This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Due to the mass of bodies blocking the fallen form of the shepherd, Yessaris clicks his tongue and holsters the repeater, trusting in the moment the deed to be done. If it occurs to him to be wary of the more mutated allies, it does not show immediately as attention instead turns to the fallen Mind Flayers in the room. "Barney. Guard the doorway. Bite anything that might've followed you here."He says coolly.
As the hybrid of machinery, arcane magic, wood, and flesh(?) turns to commit to its duty, Yessaris blinks in and out of existence several time over the course of studying the room, confirming a nagging "concern" after seeing the transformation of the Mind Flayers. Confirming... whether or not the same was destined of at least the others. For he at least kept slipping in and out of existence, taking only self and possessions along for the ride. He talked to himself throughout the process. Though what seemed as mostly mad jibberings and nonsensical hand gestures to another were complex formulas meant to steady the mind.
Eventually, the raven-haired man turns to the others, peeling black hood and making clear the intensity of pale yellow were directed on all; or more specifically on Tupac and Selrahc. Yet his next words are addressed to all. "We need to leave this area. Swiftly. Purge the room. Take only what is necessary and no more."
(@All: I'm kicking myself for not plugging sooner this one metal gear solid theme playing as Barney got closer to the action. Mostly just because of the beat.)
Barney guards the door as ordered while Yessaris looks around the room. He can safely guess that these wall-tentacles, now all dry without exception, play a role in transforming victims of the Shepherd into lesser versions of himself. While studying his surrounding, the artificer also picks up on a slight draft coming from behind another cluster of wall-tentacles, just north of where Barney is.
Graxx then begins to tripple- and quadruple-tap the Shepherd. In the process, the catman makes it even move obvious that behind his vestments, the Shepherd was wielding a familiar shield, +1 and a Belt of Dwarvenkind.
The fog also begins to disperse...
(OOC: I'll let @Superbad and @Hydra themselves respond to the suspicious surrounding Selrahc and Tupoc. Also, now that the dust has settled, can I get a description of everyone's new characters?)
The Xorn-hybrid known as Selrahc sheathes his maul and watches Graxx shred the body of the Shepherd. He is a heavily built (more muscular than fatty) humanoid that is about 6 and a half feet tall, covered in a rocky outside, with two eyes but they have the appearance of a cat's. ((Look at the Xorn photo to see what I'm referring to))
"The creature fought well." He speaks with a silvery voice that is almost monotone. "It does not deserve to be treated like such." He pauses. "The creature was able to outsmart and outmaneuver us. We got cocky and reckless. Remember what the gnome said, if we die... we become more and more monstrous," He waves his large arm at Tupoc and himself "as you can see. My name in this form is Selrahc."
"hmm seems you got the short end of the straw, atleast it seems you still have your sanity. Still I wouldn't want to be in your shoes."
The female commenting on Selhrac voice wears a pretty heavy armor and shield covering her whole body. The shield has a hand with teeth as engraving on it. She has long white hair and grey glowing eyes. "Apparently i din't change much from my previous reincanation although appereance are still different."
Tupoc nods at Selrahc’s comments. Although he too suffered the curse of monstrosity, he looks much more human than his Xorn-like companion. The couatl hybrid is a tall and thin man with a look of wiry strength. Tupoc has jet black feathers covering his body and two great feathered wings sprouting from his back, but otherwise he remains humanoid in body structure, if not one with an abnormally long torso. Snake-like fangs and a forked tongue peak out from his mouth as he speaks. “Selrahc is correct. We should be more careful moving forwards, me and him especially. Who knows how much further down this dark path we could go? Our number of rebirths is surely limited.”
Yessaris reply to at least Grixx is not an immediate one, but the words are acknowledge in a passing nod. Something about a nearby wall consumed the majority of attention. As the mist quickly begins to fade, the others can more clearly make out the forms of each other. Though he appeared human (for the most part) during the hectic struggle to survive, the oddities become more distinct. Obscured only by raven black hair or dark clothing are places where chocolate brown skin smoothly gives way to jade serpentine scales. Yellow eyes bearing slit pupils passively give off the feeling of either being dissected, or dispassionately judged as lesser whenever they focus on an individual. He is tall(6'2), but lanky compared to others in the room. Which makes it all the more odd to see him draw a battle axe of all things from his side, and handle it with uncanny ease than what his build suggests. The thick cloak on his shoulders has largely been brushed aside at this point, revealing what can best be described as a typical alchemist and engineer attire meld into one.
