COD Event Relics of the Past

This is a Chance of Death event of which Uri would attend by lending both his ship and his combative power to two friends of his. Astrid cos Salis and Ebern Tyr Antioch. They venture to a land south of Osrona in search of cosmic wisdom, whilst for Uri, it would be to obtain an ability thought to be lost, a hidden technique where one would make an inferno out of their fist and limbs. It is a rather long adventure, one filled with a couple of battles, both of which they barely make it out of, winning only by the sheer skin of their teeth after finding a woman hidden away within a cosmic empowered tree. This then leads them to fight a one eye'd cosmic wolf, and despite being the one to end and win the fight, Uri, due to his bad luck with the dice gods, would sustain a permanent injury, but for what it was worth, his fist endured a heat like no other and obtained the Stargazer's Eye. Through his experience of fire and the stars, he fights against such a power alongside his comrades, his friends with a resolve to win for their return home, and a vision to be that fighting force for Osilot a settlement to be and his crew aboard the Grand Stallion.


[19:09] Astrid leads the group toward the docks. Making sure to prepare as she does so
"Is everyone ready?"

For some reason, she seemed to have forgotten that she was dragging Athanoti
"Oh! My apologies, Athanoti! Are you coming?"

She looks at Athanoti with a stern look on her face. Crossing her arms as she does so
"I've told you before, this is a journey toward an ancient temple off the coast of the mountains north of Myllenoris. We...may find something. Or we may not find anything. But...we certainly could need the extra muscle. You were just...convenient."

The events that had transpired not even a few minutes ago would cloud Astrid's mind. What was she fighting for?
"...Mm..Uri, I need to give you the coordinates. I did some calculations, and if they are correct, the island should be around here. Would you be able to navigate us over there?"

Astrid hands over Uri a map. Along with a red X marked along a particular spot
"Took me all night to figure it out. But i'm sure you'll be able to guide us there. Thank you, Uri. I'd be happy to share the spoils of whatever we might obtain. I simply want knowledge, is all."

Looking toward Esbern, she smiles at him for a moment. Her eyes still producing an air of melancholy
"I...M-must thank you three for coming with me. This is not something i'd be able to do alone. So...having you tw-..*ahem. Three, with me is certainly appreciated. I...feel like I need to do this. Something is...oddly pushing me to do so. I just can't put my finger on it..."




(Astrid cos Salis)
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[19:13] He huffs a bit, "Already saying thank you and we havn't even arrived there yet? We must be careful with this voyage Astrid, but, I believe with Esbern'o's help and your sharp eyes for the actual image of the island, we should make it there in no less than a day."

He would take the map for only a brief moment, looking at his crew, "Oi! Raise the anchor, and prepare the sails, we will take a voyage to yet another unexplored island! So! Are y' ready boys?!" Uri asked his crew, these were the Non-Magi working on the ship, the Grand Stallion, making sure it was properly taken care of and ready to sail without any damage from the previous voyages remaining there on the wood.

"OH!!! Esbern'o! I have some metals to give you for the Cannon project! Think you can run home and drop these in the chest?"

He looked to his friend since, well, he had no access to the chest.
(Uri Sanctum)
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[19:13] Uri Sanctum says, "OH! And I...Still need that exalted enchant haha."
[19:16] Athanoti would finish the bottle of ale she had with her all the way as she tosses it into the water, letting out a burp. "...I'm comin' calm down.

Als', M' remember, don' worry. Got'm 'venture buzz ready 't go."

Her arms would go behind her head as she streches her arms and yawns loudly. It's funny how going away from home for possibly days on end clearly doesn't bother her. That, or she just doesn't care.
(Athanoti)
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[19:16] Uri Sanctum says, "Hehe, its time you earn your stripes on m' crew Athanoti."
[19:16] Esbern seems overly distracted as they move to the docks by the recent events, another small "tch" given as he laments not being able to witness as much as possible.

After a moment of consideration, he puts it to the back of his mind for the time being. Refocusing now, he doesn't think of the destination , but the journey.

"Astrid, Athanoti. You're both guests on this voyage, so you won't be expected to work on ship - I must, however, insist you do not get in the way, as sailing is no light business. I will be giving many orders during the voyage, and I can't have a single one go awry.", he says in a stern tone, before looking to Astrid, admiring the seemingly hopeful look she has about the trip.

"Astrid, if you'd like, you could stay in my cabin for the journey.", he offers, knowing that the upper decks will be in constant chaos as they rush to maintain the ship.

Finally, he turns to Uri and says; "Yes, I can put the ore in the warehouse... we should have enough time for a single enchantment before we depart, I believe."
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
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[19:16] {Item} You drop Iron x2.
[19:16] {Item} You drop Mythril x17.
[19:16] {Item} You drop Steel x1.
[19:16] {Item} You drop Orchilacum x6.
[19:16] Athanoti says, "'Ve been on ships f' months'n end t' go 't countries."
[19:16] {Item} You drop Parted Jacket.
[19:16] Esbern Tyr Antioch asks, "Preference on enchantment?"
[19:16] Uri Sanctum says, "Power Exalted."
[19:17] {Item} You picked up Parted Jacket. Dropped by Uri Sanctum. .
[19:17] Uri Sanctum exclaims, "Thanks!"
[19:22] Astrid simply smiles as she heard Uri's words. She would appear to be a bit...aloof. Probably still stunned from the recent events in the square. Though, she can't help but be impressed by Uri's crew! It was quite the sight to see
"My.."

She nods toward Esbern at his words
"Yes, my love. I'll make sure not to get in the way. Though...those words might be better fit for Athanoti…"

Astrid nods as she follows Esbern, thinking it best that she stay in tha cabin given the chaos of the ship.
"Mm, I agree. I admit...I've never been on a pirate ship before! I...think such a thing will be fun. Best I get my mind off things for a while and just...relax. If you two need anything, don't be afraid to ask."

While she kept a cheerful demeanor, it was evident that there was certainly a lot on her mind
"...Hm..."
(Astrid cos Salis)
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[19:22] Uri Sanctum says, "I'll be right back, selling my old jacket."
[19:27] Esbern frowns slightly at it being called a pirate ship, correcting sternly; "Privateers. Pirates are criminals, and I can't be associated with them."

"Anyway. This is no holiday or light trip, sailing is serious business, dangerous business. Uri, did you say Athanoti was joining the crew? Then I suppose I must retract my request for them to relax belowdecks. We'll need all hands on deck, after all.", he continues, his tone strictly that of the first mate, Uri's vice captain.
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
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[19:27] Athanoti is the most pirate out of them all.
(Athanoti)
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[19:31] There they were, getting ready, the ramp down on the docks for them all to board the ship that belonged to the Soaring Phoenix, "Astrid, consider yourself an honorary member of the crew," he said with a smile before focusing his eyes to Esbern'o.

He wondered if he knew that Uri was literally declared a pirate to the world, a pirate Lord at that. So, he would chuckle to himself, patting his friend on the shoulder. "Esbern'o, you are the Vice Wing, if you need Athanoti to work, then simply give her the command to do so... I trust you with manning the crew when I'm not awake after all," he said to the friend of his.

Uri would be on the deck at this point. Full of busy crew mates, some of which, tending to the many horses aboard their ship.

The Captain however, looked at his trusty compass, gazing out into the open sea, and the Soaring Phoenix Guild, were all just about ready to set sail...For this trip will take about a day or less (An Hour remains for the DM to arrive.) And so, this leads to Uri, standing near the wheel of the ship, speaking to himself.

"Now, bring me that horizon, and, a good time, stories to tell all of Osrona and Osilot…" He smirks, waiting for the others to board his ship.

(Uri Sanctum)
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[19:38] Astrid would widen her eyes at Uri's comment. Placing her hand on her heart as she does so
"Oh, dear. Me!? Oho...why thank you, Uri! I'll certainly try my best. Though...if you need anything, don't be afraid to tell me."

The girl winks at Esbern
"And I most certainly mean anything, you know?"

Astrid begins pacing around the dock for a moment. Opting to sit down on a box on the ship as she goes over her notes in her journal
"...."

She stays silent for a moment. Almost swearing she could hear someone pushing her onward. Pushing her to continue. As if there was some ancient mystery that she needed to discover in order to find her true self..

Given the commotion that had happened recently, Astrid finds herself doubting her actions and goals. Doubting the person she was. Though she would realize not to rely on this journey as the end all be all answer to her problems, she would certainly hope shecould see things in a new light afterward.

Astrid's attire would stand out among the fleet of privateers that surrounded her. It was certain that she was a bit more fancy looking than the rest..
"O-oh!"

She stumbles as the boat begins to move.
"My..i-..I've never been on a boat before! L-let alone out in the sea! This will be quite fun, i'm sure of it!"

While she says this now, she would soon find out she was extremely prone to sea sickness...
(Astrid cos Salis)
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[19:40] Athanoti would plop a seat down onto the floor as the boat starts moving. She pulls out a bottle of ale and starts drinking.
(Athanoti)
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[19:46] Astrid would correct her statement as she realized her connotations. Looking toward Esbern as she did so. Perhaps the salty air had been getting to her brain...
"Oh! I m-meant anything f-for you of course! Heh..hehe…*hic."

It seemed the poor girl was not used at all to the heavy rocking and rowing of seaward travel. This was her first time overseas after all, it was inevitable..
"*hic. U...u..i'm gonna s-sit..sit down..in...the cabin.."


(Astrid cos Salis)
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[19:47] "LAY-HO!...AND...HEAVE!!!" The boats-mates yelled in unison as the ancor was now finally and fully raised, chained up to the side of the ship. While Uri himself would be there on the deck, walking about, making sure that everyone is doing well.

"Now, how about a little song as we sail eh? Musician! Play your tunes!" The Captain shouts as he would go up to the crows nest, the highest point of the ship!

"Simple work for simple men, I bring them adventure and they bring loyalty, I give them coin and in return a journey!: Uri was having fun as usual, making his way to the crows nest! But there was one little question one might ask!

How'd he get up there? Simple, by grabbing a rope and letting the large number of sand bags hoist him upwards, laughing whole heartedly! "Tally-Ho! Ahahaha!"

"Where are my tunes damn you?" He asked the crew's musician whilst taking out his binoculars to try andpin point the direction they will be heading. Based off the map, he would have to navigate whilst everyone else would man the ship.
(Uri Sanctum)
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[19:51] As the music of merry men and privateers fill her ears. She closes her eyes as she lays down in the cabin. Seemingly being sick and anxious out of her mind
"Ugh..i-i...can certainly use some..t-tea right now..."

Astrid falls into a deep sleep in the cabin. Her mind being full of worries and doubts as she did so. She was supposed to be enjoying this, right?
"..zzz...zzzz..zzz"

For the time being, she rests for the rest of the day. Trusting Uri's instincts and navigation skills as she does so. Only wishing that she could help out more...
"...mgh.."

(Astrid cos Salis)
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[19:54] Esbern, as per usual when sailing, is barking orders at all of the crew. He makes sure that everyone who needs to be doing something is doing something, and anyone who isn't is staying out of their way.

If Astrid were to witness any of this, she'd note a stark change in Esbern's behaviour - now he was strongly authoritative, shouting out orders in a commanding tone. His eyes were stern, and his demeanor rigid, making the chain of command on the ship clear.

Regularly, reminds would be barked out as he had to ensure that a slacker or two weren't mistaking this for a holiday cruise at sea; "Step to it!", "If I catch you slacking, you'll get a taste of the cat!", motioning towards a small whip at his side.

Sailors rush about to and fro on the ship, maintaining every part of a large sailing ship, no doubt a complex vessel needing many men to be maintained.

Esbern doesn't join in on the music, focusing completely on keeping order and maintaining discipline. The salt of the sea air brushes against his face, providing only a small amount of sweet relief, as his concentration stays true.
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
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[20:02] SAILING AWAY! SAIL AWAY! SAIL AWAY! That was the song, one that the men and women aboard the ship would be singing together whilst working on the Grand Stallion.

"Sailing Away!~
Sailing Away!
For these folk, will see the light of day!
We're sailing away!
Our price to pay!
To keep them at bay!
We'll sail away!"

The tune was slow but one they singed together unless someone else had a better song for them to sing. These people were no music band after all, it was a simple jolly roger made from the crew on their free time.

"Our anchor we lay!
Those thieve's we shall slay!
We chase them night and day!
For this we sail away!
To fight them we may!
Take time, they'll decay!
For this very day!
We'll
Sail!
Away!"

