
(9:53:14 PM) Aelitethe: "Are you telling me you plan to investigate that odd structure?"
(9:53:22 PM) Ulyssa: "Is that the place? ...How long have we been on the road, again?"
(9:53:34 PM) ***_Mana blinks as she looks in Artemis' directions, seeming to be a bit distracted by what.. she was hearing. "Not sure.."
(9:54:02 PM) ***Aelitethe looks at Mana. "Mana dear, are you alright? You look very troubled..."
(9:54:29 PM) Artemis-XE: "About... maybe a week and a half or so? That can't be the place, but something ~really~ doesnt feel right about it."
(9:54:44 PM) _Mana: "I'm fine, I'm fine.." Lie.
(9:54:58 PM) ***_Mana 's hair is also put back up into a ponytail, by yours truly.
(9:55:28 PM) ***Aelitethe wraps her arms around one of Mana's. "...Please tell me the truth..."
(9:55:35 PM) Ulyssa: "...Could be dangerous, but that might be why it might worth investigating..." She thinks no harder on the matter.
(9:55:46 PM) Artemis-XE: "As for checking it out... It's up to you all. Though now that i think about it, itd be best to focus on our current task."
(9:56:12 PM) _Mana: "But I am..!" More lies. "Can't we just focus on the structure ove there?"
(9:56:59 PM) ***Aelitethe sighs weakly. "...Alright... I'll be quiet."
(9:58:05 PM) Aelitethe: "As for the structure, I'm not sure if we should just leave it. It could be part of our main task."
(9:58:15 PM) ***_Mana sighs softly as she lightly pecks Aelitethe on the cheek. "I'll be fine. Trust me."
(9:58:48 PM) ***Aelitethe pecks Mana back. "Alright. I trust you."
(9:59:35 PM) ***Artemis-XE thinks to himself for a moment. On the one hand, there could be artifacts or useful books in that structure. On the other hand, it could be dangerous. On the third hand, what Aelitethe just said...
(9:59:38 PM) Ulyssa left the room (quit: Ping timeout: 240 seconds).
(10:00:16 PM) Artemis-XE: "...I say we check it out. There ~could~ be something important in there."
(10:00:42 PM) Aelitethe: "I'm more worried about leaving it, then coming back to see that it is in fact a Haven of Swarming Undead."
(10:01:25 PM) Artemis-XE: "You raise an excellent point. In that case, we really can't leave it alone."
(10:02:10 PM) Aelitethe: "We shouldn't go in too far, though, lest it be a trap."
(10:02:47 PM) _Mana: "Right, right.." Once again, she's looking at something else, swearing that she could be hearing small noises.
(10:03:03 PM) Aelitethe: "Mana? Anything you see?"
(10:03:08 PM) Genshuku is now known as Ulyssa
(10:04:02 PM) Ulyssa: Ulyssa, naturally concerned at Mana's seeming paranoia, attempts to be more alert to see anything of note as well.
(10:06:31 PM) ***Kineth takes note of Mana's behavior, also glancing around, curious as to what may be making her act like that, making sure to take a good look at his surroundings.
(10:06:49 PM) ***Aelitethe fidgets.
(10:07:32 PM) ***Artemis-XE is the last to take notice of Mana's uneasiness. Begins looking around for suspicious things.
(10:07:46 PM) Aelitethe: "Well, we can just keep a more vigilant look on things. Let's focus on the matter at hand..."
(10:08:13 PM) _Mana: "I... I honestly don't know what is it that I see, Aelitethe."
(10:10:42 PM) ***Aelitethe nods.
(10:10:58 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: If the building is approached, the reason it originally seemed off becomes clearer. It's completely unlike normal structures. Mana and Aelitethe easily recognize it as being similar to elvish architecture. It's made entirely of wood, but that wood seems to be coming from the ground. It's as if enormous roots intertwined to create its outer walls. It's not incredibly large, maybe the size of a fairly small house.
