vale event

Cold, The Vale was cold.

Once more such a group found themselves within the depths of the unknown.

Once more soldiers and blackened fae alike guided this group into the secrets of The Vale. Air hung still and decay was thick within these depths which few dared explore.

Though such a group had not come without reason - Celicia most of all could feel that alluring call into a blackened abyss of the unknown.

Warm and inviting - Much like a mother calling her children back home. The rest of such a group could feel that pull to some extent, though nothing like this siren call which near physically pulled upon the soul of this fae touched woman.

No matter, Their goal remained ever clear.

Cleansing and removing whatever abomination which continue to sink their claws between the realms of both spiritual and living.

(Welcome to In a Sparkling Void! Due to the nature of this event I will lay the ground rules / terms for injuries before the event begins.

What is being given out in this event are very strong dev items and unique alike. Meaning, I as a dungeon master will be holding nothing back and some fights and scenarios may be considered 'Unfair' in the eyes of the combatants.

Deep within The Vale persists an unholy abomination of void and life. Achyon as a whole intends to slay this abomination and bring them down as the spiritual unrest within such a land continues to grow restless. Laying claim to this power which exist within The Vales Void.

Damage Sheet;
3 Or under 1x - Temp.
3 Or under 2x - Temp, Unhealable. (Items such as lax essence remain fine for usage.)
3 Or under (Shared.) This will lower your next injury to a -5, though be spread between you and whoever is taking the brunt of the damage with you.
3 or under 3x - Perm, -10
3 or under 4x - Perm, -20
3 or under 5x - Death.

Your character at any point (Exluding mid-rpb) is more than capable of leaving the event should they feel their life is on the line. Please continue with these numbers firm in your head!)
[Narrate]

Sceptical, distrustful.

All matters spiritual often brought about negative attitude from Marcel, or even downright hostile- for as far as he's concerned, these matters were either out to harm humanity, or even kill them all. Quite frankly, so far, he was never proven wrong.

This is likely the case too.

Almost instinctively he readies his rifle already, carrying it in his hands; his eyes inquisitively look about, noting the particularly hostile environment. In his mind, he already made up the decision about it.

It's a no man's land, one that could get them killed if they're not careful.

"--I have a bad feeling about this."

Then again..

If it comes to something spiritual, when does he not have a bad feeling?
(Marcel Delisle)

Void.

Each movement deeper within caused a feeling of unease and unrest to push upon this group. Ryker who wield rifts with such ease could no doubt tell of the many spatial tearings which had permeated The Vale since their last visit.

The distortion was apparent and clear as though a toddler wielding rift magic had used such for an entire year straight. Endlessly hopping in and out of these many tears within the fabric of space and time itself.

Well, it was probably nothing to be concerned about.

"... Bru... No."

Called a familiar voice as ethereal claws dug within the mind of this man. Spirits slain and blown apart from prior expeditions still fresh within his mind, his own action against one of these beasts which had blown their ethereal form in two.

"Bruno of Achyon..."

They spoke once more, words now etched into the minds of those present.

"Give... Him. You will all be... Freed. Give... That man."

Bubbling and oozing out from the ground, intent on impeding their push deeper into The Vale.

An ever so familiar spirit; Figure still malformed and healing as they appear from that same rift which Emery dug themselves out of.

In essence?

The spirit Bruno had blasted away was back with a vengeance.
[Narrate]

Spiritual aliens.

The moment such voices were heard, Marcel was already on guard; his rifle raised with intent to take an aim at something- the figure appearing in the distance evoking naught but a frown from the newly made Sergeant.

He isn't the type to make such deals.

"Great."

"So it isn't dead."

He recognized the spirit; a malicious entity that they all once battled.. and almost immediately he looks around, seeking for the second spirit that he killed.

Did that one recover? Did he return?
Seems like he didn't.

Though with that said, there's only one remark spoken about it all- Delisle, as usual, had no sympathy to spirits. Either they were there to be used by humanity, or eradicated.

No other option given.

"I don't see why we shouldn't just blast it."
(Marcel Delisle)

"Fools. Idiotic as any other common human within your realm."

The Gnome which Emery carried around with him?

Killed from a sudden overwhelming presence which dare shake the very foundation of The Vale. Weight continually pressing down upon the shoulders of all present, much as though it was attempting to force them upon their knees.

"... You know naught of what you face. Incapable of even killing one as great as I." The massive gate which poured from their weapon now flooding spirits outwards once more.

Entities which threaten all those present as clawed hands reach for those near.

