Flowerpicking

[18:36] {NARRATION} Touched by the spires, no doubt, this Maplegrove is always awash with brilliant colors. Vibrant crimsons, deep oranges, and dark umbers rest upon the nearby trees that surround the path. The path that the Illuminated party and their guardians move through.

It’s rougher, a thin goat-trail, for not many enter this deeply into the enchanting, yet forboding Maplegrove. For some, it’s as beautiful as it is deadly.

Down this path, their out of sight destination is a small herbalist’s hut. Lived in by one of the few willing to spend a long period of time within this haunting place, this herbalist is Saito Mao, a Shenlong Drakanite, lesser magi, and acolyte of the Illuminated. Put in place by Satsuki Shimasu’s command, no doubt, he’s one of the few willing to live so far from civilization and safety, for the purposes of studying the parasitic flowers that grow here. He’s a reclusive figure, and isn’t often seen back in Huangzhou. Forgettable.

The party’s quiet, bewitching journey is complicated, once they hear a loud cry from the woods further up their thin path. The thick, darkness-wreathed bowels of the colorful forest that surrounds them on either side gives way to a voice;

“Help me! Anyone! Please!”

[18:44] It was some time since they arrived through one of Ethan's portals, and it made Isaac's stomach turn as usual... but the walk did well to settle him, and he quietly moved along the path with the group, appreciating the scenery for what it was.

The early morning sunlight, soft and diffuse, gave way to the colors of the Maplegrove. The flashes of bright evergreen that scented the air with their fresh growth, or the sweetness of the wild flowers and how they hugged the path the group travelled.

Everything was at peace, until a voice cuts through the wind -

- Isaac straightened out immediately, chin tilting back. He wasn't the kind of person to rush to a person's defense. He waited for the others.
(Isaac)
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[18:44] The travel to Maplegrove itself was less off-putting than it typically was. Perhaps she was growing used to it, or perhaps she just got lucky, who knew? Regardless, as they arrived and began to wade through the overly narrow trail, Reito knowing precisely where they were heading to. Or... So she would act. She just merely hoped the hut was at the end of this trail, otherwise they'd be in trouble wouldn't they?

The fact they would only need to speak with Saito was a blessing, instead of having to search out the flowers themselves. It saved them work. But then that voice cut through the forest, and the Kitsune's ears perked up, eyes widening before she took off. She moved quickly through the trail, easily being able to discern directly where the voice had come from thanks to well... Her ears.

But naturally, the Priestess is also aware of the dangers of just running ahead, or announcing that help was on it's way. She attempted her best to move as quietly as she could through the trail, but with the desired speed.
(Reito Shimasu)
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[18:47] The short, silver, mask covered fox walks calmly and quietly through the beautiful forest with her hands clasped together in front of her waist, covered by the long sleeves of her floral yukata. Her attention is on the vibrant flowers, majestic trees, and melodic birds perched upon branches high above them. Behind her mask, her face is painted with the awe she felt throughout her body as they journeyed deeper than she had ever been in this magical forest.

She felt safe among friends. At least, she did up until the moment she heard the piercing cry ahead, causing her ears to perk up alert. The thin silver hair on the back of her neck stands on end and goosebumps rise along her arms under her silk as she is filled with a sense of foreboding.

Tsu reaches behind her back, pulling a folded orchilacum staff out from between her yellow obi and her floral yukata. She turns and twists it, and the ruby jewel atop it glows brilliantly with the firestorm power inside, reflecting on the leaves of the tress around them.

The little silver fox fourfold officer matches her teacher's quickened pace, tightly gripping her staff as she silently mumbles a prayer for their protection.


(Tsu Iclyn)
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[18:48] Ethereal green lights surround the party as they arrive to their destination. The spirit world had been kind to the lot of them and brought them on the right pat to their goal, leaving them with forests and trees in every direction. A soft huff escaped his lips as he began trudging on the journey, paying little attention to the surroundings that weren't too natural. There was a clear interest in the place they were rather than what had been setup.

Much like during the illuminated ritual Ethan was going to follow Reito's word. They were here for her, after all. His lips parted, intent on saying something before he was cut-off by a voice in the distance. Emerald gaze snapped towards it. He wouldn't move, though his mana was already seeping out.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[19:03] {NARRATION} The cries continue; Anguished and fearful.

"Please! Anyone!" turns to "No! Stay away!"

And then they repeat.

"Help me! Anyone! Please!"

"Stay away! STAY AWAY."

Deeper, almost growls heard as they slow, careful pace is taken - heard just as the ground gives way to the side of the path, a web-wreathed tunnel showcased, and Reito standing just upon the precipice!

Nearly having fallen inside, though, due to her caution, she had not. The voices die down abruptly as that muffled crack of that false patch of underbrush giving away is heard, eight glinting, beady eyes staring up at the party from the tunnel. Merciless and insectile, the monster has no prey drop to it and get ensnared in webs on the way down.