(10:11:27 PM) Aelitethe: "Oh, well, that explains a lot."
(10:12:17 PM) Artemis-XE: "That it does."
(10:13:30 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Despite its materials, it looks oddly elegant and mystical somehow, like most elvish archetecture. The most beautiful part appears to be the archway that acts as an entrance...
(10:13:51 PM) _Mana: "...hm." Mana is still looking around, mostly at the outer edges of the 'entrance'.
(10:13:52 PM) Kineth: "Indeed.."
(10:14:00 PM) ***Ulyssa can only regard the building strangely from here. It's weird, but...hhmmmmmm. Only no actually thinking, since not the time for that. FOLLOW A LEADER, the leader isn't her.
(10:14:46 PM) Aelitethe: "Well, what do you think? Shall we make an entrance?"
(10:15:07 PM) Artemis-XE: "Seems like the thing to do."
(10:17:41 PM) Kineth: "I've no objections."
(10:17:49 PM) Aelitethe: "Well, you first."
(10:18:40 PM) ***Artemis-XE is the first to enter the archway.
(10:18:52 PM) ***Ulyssa follows close behind.
(10:20:05 PM) ***_Mana enters after both Artemis and Ulyssa does.
(10:20:05 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Upon entrance, Mana and Aelitethe will instantly realize what this place is. It's a shrine, dedicated to the elven god, deity of nature. An intricate golden carving is etched into the roots at the back wall, above a formation of wood that vaguely resembles an altar. Mana remembers it clearly from when she'd seen it in her childhood, while it takes a few moments longer for Aelitethe to recall it.
(10:20:32 PM) Aelitethe: "..."
(10:20:44 PM) _Mana: "-...ah."
(10:21:01 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Mana notes that it seems... Off, however. It's incomplete. Aelitethe notices before that though that certain parts of it do not look the same as others. They look a little more... Loose.
(10:21:19 PM) Aelitethe: "Suspicious."
(10:21:40 PM) ***Artemis-XE glances at Mana, for a moment. "You know what this place is?"
(10:22:41 PM) _Mana: Mana.. walks over to the altar, inspecting it. "I can't.. say that this is a shrine dedicated to the elven god. The whole place seems a bit.. off."
(10:23:34 PM) Kineth: "What about it seems 'off' to you?"
(10:23:45 PM) ***Aelitethe grins. "Well, dear Mana, parts of it are actually a little loose."
(10:24:03 PM) Aelitethe: "It looks like someone either tried to defile it or it was ultimately left incomplete."
(10:24:49 PM) Artemis-XE: "I have a sinking suspicion it would be the former."
(10:25:09 PM) Ulyssa: Wonderful. We're helping him get the title of paladin, which he really shouldn't be getting, and we're visiting other god's shrines on the side. ...Hold up, doesn't that mean...aaaaaaaaaa. No. Stop. Just follow them.
(10:25:30 PM) _Mana: Mana.. then touches a certain part of the altar, particularly where it feels the most off. She then covers her eye scar, feeling it throb a bit. "I-.. I don't know if it was defiled or was left ultimately left incomplete.."
(10:26:25 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: There don't appear to be any marks in the wood... Anywhere, in fact, besides religious carvings. Nothing looks actually damaged at all even in the slightest.
(10:55:58 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: There don't appear to be any marks in the wood... Anywhere, in fact, besides religious carvings. Nothing looks actually damaged at all even in the slightest.
(10:56:18 PM) Aelitethe: "But... Hmm. It doesn't look like it's been damaged."
(10:56:36 PM) Artemis-XE: "That sounds like a good sign."
(10:56:48 PM) Aelitethe: "Must just be incomplete, then..."
(10:56:53 PM) Kineth: "I see."
(10:57:00 PM) Artemis-XE: "Means no crazy radicals or undead got to it."
(10:57:24 PM) _Mana: Mana.. sighs softly, withdrawing her hand from her eye scar. "..mm, thank god."