Unwilling to hand over a single man.

"You will not fall to her as the fae which now flock to The Vales Void. You will each fall before Gnefildap The First."

What a twist.

Even so? The beast looked angry as a mass of spirits rushed towards The Soldiers of Achyon.
[Narrate]

r1, Emery. Ryker. Niffty


r2 Marcel, Emery (?)

/roll
[Narrate]

Poison.

Stardust.

Lightning.

Telekentic force.

Fueled by vitriol and hatred for a singular man - For this very being which cleaved their body in two with lightning and chaos. Though no amount of screaming and striking could bring such a foe down upon their knees.

No.

Instead what followed was almost comical in a sense. Emery being thrown around and crashing against stone and wooden fence, his own frail body not even being detected by this massive hulking beast of a spirit.

Though, he seemed to sustain these blows like a champ. Good job, Emery!

The same could be said for Ryker and Niffty. Rushing into a veil of poison and dropping within mere seconds, falling to the ground before their strikes could even so much as touch this spiritual beast at first.

They'd be coughing up those poisonous spores, though nothing too damaging all the same. Raising back into a stand to continue their fight all the very same.

Marcel...

Would be made into an example.

Cosmic Stardust coalesced into meteors being brought down upon this man, try as he might to continually run and flee?

He finds himself pinned against stone. Continually bombarded as bones crack and circuitry screams. (Temp, 4 days.)

... Then? The worst possible outcome.

Bruno once again leveling a final shot...

As Matryona just as well is being continually bombarded, struck time and time again while being pushed to that brink of defeat.
[Narrate]

That..

Did not go as planned for Marcel. For as much as he was often quick enough to avoid overwhelming harm, there is a moment of miscalculation made- and soon enough, he's blasted by the impossible force of the cosmic magic that pins him down.

Crushing his bones.
Searing his circuitry.

For most, this would be a lethal experience; Marcel tries to escape, but try as he might, it just seems impossible.. instead, it becomes a testament to just how powerful and dangerous spirits can be. The ionic barrier did its best to protect him, but..

Even that cracked under such immense pressure.

Pain rushes through his body- when bombardment finally ends, he collapses; a feeling of numerous broken bones underneath slow him down, and his face visibly winces in pain. Even calling upon any magic becomes a difficult task, one that he does steadily, as to not inflict further harm.

Steadily, he rises.

"Damnit.. that hurt.."

Inhale.
Exhale.

There's still a lot to go for, and a lot to do. It's not the time to call it quits, and instead, he seeks to re-group with the rest.

"--Nothing like a near-death experience to freshen you up, I suppose."
(Marcel Delisle)

Silence.

Clawed hands reached for this ethereal staff as a portal began to form once more. Seconds away from making a second escape as Ryker denied as much this time around, no rifts could best The Docro Kitsune.

Sealed.

Devoured.

By a blade which sought the death of spiritual beasts intent on exacting revenge. Clawed hand reaching outwards as a final swipe was made in the direction of Ryker.

Never reaching this man.

Reduced to nothing.

Niffty had her cheese and Emery his bloodied gnome pants.

The Vale was silent once more.

The only sound being the gentle flutter of wings guiding them deeper within.
[Narrate]

There's but a nod given to Matryona's offer of protection- thankfully, there weren't any threats as of right now, but it's appreciated nonetheless.

"Thanks, Commander."

But there was no time to focus on this pain or even allow himself to be decommissioned by the injury; should the necessity come, he'll drink something that'll help him with the injury, but..

Until then, he floats after the rest of the group.

Thankfully, he was capable of levitation - and he didn't need to walk and hurt his bones even further.

At least there won't be any limping.
(Marcel Delisle)

Silence.

No further abominations stood in their way.

No beings dared reach out and claw away at this group.

Nothing.

Following behind what could only be described as a flock of small Fae-like creatures that fluttered about within this Vale. Guided by that invisible thread which pulled upon all present, leaving no being untouched.

Deeper...

Deeper...

What seemed like hours of marching and moving about now leading them to that which this flock of Fae had entered. Pitch blackness, like a wall of sheer darkness in the form of a perpetual rift opened well beneath The Vale.

Fae continually flocking within.

Never to be seen again - Or so the small creatures had told Celicia. Though the allure and size of this massive rift seemed more unsettling than welcoming now.

Were they expected to simply plunge into The Unknown?
[Narrate]

Just a thought?

One small nagging idea to close such a rift?