Instead, it starts to rush up its tunnels with the muffled patter of eight chitin-covered legs. Fangs drip with venom, and a murderous intent dwells within the hut-sized beast’s emotionless eyes...
[19:10] Once the group picked up the pace, so did Isaac. Past the pretty autumn colors and into the dark, where the forest stretched around them and branches twisted out from trees like wooden hands, alive and eerie. Despite heading into the unknown, this was the moment where he found himself smiling - even with the sight of the giant, demonic spider bearing its hungry, slick maul down at them.

He moves, quickly. Attempting to catch up with Reito and stand at her side should she become vulnerable in the brief moments they had before the spider's lunge.

Out of the backs of his hands - the same wounded hands Tsu had inspected earlier - red crystals slip out of the cuts, wiggling away in a bloody exit. These ruby gemstones spin around Isaac as he prepares himself for a confrontration.

"Oh, please. It looks like this place has a bug problem..."

"Some fire will do the trick."
(Isaac)
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[19:12] Ember eyes behind her mask flash with the power of the fires that burn hot deep within her soul. The air all around her begins to quickly warm and the jewel atop her staff brightens, the swirling firestorm inside it casting an eerie red glow matched in intensity by the magics of her companions and the blessing of Jiuweihu that radiates from Reito.

Tsu moves to stand next to the Chancellor, bringing a hand up in front of her body, palm facing out. Fire licks up her body, swirling around her arm and collecting in that palm as a bright hot ball.

A smile curves the corner of her lip behind her mask as the power sends a rush throughout her body.

As the monstrous draws near, Tsu releases her spell. The ball explodes forward, spreading as a thick, impossibly hot wave of fire screams down the tunnel, scorching the rock and burning away the webs before it parts around the charging arachnid's body.
(Tsu Iclyn)
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[19:12] Despite being the most illuminated of them all Reito had managed to almost fall down a dark, endless hole. The irony was rich, though not as rich as this venom was with poison, seemingly. A deeper frown appeared onto the man's features as his right hand reached outwards - summoning forth his staff and letting it glow with a light reminiscing of the nightsky.

With the eight eyes staring them down and the equal number of legs skittering about the young man didn't seem to think twice about his next action. He breathed in - allowing dark flames to surround him for a brief moment before they'd lose all color - as did his near vicinity for a moment. The whole area was sapped of its uniqueness and almost.. personality, as weird as it may sound. Mana carrying strong emotions was eradicated as colorless sparks surrounded Ethan.

A well-placed blast of fire was launched towards the beast.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[19:15] As she encountered the tunnel, the Kitsune paused - she was thankful for not having fallen into the webbing itself. But those eight beady eyes that stared up at them all caused her to freeze, as the giant spider made it's way up it's tunnel.

Honestly, the kitsune felt herself annoyed. And soon enough much as everyone else caught up to her and unleashed their own unique waves of fire, Reito went with the flow, also unleashing her own hellish wave of fire. Whatever webbing and parts of the spider that weren't hit by Tsu, Isaac's and Ethan's attacks were sure to be hit by her own. The sound of chitin covered legs hardly bothered her, the Kitsune not showing any fear whatsoever to the arachnid... Even if it was rather creepy.

"We'll take care of this and continue to press forward!" She declared - bold.
(Reito Shimasu)
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[19:23] {NARRATION} Party vs Giant Spider
3 Rounds

Perm on 1
Temp on 2-3
Nothing on 4-5
Option to take someone else’s wound on a 6.

Roll for each down and you can only get 1 perm per event, temp if have perm already. Three temps on an event equals a perm.
[19:32] Giant screams
(Giant Spider)
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[19:32] Giant block.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[19:32] Activates bug spray!
(Isaac)
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[19:39] Even an enormous, man eating spider is no match in the face of four fire magi. This arachnid had was the prey toward, of flame and heat, their worst enemy.

After the smoke cleared, Isaac was seen bouncing on his boots, shifting weight from one foot to the other - the boy looked in good spirits, giddy and alive, as the red crystals (now wet with spider blood) circled around him.
(Isaac)
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[19:43] The beast was no match for the adventurers, it seemed. Poison and earth being split open by its spells were nothing compared to the infernal quatuor that came forth. As it burned and limped around the young spatial mage advanced forward. His gaze was kept upon the monster that they had quite frankly decimated; he saw no purpose in killing it, though it was obvious it needed to be somwhere it belonged.

His left hand rose up as a wisp of green mana trailed behind his fingertips. A series of spells familiar to his surrounding were cast forth from magical circles that spun into existence below the beast. Its weight, size, mana, and shape were all recorded and jotted down within the green glowing runes on the ground. The colorless sparks that surrounded Ethan pushed aside the clouds of poison that had gathered around the spider - transforming some of it into fresh air. A hand extended forth for the beast.

... And a push was made. Its form would be converted to pure energy as it was forced into the spirit world, launched along the lifestream and sent towards a destination Ethan thought would make a great home: The collapsed tomb of Khazard the necromancer. This now-gone old enemy's resources wouldn't be wasted. A quiet place with nothing but critters and skeletons; that should be suitable for a creature such as this one.

Death wasn't necessary, clearly.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[19:47] The fight was unexpected; she doubted they all approached and thought they were going to fight a giant spider. Fire lined the field, as well as Ethan's own unique brand of controlled Occultism, Tsu's holy magic, Isaac's crystals, and Reito's own cosmic abilities. Golden light littered places here and there, and finally, they had come out on top over the giant spider with it's eight eyes and chitin covered legs.