And Uri, in the crows nest would look at the compass, and swing down from the rope, making sure the wheel would be turned to the right direction. "North? And East? Seem's like we're sailing past.... Or to the direction of Los'tal… Maybe this island is beyond my little treasure," he smiles and looks down to Astrid.

"Astrid! By any chance, this island you spoke of, wouldn't happen to be Los'tal would it? If so! This will benefit my greatly!"

(Uri Sanctum)
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[20:14] Swoooshhhh


Swooooshh

Swoooshh
"...."

The raging sound of the waves would fill her ears as she lay there in darkness. Her body swaying and rocking along with the intense movement of the ship. She seemed to be lost in thought in her dreams. The noise of upstairs being drowned out by peaceful, blissful silence. As if she was in some sort of trance or dream
"..."

The jolly singing of the privateers and the Captain would be naught but an afterthought. For some reason, Astrid felt a sense of peace among all the chaos. It was...beautiful. People working together to fulfill a goal. Like little cogs in a machine
"..zz..zzz…"

Astrid would begin hearing a voice echo in her ears as the day passed by. Day slowly turning into night as the voice would grow larger the more she sunk into her slumber. A soft, understanding voice. Seemingly calling to her amongst the darkness
'Astrid..'

'Astrid...'

"...."

What was this voice? She wondered....
"!!!"

Her dream would be pierced by Uri's voice as she awoke from her slumber. A little droopy and disorientated, she regains her senses as she rises up from her slumber
"Wh-what was that, Uri!?"

Standing up from her bed, she stretches a little. Feeling a little less sick than she did earlier that day, at least
"C-coming!"

Walking up onto the deck, she would feel a little out of place among the privateers. But now that she was up and ready for the day, she would at least have a little bit more of a spring in her step compared to yesterday
"Mm? Los'tal? I...I've never heard of such a place. I've only really heard of this island from my studies and the myths and legends associated around it. Plenty of names have been given to it. The most prominent one be-"

Astrid walks up to the ship as she an island appear on the horizon. Her eyes widening in awe in beauty as she looks upon it
"Wow...'

The girl would look at the island with her mouth agape. Time seemingly slowing down as she witnessed the sun set from above it's horizon
"Is...that it?"

With her destination on the horizon, she makes sure to prepare herself for whatever trials may lay in wait...


(Astrid cos Salis)
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[20:22] {NARRATION} The group soon enough arrives to the rumoured forest that would lead them to the observatory that was their destination. Myllenoris was to their south, at a safe distance- Although their scouting parties sometimes went a bit too far, they wouldn't hear them out.

The mountain, containing the old building at the very top of it, unused for so long- Was just behind those dense woods, so visible to all of them, and even from this far, the whole group could feel the magic that went through these trees, entrenched deep underground.

Daylight shone through the skies, their visibility clear- But so was of whatever dangers lied within. Deeper, there seemed to be naught even a single remainder of the road that once took to their objective.
[20:25] "Keep watch of the ship," said the Captain to his crew, watching as the others would do whatever actions were taken place. Uri would follow the leader. ASTRID into the forest, feeling a strange presence from this place.

"well Astrid, we're finally here, now, where to?" He asked the Salis, wondering where she will take them... Unsure of how deep they were in this forest OOCLY but following the directions given by the Dungeon Master.

Of course, the Non-Magi of the ship would watch it until it was time for them to either sail away or fire off the basic cannons long installed on the Grand Stallion.
(Uri Sanctum)
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[20:26] Setting foot in the forest, Esbern takes a deep breath. Potent scents and aromas that he'd not experienced since his imprisonment in Myllenoris, his fear of leaving the city walls having kept him inside.

This trip was partly an excuse for him to make a trip outside, but mostly for the sake of Astrid - he needed to at least try to keep her safe, after all.

"Don't worry, Love, I've got your back.", he says to her, keeping his eyes on the flora and fauna ahead of them, keeping his guard up incase any beasts, bandits, or traps should befall them.
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
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[20:28] Athanoti would wake her drunk ass up and would gather her 'man'y supplies that were laying around her.
Her engraved, well-taken care of Gladius, two bottles of ale and a necklace. Low maintance, ain't she?

She hops off, last in line with the lot. Thought, she seems the most battle-ready out of all of the four, probably due to her blood. "Ghnn... 'dis place makes 't feel like m' back 'n Brittania, nice'n calm woods where I slept as I was leavin', hehe." She takes in a deep breath as she basks in the sunlight, but as she breathed in, she coughs and lets out a cloud of ash as she coughs.
(Athanoti)
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[20:33] With her destination on the horizon, she begins preparing for the worst. Grabbing her blade and supplies as she prepares to trek out into the forest
"Alright. Here we are. I...hope my calculations were correct. Y-you...all have my back right?'

Astrid smiles as she looks at her companions, knowing full well that she would be okay by their side. No matter what dangers they may face, they were certain to see it through to the end. She would make sure of that.
"Hehe...I don't even ask do I? Now...let's see..."

Walking into the forest, Astrid would be following her journal as she trekked around the bleak and dark forest. The trees soaking up most of the daylight that shone through the trees. Imediately upon arrival of their so called destination, Astrid would feel an odd, magical aura forming over her. An ever so subtle wave of mana that would pierce her skin and bones as she walked closer to
"I..c-cant see anything. Was...I perhaps incorrect?"

Astrid would begin losing hope the more she walked and trekked into the forest. Engaging in small talk with her companions as not to bore them
"Hm..."

Further and further they would go until....seeing something off the corner of her vision. Something would tempt her to go there. Pulling her body in that direction as she did so. The voice in her head convincing her to push onward
"...Is..? Mm, follow me everyone."

Pulling out her blade, she begins slicing through the flora and vines that got in her way. Emering from the trees as the sunlight casted it's ray on her destination.

The myths were true, it seemed

An ancient observatory plagued in vines and decay. Once a great place for ancient scientists and observers, now a lost relic to time.
"By Kraus..."

Her eyes would widen in awe as she made her way through the brush and trees. Looking up at the ancient observatory in awe. She would be entranced for just a moment before looking back at her group
"We found it! C-come on! Let's go!"

Astrid seemed to be ecstatic as she sprung toward the entrance of the mountain. Ignoring Athanoti's drunken spews and rambles as she makes her way further in..
"I had no idea such a place truly existed! My...I must be dreaming! C-come on everyone. Let's stay close, okay?"
(Astrid cos Salis)
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[20:38]
{LOAD GAME}

[20:40] {NARRATION} The observatory was still far, however. Even as she sprung quickly away, there was one thing of note as soon as they moved just a couple of minutes inland, they'd see one remainder of other things- Someone else was in this place even before they were.

Apparently, given the trail of campfires and smoke, none of them went too close to the observatory, and they could only ask why. The sun still shone right over their heads, illuminating far into the forests.

They were just a couple of hours away from the mountain's base, but the path there seemed easy, if they managed to avoid the attention of whomever was in that island.

(You can just describe the general take your character will have towards traveling there- I will consider it happens for the entirety of their journey. Do note that this -can- prompt into early complications)
[20:42] {NARRATION} The observatory was still far, however. Even as she sprung quickly away, there was one thing of note as soon as they moved just a couple of minutes inland, they'd see one remainder of other things- Someone else was in this place even before they were.

Apparently, given the trail of campfires and smoke, none of them went too close to the observatory, and they could only ask why. The sun still shone right over their heads, illuminating far into the forests.

They were just a couple of hours away from the mountain's base, but the path there seemed easy, if they managed to avoid the attention of whomever was in that island.

(You can just describe the general take your character will have towards traveling there- I will consider it happens for the entirety of their journey. Do note that this -can- prompt into early complications)
[20:43] Esbern spots the smoke from the campfires, and thinks it would be best to at least try diplomacy first.

They didn't know who lived on the island, and whether or not they owned it - perhaps they could purchase passage, or maybe just information they might need later?, he reasons.

Inquiring to Astrid, he says; "Astrid, with your permission, I'd like for us to approach one of the campsites peacefully, and try to negotiate for information, maybe passage as necessary.", giving her a look that says he's confident in his scheme.

He prepares a separate pouch with 500 coins for trading, should it come to it, but otherwise follows Astrid's lead as they continue through the forest.
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
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[20:45] Astrid cos Salis says, "9WHAT"
[20:45] This place, this land, it was unlike anything Uri had ever seen before. So, he would speak along the way, to make sure everyone was together... If he didn't look back, someone might get lost after all. So, he followed the compass to make sure they were going the right way. Even though they were following Astrid, Uri had this instinct to verify certain navigational steps for their many journeys.

"I see. So, we head north right?" He asked Astrid whilst following behind. He made sure to keep an eye out, scouting as they made their way through the forest. He wouldn't need to take any extremes or so he thought. So, for the young Captain, he would make his intentions clear.

"Even though, we are here to learn about the cosmos, I hope we find something worth taking home, for a little project of mine," said the Sanctum... He kept his eyes peeled the entire time, watching his step as they went along on the trail.

"A peaceful negotiation? Sounds a lot like your usual task, Esbern'o.." he spoke to his Vice Wing while looking at his compass, holding it up to the sky... He followed the stars and in them, like his own, Anos, he would trust.
(Uri Sanctum)
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[20:49] While she was able to finally pinpoint her destination, it was obvious that the group had a long journey ahead of them until they fully reached their destination. This seemed to be only the beginning.
"Come on everyone. And yeah, if my calculations are correct, we should be heading North, Ur-"

Looking toward her destination, she widens her eyes in intrigue as she finds evidence of someone being recently near there. A trail of campfires and smoke dotting the path toward the mountain. Astrid would be surprised, not expecting other adventurers to be here. Though...something about the placement of the campfires seemed, off...to Astrid
"..."

Her trance would be broken as Esbern walked up behind her. Darting her eyes back and forth the campfire and him
"Mm. You think that would be the best idea? We...don't know if we're welcomed here. Things could be..."

Astrid contemplated his proposition, nodding her head as sheagrees to it. It was best to be cautious in times like these, after all
"Let's go then. See if we can bargain for safe passage."

Leading the way toward one of the campfires. Astrid wouldn't help but feel a deep sense of dread suddenly fill her body. Not from the journey she was taking...but...from something else. As if...something wrong was happening in the world
"..."

It was as if someone was speaking to her in her head. A subtle, soft voice that she could not even try to decipher...

Whatever had happened, they were to deep into this already. Their destination being the only thing on her mind for the time at hand..
(Astrid cos Salis)
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[20:50] Athanoti would look up into the sky as she sees the smoke leering above the party. She coughs softly every few steps as a very tiny cloud of smoke comes from her mouth.

"Oi, m' fuckin' lungs ain't 'da best, jus' sayin'. Also... better idea. Walk'round in'da deep forest, keepin' track on 'da path.

Stay outta' sight jus' 'nough 'dat we can barely see 't and 'dat we don't get absulotely fuckin' buggered'n lost in'da woods 'ere." Athanoti takes a sip from her ale.

"How does 'dat sound, aye?" Athanoti would travel a bit behind the group due to her lungs being absolute shiet from when that drakanite scorched her lungs....
(Athanoti)
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[20:55] With Astrid's permission, Esbern now heads towards the closest campfire, doing his best to make his behaviour non-threatening, and calling out to greet whoever is there in a friendly manner.

"Hello there! Sorry for the disturbance, we're peaceful explorers from another kingdom. I'd hoped to inquire about the state of the island here, if you'd be interested in helping us out?", he tries to say as he jostles a bag of coins for whoever might be at the camp.

If everything went according to plan, he would attempt to gain information on the mountain itself, the observatory, and permission for their group to travel up without being accosted by the camp-fire's occupants.
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
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[21:00] {NARRATION} Esbern heads towards the nearest campfire, only to find it empty. Whatever people were in the forest, these weren't going to be anything good for them. After all, a main detail of this mountain was that it was noticeably close to Myllenoris...

... And one uniform, left behind by the patrol, had that very symbol.

For one reason or another, it's very unlikely this group would be able to talk with them! Due to a stroke of luck from Esbern, however, they weren't in the camp, but the supplies left behind, although there was nothing special, made sure to hint that they weren't far.
[21:04] Esbern looks at the camp, slightly disappointed that his prepared speech had no ears to hear it, but upon looking at the contents of the camp, he spots the uniform, along with the myllenorian symbol on it.

A shiver goes down his spine - although getting captured by Myllenoris was no risk for him, Astrid was a knight, and who knows what their attitude would be to Uri and Athanoti.