Ryker would feel a certain pain splinter his mind, damaging both psyche and perception of the world around as a voice echoed throughout these chambers. The voice of a woman filled with a moment of rage, that same child which had their tantrum with rifts.

"NO."

Ryker takes mental damage, his mind rattling around within his skull as the voice of this woman continually echo within. Reminding him who reigned above The Kitsune in such a moment, daring him to think of closing their rifts once more. (Temp, 4 days.)
[Narrate]

"..."

Marcel mostly remains silent while he examines the path before them; he's neither experienced with the rifts nor knows how to go about this. Perhaps, to try and send something forth, but..

Is Emery's gnome back yet? Or has his immortality not recovered him yet?

Nonetheless, his gaze drifts towards Matryona and Ryker as they discuss it. A pause lingers, to which he adds.

"Is there no other way around this?"

But before he could discuss that idea any further, the echoing voice puts him on alert. His gaze furrows, and the evident backlash is even worse.

"--It's definitely not safe, then."
(Marcel Delisle)

The group...

Needed a push it seemed.

Despite all their senses now telling them to avoid The Rift?

The being which dwelled within was no doubt a child themselves.

So, well within their vision?

Something could now be seen floating before the group.

Small in shape and size, a pendant somewhere within that vast realm of nothingness.

"Come."

The same voice practically demanding as much at this point.
[Narrate]

"..."

Tempting offer. Very, very tempting.. in fact, he was more than certain that it's a trap. A malicious, incredibly hurtful trap.

"You know."

"I have a feeling that I'm going to regret this deeply, and that I'm going to experience immense pain, but.."

"Maybe this will just work."

The ionic barrier encases him once more- it devours the mana around, all the while protecting him; it's probably not a very good idea to devour such Void-based mana either, but..

It's not like it'd hurt him. Probably.
It's more so weakening whatever is ahead.

Delisle goes forward.

Eventually, there's a pull of air magic at the item ahead once he's close enough- an attempt to snatch it while making his way ahead.

Probably to not be too near whatever trap is about to trigger - because he's more than sure there'll be consequences.
(Marcel Delisle)

Fear?

Who needed such when Marcel was willing to brave the unknown and continue pressing forwards. Though he alone would be the one to experience the utmost terrors of which such a realm now provided.

Seconds before his hands dare touch this pendant?

The Void consumes.

Lost in that darkness with his companions no longer capable of seeing him. Feeling his sense of self and existence being threatened as both body and mind are tugged between realities.

The Spiritual Realm and The True Realm shifting back and forth within this expansive void. Seeing both fear and reality given shape and form in infinite nothingness, alone as he pushed forwards without a doubt on his mind.

Marcel?

Finds himself in a massive expanse all alone. Shimmering light upon the other side now visible and expanding outwards, alone as his companions had left him with no way back it had seemed.

This...

Was a poor idea to go alone.

Hopefully his friends were right behind him, right?

Nonetheless, he somehow manages to clutch onto that pendant.
[Narrate]

Pull.

Pull.

Each could feel a pull upon their very beings as they entered into such a realm of distortion and darkness. Souls being tugged and shifting between realms as their march continued, spirits once clawing away at them only to vanish within a second.

They were someone else.

They were themselves.

They were a king.

They were a peasant.

Matryona, Niffty and Emery all do well to remain themselves through this process. Never losing sight of who they are.

Ryker however? Finds himself lost in this thought. He was a god among men now, one which had toppled armies and kings during his youth in Valmasia. One who could stand against even the mightiest of heroes and never allowed their courage to waver. (Ryker has lost his sense of self, their temp changes from simple brain damage into personality disorder! Believing themselves someone else entirely for the duration. Unhealable.)

Celicia and Bruno?

They don't suffer nearly the same effects. Merely shifting between different personalities and people from the many experiences that flooded through them, having only partially lost a sense of themselves. (Temp, 4 days.)
[Narrate]

Marcel was simply looking about after breaking through the dark and grasping the pendant.

Nobody in sight. How strange...

But surely they were somewhere behind him, soon to follow along- if anything, he was more than certain that it wouldn't be too long until they arrive here.

"Hrm.."

For now, he takes his time inspecting this peculiar pendant. How interesting. Surely, he already made up his mind on making something amazing with it, but..

Then, his gaze turns towards the sudden arrival of people.

"Oh. You're here."

"I've no idea where we are exactly, so I hope one of you knows."
(Marcel Delisle)

Now.

Where were they?

In an abyss which screams and threatens all with an infinite nothingness.

Naught more than a bright light ever further ahead extending a hand outwards to them.