In all, Reito figured Ethan would simply kill it and be done with it. Instead, the Kitsune watched carefully as the spider itself was transformed into pure energy - before it departed from the area it was in. She stared, blinking a few times as she shook her head,

"What did you do with it? Where did it go?" She'd ask the Wayfinder curiously, her head tilted. She peered down into the left over tunnel now in order to see if there was anything of note there.
(Reito Shimasu)
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[19:47] Tsu Iclyn's eyes glow bright red with the fires deep inside her soul stoked hotter as the battle with the arachnid rages.

All around her, flames roar and dance, flowing out from the focused and furious attacks of her companions, all of them fire magi.

The little silver fox closes her eyes and brings her hands together around her staff in front of her body. It lines up with her spine and she deepens her breath, sucking in the soot and smoke of the flames and stilling her mind in the middle of the combat.

All of the flames lean her way, crawling along the forest floor and swirling around her body as they grown taller all around her, burning hotter. They hug her form, bathing it in flames as they collect around her.

She parts her hands from the staff, spreading them around her body. The flames collect along her back, spreading out from her shoulders as two giant, fiery wings.

Heat blasts out around her body, radiating in all directions and burning anything near her. Her eyes remain closed for a long moment as the fires roar, twisting and consuming everything.

When she opens them, the wings behind her dissipate into the air and the fires start to die down. She smiles behind her mask and looks to Ethan's work. As he collects the spider's energy, she leans the staff against her should and claps. "Well done."
(Tsu Iclyn)
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[19:57] {NARRATION} This predator’s attack was ill-fated. The insectile beast most obviously relied on the element of surprise against a stronger foe, and the party’s caution proved its ultimate undoing. Though - not death. After it’s animalistic, instinctive calling upon magical circuits within its body ceases - the earth’s shaking stopping, and the poison that’s a part of it being burned out of the air - the creature is sent away in a blur of verdant mana, the Spatial Mage finding a new destination for it.

It’s chittering and screeches ended, silence hangs in the air. Ominously quiet, those phantom calls no are longer heard by the group.

Its tunnel is empty, aside from web-wrapped bones and mostly-rotten meat. Deer, generally, though the bones of a bear and a few wolves litter the bottom of the twenty-five foot, gently curving tunnel.

In the distance, down their path they can spy the opening into the small clearing that houses Mao’s hut. Dare they continue?
[19:57] Giant Spider says, "hell yeah brother"
[20:01] Tsu kneels and reaches down to the touch the ground. She starts to glow green, then the glow drains down her arm into the dirt. The grass she had burned away sprouts, renewed.

She stands and stretches, yawning, her tail trembling with the effort.

Looking to Reito, she moves close to her with intent to follow her when the Chancellor is ready to continue.
(Tsu Iclyn)
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[20:02] Now that the spider was taken care of, Reito looked onwards towards the path and she sighed softly looking towards the others,

"We should continue on," She suggested. She knew they'd follow, so the Priestess aimed to retake the path aiming towards Mao's small hut. They were close to their destination now, at the very least. Soon she'd have enough for her tattoo and yet another goal would be checked off.
(Reito Shimasu)
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[20:02] Tsu Iclyn asks, "Who do you think was screaming for help? Were they inside the tunnel or at the hut?"
[20:02] Tsu asks with a voice muffled by her mask.
(Tsu Iclyn)
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[20:02] Isaac says, "Maybe it was an illusion, cast by the spider, luring prey in! And this IDIOT didn't even kill it. Hmf."
[20:02] Isaac says, "...This place is creepy, though."
[20:02] Tsu chuckles softly.
(Tsu Iclyn)
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[20:03] Ethan Hawke says, "There's no reason to kill a spider just 'cause it's defending its home."
[20:03] Tsu Iclyn says, "I think... it meant to eat us, Ethan."
[20:03] Tsu Iclyn says, "Maybe not you, but certainly Reito and I."
[20:03] Ethan Hawke says, "Don't worry. It won't bother anyone where it went."
[20:03] Tsu nods, satisfied.
(Tsu Iclyn)
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[20:04] Reito Shimasu says, "Hmm...."
[20:04] Ethan returns the nod to the girl, moving closer to Reito and allowing her illuminated glow to lead the way.

"Let's keep going, yeah? You said you wanted to find something from this place, didn't you?"
(Ethan Hawke)
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[20:06] Despite his haughtily spoken complaints, Isaac continued down the path if the others walked further as well - and he's distracted, certainly, by the massive webs and the smell of dry blood. His primary focus is the cottage in the distance, obscured by shadows and dark leaves but visible all the same.

"A special kind of ink," he murmured quietly, mostly to himself.
(Isaac)
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[20:07] Tsu looked over her shoulder at Isaac with curiosity in her gaze. Yet, she said nothing and soon turned her attention back to the path before them.
(Tsu Iclyn)
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[20:08] Reito Shimasu says, "Yeah. Parasitic flowers which... Absorb mana. It helps with the tattoo."
[20:13] {NARRATION} The group continues their foray through the haunting, color-seeped forest. The goat-path has twisting, gentle rays of light that spill through the canopy above. Light like fingers wedged between the darkness of the underbrush on either side.