(10:58:19 PM) Ulyssa: 'Which god' is not something Ulyssa is keen on saying at the moment. The word has a noticible, negative effect on her though.
(10:59:07 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Suddenly, Aelitethe realizes why things look loose. Parts of the carving are movable! It can barely be seen, but there are small circles in the wood, lines that show cuts...
(10:59:49 PM) ***Aelitethe raises an eyebrow. "Hm... Suspicious indeed." Aelitethe eyes some of the movable parts and pokes at them. "Not quite the most scholarly approach, but..."
(11:00:26 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: When messed with, the circle rotates. It might be possible to get the correct symbol by moving these!
(11:01:09 PM) Aelitethe: "...? Odd. It moved."
(11:01:30 PM) _Mana: Mana.. blinks, soon starting to rotate the circle and other parts, attempting to get the correct symbol!
(11:01:31 PM) ***Ulyssa watches curiously. Puzzles! But not of her understanding.
(11:01:51 PM) ***Kineth also watches, curious as to what happens when the puzzle's solved.
(11:02:49 PM) ***Artemis-XE just leaves it to Aeli and Mana.
(11:04:06 PM) Aelitethe: "You think you know what the symbol might be, Mana?" Aelitethe asked curiously while poking Mana.
(11:04:40 PM) ***_Mana continues to attempt to solve the puzzle, her eye looking at every single cut/line that was made. "I.. think so."
(11:06:27 PM) ***Aelitethe just tries to help Mana, then.
(11:07:50 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Aelitethe and Mana work at the puzzle for a minute or two. It's actually quite complex, and they both have to take a moment to check their memories on the exact pattern of the symbol. However, they keep going, and just as they're about to finish... Mana hears something again!
(11:08:49 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Looking back, Mana scarcely has time to react upon seeing something flying straight toward her, but manages to pull Aelitethe out of the way. Short-lived flames burst upon the altar, but extinguish nearly instantly, doing no damage.
(11:09:24 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Six strangers enter the shrine. ...No, five. One is familiar.
(11:09:49 PM) Aelitethe: "Meep!"
(11:09:50 PM) ***_Mana ..tightens her grip on the handle of her rapier. "Who the hell are you people?"
(11:10:17 PM) Artemis-XE: "Identify yourselves."
(11:10:37 PM) Ulyssa: Somewhere during this time, Ulyssa gets bored. To cure it, she's on the watch for thing that aren't puzzles. Like fireballs, nevermind that she sees them too late. Or bandits. If that familiar person is the one they let go, her blades are drawn instantly, else they're simply kept at the ready.
(11:10:38 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: "Tch, wench! Neither of you sharp-ears can just stay dead, can you?!" The one that speaks is the familiar face. The archer, from a few days ago...
(11:11:01 PM) ***Kineth raises an eyebrow, staring at the- ...oh these assholes again.* "You don't learn, do you?"
(11:11:18 PM) Artemis-XE: "You again?!"
(11:11:23 PM) Aelitethe: "What is /your/ major malfunction, knave?!"
(11:11:31 PM) Kineth: "Must I do to you what I did your associates for you to understand?"
(11:11:37 PM) Ulyssa: Yep, blades drawn instantly. Lesson: Don't let ne'er do wells get away. "We messed up those other guys good. Why are you here again?"
(11:11:43 PM) _Mana: Mana.. stares at the archer, her eye widening a bit. "-..Get the hell out."
(11:12:18 PM) Ulyssa: "...maybe you're secretly good, leading other jerks to their deaths? I'll oblige! But I'll have to get you too. Nothing personal! ...Kind of!"
(11:12:42 PM) ***Kineth sneers at the archer as he draws his greatsword, not looking all that amused.*
(11:12:57 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: "Hah, you think you're so tough, but we're better this time!" He steps out of the way, and points at an... Entirely unarmed and unarmed man. "As long as he's with us, you dastards can't hope to win!"