"Myllenorian soldiers." He looks to Athanoti, and he says; "Looks like you're right, pathseeker. It'd be best to avoid any of these camps, though I hope we don't run into any of the patrols aswell..."

A light sigh is given, and he looks to Astrid once more for her decision, as she is the acting leader.
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
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[21:05] "Nothing but rubbish," said the Captain as he follows behind the group. He was looking for the Arcanium that would help in the construction of his golem, that might give him the edge he needed in order to make a weapon worthy of fighting for their freedom. But most importantly, whilst keeping an eye out for his crew.

The Captain turned to Antanoti, clumsily making his way towards her, "Searched all the storage, shade, but no rum...So..." He looks the Rhoynish dead in the eye as he asked, "Why is the rum gone?" He would suspect that she'd be able to trace the people by this logic... Why? Because no one would have a great campire without trying to have a good time.

"Of all the days, the rum is gone and we have no clues as to where we are to go eh?" He shakes his head, and folds his arms. Uri made sure to communicate with everyone on the crew. "Still, this place, it makes me worry for what's to come...It's silent, too silent.." He then heard Esbern'o say those cursed words...

"Soldiers?... Like, here? Those Soldiers patrol this area here?"

He sighs.

"Should've brought a Greeting'Gift… Not sure if they'll like stray travelers..."
(Uri Sanctum)
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[21:07] Athanoti would, of course still be behind the pair, about a minute behind. She would be panting...

This work really isn't made for her, isn't it? "Fuck.... I need't get 'desse damn lungs fixed...." She would see the Myllenoris soldier uniforms.... why the hell they have a observatory?

"...huff... why'da hell does 'da dagger-ears got 'n observatory?"

Athanoti's glare would return to Uri as he spoke to her. "I hate fuckin' Rum, y' can 'ave 't if'y ever get some." She would take another swig from her ale bottle.
(Athanoti)
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[21:11] Astrid would make sure to try and...ignore Athanoti's drunken ramblings. She...never really was that much of a fan when it came to dealing with drunks after all. Why did...she bring her again? Sometimes Astrid can be TOO nice

Walking up to the remains of the campfire, she would turn her head back and forth as to look around her surroundings. Finding...nothing. Only the complete silence of the forest and wind brushing against their faces filling the air
"Esbern...I...don't think anyone is here." she says somewhat solemnly

Looking down at the uniform, Astrid would be shocked to see the symbol of Myllenoris on it's sleeve. But how so? She thought. They were far away enough from Myllenoris as to not to be seen. As far as she knew...this wasn't even her territory
"Mm, yes. It's best we avoid the camps for now. Taking the straight path would make us look like sitting ducks. O-or..i guess...walking...ducks.."

Astrid begins to grow cautious of her surroundings. Rummaging around for any supplies she might find around the campfire
"Come, let us stay cautious as we trek onward."

She looks forward at Athanoti, offering her hand as to help her walk
"Are you doing alright? Come...lay on my shoulder. Unless you'd like to rest for the time being?"

With Athanoti on her shoulder...probably. She decide it best to continue trekking onward. Staying in the path of the trees as if to not keep themselves open for enemy enemies that may lie in wait
"Let us continue north. We can follow the trees and make a beeline toward the mountain from here. As long as we are cautious, i'm sure we will be quite fine. Now, come come!"

With a spring in her step, she presses onward
(Astrid cos Salis)
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[21:18] {NARRATION} The group moves forward, straight through the woods and towards the rumoured observatory- It seems to be mostly alright, except at one point, Esbern falls ever-so-slightly behind, tripping upon an expose tree's root amidst their stealth, the magi-strength of his causing the wood to crack and crumple under his foot!

It was a terrible moment. That single opportunity had him unnoticeably fall behind, losing track of the group for a couple of moments, until he finally sees them after a few turns-

Only to step on a bear trap, his foot locked under the metal.
[21:24] Esbern feels overly wary, unsure if the myllenorian patrols will burst out from the bushes at any moment... so he hangs back slightly, making sure to keep an eye of the rear of their line so that no one can sneak up on them.

Unfortunately, his attention is too focused on the bushes, and not what's on his feet - he trips on a root, tearing through it and tumbling into the bushes themselves.

Disorientated, and slightly panicked at having lost sight of Astrid, he rushes about wildly, searching for a single sign of them. Finally catching up, he prepares to enter their company again, only...

to step foot first onto a bear trap. "AGggghhhHH!", he cries out in surprise, the sudden pain riveting up his leg and shaking his nerves.

"Ffffuuuck... they got me!", "Astrid! Uri! Pathseeker!", he hisses out in their direction. Though his originally yell of pain may be loud, he tries to at least keep the rest of his moans and complaints at a reasonable level as to not give their location away anymore.
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
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[21:29] Astrid would continue walking along the path toward her destination. Feeling...oddly anxious the closer that she got toward the mountain. While she would check to make sure that everyone was following her every once in a while, she couldn't help but be lost in thought..
"Hm..hmhmh.."

Humming a tune to herself, she treks onwards, only to widen her eyes at the ear piercing scream of her fiancé mere yards behind her
"E-Esbern!?"

Almost on instinct, she rushes toward his aid as she immediately analyzes the situation
"Ah! Y-you're gonna be okay! D-don't worry! Uri! Athanoti! Help me!"

Grasping her hands on the bear trap, she attempts to free his leg from the pain. Using all the strength she could to tear open the mechanism. Even channeling some of her mana if needed
"Gah...I-i'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

What was she apologizing for? Well, either way, Astrid would attempt to tryher best to free him from the trap. Probably putting herself in harms way as she does so.
"Ugh..c-come on! You...stupid thing!"

(Astrid cos Salis)
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[21:30] Athanoti says, "....."
[21:34] Athanoti would walk over towards Esbern, as she lightly nudges Astrid to the side. For a Knight you'd think she would be a bit smarter but alas, guess she ain't.

The Rhonyish lass would crouch down, as she would lodge her sword between Esbern's ankle and the bear trap as she would start to heat up the bit of iron up to a very, very warm tempature. It warmed it up enough to make it a bit malleable and soft, enough for her to push and start to cut the metal.

Within a minute, she does so. She rips the trap from the severed point apart as the sword moves away from him. Note, the point on Esbern's leg was blunt, so nothing was really cut.

"Thought 'y woulda cut'dat shit wid' 'y light magic Astrid."
(Athanoti)
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[21:38] Uri turns back, looking to find any sign of his Vice Wing, but, he heard the yell of pain from behind, and Astrid doing what she did instinctively for his husband.

"Oi! Esbern'o!" The Captain shouts in worry, staying in place, "Keep your eyes peeled for any traps," He spoke with caution, for he would stay where he was, and wait for them to bring Esbern'o here rather than set off any other traps.

He stood in place, keeping a look out for any other traps, anything he could possibly find to ensure that another incident would not happen. "There's more someplace possibly.. We can't afford to be reckless…. But... She long ran for him, best thing we can do is stay put."

For now, Uri would wait for them. He was the medic of the group, and if he risked getting trapped, that could be an uber pain for everyone.

"Oi... Oi, oi, it's too early to fall in battle Esbern'o."
(Uri Sanctum)
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[21:41] Esbern is in too much pain to think straight much, only being able to desperately hope that the trap is freed from his leg soon. Astrid's presence is comforting, but it's only Athanoti's actions that let him be free from the trap itself.

"Where the fu-... Uri!", he mutters, still wincing heavily from the gouges in his leg. "Uri, damnit, you're our medic! I need you!", he hisses through the bushes in Uri's direction.

Esbern tries to put his arm around Astrid for support, if she would give it, offering her a weak smile to try and show that he was alright - even if he wasn't.
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
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[21:41] {NARRATION} Athanoti had actually done a good job at undoing that trap. Due to that effort, Esbern's bone hadn't actually been crushed, but instead only splintered briefly- If the trap had some more time to continue pressing, it'd certainly result in something much worse.

(-10% vit, temporary wound, 4 days - Esbern)

(For clarification: All wounds are stacking, and dealt at the end of the event. Instead of three temporary -10% wounds, they'll get a single -30% one; And getting three wounds of any kind will cause the wound to turn into something else.

Given there is arcanium among the rewards, gaining three permanent wounds in this event -will- kill.)
[21:45] {NARRATION} Given the fact they had come back- And Esbern yelled for their help, it was likely they were running somewhat short on time. The woods were a busy place with animals, but sounds could likely travel a long way.

Esbern could still walk, even with the splintered bone.
[21:51] Astrid would be pushed to the side by Athanoti. Her emotions not allowing her to think straight as she witness Athanoti free Esbern from his bear trap prison
"H-hey? A-are you alright?"

She walks up to Esbern as she allows him to use her for support. Hoping to at least be able to help him walk for the duration of the journey. It seemed Esbern got lucky this time. Only walking away with a minor wound that should surely be able to heal given the time
"Uri..c-can you help him?"

Astrid would look up to the sky to see birds fluttering away from the trees. Now being an extra step cautious then she was before
"Esbern, a-are you still able to walk? We can call this off and go home, if you'd like."

If Esbern would agree to continue onward, Astrid leads the group further toward the mountain. This time being more cautious of her surroundings then ever before...
"Come on, everyone. Let us be careful and be on our toes. I...i'm leaving this place with everyone with me. No matter what..."

(Astrid cos Salis)
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[21:53] Esbern focuses his blood magic on his leg, coagulating blood near the wounds to prevent any further bleeding and lower infection rates. He then reinforces the limb with mana, and stands back up.

He shakes his head at Astrid, replying; "It's a bit awkward... but it should work.", he says, drinking a small potion from his coat to numb the pain slightly.

"Thank you, Astrid, Athanoti. Let's continue."
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
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[21:54] Uri would look at his compass and the time of day as he turns back to Astrid, only briefly, speaking allowed. "There's no time Astrid, we have to go now, and wrap his wound on the way up north...Or tend to it by the time we get there..."

He looks around at the forest. "There could be many more, traps, do you want to risk sticking around to find out how many more will spring up?" Uri would wait for the others, his Path Seekers and all.. For this was not like any other trip, but one where they had no choice but to keep moving forward...

"You said it yourself, we cannot afford to be sitting ducks, let's go!" The Captain declared, keeping an eye out for what was to come. Of course, he was happy to be here, smiling along the way, but he couldn't help but worry for Esbern… For now, all they could do, was hope for the best...For Esbern was a magi after all, the typical man would've lost that leg by now, but Esbern was more durable than one could believe it to be.

"Easy does it... We must beat the sun set, right? Esbern'o..Astrid, let's make haste.."

So leads the Wandering Phoenix.
(Uri Sanctum)
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[21:56] Athanoti would hop up from the ground as she keeps following behind the pair. Now, watching her step so she doesn't step on a stray trap or some shit so she isn't crippled for the rest of her life or some shit.

"Ye, les' go 'y tards 'n stop steppin' on traps." She would take another sip from her ale bottle as the group travels on.
(Athanoti)
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[22:04] {NARRATION} Esbern was still able to continue even with his leg splintered, and so they did - With Uri worried for them, but soon enough, they made their trek past the forest and into the open woods that surrounded the mountain, perhaps the winds that blew out of it causing the seeds to scatter away from the mountain.

The observatory was high above, but there didn't seem to be much sign of trouble- Only a long stairway that went above the clouds, sunlight peeking through every time the clouds moved slightly- Something was weird, however.

There seemed to be the shade of a tree, up there.
[22:11] With a soft sigh of relief, Astrid opts to stay by her future husbands side. While he was able to walk, she couldn't help but feel a bit startled from the experience. Only pushing her anxiety on guard. But even with the fear bellowing in her heart, she pushes onward...
"You're right. We have to go, come everyone let's hurry!"

With Astrid as the lead, she picks up the pace as she heeds Uri's words. Keeping an eye out on what was to come...

With careful trekking and a cautious heart, the group makes their way out of the bleak and silent woods. Finding themselves in a more open area surrounding the mountain. As she looks up, Astrid nods her head as her destination comes closer within view
"Wow..."

It was a long way up, that was for sure. Esbern's poor leg not having much of a break as the ancient staircase leading upward tempted the group to continue onward
"Alright. Everyone stay with me, we should be fine as long as we stick together. Esbern? Is...you leg okay? U-um..i..I can probably carry you u-"

Looking upward at the stairs, she notices an object ever so faint in the distance. The faint shadow of a tree looming in the distance
"Hm.."