Though, after a time, they find the entrance to the clearing, their world seeming to open up as they move through the space between trees into the small sunlit grove where Mao’s shack resides.

All is not what it seems, however.

Quickly, the eyes of the party discern that the shack, humble and one-room, is covered with brutal, five-claw scratch-marks around the exterior, windows broken and small holes torn in the walls. Those same scratches are on the inside of the building, around broken windows and the holes, alongside a few errant drops of blood.

The door is completely torn down, and a writing desk appears to have been thrown across the room. Specimens of a grey-brown, sickly looking flower can be found in formaldehyde fluid around the building, along with scattered, messy notes.

Saito Mao is missing.
[20:14] Tsu reaches up and pulls off her mask, holding it in the same hand that holds her staff. She kneels down near some drops of blood and dips a finger into one, then brings it up to look at it on the tip of her finger if it were wet enough to stick. She sniffs it, then rubs it between her fingers before looking up at the others.

Is the blood wet or dried?
(Tsu Iclyn)
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[20:16] What should've been a quick travel to a house deeper in the forest ended up turning into quite a messy adventure. From a violent spider to a rather gruesome scene Ethan was left with the obvious to realize: Whatever they were looking for wasn't here anymore. A light frown forms on the Wayfinder's face as he moves over to the writing desk - looking for any kind of scattered paper or perhaps a journal. If something had attacked whoever lived there, then a clue into what came before it may just be the solution.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[20:17] Even at a distance, something felt distinctly wrong here - and that sixth sense is quickly confirmed when the deep scratch-marks come into view, torn across the wood. "Spiders don't have claws, right?" Isaac mused, perhaps not taking this too seriously. Someone's life was at risk, after all. Or they were already dead.

"Well, Reito, I guess we should head home and find something else for your ink. Your guy was eaten."

He looks to her, smiling, and tilts his head some.
(Isaac)
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[20:20] As they entered the clearing, Reito looked onwards and immediately realized that something was wrong. Horribly wrong. The scratches, the broken windows... Just from that alone, Reito could tell that something had happened. She rushed to the torn down front door, peering inside of the small hut as she took stock of what all had happened inside. The jars, the desk... Everything was messed up. The Kitsune tiptoes quietly into the hut, bending down briefly to scoop up the messy notes. Perhaps there was a clue here, written upon the notes. Golden eyes scan the walls, scan the floors looking for any clues as to the whereabouts of Saito Mao.

"We can't just give up on him. Plus I doubt he'd even go down that easily so he has to be nearby!"
(Reito Shimasu)
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[20:21] Isaac says, "Hmm, if you say so. <-Half-heartedly, he also searches. But it's a lazy search.->"
[20:28] {NARRATION} Examining the humble, menaced shack that the acolyte and herbalist resided, the group looks about. Tsu’s examination of the blood upon the wood floor is dry. Old, no doubt, but not too old. If one where to venture a guess… Perhaps spilled a day or two ago?

The notes, however, reveal that the herbalist was studying a site that appeared to be the final resting place of a large magical beast, these flowers sprouting from a mound where bones no doubt lay. A small map of landmarks leading to that site is included. Similarly, it notes that the parasite-flowers within the house are nonviable for Sunyata, as they are too old and reached the end of their life-cycle, not bearing the same mana absorbing properties as their juvenile versions.

If one should collect and read through Mao’s personal journal scattered about, they’d find that he later felt as he was being watched over the last few months as he was working at the site. And sometimes he’d hear noises in the night of that grew out of place, such as a lone wolf howling when no moon was present. Or the drying scream of a rabbit. Those noises, he initially only heard around the flower-grove, but later, they started to hear them around his house. It grew hard for him to sleep and he grew increasingly fearful and more hesitant to wander the woods. He was even too afraid to venture far enough to leave the deepwoods and return to Huangzhou.

The colorful, beautiful woods only appear more foreboding, once these grave discoveries are had...
[20:30] "This blood is dry, but it is only a day or two old at most," she observes before rising and returning her mask to her face. Tsu looks around the shack and lets out a sigh, then looks to Reito for leadership and their next course of action.
(Tsu Iclyn)
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[20:33] Ethan took some time to read through the scattered pieces of paper about. A journal that didn't quite make sense without properly ordering the days was built up sheet by sheet before some sort of conclusion could be drawn from it all. The young man spoke up, eyes kept onto the writings.

"Your guy's been watched for a while. Noises that didn't have any source came from the flower-grove and got closer and closer; he didn't want to leave home, whether it was day or night it seemed to scary and dangerous. Whatever that is, it's probably what took him away."

His eyes drifted back up to the group.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[20:34] The Chancellor sighed, plucking through the notes over and over, collecting all of the intact papers that she could. She frowned. Perhaps they were able to save the herbalist still - hopefully.