(11:13:20 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: The man's eyes twitches, and he actually... Does not look pleased. However,  his stance is... Not a normal one. He does seem oddly assured
(11:14:02 PM) Aelitethe: "Not only do you have the gall to try and ambush us in a shrine like this, but you also have the audacity to utilize an unarmed man to your claimed advantage...?"
(11:14:25 PM) _Mana: Mana cocks her head to the left a bit, her eye scar.. opening a bit? Hm. "..Hey. Asshole. Bet that unarmed guy loves to get killed  by us, now does he?"
(11:14:39 PM) ***Kineth glances at the unarmed man, eyebrow still raised, wondering what makes him so confident* "Hm."
(11:14:48 PM) Kineth: "Deal with the others first."
(11:14:52 PM) Ulyssa: ...? "They're...well...dumb, but not dumb enough to waltz to their doom. Shouldn't have to say this, but be careful!"
(11:15:12 PM) Aelitethe: "That man... Something's not right about him."
(11:15:13 PM) ***Kineth nods to Ulyssa* "Agreed. Something doesn't seem right here."
(11:15:39 PM) Ulyssa: "Nothing is right about this lot. Let's get them all this time!"
(11:16:05 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: "You'll eat your words once you see him in action! C'mon boys, let's take 'em down!" He steps back, drawing his bow, while the other bandits ready their weapons
(11:16:08 PM) ***Aelitethe retreats back a little to brace herself.
(11:16:20 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Aelitethe is the first ready
(11:16:30 PM) Aelitethe: "Unarmed... unarmed... Can he use magic?!"
(11:17:48 PM) _Mana: "Also.. 'sharp-ears'? Do you have something against us people?"
(11:17:58 PM) Ulyssa: "Wouldn't be surprised. But maybe he's just an experienced...brawler?" ...Does he look like an experienced brawler?
(11:18:34 PM) Aelitethe: "Whatever! This time, keep me alive."
(11:18:38 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Actually, he does! He has a very ready fighting stance, as if he's ready to use his body itself as a weapon
(11:19:00 PM) Artemis-XE: "That went without saying."
(11:19:15 PM) ***_Mana blinks, then slow nod at Aelitethe, staying close to her.
(11:19:45 PM) ***Aelitethe clears her throat and recites one of her remedial battle songs once more, this time hoping to make it last more than about ten minutes.
(11:22:37 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Next is Artemis, who feels bolstered by Aelitethe's song!
(11:23:23 PM) ***Artemis-XE opts to take a defensive stance infront of Aelitethe.
(11:26:24 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: A young man with a rapier rushes forward, attempting to skewer Ulyssa!
(11:26:32 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: "Attempting" being the operative word
(11:26:43 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: She's able to easily deflect his blow off-handedly
(11:27:07 PM) Ulyssa: Closest person dies! It's probably this kid.
(11:29:35 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: What she is LESS able to deflect is the assault of the unarmed man as he moves forward at near blinding speed to deliver a one-two punch. She's able to avoid the first punch, but the second sends her reeling. How does anyone hit that hard?!
(11:29:45 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: ...It's still not devastating but that was NOT expected from flesh
(11:30:03 PM) Ulyssa: Oh, that's probably a thing! Ow.
(11:30:13 PM) _Mana: -"Woah... shit."
(11:30:29 PM) Kineth: "...Woah."
(11:30:40 PM) Artemis-XE: "What the hell..."
(11:31:14 PM) Ulyssa: And reeling she goes. ...Of course she's back up, rather quickly. This doesn't fly.
(11:31:37 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Back up rather quickly indeed! She instantly notices the opportunity for a counterattack!
(11:32:46 PM) Ulyssa: "Then I guess I'll just kill your ego!" She mad? She mad. The unarmed man is targetted!
(11:35:24 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Ulyssa is successful in a nasty counterattack, her sword biting deep into his arm below the shoulder! Only one sword hits though
(11:36:07 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: "Kh!" He flinches under the force of the blow. "My just reward...