Astrid furrows her brow, ever so conscious as she takes the first step onto the ancient staircase. Taking light steps as not to ruin the once beautiful architecture.
"Mgh.."

The girl would stop for a moment as she a tinge of pain hit her head. Stopping in her tracks as she rubs her temple to ease the pain of a migraine. For a moment...she could swear something was...whispering to her. Most likely just the wind combined with the stress playing tricks on her...
(Astrid cos Salis)
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[22:13] He continues forward, coming up to that very mountain, only to stop, gazing at what was before them.. He was bewildered by the sight, by the very sight. Looking back at the others for just a brief moment. "What...A Strange feeling," said the young Captain as he looked to what felt like a stairway to heaven.

While they were here, chaos was going on elsewhere in the world. But, they did not know this, they only knew of the chaos here before them. Still, he worried for Esbern, though they were in a rush to get to where they needed to be. So, Uri would try something... He would give the stairs a little test run...

"Hold... Don't run up the stairs just yet," and so, he would aim his magic towards the general direction of where they were going... Not sure if this would work, he snapped his fingers, sending off a mild explosion, a Bang just in case, this was to try and cause a little pressure... Only a little to see if any more foot traps would set off... This was an ATTEMPT... Not a guarantee that anything would come out of it.

Of course, making sure he stayed with Astrid and the others, he would make the first movements up, if his minor explosion did not set anything off on the stairs... After just encountering a trap, he couldn't help but be cautious, for this was not their first rodeo upon unexplored territory.

"Then let's proceed," Uri spoke in a serious tone.
(Uri Sanctum)
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[22:15] Esbern follows along steadily behind astrid, his emergency magical treatment and pain-numbing medication allowing him to mostly functional.

"Don't worry, Astrid. I'll be fine. Let's just get to that temple of yours."

Esbern pays more attention to the ground around them, rather than the heights of the mountain, paranoid about stepping into another trap, and as such, leaves the tree-like shadow to Uri and Astrid, but otherwise staying at the ready.

(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
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[22:17] Athanoti catches up with them until.... you know... the stairs. She would slowly make her way up the stairs behind the group.

"....mmhmm... fuck..."
(Athanoti)
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[22:27] Astrid herself would feel....odd as she trekked upward. Unaware to the chaos happening in Osrona as she climbed the stairway to heaven
"Hm?"

Astrid looks back at Uri, nodding her head as she allows him to test the waters, so to speak. With seemingly no traps being sprung, she continues onward with a cautious heart
"Mhm. Let's be careful. Make sure to watch your footing and whatnot."

Climbing the stairway to the heavens, she takes light steps as she continues upward. Staying close to Esbern and her group as she did so. Checking up on them every once in a while as she closed in on the shadow that was coming up closer with every step
"What...is that?"
(Astrid cos Salis)
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[22:34] {NARRATION} The whole effort didn't seem to result in anything- There were no traps on the stairs up, but... Once their heads went over the clouds, the question from Astrid would be clearly answered.

On the observatory's insides, a tree had grown, its leaves long and of an odd, orange color. It emanated energy through its very insides, coursing with magical cosmic energy instead of the regular sap- But...

Not only that, the tree had started to grow on the observatory, covering the main gate, and still pulsating with magic.
[22:36] Staring at the tree, Esbern tilts his head for a moment.

The solution did seem a little obvious... he looks to Uri and Athanoti, and says to them simply; "Fire?"

He then looks to Astrid, and says; "If you think that is good idea, of course, my love." After all, perhaps a precision method would be better to cut a path through, to avoid damaging anything inside?

He keeps his rifle at the ready, a pale of blood swirling around him protectively as he stays on guard.
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
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[22:40] As he ventured up the stairs with the crew... Uri would see those things, the tree above the stairwell, the cosmic sap that leaked from it, the very beauty of being in a world over heaven. "Whoa... Now this, is brighter than any horizon.." he looks to his compass, placing it away, for they were beyond North at this point, they were up, in ascended setting.

Uri turns to Esbern'o and Astrid, "Where to from here?" Asked the Captain, looking around, giving this place a good scan or two... "Oi, this place, it feels pretty nice to be----Hey! The gate!" He shouts, pointing as the tree would cover it!

Curious this was.. Where would it take them all? Uri turned away with slight hesitation. "Well...Carry on then," the high spirited Captain would take his steps forward, "Come now, where to? We can't look at it as if it is an art museum now," he declared, placing both hands onto his hips, but he himself was a hypocrite for saying such things. He of all people were admiring the beauty of a place blessed by the cosmos.

Tempted.. He wanted to take those leafs… And Possible, see if they would enchant his fist, his dream to cause a true inferno within the palms..

"Will this place, be the birth of a new fire?.. Sun Magic itself?" He wondered.
(Uri Sanctum)
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[22:45] With each and every step, Astrid would find her energy waning. The sun slowly starting to set with each and every single step the group took upward
"Mgh...Uri...d-do you have...*cough...water?"

With all this walking, there was no surprise that she was feeling a bit dehydrated. Her migraines coming back every so often to haunt her as well
"*sigh. Almost...there.."

Who would know how long it took for the group to reach their eventual destination. Small talk being made by Astrid as not to bore them and check up on them

Upon reaching their destination, she would feel a wave of mana suddenly pulsate through her body. Upon further inspection, her question being answered as her eyes meet the beautiful tree in front of her
"My..."

Astrid widens her eyes as she tries to get a closer look. The energy emanating from it seemingly making her own innate cosmic energies boil as she cautiously took a step forward. It's bark illuminating a golden, clear aura as it leaked it's energies..
"How..odd.."

Upon taking note of the tree, she tilts her head curiously as she rotates around it. Completely entrances by it's beauty and cosmic energies
"This is quite the find! By Kraus...we may have stumbled upon something truly rare! I've never seen anything quite like this in my studies at all!"

Looking over at Esbern, she ponders his suggestion for a short while. Tilting her head toward the tree. While every bone in her body wanted to touch it, she would think it best to remain cautious
"Fire? Hm...perhaps that would be too risky. I can simply cut it in half with the help of Uri after all. But...to destroy such a beautiful specimen..."

Astrid would be utterly entranced by the tree. Cusping her hand to catch an orange leaf as it falls off it's stem. Feeling an odd, slight burning sensation in her hand as she does so
"So...beautiful..."

Astrid's eyes would sparkle with glee as she looked down upon it. Almost as if nothing else mattered in the world...
(Astrid cos Salis)
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[22:50] {NARRATION} The moment Astrid's hands touch upon it, she feels the burning heat of the overpowering cosmic energy. This tree was one with the stars, long birthed without ever knowing how it was to not be graced by the stars.

In fact, the very leaf that fell upon her hand revealed the origin of her power- The frequencies, so similar to her.

It was fueled by the same power.

And yet, it willingly denied them entrance.
[23:01] Astrid would wince as she suddenly felt an overwhelming energy course through her veins. The longer she held onto the leaf, the longer the energy would course through her veins
"Agh!"

The girl darts her head upward, her aura suddenly becoming golden as it's energies overflow with her own. Blowing backward from the sheer force
"Aggh!!!"

Feeling immense pain from the heat of the leaf, she would almost feel like she was grasping onto a Star herself as she drops it onto the ground.
"Wh-what...wha…"

Astrid would seem to be confused? Regaining her senses, she takes a deep breath as she reels back from the experience. It was as if a thousand emotions had suddenly rushed her body in the blink of an eye..
"My...that was...u-um..d-don't touch the leaves."

Astrid looks up at the tree. Feeling a...presence emanate from it. As if she could speak to it..
"Hm?"

Even though they were far from Osrona, Astrid would take not of a red aura surrounding the clouds above them. Even if it was just for a moment, she would hear the echoes of beams and light miles ahead in the distance. An explosion seemingly happening miles away from where they were..

With this in mind however, Astrid chooses to focus on the task at hand. Staring up at the tree as she taps her chin to ponder how to enter the chambers of the observatory.
"Hm...what to do...what to do.."
(Astrid cos Salis)
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[23:07] Uri stared at the tree, seeing its fire and thinking of testing his own, "Is this the magic of the sun itself?" He said whilst slightly stepping forward..Cautious, thinking about what just happened to Astrid, and so.. He would build up his courage and attempt the same after tossing a canteen of water to Astrids direction...

It was just them now... Astrid, Esbern and Uri, and for this, the young Captain would do something a bit bizarre.. He would channel his flame of the Primordial through his fist, focusing it to try and achieve an Inferno styled grip... This was Him trying to gain access to the tree, same as his friend Astrid before him.

"Here goes," he channeled, thrusting his hands forward to challenge that same energy to see if this would change anything, anything at all! And with that determined look on his face, there was no stopping this attempt... Channeling both his cosmic and primordial fire magic through his hands. "Anos… Be with me my star... And show me again, that masterpiece," said the Captain in a whisper to himself, something of a prayer.
(Uri Sanctum)
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[23:07] Esbern takes a step back from the tree. He didn't understand nature magic, nor cosmic magic... so seeing Astrid so entranced with him only put him further on edge.

He offers a look of concern as Astrid cries out, immediately fussing over her; "Astrid, are you alright!?", before calming down as Astrid seems to gather herself.

He nods in response to her advice - he'd not intended on directly touching any part of the tree. Foreign magic like this almost always spelled trouble, especially for a magi only attuned to the sea, such as himself.

"Can you communicate with it at all, Astrid? You seemed like you felt something for a moment there. Otherwise, we might have to cut our way through... unless this is what you were looking for?", he suggests and inquires.
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
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[23:12] {NARRATION} Uri sets his fist on fire, and it contacts the tree- Not long until it conflicts with the tree itself. While the cosmic energy is well received, the heat seems to expose something just under the root, gleaming nyeshk and with other minerals- Rather quickly, the heat expands..

And a fire is lit on the tree. It starts so slow, but it burns from the inside out without any control from the Sanctum, soon enough reaching its surface, a sizzling scream heard from the inside of the observatory itself, where the trunk laid.

-Something- was alive, and it had just now awakened.

No words were said, however. Once the bark covering the tree crumbles to ash, it is revealed that the entrance itself wasn't in good shape, crumbling before their eyes- Revealing the tree inside, glimmering with golden energy across its ironwood composition.
[23:20] Still reeling from the pain of having held the leaf, Astrid massages her arm as Esbern walks up to her.
"Hm? Oh..yes, i'm fine. I...just..."

Astrid would look up at the tree once again, it's beauty and radiance shining off her ruby hues..
"That was...odd. It was if a millions voices suddenly filled my head and...were silenced. I..d-don't know what happened."

Astrid activates her cosmic aura as if to check up on herself. She seemed to be fine, the only injury being a light burn across her palm.
"Communicate? Hm...I might as well try. This tree is...I can't help but feel...it's alive..."

Her tone of voice would almost be sinister as she spoke. As if the fact of it being alive instilled fear into her
"No, no. This wasn't what I was looking for. But..i sure do want to study it further! Perhaps if I take another piece of leaf an-"

Before she would finish her words however, Uri would be walking up toward the tree to punch it
"W-wait! U-um...Uri. Are you sure that's a...good idea? B-be careful!"

With a fire being lit from within the tree, it would slowly but surely make its way across the trunks and branches. Furthering it's way upward as the ear piercing scream of...something fills the groups ears at it emits from the depths of the ruin
"Ah!"

Astrid takes a step back along with Esbern. Gesturing Uri to stand back as well as she holds onto her blade..

With the bark completely turned to ash, however, the entrance is opened up to the trio. The dark abyss of the ancient ruin lying ahead. It's only light being the ancient tree that lay within
"...."

Astrid walks forward cautiously, the ember in her left prosthetics hand popping up and jumping onto her shoulder to help in illuminating some of the darkness.
"H-hello? Is...anyone hom...n-no that'scheesy. Is anyone there?"
(Astrid cos Salis)
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[23:24] Esbern watches the fire spread across the tree with a look of horror on his face. Sure, it'd been his idea, but... this wasn't intentionally done. Was it a defence mechanism, or was the tree just that weak to an open flame?

The scream is heard - Esbern quickly notes that trees don't normally scream, and readies himself for whatever vengeance might be coming at them.

"Somethings coming.", he whispers, a sense of urgency in his voice.

Seeing Astrid walk forwards, his heart leaps to his throat, and he moves forward cautiously aswell, determined to shield her if anything is to suddenly attack them.
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
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[23:27] It .. It worked, that short burst of cosmic energy infused with fire actually worked? Uri was stunned, but also taken backed by the sizzling scream that followed, immediately losing his focus on the flames around his fist, watching as the entrance would open for them.. He looks around, seeing that Astrid was gesturing for him to come back and so he did..