"I think I know where we should head to next," She said, looking up towards the trio, "He found this resting place for a magical beast. So I bet we can probably find more clues at that resting site. If the blood is only about a day or so old we may be able to actually save him!" She said, a small smile on her face. When she had initially entered the hut, she felt the worst had happened. "Thankfully he added in a map, so we should be able to easily find where it is...."
(Reito Shimasu)
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[20:35] Tsu canted her head to one side then moved closer to Ethan, reaching out for the papers. "Let me see," she asked. She would study his writings as they walked if Ethan let her have them.
(Tsu Iclyn)
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[20:36] Isaac peaked over Reito's shoulder, catching a glance with half-lidded eyes, a small smile playing beneath his gaze. "Is that so? Well, captain, lead the way. Mhmmm."
(Isaac)
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[20:36] Ethan handed over the papers!
(Ethan Hawke)
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[20:37] Tsu read them!
(Tsu Iclyn)
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[20:37] Tsu Iclyn says, "This sounds terrifying. That poor man..."
[20:38] Ethan Hawke asks, "Should we get going there, Reito?"
[20:39] She nodded,

"Yeah. Make sure to take the journal and I'll take the notes as well as the map. We'll head out to the site and see what we can't find," She said simply, before she'd aim to leave the simple little hut behind.
(Reito Shimasu)
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[20:40] Tsu Iclyn says, "<nice>"
[20:43] Tsu follows Reito, still reading through some of the journal as she makes her way.
(Tsu Iclyn)
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[20:44] Tsu Iclyn says, "It says here he heard a lone wolf howl on a moonless night..."
[20:45] Tsu announces to noone in particular.
(Tsu Iclyn)
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[20:54] {NARRATION} The group heads onwards, moving through a much smaller path, choked by underbrush, as Reito leads the way, pointing out different landmarks that make the route to the grove. The air is no doubt tense, and every bit of movement around the dark underbrush is more ominous and uncertain.

It doesn’t take too long to realize that there the birds make no sounds here, as they move deeper still. The three of them begin to hear a soft noise ahead. A chorus, more than one distinctive voice.

"We should continue on." And the soft rustling of underbrush.

"... This place is creepy, though." The voices grow louder, repeating the words.

"This sounds terrifying." The three can hear that the words are a little scratchy and more guttural.

"Your guy was eaten." The three?

Where’s Ethan? He was just behind Tsu a moment ago...
[20:56] Her silver ears perked up, turning toward the voices as she listened. Tsu quietly folded the papers and tucked them away, then held her staff in both hands.

Her head again canted to the side as she recognized the words if not the voices themselves. "I said that..." she whispered to Reito.
(Tsu Iclyn)
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[20:59] There's a tension in the air that hangs about oppressively, muting the sounds of the forest - the croking frogs are silent, the chirping birds are distant. Animals were often smarter than humans when it came to avoiding the unnatual. The path narrows out by thickening greenery, and Isaac stayed close to Reito's side, shoulders bumping occasionally.

He hears his own words repeated to him.

Ethan's presence - or lack of - goes unnoticed by Isaac, however, as his eyes thin out in a glare at whatever invisible force dared to steal his voice. "Show yourself," he urged, "Come on."
(Isaac)
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[21:00] They continue onwards, and when she hears the voices, she freezes briefly before continuing on slowly. No birds, no animals - even her natural instinct was screaming at her to stop and flee, but her carried on. Given that she was in the lead, by all intents and purposes she shouldn't even recognize Ethan missing. But as the fact they were hearing what they had already said catching up to them, the Kitsune instinctively turns around to face the other Illusion magi.

To find him missing.

Oh no.

The Kitsune frowned, and shook her head. With Tsu confirming that what they were hearing was voices mimicking what they had already said, Reito supposed that perhaps it was a mere illusion. Something making them hear the voices, or elsewise. Regardless, Reito would point behind Tsu, mouthing the words: 'Where's Ethan? He's missing.' before she'd try to shatter the illusion - if one was placed on them - by herself.
(Reito Shimasu)
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[21:02] She turns around, looking for the spatial mage. Her search turns frantic for a moment as she leans to one side and then the other, head pivoting to look all around them. She almost calls out for him, but then turns back around to look at Reito.

Tsu didn't know what to do.
(Tsu Iclyn)
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[21:03] Isaac says, "...Hmmm, maybe he got bored and teleported out of here! Like some kind of sick prank, hahaaa."
[21:03] Reito Shimasu says, "He wouldn't do that."
[21:03] Tsu presses a finger to the mouth of her mask as she looks at Isaac.
(Tsu Iclyn)
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[21:07] Isaac stared at Tsu blankly, those round red eyes of his blinking once, then he did a little spin as he looked around. "Don't see them anywhere, nope," he hummed out, before his hands met his waist.
(Isaac)
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[21:08] Just ahead, words are spoken aloud. Gutteral. Scratchy. Raspy in tone.

"Should we get going there, Reito?"

The voice is no doubt recognized. Looming just ahead, only for the group to reach that spot, and there to be nothing.

"You said you wanted to find something..."

Again. The colorful, shadow-wreathed underbrush yields little, but the rustling of the forest, the spot where the raspy words spoken empty.

"Your guy's been watched for a while."