"Do not dare put me in the same place as the previous aspects... or yourselves, Selrahc."He states with a husky and authoritative voice without turning from the wall. "If not for whatever magic binding us, I could've surfaced sooner, and prevented such errors in judgement. But it is of no matter now. Barney. New directives. Tear down this wall, if you would be so kind." He states, backing up to at least the opposing wall as the construct - a miracle (or abomination to some) of artifice that appeared to marry typical construct material of metal and wood with arcane formulas so small as to look as natural warping in the dragon, and that of flesh in at least small parts of its construction. Scaled and non-humanoid, but flesh all the same.
"I would not worry overly too much about your futures. With progress, we will uncover the means to 'siphon' back whatever essence has been lost, as the others here have sought to do."He gives the others a side-long look. "Not that we should get too comfortable either. Have you not the means to restore yourself, female specimen?"He asks Nox?
(@All: Close-up on Yessaris and Barney. The latter's main coat should be purple instead of blue, but otherwise pretty close to intended design.)
Graxx looks up with anger in his yellow eyes and goop dripping from his claws, "He used my body as a puppet! He used us as play things! He deserves everything I have given him."
Graxx is a yellow spotted tabaxi. He stands at 5'11 and has a slender build. He wears a leather vest and pants complete with a bulging backpack which contains kits of many kinds. On his right hip is a crimson scabbard with the familiar symbol of the flaming sword of tempus which holds his rapier. On his left hip is a hand crossbow with the bolts strung across his chest for easy access.
As the group catches up and begins to get used to each member's new form, Barney tears down more wall-tentacles. The construct's actions reveal a second door on the western wall, this one already open (door at {DN-5}). It is easy enough to observe that both doors simply lead to a long corridor heading north (a dead end stands to the south). At the end of the north path, another door can be found.
Those with a high passive perception scores (16 or above) would be able to deduce that this northward corridor simply leads back to the original room where the Shepherd was found.
The fog in this corridor has already dissipated, and it won't be long until it also disappears from the room you are all standing in at the moment.
(@All: Alright, we are only missing a description for Abe. Where to next, folks? Backtracking or exploring what is beyond the door on {DI2}? If we need a decision maker for this choice, Abe is on the helm next.)
(@All: To keep things at least semi-moving along belatedly...)
"And now it is dead. No further a matter of concern." Yessaris cuts in, momentarily distracted from his examination of Nox(?). "What is important is rest. Elsewhere, but within this zone."He looks around and steps out long enough in the hallway Flynric ran through before returning to the others. "If there is one thing to think that twisted, tentacle horror, it is that it will be some time before his territory -- general vicinity is invaded by others. We should take this time to recuperate ourselves. Perhaps even sort out our latest acquisitions."He says, gesturing to shield held by Graxx.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
(@All: I just notice our friend @Laserwhit hasn't posted on the forums for almost a week! If anyone want to call the next direction to pursue in his stead, please feel free to do so.)
The fog continues to thin more and more. You can now see the stone floor once again, smooth as always. The dried up wall-tentacles also begin to detach and fall from the walls. They magically flake upon hitting the ground, becoming mostly dust after a few seconds.
The magical shield and belt remain on the floor and on the Shepherd's body, respectively.
(@All: If you guys are going to rest, I'll use my DM-card and say that this time it should be a short-rest... you guys just revived at full strength moments ago.)
"You may recall these times. One for those that use a shield and the other to make your body more sturdy and give advantage to poisons."
Graxx looks around at the new bodies.
"With us all once again being in new... bodies thanks to this pile of muck I am not sure of everyone's strengths. I don't feel either would be best used with me. I do not take to shields and I do not plan to get hit anytime soon."
Tupoc glances over at the two items. “I, too, see little use in these items for myself. Perhaps Selrahc? Regardless of who takes the items, we should investigate more before we sit down to rest. I hazily remember there being another door just north of here...”
(@Lerus: T'is was the plan just to avoid expending more finite resources on healing everyone but Yessaris and Tupoc)
"Selhrac or the quiet Nox, yes. It would suit them well enough." Yessaris dead eyes Tupoc. "And for the record. I was only suggesting a short one. But if you must insist upon some minor exploration, then, by all means, lead the way." He gestures lazily to the north as Barney, who had taken it upon himself to explore the newly opened passage, returns to sit beside Yuan-Ti. Once officially on the move, the duo would take up a rare-most position to guard the flank.