Step by step, he backed away to regroup with the others. "Shall we continue forward?" He asked, while immediately following up with, "Of course we should!" And so, the young Captain stood by with them, hoping to see this journey through. "Well, are we going in?" he asked, not sure if anything was there waiting for them. He was bold, but, there was a risk involved in such actions.

Sure, his instincts were ready for combat, but to explore into the unknown entrance? That was something he would have to be careful of, and so, to ease the tension. He would toss a torch down the entrance, to see if it would hit the ground or luminate the setting for them a bit. Because if there was nothing to see... Uri would continue forward, "What? We're going to let a little sizzle hold us up?" He gave them his usual smile.
(Uri Sanctum)
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[23:34] {NARRATION} Well, the room was... Empty. At a response to Astrid's questioning, the tree seemed to only flicker with cosmic energy radiating from its core, a single pulse sent away to its leaves, before dissipating in a beautiful rain of stardust right over their heads.

Not much more than that, however.

The elder tree was large, and its roots spread far and wide. There was one notable thing, however- One of its roots had been just cut, the one that went over the door and had covered it before.

The tree was trying to keep the observatory sealed.
[23:43] Astrid tilts her head at Uri. His obvious thirst for adventure propelling him to go onward into the abyss! She couldn't help but be a little comforted by it, oddly. Though..even with his words set in her mind, she couldn't help but feel a bit anxious over the whole ordeal. Taking a slight step forward into the dungeon as she focuses her eyes on the tree in front of her. While her vision certainly wasn't the best, given her injury, she could at least be able to focus on things a few feet away from her
"...Hello!?"

Astrid questions again. Her voice no echoing throughout the chambers of the observatory as she fully enters the abyss. She checks on Esbern and Uri behind her before continuing..
"By Kraus..."

Upon entering the room, her eyes are met with the beautiful starlight trickling above their heads. Astrid's own innate Cosmic energies growing and radiating off her body as she moved closer toward the object in question
"So...pretty..."

Once again, Astrid would be entranced by the sheer beauty of the sight above their heads. Now looking at the tree in front of them, she feels the urge to walk up and place her hand on it's bark...
"...."

Attempting to place her hand on the bark, she stops herself at the last moment. Shaking her head as she retreats backward..
"Mm..n-no. Best not to get careless."

Astrid looks up at the Elder Tree for the time being. Reveling in it's presence as she closes her eyes and...seemingly goes into a trance like state. The energies radiating off the tree entering her body as she becomes closer to the Stars above.
(Astrid cos Salis)
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[23:46] Esbern pulls out a potion attached to a cord from his robes, flicking it a couple of times before holding it up in the air.

It begins emitting a soft sweeping light - comforting, but also very illuminating, exposing the darkest corners of the room.

"Hello?", he asks gingerly, trying to keep his tone passive as to not spook the screaming entity.

He leans over to Astrid, and whispers especially quietly; "Is this tree the thing you're looking for, or is it getting in the way? If it can't be reasoned with... do we cut through it?"
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
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[23:49] Heeding their words, and taking a look around for himself. Uri saw the little traces here and there. But, he wouldn't speak on it, instead, he followed behind Astrid and even told her, "Hey now, this is your journey, take what you can, and give nothing back... And by take.."

He looks for any symbols or traces that would explain what the elder tree was. "Take the hidden wisdoms of this place, learn all that you can from what was left behind by the cosmos.." The captain spoke with a calm voice, trying his best to not fall behind by tugging onto Esber'o's clothing.

"If this really is the thing she was looking for then, wow... I can't say that I've ever seen anything like it, but, how did it even come to be?... How old is this tree?" He asked Astrid, for she would be the one to learn from it. "Anos… Leonous… Yiel… In what codex, did you find such a wisdom Astrid?" He was curious, but excited as well.
(Uri Sanctum)
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[23:57] {NARRATION} The answer was given again. A pulse from within, answering to that question from Esbern, before it opened wide. It seemed not only that the tree was alive, but rather that it originated from someone that was incorporated by it eventually.

It was not the source, no- The energy came from the leaves themselves, feeding upon the stars above. Yet, someone was being fed all of it, and eyes tiredly looked up to them.

The roots moved.

They revealed- Something lied under the tree, an empty hole that seemed to go too far down...

But the person inside spoke nothing, except one word.

"Leave."

[00:07] Astrid would stay silent for a moment before opening her eyes. Looking upward at the tree as she nodded subtly to Esbern
"No...this...wasn't what I was looking for at all, actually. I was...looking for a way to deepen my bond with Sae and the cosmos. But...I never thought that I would be in the presence of something...so beautiful.."

The girl would feel a threatening presence coming off the tree. Even if it did not speak a word, the aura that it emitted and the surrounding energies were enough for her to make her realize the territory she was trespassing..

Astrid would begin walking around the room. Looking at the ancient architecture and artifacts along with Uri
"Hm? Take what I can?"

She tilts her head toward Uri. Once again focusing her attention on the tree as she did so
"Hidden wisdoms, hm? You're right...Uri. This place was sealed off for a reason, in it's chambers lies something lost to the world. Something that....this tree seemingly doesn't want us to find.."

Her voice would be both calm and fearful. A small lump forming in her throat as the anxiety bellowed within her stomach
"I have no clue, Uri. I...had no idea about such a thing ever existing. Only really knowing the rumors and hearsay of the observatory that was hidden here. My brother Inante told me most of these stories but...I never thought that they'd actually turn out to be real..."

Astrid walks up toward the tree once again, only to be knocked by a bit by a pulse emanating from it's core
"!!!"

Stepping back, Astrid gets into a defensive position out of instinct, widening her eyes at the eventually awakening of the being that thrived within the chambers of the tree
"L-leave?"

Astrid's eyes widen. Her expression becoming both and excited and fearful for what was to come next...
"Wh-..who are you?"

She tilts her head as she peers downward into the hole. Taking extra caution not to fall into it and become whatever lurked beneath's prey.
"U-uh...umm.."
(Astrid cos Salis)
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[00:07] {NARRATION} The questions are only answered by the same word, yet again.

"Leave."
[00:10] A person? He thought at the sound of the voice from down below. The one thing, he did not expect to find at the very bottom, the very base of such an ancient tree... "Are you, the guardian of the elder tree?" he asked whilst standing at the side of his comrades. He spoke nothing, he said nothing, he thought only of what could come of this, how they could communicate with something or rather, someone so ancient.

He looks to Astrid, listening to the words she said, wondering if they could even do anything about this. Were they, going to negotiate their way through this? Simply asking the person resting down below to grant them access to whatever it was they desired? Or was this entity going to stop them even more from entering the ancient passage and obtaining an ancient gift.

There was a lot to speculate in such a short time. But, in the end, they as friends would listen to each other on this subject. "Si mi amiga, we cannot leave so soon... We've only just arrived here---" But, he heard that tone again...-Leave- It was stern, and unmoving... This entity was not asking them to do anything, but rather, demanding them to Leave.

"We're... People of the stars... Uhm, from the house of the guardian star... Uri Sanctum? A humble greeting to thee?" He tried to smooth talk his way through this, hoping that addressing themselves as people of the stars would grant them some access.

He looks to Esbern, hoping he would negotiate.
(Uri Sanctum)
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[00:10] Esbern looks to Astrid, a determined look on his face as he grips his rifle, his blood pall stirring around him.

"Astrid. We've come this far... Do we retreat as this tree-being wishes? This may be your only chance...", he says quietly to her.

Esbern grimaces, and calls out to the tree once more. "We seek to use the observatory. Is there no way you can permit this?"

He expects no positive result, but at the very least, it is worth trying.
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
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[00:15] Astrid nods her head as she peers downward. Agreeing with the sentiments with her friends
"Mm...y-yes! We've come to use your observatory as humble knowledge seekers! Y-you have my word, dear...e-elder tree. We will not trample or ruin any of the artifacts that lie here. I...m-my friend Uri must apologize f-for...burning your...root off. R-right Uri?"

She smiles somewhat awkwardly as she turns her head at Uri. Scratching the back of her head before she clears her throat to speak again
"*ahem. Would you please grant us passage? We're but humble children of the stars."

Astrid simply nods at Esbern. Hoping to at least bargain with the being that slumbered down below
"N-no...let us see if they will grant us passage, first. T-they must be scared. I mean...I would too if someone trampled on my home."

She peers down at the abyss once again. Taking a gulp as she awaits the beings answer..
"S-so...what do you say? Would you please permit us to use this facility?"
(Astrid cos Salis)
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[00:18] {NARRATION} The wood groaned as it once again retreated to cover the person inside. Slowly... It responded with a gleam of energy, running through its entirety. The roots slowly came out of the ground, pulling themselves away and tearing down walls in the meantime.

There was no verbal answer. This was all that it could say- No, they weren't going to be granted passage. The tree's slumber was interrupted, and they were the ones that stopped its offspring from blooming.

The metals which built the very observatory were dragged away, magnetized by the tree's potent magic, and so it prepared to expel them. If not by friendship... Then, by force.
[00:19] {NARRATION} (Given we've got to the first battle, these are the approved rules for the event!

Every time a player is downed, they roll a die. 1 gives them a -10 perm injury, 2 gives them a -30% temp injury for 4 days, and 3-4 gives them a -20% temp injury for 4 days. The risk scales up: Receiving three regular 4-day temps will turn into a single, -40% 4-day temp, or a -20 perm, usually depending on the fluff of the players at the time (Doing first aid might keep it temporary, for instance). For balancing purposes, wounds are given out at the end of the event. If 3 perms are accumulated, the character dies.)
[00:21] Esbern grimaces further, the result exactly as he expected.

"It cannot be reasoned with.", he says straightforwardly to Astrid and Uri, immediately summoning a torrent of raging water around himself, which threatens to tear at any roots of branches that might come for him, aswell as hopefully shielding him from any of the ores that the tree-beast had seemingly picked up.

"Ready yourselves. This is no rightful denizen, but a wild daemon that has taken over the Observatory.", he says with a sense of finality in our tone.

"We fight."
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
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[00:24] Astrid simply smiles as she peers down. Hoping to instill some amount of comfort into the being before leaving. She did come all this way for knowledge, after all. She wasn't going to give up so easily..
"I-if..you really want us to leave. Then...I guess w-"

Before she could finish her words, a roaring quake would tremble the room they stood in as it's roots burst out of the ground. Surrounding the trio and tearing down any hope of bargaining they had left
"Oh Kraus...e-everyone...be careful!'

Astrid pulls out her sword in one quick motion, slashing at the roots that began to surround them as she looked for a way out
"...Y-you guys have my back right?"

Astrid's voice would be stutter as she spoke. Taking a deep breath, Astrid's body begins to glow a pristine golden aura as she gets ready to defend herself and her friends
"O-of course you do. O-okay...w-we got this!"

With a flick of her wrist, she gets into a defensive stance. Ready to repel the danger that threatened her and her friends
"....Let's do this.."

(Astrid cos Salis)
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[00:24] He would bow his head with a half bow casting his arms aside, "Yes, we're---I'm very sorry for that and would like to----" He felt movement, he saw the gathering of the wood and metal that made up the place surrounding them... Almost immediately, Uri jumped back, looking at the entity within...Was she, going to fight them? Were they going to be thrown down the stairs? Uri had a series of thought, but it all came down to one thing and one thing alone...

"Ah shit... Here we go again," said the Wandering Phoenix whilst slowly walking up towards the threat, his flames would slowly gather around his body, with the beauty of the cosmos mixing within it. Shall he actually absorb the energy, it would be a blessing, but that was a pipe dream none the less... Uri had his heat, turning into a collection of rapid embers until finally...

Boom...

The explosion of an ancient energy around him, the flames of the ancient, his Primordial Flame, and even here, he would focus his mana onto his fist, trying to achieve something greater in order to protect his comrades. A fist that burned of the inferno, the style one would say that many fire magi of the unarmed practice would strive for.

"Nothing... Can stop this now..." He took a deep breath once his flames had settled, "Well, have at you... On Guard!" The Captain declared, side by side with his friends.
(Uri Sanctum)
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[00:31] {Won Dangerous RPB against Elder Tree}
[00:37] {NARRATION} The party manages to put down the tree. Its leaves went up in flames, the cosmic energy rebutted by the two cosmic magi, and the natural essence of the tree manipulated by Esbern. But it did barely move, the uprooted plant incapable of doing so much against it.