This time, a faint shape was seen, darting away, too far and much too fast to reach in time. Closer and closer to the flower-grove... But what will they find within it?
(Ethan Hawke)
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[21:14] When the words are spoken, they sound almost like Ethan's, and her eyes widen a bit.

"Ethan...?" Had he somehow gotten ahead of them? Impossible; she would have clearly noticed him. But as they reached where the voice would have - should have - been it was...….

As if it came from simply nothing. But more words were spoken... Direct copies of words already said. Reito knew this, she knew it but still she pushed forward towards the sound of that voice. And again - nothing.

Nothing but a shadow of a shape, fleeing way too fast for her to give chase. But it brought them closer to their destination and it left a bad feeling in her gut. She sighed, motioning for the others to follow as she pushed on.
(Reito Shimasu)
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[21:15] Isaac snickered briefly, "See! Told you, he was just playing a prank! What a silly man," he chimed out, while following along.
(Isaac)
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[21:18] "Shouldn't we turn back and look for him?" she asks despite following Reito further. Soon she finds herself nearly running to keep up with them both. "I hope you're right...
(Tsu Iclyn)
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[21:27] {NARRATION} The words are repeated. Ethan’s. Isaac’s. Reito’s. Tsu’s. Over and over, the sounds spoken just ahead at all times -

Until, steps take them into a veiled, canopy-covered place. The flower-grove, more of a marsh then a grove, the ground below them is wet and water-logged. Almost that of a bog.

Rust-colored and dark-red flowers bloom about a raised, mossy hill at the center, a looming shape standing just before it.

It’s gangly, monstrous and inhuman. Its body is covered in rust-red flowers that sprout from soft places in the monster’s hide. Parasite-flowers that have no doubt rooted themselves into it. Deer-like horns cover the beast’s head, while too-long arms reach out - clawed holding an unconscious Ethan. As infernal eyes gaze to the party, an angried noise is uttered;

"ANYONE. HELP ME! STAY AWAY! YOUR MAN IS EATEN!"

It screams out, quite literally throwing Ethan towards the party. Upon contact with the marshy ground, he’d likely rouse in a minute or two, with a splitting pain in his head. With that screech it dashes into the tree-line, visible faintly as it stalks and circles the party. Waiting and watching, though its burning eyes observe from the shadows.

Ethan isn’t the only person here… Half-buried within the mud and completely unresponsive is Saito Mao. Flowers cluster around his buried shoulders, having sunk their roots under his skin. What will the party do as the monster stalks, no doubt not going to just let them leave the grove...
[21:31] Whatever had happened in that dark, wet place wasn't something Ethan would ever talk about with anyone. He could barely keep his mind intact as his body was flung towards the rest of the party. A mix of mud, dirt, grass, and various other earthy wastes seemed to plague his clothes. A groan could be heard from where he landed as a hand moved for his head.

"Ow..." He let out, squinting at the skies and observing their blurry display.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[21:33] Ember eyes behind her mask narrow into vertical, vulpine slits as she glares at the creature holding Ethan. Tsu snarls from behind her mask, baring her canines.

She rushed forward as he tumbled onto the ground and groaned. The little silver fox stood next to him, wild eyes following the movement of the creature before she knelt down and placed a hand on his forehead.

Looking down at Ethan, she asked, "Are you ok?"
(Tsu Iclyn)
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[21:35] Follow the voices, Isaac thought with a smile. He rushes ahead, like an arrow flying through the sky, the winds rattling his dark garb. A thrill chaser at heart, the boy was eager to see whatever that moving green shadow happened to be, and he clears the remainder of the pastway as it opens up into a hilly grove, swampy with the bloom of nature.

There it is.

Some sort of freak of nature.

Isaac leaps past Ethan - jumping up and over the downed wayfinder, and he swerves his staff in the air, then lunges down to crash into the grass, a fume of smoke and dust exuding out with his landing, "Hiya," he chimes, "I need that guy - we need that guy. Play nice won't you, antlers?"

"Because I won't."

His grin is on display as he straightens out and a flurry of red crystals slip out of his robes, twirling around him in a frantic dance.
(Isaac)
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[21:35] Isaac says, "jump"
[21:36] As they step into the grove - or rather, the bog - Reito's eyes took in the scene before them. No doubt, given the canopy of trees cover the area, the glow of Jiuweihu's light would help them all sort through any issues with being able to see or not. As she took in that shape, she took her time in studying it; flowers sprouting from the creature, with horns coming from it's head. Was it a Dryad? Were the flowers messing with it?

She was unsure, and it caused her unease. It especially cause her unease because it was holding Ethan - but thankfully, it threw him, right back to them. Reito would naturally aim to help the thrown Occultist up, shaking her head,

"I'm glad you're alright," She said calmly.

As the creature itself dashed off into the treeline, Reito turned all around briefly before her gaze falls upon the half-buried body of Saito Mao. He was... Here! Perhaps he was alive! LeavingEthan to regain his senses, she called out,

"Keep an eye on that creature, I'm going to check on Mao here, I'm going to make sure he's alive!" With that, she'd go to the herbalist's side, and with both of her hands upon one of his arms, she'd try to pull him upwards, up and out of the mud. She'd worry about the flowers afterwards; having flower roots sunk in under your skin was probably not a good thing, especially with flowers that purposefully absorbed mana.