"I won't say not to a better shield however i have no intrested in growing a beard." After accepting the shield she summon a warhorse dressing it with chain mail barding and a saddle.
Moving on to the next room, Tupoc leads the group north. The door is now ajar, though the Couatl-hybrid remembers seeing it closed when still looking through Flynric's eyes. It is completely dark past the threshold, and darkvision is not helping.
Tupoc pears into the darkness and sees... an old man. He is sitting atop a dead drow dressed in robes. The victor of what was a clearly bloody encounter waers along leather overcoat, and smokes a cigarette. After a long drag and release, he speaks up: "I can't see you but I can hear you. If you are here for me, turn back now. You won't succeed. Otherwise, step right up. Do you enjoy tobacco?"
All can here the raspy voice saying those words. Only Tupoc can see the long-haired man who serves as its source.
"That is awfully presumptuous of you. Pretell why any would seek you out to begin with? And who are you, for that matter?" Yessaris calls up ahead if none speak up swiftly enough. "You may call me Yessa Sozen in turn, for what little this one's own name matters in this place."He adds, disregarding the question of tabacco.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
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Plus Guidance:
9., 4.When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx nods and will squeeze by to where the Shepherd is and put up his rapier and extend his claws. He looks down menacingly at the body.
”I have everything. Start walking. I’ll be right behind.”
Graxx will begin the shred the Shepherds body in a rage driven fury for the pain it has caused until Yessaris starts to leave.
Barney guards the door as ordered while Yessaris looks around the room. He can safely guess that these wall-tentacles, now all dry without exception, play a role in transforming victims of the Shepherd into lesser versions of himself. While studying his surrounding, the artificer also picks up on a slight draft coming from behind another cluster of wall-tentacles, just north of where Barney is.
Graxx then begins to tripple- and quadruple-tap the Shepherd. In the process, the catman makes it even move obvious that behind his vestments, the Shepherd was wielding a familiar shield, +1 and a Belt of Dwarvenkind.
The fog also begins to disperse...
(OOC: I'll let @Superbad and @Hydra themselves respond to the suspicious surrounding Selrahc and Tupoc. Also, now that the dust has settled, can I get a description of everyone's new characters?)
The Xorn-hybrid known as Selrahc sheathes his maul and watches Graxx shred the body of the Shepherd. He is a heavily built (more muscular than fatty) humanoid that is about 6 and a half feet tall, covered in a rocky outside, with two eyes but they have the appearance of a cat's. ((Look at the Xorn photo to see what I'm referring to))
"The creature fought well." He speaks with a silvery voice that is almost monotone. "It does not deserve to be treated like such." He pauses. "The creature was able to outsmart and outmaneuver us. We got cocky and reckless. Remember what the gnome said, if we die... we become more and more monstrous," He waves his large arm at Tupoc and himself "as you can see. My name in this form is Selrahc."
Kandalou Dle'tan - Level 9 Githyanki Fighter (Champion) - Rrakkma PbP
"hmm seems you got the short end of the straw, atleast it seems you still have your sanity. Still I wouldn't want to be in your shoes."
The female commenting on Selhrac voice wears a pretty heavy armor and shield covering her whole body. The shield has a hand with teeth as engraving on it. She has long white hair and grey glowing eyes. "Apparently i din't change much from my previous reincanation although appereance are still different."
Nox - Adult Oblex - The Trials
Jartrin Ephok - Dragonborn - Zanoliv
Bunol - Grim Angel - The Floating Lands of Goriate
Tupoc nods at Selrahc’s comments. Although he too suffered the curse of monstrosity, he looks much more human than his Xorn-like companion. The couatl hybrid is a tall and thin man with a look of wiry strength. Tupoc has jet black feathers covering his body and two great feathered wings sprouting from his back, but otherwise he remains humanoid in body structure, if not one with an abnormally long torso. Snake-like fangs and a forked tongue peak out from his mouth as he speaks. “Selrahc is correct. We should be more careful moving forwards, me and him especially. Who knows how much further down this dark path we could go? Our number of rebirths is surely limited.”