Distant, blurred.

Yet, still alluring all the same.

"Come."

The voice would call.
[Narrate]
Strange.

There was evident distrust to such, but.. where else are they go to? In this bleak darkness, there's nothing else that they can see- nothing else that could potentially lead them to their salvation or completion of their intent.

There's no idea that Marcel has.

"--Right."

He follows the voice, albeit his rifle is kept ready; the ionic barrier that circles around him at all times is prepared for something horrible to happens. It's evidently clear that he doesn't trust this place, or all that happens here..

It'd be a grave mistake if he does.
(Marcel Delisle)

Forwards.

Forwards.

March.

March.

... Right?

When Marcel and others sought to move forwards it would seem as though that light was growing ever distant. Continually backing away and remaining unable to be reached within their grasp.

"Come, my children... Use not your eyes but your body."

The voice called again.

To everyone else?

It would look as though you're simply walking in place amidst this void.

Like an idiot.
[Narrate]

Use your body..
Not your eyes.

Was it meant to be a leap of faith? To simply wander off into the dark without actually watching anything? At least, that's how he perceives it. It's not too long before Marcel gets an idea.

"Hm.."

He closes his eyes. Maybe he isn't meant to 'see' this process; whereas he pointed himself towards the light..

Delisle no longer sees it.

He marches towards it, blindly.
(Marcel Delisle)

Gnefildap?

Runs forwards.

Endlessly.

Stuck in a perpetual void, he stares forward.

Always running...

Running and running until his legs fall off.

Running and running until...

Nothing remains.

As for Marcel and Ryker?

Well, they seem to quite suddenly be moving forwards.

Trusting in the unknown.

The others? Suddenly are beginning to find it very difficult to breathe.
[Narrate]

Stopping? Right now?

That could bring about unknown consequences in the realm such as this- whether they would suffer the wrath of some outer being, or the fluctuating realm might become unstable..

It's better not to risk that.

"Uh.. Commander?"

"I don't think that's a good idea."

He speaks out, even as he moves with his eyes still closed- he simply didn't trust interrupting a process like this.

"Either one of us or all of us can get harmed if the process is interrupted."

"You have to close your eyes and keep moving to the direction of light."

Hopefully that'll shed some insight to the others.
(Marcel Delisle)

Marcel.

Ryker.

Bruno.

Celicia.

All begin moving forwards.

The rest?

Feel an enclosed hand wrapped around their necks.

Squeezing and pulling tight as those familiar sensations of their psyche being pulled around began once more.

All would be met with silence.

Aside from a single rat.

"Trust in yourself. Otherwise? Give yourself unto us."

Suddenly? Trudging forwards seemed just a little bit easier, not needing to fully give themselves to the darkness of The Void.

All at the expense of being nudged forwards by spirits.

(/roll for emery, matryona and niffty!)
[Narrate]

Matryona?

Her mind was a fortress.

Incapable of losing herself within it.

Emery?

Well, he would suddenly feel a pull unlike any other. Shifting between a familiar feeling, one which Bruno had only briefly been accustomed with. The soul of a simple farmer, beaten down and fearful in their last few moments having flashed in his mind. Personality shifting between his usual demeanor and... A scrawny coward. (Temp, 4 days.)

Niffty?

She was a princess. Grand and regal, proper and pristine as any noble was meant to be. In her last dying moments she was hung at the gallows by her people, having grown tired of the lavish lifestyle she once lead. Shifting between her own existence, her own personality and this one. (Temp, 4 days.)
[Narrate]

One...

Two...

One...

Two...

No butler came for Niffty.

How sad.

Beneath such a light would massive wings unfurl at the approach of soldiers. Seeped in corruption and spilling blackened dust with each heavenly movement. Decay which even Bruno would struggle to match as a flood of fae was devoured by a single swing of a massive scythe clutched in their hands.

"... Have you come as offerings, my children? Have you come to witness the expanse of a new realm... Of a new Eternia?"

Called a voice which soothed both mind and soul. Such a voice which struck both terror within the hearts of those present while consuming both soul and kin with each passing second.

Rykers past life would recognize this being, one monster he had greviously wounded in prior combat when they were naught more than a tiny creature.

Round two, no doubt.

"Come... Bind your souls with mine and bring about rebirth."

Void shifting.

Stone beneath their feet forming.

As this massive fae woman now sat upon a golden throne, watching.

Waiting.

Feasting away on gluttonous desire.
[Narrate]

A greater, much bigger threat.