They absorbed mana... Maybe that's why the creature was acting as it was. She'd investigate later.
(Reito Shimasu)
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[21:37] Ethan remained on the ground as Tsu reached down for him. A pained nod was given towards the Kitsune before he forced out a smile - hoping to wash her worries away. He'd be helped back up by Reito's hand slowly but surely, his lips parting as he picked some of the mud, branches and grass off his body, eyes shifting from Tsu to the beast back and forth.

"I'll be fine. Let's take care of that thing first."
(Ethan Hawke)
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[21:39] "Take care of it?" she asked as she placed a hand on Ethan's shoulder. Glowing sunlight glittered around her body and passed through her hand into his, renewing him with her blessing.
(Tsu Iclyn)
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[21:41] A small nod is given to Tsu. Part of her blessing came crashing against his body - some of its warmth being cooled down to an awfully average temperature as magic surrounding him was still in the process of being stripped of any hue.

"Yeah. That monster."
(Ethan Hawke)
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[21:42] {NARRATION} The beast watches, from its maw, more of those raspy words;

"I need that guy... Because I wont. Are you okay?"

Jumbled together, told with a certain, almost serpentine hiss of irritation, the stalking beast’s burning eyes look to the group. They fixate on Isaac for a time, from the shadows around the flower-grove. Barely in sight-

Though it certainly is once Reito examines Mao and attempts to remove him from its place. He is alive, but a burst of inhuman speed sends the long-clawed thing on a course directly towards the priestess.

"THAT MONSTER."

More magi that it can bury in the grove...

[21:43] {NARRATION} Party vs Skinwalker
3 Rounds

Perm on 1-2
Temp on 3-4
Nothing on 5
Option to take someone else’s wound on a 6.

Roll for each down and you can only get one perm per event, temp if have perm already. Three temps equal a perm.
[21:51] {NARRATION} "THAT MONSTER! THAT MONSTER!"

The creature screams, bearing the brunt of the flames around it. The flowers are burned off of its flesh from the various magi, and it screams in utter rage. With those flowers missing, blazing waves of energy begin to pour off of the beast - energy tinged with Occultism. It’s most certainly some sort of malformed Demon!

The skinwalker charges now with a blaze of absurd speed, its rage-fueled claws seeking to tear and rip through the magi arrayed against it.
[21:53] Isaac exclaims, "Ahaaa, that's more like it...Make it a little entertaining, yeah!"
[21:57] * You have been awarded 1 Roleplay Points! *
[22:04] The profane magic that twisted the creature's form and empowered them was difficult not to admire; the way it endured even as blasts of holy magic burned its flesh and sharp, ruby red crystals plunged. Supported by the others, Isaac danced with the skinwalker, never still for a moment - always on the move, conjuring barricades of flame and crystal between himself and the monster.

But they didn't seem to slow. He found himself a victim to several clean hits, those claws ripping through his mythril and marking his skin. The sharp sting, the feel of warm blood...

It was intoxicating. If it weren't for the adrenaline that kept his limbs in motion and the battlelust, he might be out for the count. "Ohhh, yeah, that feels good!" He calls out, all beaten up. In addition to the wounds that his bloodstones had left when slipping out of his skin, there were diagonal claw marks down his armor now, breaking right through to the skin.

The creature was starting to lose its stamina, however. Blasted by shadowflame, holy, and fire magic...

"But - it's over now. It was fun," he closes the distance between them, and a ruby spear slips right out of his palm - extending from the center of it, out of his skin and bone...through the skinwalker's torso, and he glances over to Ethan, smiling, "Let me show you how to put down monsters, Wayfinder."

"Like this."

A single powerful motion takes his sharp, crystal blade moves up - cutting through the middle of the Deepwoods Monster, along his neck and his skull, splitting him in half.

The gore splattered all over Isaac, of course. A splay of blood, but his smile was still faint and present.

"Beautiful."
(Isaac)
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[22:11] Blood and gore wasn't his favorite sight by far. He would much rather have had the opportunity to send the creature somewhere where it could be at peace with itself and have no one to hunt - or at least no one sentient. As insides rained from above Ethan brought his right hand up - raising his staff. The Sapphire shone with an unnatural green, allowing a small portal to form above his head and warp away the pieces of monster falling from above.

He wasn't about to wash himself in blood; he already didn't enjoy the situation.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[22:11] The screaming, rage filled, malformed demon tears into them with claws bleeding off blazing waves of energy. As it charges at the group, aiming a vicious attack for Ethan, Tsu closes her hands around her staff and plants its end into the sticky mud.

Her eyes narrowed into feral vulpine slits, burning with the fires of her soul, and never leaving the monster as it bears down on them. Tsu channels her mana, the firestorm ruby jewel atop her staff pulsing with energy.

The flames that burned all around them starts to dance her way, gathering around her form and burning brighter and hotter as they swirled up her body, hiding her in fire.
It on her shoulders, extending behind her as two glorious wings while the silver fox smiled behind her mask. All that filled her mind was holy and elemental flame.