(11:37:01 PM) ***Kineth blinks as he hears the man say that, curious. Maybe if he gets rid of the other bandits, he could ask 'im something. Maybe.*
(11:37:22 PM) Ulyssa: Hey, her theory still holds. Two pointy/sharp objects > One pointy/sharp object. One can miss, two can also miss but it's a lot harder. And both hurt. She's rather into this. "No reward for you~"
(11:39:00 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Archerguy decides to be a bastard and shoot toward Mana. Fortunately, he misses! "Cursed sharp-ears! It's not enough that you keep your forests all to yourselves, you have to try and show us up on our turf too!"
(11:39:11 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: He's ignoring that he's kind of on elven turf as it is
(11:40:45 PM) Ulyssa: "Oh? Your turf? Is that your leader~?"
(11:42:01 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Mana's ready next! What does she want to do?
(11:52:38 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Apparently what she wants to do is stick the unarmed man in the back. Unfortunately, it doesn't work too well! He moves to the side in a flash. "I will not go down so easily."
(11:53:54 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Guy with a club decides to have a go at Mana, since she just made a target of herself.
(11:54:02 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: However, she's still far too quick for him!
(11:55:20 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: ...Not for the shortsword wielding bandit, however, who gets in a nasty swing at the back of her knee.
(11:55:36 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Kineth gets a chance for a go, however!
(11:56:27 PM) ***Kineth decides to make a go of things by dealing with the shortsword bandit who has made a target of himself, deciding to tear into him with a fierce swing of his blade!
(11:58:08 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: While his blade leaves a terrifying whistle through the air, and one would almost think the breeze would knock those around him over, Kineth's blade manages to go right over the swordsman's head
(11:59:13 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Some jerk with a handaxe and a buckler decides to go at Kineth next!
(11:59:43 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: However, Kineth dodges entirely. It helps that the guy flinches at just SEEING Kineth move
(4/30/2012 12:00:08 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Round and round it goes... Aelitethe, once more!
(12:00:44 AM) ***Aelitethe is in the middle of just about reaching the last couple of stanzas of her song. [Maintain Inspire Courage, use action]
(12:02:24 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Artemis!
(12:05:24 AM) ***Artemis-XE maintains the defensive stance.
(12:08:51 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Rapier jerk tries to stab Ulyssa's back! She's just too good for him, however!
(12:10:17 AM) Genshuku: Just an annoyance. The real problem is most likely going to punch her in the face again.
(12:12:52 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: And so he does! That... Hurts even more than the first one did. Only one punch, but it hurts. A lot. Is that blood running down the back of her head now?
(12:13:17 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: "I apologize that it could not be a more even match of skill."
(12:14:53 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Now, does Ulyssa want to DO anything about this pain?
(12:16:03 AM) Genshuku: NO CONFUSION. "Don't...apologize to me!" Mad? Definitely. Cutting? Hell yeah.
(12:21:36 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Ulyssa spins, unleashing the fury of both of her weapons upon the monk! Just as he ducks underneath one, the other SLAMS into his chest. Instead of being cut in half, he's flung against the nearest wall! There's a huge gash in his chest, through which his innards can be seen if one sorts through all the blood.
(12:22:25 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: "I deserve... Thisss..." His dying breath hisses out, as his blood soaks into the wood
(12:24:14 AM) Genshuku is now known as Ulyssa
(12:25:00 AM) Ulyssa: Ulyssa mad. Her eyes are on rapier man now. Bloodlust mode engage!
(12:25:14 AM) Kineth: "Well, now. No holding back, then."
(12:25:15 AM) Ulyssa: And Kineth is supposed to be the barbarian.
(12:25:40 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Archerjerk attempts a shot at Ulyssa! Unfortunately for him, it's not a GOOD shot
(12:25:42 AM) Artemis-XE: "Give 'em hell."
(12:25:54 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: It misses by inches even without being noticed
(12:26:36 AM) Kineth: "You're still trying? Idiot."