Slowly, the group managed to cut down the roots, unmaking whatever support they had from the tree in the end, revealing a frail foundation to the observatory itself.

With that, however, all four went into free fall down the hole that was built underneath that observatory- For more than a couple of seconds, even! This was enough time for them to reconsider their life choices, before a BOOM announced their arrival to the ground.

Along with the tree.

Its trunk burst open by the impact, its roots no longer responding, and... The person inside, snapped in two. Yet, when it seemed like it was finally over and they'd be able to recognize their new location...

The person inside rose one arm. "LEAVE."

And somehow, deep within the mountains, from a single window of starlight... The tree still cast its magic.
[00:42] With ice, blood, and raging water, Esbern set wildly at severing roots, and debilitating the tree itself so that Uri and Astrid could focus on taking it down.

However, when the tree is finally down, he enters freefall just as the rest of them. Grimacing at the unexpected fall, he sends a colossal torrent of water down to the bottom of the pit, flooding it with enough liquid for them to land with minimal danger, so long as they maintained a correct posture.

Being ever-familiar with water, esbern keeps his body rigid, his legs facing straight down, spearing into the flooded basin... he only hoped that Astrid and Uri did the same, if they had no way of catching themselves.

Hearing the voice tell them to leave once more, his grimace becomes more of a snarl. They couldn't leave even if they wanted to, now that they were stuck in this pit.

He readies himself to fight once more.
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
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[00:43] Panting from the battle, if felt as if he was taking a lot of hits from the tree...Perhaps it was particularly angry with him from burning down the main entrance. But then, upon their victory, once Astrid struck the final blow!

"Whoa!" The Captain shouts for they had entered a free fall, descending from where they were into a deeper pit of the observatory. And from their descension, they would crash onto the ground, or well, Uri spoke more for himself... HE fell on his back, looking up at what was above them as he painfully groans with words escaping his lips.

"Another...Happy landing..." He said whilst leaning to sit upwards, picking himself up to look around only for him and the others to hear the words of a single person once again...-Leave- they demanded... But Uri stood his grand as they were already far too deep to turn back now.

"Hello there beautiful," he said with a smirk, looking for the others in whatever debris of smoke could be around them. Now silent, he stood there waiting for another fight if one were to come.

Continuously, he poured his energy into his fist, painful, for all the wood he had to punch, but still, he would have to manage through this. Waiting for Astrids lead.
(Uri Sanctum)
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[00:46] With Astrid leading the group, she finds herself in a life or death situation. Something a lot more dangerous than a simple quest for knowledge!

Unsheathing her blade, she gracefully and efficiently cuts down the roots and vines that had sprouted from the ground. Meeting up with Esbern and Uri as she stands by their side. The will to protect her friends pushing her conviction to continue onward
"This thing is dangerous! Keep your guard up! Uri! Esbern! Focus on the roots! I'll go for the core!"

Barking out orders to the two, Astrid calls upon the Light of Sae as she gracefully darts and dashes through the roots. Her innate Cosmic abilities seemingly being amplified as flipped and dodged the attacks of the Elder Tree like some type of acrobat. With her being the most agile combatant, it was up to her to defeat the core of the thing and put it down once and for all..

With precise, elegant sword slashes, she teams up with her friends to put the being down. Finding openings to attack it's base as she cuts down the roots blocking her path. With the combined efforts of Uri and Esbern, she successfully lands a blow on the core of the Tree as she warps in and out of space in a beautiful spectacle of furious sword slashes. Exiting from her flurry, she warps back to regroup with her friends before feeling the ground crumble beneath her
"Alright...we can do this! Le-l..WWAAAA-"

In an instant, Astrid finds herself in a freefall as she hits the ground below. Trying her best to ease the blow as she picks herself up and points her sword at the being
"Y-you attacked us first! Th-th..*cough...that's no fair!"

Readying her blade, she gets into her elegant, one handed sword stance once again. Ready for another fight as Sae's power burns within her soul...
(Astrid cos Salis)
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[00:54] {Won Restrained RPB against Elder Tree}
[00:59] {NARRATION} The tree fought with a stronger need for survival than before. Deep down, they were seemingly not even weaker, their controls over these roots amplified, and the battle taking an end to nearly taking them all down, the group as a whole managing to just barely escape a grim fate under these roots.

The ground was covered in a dangerous miasma, the shallow waters of Esbern's own magic being absorbed into the tree- Even then, it seemed to never end.

The beating of waves around would easily tell that they were near the ocean.

When things were at their worst, however, the plant seemed to slowly lose its own magical prowess. Its cosmic essence, now spared from the gleaming sun and the stars above, was withering away at every single moment, the leaves soon enough covering the ground.

With that, it was left just vulnerable enough for Astrid to deal a blow straight to that figure in the center.

(Everyone, /roll. Astrid, you can narrate the kill.)
[01:16] With the might and understanding of Sae burning in her soul. She nods her head as she looks at Uri and Esbern. Smiling as she looked upon the tree with no fear in her eye..
"You attacked us first. Don't blame me for this..."

Astrid warps in for the first strike, barking orders at Esbern and Uri as she gracefully controls the flow of battle
"I'm going for the core! Help me slice the roots!"

Astrid would be as graceful and elegant as an acrobat as she dodged and weaved throughout the vines. With the ground covered in devilish miasma, she finds herself waning as she is overwhelmed by the sheer force and power of the Elder Tree
"Gah! W-we...we can't lose!"

The girl would begin to have fear bellow up in her heart as she witnessed her friends get beaten and torn by the sheer might of the tree. It's cosmic energies fueling it's own power as Astrid finds herself on the brink of the groups demise
"It...it can't...end like..this.."

Gritting her teeth, she closes her eyes for just a moment. Breathing in a deep, intense breath as she opens her eyes to meet face to face with the Elder tree. Her ruby hues roaring an unrelenting fire as she glared at it.
"Sae...guide me. Give me the strength I need to protect my friends. Too...protect this world.."

Reaching her hand up into the air, she opens her palm as the cosmic energies looming within the temple and even the tree begin to overflow her body. A spark of her blade completely enveloping in it's power for just a moment as her aura grew a radiant golden light. One even bigger than the one she had before. If Esbern and Uri were to see her, the girl would almost look like an Angel..
"If you desire the embrace of the Stars so much. Then i'll send you to meet them..."

Furrowing her brow, she dashes in with a blur of Light magic as she continues to cut down the neverending flurry of vines and roots that spread throughout the chamber. Freeing Esbern and Uri from their own onslaught of vineas as she allows them to fight once again.
"On my command! I want you to send all you have toward it's core!"

The girl would begin darting and dashing across the battlefield. Using the might of Sae and elegant, graceful sword swipes to render the being crippled as she exposes it's core.
"NOW!"

Pointing her hand outward! She blasts a glorious blast of Cosmic energy toward the Elder Tree! Hitting it dead set on it's core as Uri and Esbern put all they have into their own blasts.

With the dusts settling, the Elder Tree would be no more. With Astrid's glorious aura illuminating the battlefield, she walks up toward the figure dangling within the trees core. Slashing her blade in front of her as she gets ready to enact the final blow
"Say hello to Sae for me..."

In one quick motion, she stabs her sword directly into the tree. And with a flick of the wrist, gracefully pulls out it over her head as she turns around and sheathes it. The miasma and blood of the being being spilt like rain as ther drop over her...
"My apologies, my dear Elder Tree. May the Stars guide you to eternal abyss..."

Waning under the sudden exposure to such power, Astrid would find herself exhausted. A large slash permeating her back from a stray vine that she would now feel the pain of as the adrenealine left her body
"*cough...mgh...ah.."

With her mana circuits completely burnt and out of commission, Astrid falls to the ground and takes a knee. Finally realizing what was truly important as she tried her best to regain her energy
"*cough. Mgh...a-are you guys okay?"




(Astrid cos Salis)
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[01:22] {NARRATION} The aftermath is where they have time to recognize what has truly affected them.

Esbern, luckily, had no more ailments to their skin- Even if they were nearly crushed by the vines, they hadn't broken a bone that hadn't been broken before by the bear trap. It hurt like a bitch, but nothing more. (1 temp wound so far)

Uri found himself with a considerable lesser amount of luck. His arm was stuck under one particular part of the tree, and even when he took it out, the result was simple. It wasn't broken, but rather itched uncomfortably of the cosmic energies of the tree, overpowering every sensation. (-20% temp injury, 4 days)

Astrid, however, had found that the urge of cosmic magic that ran through her had left a notable strain on her very circuitry. She was fine for now, but any extended effort of her own would likely result in collapse; Or even permanent damage. (-30% temp injury, 4 days. One more will result in a perm.)
[01:27] Esbern treats this fight as purely purposeful. He's there to protect Astrid, and bring down this daemon.

Following Astrid's order, he freezes the tree-beast with a series of cold crystals and spikes, stabbing into it and jamming its movements whenever possible. Blade-like torrents of water slice at every root and flailing branch that Esbern can spot, Esbern himself not taking a moment to pause for a break.

Esbern himself is only protected and sustained through life force he draws from the tree itself as he cuts into it with his vicious riptide spells.

He only manages to note the beautiful transformation of Astrid's aura because he's always keeping an eye on her, doing his best to have her back in this conflict.

Nevertheless, when Astrid deals the killing blow, he waits with baited breath for several moments to see whether or not the beast had truly fallen. Satisfied, he lets a breath of relief out, and replies to Astrid after promptly checking his own condition. "Fine. How're you?", returning the question.
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
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[01:28] With his fist punching through the vines that came about, his aura burning away as much of the thick branches and roots as it could. Uri fought to the very end with both Esbern and Astrid... "HAA!!" The young Captain shouts as he fires off an empowered Nova Ray onto the tree, knocking it back somewhere during their fight.

However, the outcome was all in Astrids hands, for she would be the one to land the final blow. Through their team work, through Esber's Blood Glacier, through Uri's unarmed combative abilities did they dwindle down the health of the massive entity for Astrid to go forth with her final strike.

Uri would follow Astrid's lead, making that opening, sending his own barrage of attacks somewhere during the end of the fight. He was not knocked down, but they all came close to it, seemingly winning by the sheer skin of their teeth. But there she was, that friend of his charging forward for her goal, what she came here for, and what brought him the honor to help.

"Well, why don't look at that!" The Sanctum said with pride, watching as Astrid would go for the body, the core of this tree, giving her words of eternal bliss whilst slaying the person inside if she could.

Stumbling upon the shallow water in the deep room. Uri would be panting, standing and glaring at the tree and the person inside after Astrid would land the final attack... He took this time to relax, to end the channeling and concertation of pyro energy into his fist. The tension caused pain but he would have to endure it for now... "Is...Is Over----GAH!!!" The Captain cries out in pain..

As the narration spoke, he found himself or rather his left arm stuck under the tree! It must've fallen onto him while he had his guard down! Damn it all! The Lad was grunting loudly, and to think it would happen soon after their fight had ended... So.. Uri would try to fight it... He gathered his strength, or rather, he would summon his magic once more to burn the weight of the heavy wood or massive root that fell onto him.

That sensation, of a foreign cosmic energy coursing through his body was that of an itchy sensation! An annoyance but, still an injury none the less.. He was on the ground literally fighting to burn this weight off of his arm...And so, he would do just that since the other two were distracted.. he held nothing against them, but this tree?

It would feel every bit of anger from his flames. "Vanish!" And just like that, Uri placed his hand onto the bark of the tree...Sending his own cosmic energy into it, blasting it away with his nova ray, while he himself would be on the ground laying in shallow waters... "Damn it... That...Thing ..My Arm!" He stands up...Grabbing his left shoulder tightly with his right hand, gritting his teeth.
(Uri Sanctum)
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[01:31] {Item} You picked up Ironwood Bark. Dropped by the dm. .
[01:36] Astrid grabs Esbern's hand as she picks herself up. Her body trembling as the pain coursed through her veins and circuits..
"Yeah...I-i'm...i'm fine...*cough."

The girl begins looking at he surroundings. Taking a small break as she leans on Esbern's shoulder
"*cough. Just..give me a few moments. I...i'll be fine..."

She looks upward to smile at Esbern, happy to see that he was okay.
"Hm!? Uri! Y-you alrig-..o-ow.."

With the help of Esbern, she walks over to her friend as she attempts to check on his well being
"I-is *cough...everything alright?"