She moves one hand out to her side, palm up, fingers clawing at the sky as she raises it.

Fire grew out of the ground all around her, roaring as it twisted upat the sky and burned everything around her. Causing the monster to howl out in pain as they feasted upon its flesh, searing away its hair while her companions danced around the flames and Isaac closed in for the kill...
(Tsu Iclyn)
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[22:15] The group carefully waltzed around the grove with the creature, twisting and turning. Once again, fire, illusions and cosmic magic were utilized by the Chancellor at a level of mastery that she typically did not show off. As finally Isaac summoned forth that crystalline spear that erupted from his palm, she watched as it skewered through the Skinwalker, and for a moment, Reito took a step forward.

She wanted to study it. She had to know- was it the flowers that made it act like that, or was it naturally evil?

But it was already over; Isaac cutting through the Skinwalker clean as butter. The blood, the guts, the gore, it explodes outwards everywhere and Reito is left gawking.
(Reito Shimasu)
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[22:16] Isaac says, "Mrrhh... I'm going to need a nice long bath when we get back, heeh."
[22:22] Isaac whispers something.
[22:22] You stole HealsDM's Newbie Shirt.
[22:23] {Item} You drop Newbie Shirt.
[22:29] ** HealsDM has inflicted an injury upon Ethan Hawke. ("Left Wrist Shattered", "The two bones above Ethan's left wrist have been completely shattered. It wasn't a clean break and the severe trauma to that part of the arm ensures that having it replaced with a prosthetic is a smarter option, as his forearm is currently riddled with bone fragments.", "Permanent", "Severity: MODERATE (-20 Vit)") **
[22:35] {NARRATION} At last, the monster is dead, Isaac’s ruby spear rending through the creature and tearing it asunder as a righteous inferno weakens the energy-spewing monstrosity fiend. During the battle, as Ethan held his hands out to draw the patterns of his Spatial circles, the voice-mimicking monster had the perfect opportunity to rend his arm. The tremendous force applied at such a strike shattered bones and likely would have severed his forearm from wrist, should he not have been wearing armor.

The battle ends, luckily, before anyone else manages to be seriously hurt. A mess.

Saito Mao is freed easily after that... He’s dazed for many moments, though the herbalist thanks the priestess profusely for saving him from such a horrid fate. Upon being briefed as to why she was here, the weakened, sickly form directs the group towards picking the best clusters of flowers -

Ironically, the finest quality is found amid the carcass of the gaunt Demon itself…

With their pyrrhic plunder in hand, the herbalist following, the group departs to head back to Huangzhou...
[22:37] {Item} You picked up Parasite-Flower Cluster. Dropped by HealsDM. .
[22:38] After whispering something to Reito with a cheeky smile, Isaac looked toward Ethan curiously. That looked like it hurt.
(Isaac)
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[22:40] The battle was definitely a harsh one. Adrenaline had kept him up and had made him miss out on the fact his arm was... Not quite right. The fell limp to his side - pain coursing through his entire limb at once from it. He couldn't hold back a small scream; his knees met the ground swiftly as his right hand moved to hold onto his left wrist. What a mess! It seemed to have lost all kind of strength to its bone, leaving him with a useless hand as it was.

All of it for a flower. A flower he didn't even need.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[22:41] Even with their victory, it came at a price. Ethan's arm, nearly torn from him, but only shattered in the meantime. The Kitsune felt guilt like nothing other; he had offered to come to help her on her quest and journey and instead ended up worse for wear for it. Even with the needed flower in her possession now, Reito was soon enough at Ethan's side shaking her head,

"I'm so sorry," She murmured, near to tears. Because she knew what it was like. Out of everywhere there? She knew. "I'm so - so sorry. I'm sorry for dragging you on this. - I'll... I'll make it right. I'll fix it. I promise, really, Ethan! I'm sorry!" She gushed out, hands flailing. To say she was worried was an understatement. He was her friend - one of her closest.
(Reito Shimasu)
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[22:48] Perhaps it was fight of flight, or maybe the pain had made him lose control over the madness that had afflicted his mind over years, but Ethan didn't share mere suffering in his gaze towards Reito - there was more. It was an expression that she hadn't seen ever since they fought out in the streets after Jesse's death; he was filled with some hatred towards her. Animalistic instincts made a priority of himself after the forced sacrifice was brought upon him.

"No! Just- leave me be!"

A bright green light appeared in-between himself and the Kitsune. Before her hands could reach out to show just how sorry and empathic she was? He was gone. They'd have to talk about that.

Not only that, but now the duo was left with the difficult task to walk back on their own.

Ethan's subconscious had acted out in a moment of pain, fear,and anger.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[22:50] To say she was shocked was an understatement. She hadn't expected that look of hatred in his eyes. It was startling, and his words left her silent, before soon enough... Well - he was gone. Just like that.

She's quiet, her hands dropping. Sure, she had gotten what she had needed, but at what cost? Was it worth it?
(Reito Shimasu)
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[22:51] Isaac can't believe they have to take the caravan home...This is terrible, a true tragedy. He pouts.
(Isaac)