(12:27:18 AM) Artemis-XE: "Maybe that weapon isnt for you..."
(12:28:55 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Mana decides to give archerjerk a piece of her mind! ...Or, well, her steel. She manages to get in a very nice hit on his thigh, which bleeds profusely as he whines
(12:30:31 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Guy with the club decides to attack Kineth, since Mana slipped by him!
(12:30:36 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Manages to give a good knock on the head too
(12:34:41 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Jerk with shortsword decides to join in the fun! Kineth feels the blade bite into his arm quite painfully.
(12:34:47 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: So now, IS HE MAD?!
(12:35:57 AM) Kineth: Well, yes he goddamn is. First off, he takes a deep breath, letting out an irked snarl as he stares at the shit with the shortsword, before letting out a fearsome yell as he goes to return the favor!
(12:42:25 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Kineth's blade SPINS in a powerful arc. Allies and the guy with the club are just out of range... Unfortunately for the ones that ARE in range, the sheer force of the blow is enough to completely separate the upper and lower halves of their bodies. Buckler guy and shortsword guy are utterly gone
(12:43:19 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Somehow, the guy with the club manages to stumble his way back in as the ridiculous momentum keeps going. He really doesn't even have a clue what happened before he dies
(12:44:41 AM) Kineth: "That's it! YOU'RE ALL THROUGH!" He lets out another loud yell before taking a deep breath, smiling as he proudly looks on at the sheer carnage he's caused with a single swing.
(12:47:14 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: The two that remain stare for a moment, paralyzed. The archer turns to run, but gets stabbed in the neck by Mana. She puts a GREAT deal of anger into the blow, severing his spine and piercing his windpipe in one stab.
(12:47:21 AM) Ulyssa: Ulyssa is shocked back into somewhat normal behavior! "Whoa...that's the Kineth I know!"
(12:47:33 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: The guy with the rapier barely has the chance to beg before he ceases to exist
(12:47:58 AM) Ulyssa: And then she turns her attention to the rapier guy. This doesn't last that long, because he's no longer a guy after 'that long'!
(12:49:00 AM) ***Kineth takes a deep breath after all's said and done, panting a little after having exerted himself like that.
(12:49:09 AM) ***Aelitethe has just about ended her song.
(12:49:15 AM) Aelitethe: *BLINK BLINK*
(12:49:55 AM) ***Artemis-XE sees that that madness is over. "Well thank GOD you're on our side."
(12:50:44 AM) Ulyssa: ...Whew. Cue deep breathing. That took a lot out of her, too! "...Yeah..."
(12:51:10 AM) ***Aelitethe blinks and just says nothing. "...No comment."
(12:51:18 AM) Aelitethe: "...Did you like my singing that much?"
(12:51:21 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Ulyssa is actually bleeding pretty heavily from the back of her head. She kind of thinks her skull might be cracked... How the hell did that guy do that with his bare fists?
(12:54:02 AM) ***Aelitethe frowns and cast Cure Lesser Wounds on Ulyssa to mitigate the pain slightly.
(12:54:20 AM) Ulyssa: "...It was...good singing--owowow..." The owing is lessened by healing, but still, OW.
(12:54:36 AM) Ulyssa: "That hurt...a lot more than it should have...ow..."
(12:57:23 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Aelitethe kindly heals everyone while Mana puts the finishing touches on the puzzle. As soon as the puzzle is finished, the wall around the carving pulls away, and the the area the carving is set in sinks into the ground, revealing a hole that leads downward... Maybe it'd be a good idea to wait until tomorrow to go down there though. That battle was exhausting
(12:57:55 AM) Artemis-XE is now known as MysteriousWind
(1:00:41 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: So the group rests after another painful day...
(1:01:41 AM) Ulyssa: Painful indeed. Owowowowow.
(1:02:22 AM) Aelitethe: "..."
(1:04:04 AM) Ulyssa: Eventually, she does come to her senses. Though in pain regardless. "That...went a lot better than last time!"