Astrid smiles as she takes the time of the rest. Once again collapsing on the shallow waters as she makes a coy joke
"Damn thing got my hair wet...hehe...heh.."

(Astrid cos Salis)
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[01:41] {NARRATION} As the group comes to finally gather their bearings, they realise that they were in a room deep down the observatory. Stairs guided their way up, for when they leave- This was all built carefully, and... The sound of waves resonated right next to them all.

The ocean was right at their doorstep. How far had they gone? It was hard to know- All that they could see was the vast stretches of water, a broken glass window, and two shadows standing right next to it.

A telescope, pointint straight up, the light from the stars themselves concentrated into a single ray of cosmic energy that warmed the ground, causing it to ripple with unused magic...

And a lone, gigantic wolf. Larger than any of them, stood right besides the telescope. It stared, in the same direction, and did nothing more.
[01:47] Resting for but a short while and regaining their bearings, Astrid decides to trek onward. Gesturing at the group to follow her once they were ready
"I think it's about time we go. There...doesn't seem to be any way out from here. I must apologize for putting you all in a situation such as this one. It...it's simply not fair that I dragged you all into something like this."

Her voice echoing throughout the chambers, she looks upward to see stairs leading upward toward another room. Finally! A chance at salvation!

Or so she hopes..

As they walk, Astrid would take note of the ocean's crashing waves filling her ears. It was...peaceful. Almost as if they truly were climbing their way up toward salvation
"Hm?"

Lighting her torch in the the viscinity of the room, the light casts it's shadow upon two figures. One...a beautifully complex ancient telescope ripe for discovery. And two..

A lone wolf. It's home disrupted by the trio as their footsteps echoed across the chamber
"Ah!"

Astrid backs away, her gaze meeting that of the wolves as she backs up into Esbern and Uri
"...."
(Astrid cos Salis)
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[01:48] {NARRATION} The wolf doesn't seem to care. It merely glances their way, before going back to stargazing.
[01:53] Following along, and with each step, he felt that pain within his arm, the feeling of an itch or more coming from that cosmic energy... "So foreign," he said to himself while entering the room before them, a place full of broken glass and various other features.

His eyes were set on Esbern'o and Astrid for a while as they spoke to one another until.. The wolf came into their sights. "Another guardian?" He asked with a curious tongue.

"What do you make of this?" he asked Esbern and Astrid.. He stood his ground, but also wondered what would happen if he were to... Kick a rock towards the direction of the telescope... "That's where we need to go right? In order to peer into the cosmos?" He asked, and he wondered if this wolf was anything like the Lions.. If it would grant them a riddle in order to gain access or risk it all.

So, Uri would place himself before Astrid, possibly standing next to Esbern'o if he decided to step forward as well. Uri would take a slight lean forward, as if he were trying to test the wolf and its territory. He did not threat it but... He lowered his head, to show that he as not a threat, just as he learned to do with horses... Would it work with a potentially wild wolf as well?

"O'timeless being?... May we, access that there relic? If you may?" Uri asked, questionable, not sure if it was capable of the common tongue.
(Uri Sanctum)
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[01:54] "It's not an issue, Astrid. If anything, I encouraged you to go. Just coming here with you was enough for me", he says, his voice softening as his guard begins to lower.

Esbern feels much more at home here - the proximity of the ocean calmed his nerves, and allowed his mana to feel at peace as he attunes himself to the crashing waves.

A light sigh is given - a breath of relief.

Then they spot the wolf. His guard immediately goes back up. He gives Uri an incredulous look. It was a big wolf, surely it couldn't speak - and if the previous inhabitant was any sign, it wouldn't be big on talking, even if it could. He shakes his head, but does nothing besides remain guard incase the beast lashes out.
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
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[01:57] {NARRATION} The wolf did not speak. However, upon being called by Uri, it does finally come out of its sitting position- Slowly, the wolf creeps in, closer and closer to him, before...

It settles its head right under his hand, and lets out a whimper.

It wasn't hurt or anything. It was just lonely.

However, upon his approximation, one thing is obvious- The wolf doesn't have a set of eyes, instead having only one at the very center of his skull. One that gleams with the same bright colors of the skies above.
[02:01] Astrid gulps as she gazes into the eye of the wolf. It was as if he was staring directly into her soul
"*whimper.."

Such a brave and valiant knight she was..

Astrid backs away, keeping her left hand on her hip as she gets ready to take out her blade if the wolf were to attack..
In a light whisper, Astrid addresses Uri
"Uri what are you doing! B-be careful!"

Upon realizing the wolf seemed harmless...for now, she lowers her guard as she witness Uri pet him.
"Awww..."

She smiles as she witnesses such a cute site. Would it last for long?
"Oh...you poor thing."

Astrid turns her attention toward the telescope mere feet away from her. It's glow encapsulating her site as she does so

(Astrid cos Salis)
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[02:02] Uri would have smiled at this... The wolf, seemed to just want some attention and so, the young Captain would speak, "Do you have a name?... Perhaps I can give you one... Maybe?" He takes a look at the one eye the wolf had and gave him a name. "Mono?" Uri said with a questionable arch of his brows.

He wouldn't take his eyes off the wolf, but he would have reached forward in order to pet its head. He could relate to how it felt, being so lonely, Uri was alone on an island for a while, not knowing where he was or how he'd get home. So for him, this wolf was hitting his soft spot once it came to him. Just wanting attention.

His other arm was injured from the cosmic energies so, Uri did this action with his right hand. "You're just a normal wolf aren't you?" He smiled, hoping Esbern'o and Astrid would see the same sympathy as him.
(Uri Sanctum)
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[02:03] Esbern grimaces, and takes a few steps back, and starts resting against one of the cave walls, his hands still on his rifle.

If Uri wanted to mess about with the cyclops-wolf, it wasn't any of his business, he thought. For the most part, he keeps an eye on Astrid moving to the telescope, rather than the wolf or Uri, more interested in making sure nothing happens to her than caring about Uri's new pet.
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
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[02:06] {NARRATION} The wolf seemed to just whimper weakly into Uri, its head tilting to the side as he continued to simply ask for more pets. The name was regarded as most welcome regardless, but his single eyes opened wide the moment Astrid stepped forward.

As soon as she got at arm's reach of the telescope, a LOUD BARK echoed through the place. Its head took some distance from Uri's hand, a growl emitted from the dog's throat.

It seemed he was just the protector of this telescope.
[02:08] Esbern isn't particularly surprised by the bark, holding his rifle up as soon as it shows any signs of aggression.

"Uri, mind putting that thing down? It's playing nice now, but it'll turn on you in a second. May aswell deal with it before it tears one of our arms off.", he says, confident that the beast won't understand his words. Who knows, maybe Uri would still have the advantage.
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
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[02:09] Astrid yelps as she darts backward. Placing her palms upward so that to show the wolf that she didn't mean any harm
"S-sorry! Sorry! Nice doggy...n-nice..doggy…"

She would back away toward Esbern, placing her hand on her hip near her sword belt
"W-we don't need to do that! H-he's...a nice doggy...aren't you b-"

Astrid jumps and yelps backward as the wolf barked at her once again
"O-okay! U-Urii...d-do something!"
(Astrid cos Salis)
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[02:11] Oh no.. Uri thought.. It turns out that the wolf was indeed the guardian of that telescope and so. He would try to reason with it, holding his hands out with palms flat and facing the wolf. "Easy there more Mono, we're friends...We just want to look at a few fireflies..." He figured the wolf would connect more with fire flies than he would stars.

"Uhh. . .Esbern'o, I don't think it'll be that easy," said the Captain, but he would also whisper, well, move his lips signaling to Esbern'o.. 'Gimme a doggie treat!' his lips would read.

He hears Astrid out, thinking about any little gifts he had... That's when it hit him..Bone… Wolves and dogs liked bones right? So he took out the iron bark, it was something it could chew on after all, and so, Uri would wave it around saying.

"Err...Here boy! Come.." He clicks his tongue, trying to call the wolf on over to him. "Come on Mono, come on, I'll take y' aboard my ship and you'll never have to worry about that telescope ever again," he said with a smile. Nervously sweating waiting for Esbern to reach the telescope, to see whatever it is he might see!
(Uri Sanctum)
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[02:16] {NARRATION} The wolf turned towards Uri. He seemed to grow calmer upon the withdrawal from the telescope, his own cosmic essence glimmering under the ground as few steps were taken.

He sniffed upon the piece of bark, and let out a sad whimper. Not only one, actually- A couple more than that. The wolf seemed to be mostly calm- But...

Any steps or movements taken towards the box would cause him to bark on their direction, and if too close, he'd likely lunge at them. Even if these were magi, this was also one magically-powered wolf.

One that would definitely be faster than them.

Yet, if one did try to go so close to the telescope, they might be surprised. The wolf would simply press its muzzle against their hand, and push them away gently.

It did not want to hurt them.

But it had a duty to protect the telescope.

Some more examination of it would reveal that the telescope continued to conduct that focused ray of cosmic light into the ground, likely the result of its complex arcanium making.
[02:26] Astrid would be tempted to peer just at then telescope mere feet in front of her. A look into the Stars...a look into the cosmos that could officially complete her journey..
It made her excited beyond compare!

But...at the same time. The girl didn't want to do anything drastic to the poor wolf that lay in front of her...
"H-hey...why don't we just...head ho-"

Astrid stops her words. Sensing the emotions of the wolf as it looked at her
"It...d-doesn't want to hurt us..."

Was Astrid selfish enough to take the life of this wolf just so that she could take a glimpse into the stars?
"...."

She looks off to Esbern and Uri. Her eyes darting back and forth as she fumbles her hands
"I'm sorry..M-Mono. Are you...sure we cant just...t-take a little...peek?"


For the time being, she allows Uri to take care of the situation. It seemed he was a little better at calming the beast than she was

(Astrid cos Salis)
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[02:27] Uri looks at the wolf and the fact that it would not leave the telescope... It was born with one eye, and Uri had an injury that radiated cosmic energy. For this, the young Captain had something of an idea... He would look to Esbern, and then to Astrid..."I think, I have an idea," he said so slowly whilst approaching the wolf, humming a soothing song under his breath.

"So long, you sit, for an eternity.
But here, you guard, a memory.

For us, for you, you've endured so much.
You've longed, for another's touch.."

It pained him, but Uri reached forward with that hand radiating cosmic energy from the injury he sustained earlier, and so, he would try to do just that... Give the wolf the stars for a moment or two if it would distract it for long enough. Uri was no illusionist, but, he created a collection of cosmic embers from his hand, infused with the little dancing sparks of fire as if he were trying to imitate the appearance of a quasar.

And during this, he continued to hum and sing a gentle tune.

"For light, you fight.
From day to night.
With Might, you glow, in this never ending flow.
Of time, you gaze, with a marvelous sight."

Uri was trying to lure the wolf into a trance, enough time for Esbern'o to take a look or Astrid, if only for a moment or two so that they could collect the arcanium as well if they could... Uri was in pain, but this attempt, he HOPED would distract the wolf for long enough for he did not want to kill Mono or be killed by Mono.
(Uri Sanctum)
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[02:31] {NARRATION} The lullaby seemed to be working. The wolf was taken, but perhaps their motivation was misunderstood. Even if these cosmic embers were appearing, they paled in comparison to that from the telescope itself.

Not only that, but the wolf simply missed its original caretakers.

But... He manages to distract the wolf for some time.

The telescope would permit them a single peek- Or, with some skill, they coul disassemble it, claiming the arcanium and the focusing iris within.

(/rnd 1 20 if taking action to not startle the wolf.)
[02:35] Esbern considers trying to take the telescope, or at least salvage a few parts, after Astrid has had her peek. Edging around slowly, he hopes that Uri is competent at wolf-taming.

Who knows? Maybe it was a secret talent of his... if not, it was just another beast to fell.
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
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[02:38] As Uri keeps the wolf distracted, Astrid slowly creeps over to the telescope. Peering into the eyepiece as she takes
"Oh.....oh my..."

Astrid would seem to have almost seen a revelation as she looked up into the stars. It's brilliance shining into her ruby hues as the cosmic embers began to surround her.
"Ah...how beautiful!"

She would be at a loss for words at the sheer beauty of the stars that graced her iris. Truly, she would feel closer to Sae than ever before. It was almost as if the cosmos were enveloping her in the their light as she peered into space...