Part of him felt as if this could be the end of trials on this expedition.. but another part felt as if there's always a bigger fish; given the overall condition of his body, and lingering injuries, it could not be afforded anymore to take it less than seriously. So instead..

Vseron, the Primordial blade is drawn.
The blade to kill just about anything.

Imbued with the strength unlike any other weapon, it served Delisle dutifully, and it would serve once more; at the words of the offerings and sacrifices to this being, however, the Sergeant only pursed his lips.

"I never liked anything spiritual anyway."

The winds gather, the lightning crackles around the blade. Soon, it would be directed against her.

Soon, it would seek to demolish the being upon this throne.
(Marcel Delisle)

"... Then you may perish."

Came those final parting words.

One massive swing of her scythe to follow.

Cleaving all which stood in their path.
[Narrate]

Marcel...

Feeling the flow of the void...

He can see everything as mana continually collides against his own..

He is...

The INFINITE.

(Gcde and stun immune for the duration of the event.)
[Narrate]

Void.

Space.

Bending and twisting as such a realm continued to strengthen those that fought against its molestation. Time and space warping and bringing about death which would know no equal.

Matryona and Niffty. Each would see to it their minds are once more rebroken and remolded as void itself take hold. One twist of their scythe finally toppling that fortress which had kept spirits and beasts at bay. The disorder of Niffty shifting into something more long lasting, supplanted in her mind. Matryona would feel that same shift, suddenly she was no longer a proud commander - Instead? She was an occultist which served beneath a dark winged lord. (Temps, Unhealable duration. 4 days.)

Marcel would soon be next. One massive lance of bone cracking off and diving straight into the mans chest, piercing through skin and splintering his skeleton alike. Lodged within the center of his chest was but a piece of that horrendous, malformed magic. Pulsating corrupted mana and rotting away at flesh connected upon his being. (Perm, -10.)

Ryker. He would feel that mind which was not his own slowly eroding and eating away at his very being. Clotting within his brain and eventually, causing a mass of magical cells to form well within the depths of his cranium. The man now requires brain surgery as that spiritual side he so willingly embraced gnaws away at The Ryker pyr Docro, nothing a soldier couldn't handle though. Surely? (Perm, -10.)

Celicia. She would receive a punishment worse off than most - The hand of this beast having connected with her body. The mana of a corrupted deity burning within her existence itself, eating and chewing away at the circuitry present throughout her body. Suddenly she would find it very difficult to conjure magic throughout battle - Unable to harness her fullest potential as this new mana block off parts of her circuitry. (Perm, -20.)

Bruno and Emery would be knocked about just as well. Looming above the both of them with scythe in hand, ready to cleave both down with a single swing.

Their lone protector?

This supremely buff gnome.

Nonetheless?

While that scythe was raised it was Matryona who came in to deliver the final blow. With the death of this abomination? The surge of absolute power she felt coursing through her gradually... Vanished.
[Narrate]

It's pain unlike any other.

A fight which he could not fathomably see ending anytime soon. If anything, Marcel was actually right to loathe these creatures.. he was right to loathe it all.

He was right to hate all spiritual..
Because now it caused him this much pain.

Is it any wonder that fighting against a creature like this would end up as catastrophe to them? That while his prowess is enough to ensure that he does not perish, nor he becomes far too hurt to the point that he might no longer be able to fight..

It's still unmistakably horrid.

A spear of bone- a horrible way to get wounded, one that pierces right through his chest. Had it been just an inch or two to either side, then it could rupture his heart or his lungs; his teeth grit in pain, and blood flows plentiful from the edges of his mouth.

"Aaah.."

He tries not to submit to this pain, even if it's overwhelming.. he tries not to scream, but he collapses at the same place. His hands reach out to grasp at the spear- and while normally he would keep the object lodged inside the wound, this one could not remain.

Because it was actively rotting Marcel from the inside out.

"Come.. on.."

A pull..
Another pull..
...
Shliiick!

More crimson spills from his mouth, more is coughed up; lightning is put to use to sear the evident sources of bleeding, all to make sure that he doesn't die right where he is. Delisle takes a moment to even recover from a wound like this, though it's evidently clear..

Unless given adequate help, he'll deteriorate.

Yet, despite that he stands up. Bleeding, severely wounded and badly hurt, there's still strength left inhim - even if it's waning.

"...Are we done yet?"
(Marcel Delisle)

The Void Realm starts shaking.

Something was angry.

Something far more powerful than a stupid Fae.

The realm itself.

They better hurry their little scuffle along!
[Narrate]