Exiting from the iris, she moves out of the way slowly as Uri continues to distract the pup. Hopefully, having enough time for Esbern to risk dissembling the telescope and it's treasure. Whether she had made the right choice? Who was to tell?

(Astrid cos Salis)
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[02:46] {NARRATION} Uri manages to distract the dog-- Or rather, remember it is a wolf. While a dog would likely have been put down with that, the wolf seems less than likely to accept something like that.

The moment that Astrid peeks into the telescope, the wolf lets out no bark- Instead, its paw moves straight towards Uri's torso, pushing him away with such force. Luckily enough, while he could easily gotten the blonde that was so dear to him...

The other ones were more lucky. They could step away just in time, with the wolf CRASHING against the telescope in a desperate measure to stop them from glancing towards the stars, the canine destroying his caretaker's legacy on his own.

A weak whimper leaves his lips as he stares at the spot- The focusing iris that powered the telescope lying dead in the center. With a careful attitude, the wolf...

Eats it.

The absorbing powers of that focusing iris, that took the energy from the stars and directed it towards wherever the telescope glanced, was turned on them- Each one of the group could feel their essence sapped by their wolfen enemy, their own magics turned against them.

Even if he was the one to deal the final blow to the telescope, the wolf still blamed them.

(Uri starts as if he had 1 knockdown already. The other two managed to stay safe from the wolf- As rolled, the difficulty was 12.)
[02:51] Feeling something charge at her from behind, Astrid is successfully able to dodge the wolf's blow as it leaves the telescope in shambles
"Ah!"

She darts backward with her sword in hand. Skidding across the ground next to Esbern as she looks toward Uri
"Uri! Are you okay!?"

Her words would be interrupted by the wolf. Astrid had done something horribly, horribly wrong..

Was the pain of the wolf worth the prize that they seeked?
"Ah! W-wait...j-just a moment..."

Astrid trembles as she readies her guard for another fight if the wolf were to attack them. This one more terrible than the last
"...I...i'm sorry....I didn't me-"

She had took the risk and went with it. Now, it was up to her to face the consequences as she peered into the eye of the Wolf...
(Astrid cos Salis)
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[02:52] OOF! With the wind knocked out of his chest, due to his dumb luck, the young Captain was knocked back by a mighty push of the wolves paw. Tumbling over, picking up dust and debris on his outfit, Uri would painfully say, "T--That--Was not expected----Oh No!!! Astrid---Esbern'o!" He shouts for his friends upon spotting and sensing the mass build up of energy. It was changing the wolf wasn't it? Uri thought to himself, this was not the sight he wanted to see...

His heart was weak for such a creature. It was a tragic beast, one who spent so many years in isolation. But, in this world, who would know? Who would cry for the beast if something happened to it, if Mono were injured. The young Captain was willing to give it that care, but, it's sights were in that of a pipe dream, a superior tunnel vision with the single duty of protecting the telescope. "Mono!" He calls out to the wolf, "You don't have to tie yourself down to shackles we're trying to relinquish you from! Mono!" He hoped that his calls out to the wolf would calm it down but...

They … He was too late, and so, he would have picked himself up... He stumbled a bit before regaining his full senses. That push was already powerful now, the wolf had consumed something that gave it power. "I--I'm fine but... Mono," the wandering phoenix said so sadly, watching for what was to become of this lonely animal.
(Uri Sanctum)
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[02:53] Esbern glares at Uri, irritated that he'd wasted a precious opportunity to slay the wolf while it was passive, and jumps back to avoid getting hit by the beast, and readies his rifle on the wolf.

Just another beast to hunt. He grimaces, and sets about conjuring his magical methods of attacking the wolf again.

"I'm putting it down now.", he growls.
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
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[03:11] {Won Dangerous RPB against The Wolf}
[03:14] {NARRATION} (So, everyone roll 2x , except Uri- Uri rolls 3x, due to that low dice when the wolf went their way. I'll narrate after injuries have been decided and dealt.

Remembering:

Astrid has a 30% temp, which scales to a -10 vit perm upon one more temp;

Uri has a -20% temp, which will scale to a -10 vit perm upon two more temps;

Esbern has a minor -10% temp, which scales to a -10 vit perm upon THREE temps.)
[03:17] {Item} You drop Four Leaf Clover x1.
[03:17] {Item} You picked up Four Leaf Clover. Dropped by Uri Sanctum. .
[03:20] {Item} You picked up Starstruck Eye. Dropped by the dm. .
[03:21] {Item} You drop Starstruck Eye.
[03:21] {Item} You picked up Starstruck Eye. Dropped by Astrid cos Salis. .
[03:30] {NARRATION} The wolf howls at the end of its life- It fought with teeth and fang to keep the telescope intact, to make sure that they paid for disturbing his peace. Their very essence drained, it used the very magic brought against it with such strength that would bring envy to most practiced magi.

Every glimpse of starlight that it got, was converted into further strength. However... The earlier complications had resulted in a terrifying result for all of them, except for Astrid, who luckily managed to evade a grim fate at a last moment.

Uri was still with his broken arm, but the impact from the wolf's paw at that moment caused to not only to completely sever the connection of his magical circuitry, but to burn the entirety of it; His own fire magic turned with such strength against himself. (-10 vit, permanent)

Esbern managed to be found under the beast, his own magic of water turned against him at a surprise; While the wolf managed to jump on him and knock him down to the floor before being put down by a singular shot of the rifle through the skull, his own body was assaulted by his magic. While this permanent damage to his circuitry was not visible at naked eye, it became obvious whenever he tried to cast anything, his magic 'failing' or 'stuttering' at times. (-10 vit, permanent)

The wolf laid dead over him, however. Its blood spread across the floor- The glimmering eye of cosmic magic still shone bright above.

All they had to do was get the iris from its throat, salvaged from the telescope, and the eye on its head- As well as collect the arcanium that wasn't unsalvageable by now.
[03:32] {Lost Restrained RPB against the dm}
[03:33] ** the dm has inflicted an injury upon Uri Sanctum. ("Charred Arm", "Uri was still with his broken arm, but the impact from the wolf's paw at that moment caused to not only to completely sever the connection of his magical circuitry, but to burn the entirety of it; His own fire magic turned with such strength against himself.", "Permanent", "Severity: MODERATE (-20 Vit)") **
[03:42] They rushed in, with much chaos raging about in the mountain, in the observatory where the wolf kept guard of the telescope... It was painful, fighting the wolf with this arm, already broken, until! Uri would feel that sudden reflect of pain, his own flames turned against him for a split moment.

"Gah!" He had sustained a permanent injury from the wolf, the injury he would remember Mono from, one that bled slightly due to the burning flames which dried up the blood. Uri was saddened by this, the wolf he was hoping to relinquish from his shackles of isolation... But now... He had to bring an end to him, the moment he had gotten on top of Esbern'o… Uri would reach forward towards the wolf..

"Mono!..." He shouts, and his hand reaching forward, the opposite arm, his good arm whilst the wolf reeked havoc, giving injuries to everyone, but here... They WILL have their victory.. "Anos…" Uri said with a calm tone, frightened but calm, calling upon the power of his star, to be invirogated with a slight boost from the cosmos, to protec his friends and his very on light.

"Mono... I'm... Sorry.." He took one last gaze at the wolf before snapping his fingers. "But from your shackles... I... Release you!" The young Captain roars with a snap of his fingers, sending out an explosive bang towards the wolf, covering the being in a nova of light, and fire, enough to deal the finishing blow for it was Uri who slayed the beast. "Ha!" He cries out with tears falling from his eyes, that very potent attack, after all they have done, he felt the pain in his heart more than ANYTHING!

And from Mono the wolf... From that massive explosion... Came the Starstruck Eye... It rolled to Uri, and so, he would pick it up. So weak from exhausting himself, from enduring the pain of his first ever life injury... "Mono... I'm sorry... But, it had to be done... You... Will be, within … My memory," Uri spoke hesitantly due to the pain he was fighting... Now, finally standing, limping on over towards the others. Hoping, they were alright from the battle, for there was a STORM of various attacks being dished out at every single corner.

So Stood The Wandering Phoenix.
(Uri Sanctum)
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[03:43] The fight was oddly intense.

This daemon was no regular wolf, but a cosmic-infused beast, its nights star-gazing apparently having given it enlightenment regarding the stars at some point in its life.

Blood, ice, and raging water are his tools, and he does not even consider trying to go easy on the beast. Working in tandem with Uri and Astrid, he does his absolute best to avoid harming them while casting his spells at the dog.

Every opportunity he sees, he takes - exposing the wolf to the harsh cold to slow its movements, and drawing additional bloods from its wounds in order to drain its stamina. His main weapon, however, its the tearing waters of his riptide magic - surge and whip threatening to rip into the beast.

However, this is his undoing - the wolf leaps at him just as he summons a surge of water, the blast of water impacting both of them, and tearing into Esbern in a subtle manner, his mana-circuits suffering from his own magic.

A grunt of agony is given from him, "Urgh!", as the pain hits, and he reflexively operates his rifle, blasting through the wolf at close range. Slowly crawling out from under the wolf's body, Esbern huffs and puffs... This was hardly the first time his riptide magic had let him down.

More and more, he found himself determined to break free of the shackles of that particular type of ferocious magic, as it always seemed to break into the realm of instability and self-harm.

After a short break, he approaches the knocked-off telescope, and begins dismantling it, putting his artificer skills to work. He was confident he'd be able to salvage the few arcanium parts for later use. At least this was a comfort from the pain.

As a final note, he looks to Astrid, and asks; "did you get what you were looking for?"
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
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[03:47] With the terrifying monster now raging for a fight. Astrid prepares once again to fight for her life. This time, her exhaustion would get the better of her from the last fight. Her mana circuits barely being able to be feasible as she shot defensive mana blasts and explosions toward the Wolf. Deflecting his claw swipes with her sword

Surprisingly...

Astrid would not attack
"Mono! Stop this! Please!!"

She would attempt to bargain with the Wolf. Her voice shakey and full of tears as she witnessed her friends get tossed around like ragdolls. With her mana already draining...she could only do so much to defend from his blows
"Agh….stop!"

Astrid would attempt to charge her mana circuits again. Pushing herself to her absolute limit as she dodges and deflects the blows from the wolfs rampage. Only attacking out of pure defense

Every glimpse of starlight would convert into strength. Astrid's own starlight being sucked from hersoul as she fought defensively against the raging beast..
"Aaaah!"

As the wolf attempted to target her friends, Astrid would have no choice but to defend those who were dear to her. Slashing and fighting against the wolf until the very end

Astrid had gotten lucky. Sparing herself from most of the Wolf's onslaught
"...."

She walks forward toward the best with tears in her eyes. Falling to her knees as one thought crossed her mind
Why did they have to do this? Why did Astrid risks her friends lives for this!?
"I'm...so sorry.."

It seemed she was talking to both Esbern and Uri and the wolf. Feeling absolutely horrible for their actions and injuries

In that moment...Astrid would finally realize the basis of her Star's teachings...

Understanding..
She didn't need no telescope to do that...

After picking up a relic from the debris of the telescope. She walks up to her friends as she tries to tend to her wounds..
"Are you two alright!?"

Tears in her eyes, she keeps the Iris close as a memento as she looks back at the Wolf
"...You freed him Uri. But...at what cost?"

She wipes her tears. Walking over to the window of the observatory as she looks up into the stars above. The iris clenched in her hand
"...Yes, Esbern. I...I...found what I was looking for.."

Her voice would be vague when it came to her words. Instead of explaining, she opts to walk toward the exit that led to the outside world
"...Let's go home."

Her voice was melancholy and soft. A faint sadness emanating from her smile as she walked to the exit of the observatory. Her footsteps heavy with pain after the pain that she had caused to herfriends for embarking on such a journey

While the thought of comfort awaited her at home. She would soon find out the true reality of wait awaits them...
(Astrid cos Salis)
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[03:48] the dm says, "behold, the dog killers"
[03:51] From there, if they were allowed at this point, the trio would make their way back to the ship. Uri, Esbern'o and Astrid... Though Uri killed the wolf, he was not proud of it.. Something to reflect on during their voyage back home, upon the sea, and back to the land of Osrona.

"Mono..." Uri said, gritting his teeth from the injury, only barely tended to through first aid.

But at least, they were victorious.. Uri was relaxed but with a pain of both cosmic and his own energies working against them.. So ended, their journey to the stars observatory... A place they've risked their life, in order to obtain a hidden wisdom from the stars... "May you rest in piece."
(Uri Sanctum)
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