Officially Joined the Expanded Signature Club
Will be on Hiatus: Currently Clear
Yessaris reply to at least Grixx is not an immediate one, but the words are acknowledge in a passing nod. Something about a nearby wall consumed the majority of attention. As the mist quickly begins to fade, the others can more clearly make out the forms of each other. Though he appeared human (for the most part) during the hectic struggle to survive, the oddities become more distinct. Obscured only by raven black hair or dark clothing are places where chocolate brown skin smoothly gives way to jade serpentine scales. Yellow eyes bearing slit pupils passively give off the feeling of either being dissected, or dispassionately judged as lesser whenever they focus on an individual. He is tall(6'2), but lanky compared to others in the room. Which makes it all the more odd to see him draw a battle axe of all things from his side, and handle it with uncanny ease than what his build suggests. The thick cloak on his shoulders has largely been brushed aside at this point, revealing what can best be described as a typical alchemist and engineer attire meld into one.
"Do not dare put me in the same place as the previous aspects... or yourselves, Selrahc." He states with a husky and authoritative voice without turning from the wall. "If not for whatever magic binding us, I could've surfaced sooner, and prevented such errors in judgement. But it is of no matter now. Barney. New directives. Tear down this wall, if you would be so kind." He states, backing up to at least the opposing wall as the construct - a miracle (or abomination to some) of artifice that appeared to marry typical construct material of metal and wood with arcane formulas so small as to look as natural warping in the dragon, and that of flesh in at least small parts of its construction. Scaled and non-humanoid, but flesh all the same.
"I would not worry overly too much about your futures. With progress, we will uncover the means to 'siphon' back whatever essence has been lost, as the others here have sought to do." He gives the others a side-long look. "Not that we should get too comfortable either. Have you not the means to restore yourself, female specimen?" He asks Nox?
(@All: Close-up on Yessaris and Barney. The latter's main coat should be purple instead of blue, but otherwise pretty close to intended design.)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx looks up with anger in his yellow eyes and goop dripping from his claws, "He used my body as a puppet! He used us as play things! He deserves everything I have given him."
Graxx is a yellow spotted tabaxi. He stands at 5'11 and has a slender build. He wears a leather vest and pants complete with a bulging backpack which contains kits of many kinds. On his right hip is a crimson scabbard with the familiar symbol of the flaming sword of tempus which holds his rapier. On his left hip is a hand crossbow with the bolts strung across his chest for easy access.
As the group catches up and begins to get used to each member's new form, Barney tears down more wall-tentacles. The construct's actions reveal a second door on the western wall, this one already open (door at {DN-5}). It is easy enough to observe that both doors simply lead to a long corridor heading north (a dead end stands to the south). At the end of the north path, another door can be found.
Those with a high passive perception scores (16 or above) would be able to deduce that this northward corridor simply leads back to the original room where the Shepherd was found.
The fog in this corridor has already dissipated, and it won't be long until it also disappears from the room you are all standing in at the moment.
(@All: Alright, we are only missing a description for Abe. Where to next, folks? Backtracking or exploring what is beyond the door on {DI2}? If we need a decision maker for this choice, Abe is on the helm next.)
(@All: To keep things at least semi-moving along belatedly...)
"And now it is dead. No further a matter of concern." Yessaris cuts in, momentarily distracted from his examination of Nox(?). "What is important is rest. Elsewhere, but within this zone." He looks around and steps out long enough in the hallway Flynric ran through before returning to the others. "If there is one thing to think that twisted, tentacle horror, it is that it will be some time before his territory -- general vicinity is invaded by others. We should take this time to recuperate ourselves. Perhaps even sort out our latest acquisitions." He says, gesturing to shield held by Graxx.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
(@All: I just notice our friend @Laserwhit hasn't posted on the forums for almost a week! If anyone want to call the next direction to pursue in his stead, please feel free to do so.)
The fog continues to thin more and more. You can now see the stone floor once again, smooth as always. The dried up wall-tentacles also begin to detach and fall from the walls. They magically flake upon hitting the ground, becoming mostly dust after a few seconds.
The magical shield and belt remain on the floor and on the Shepherd's body, respectively.
(@All: If you guys are going to rest, I'll use my DM-card and say that this time it should be a short-rest... you guys just revived at full strength moments ago.)
Graxx holds up the Shield,+1 and the Belt of Dwarvenkind.
"You may recall these times. One for those that use a shield and the other to make your body more sturdy and give advantage to poisons."
Graxx looks around at the new bodies.
"With us all once again being in new... bodies thanks to this pile of muck I am not sure of everyone's strengths. I don't feel either would be best used with me. I do not take to shields and I do not plan to get hit anytime soon."
Tupoc glances over at the two items. “I, too, see little use in these items for myself. Perhaps Selrahc? Regardless of who takes the items, we should investigate more before we sit down to rest. I hazily remember there being another door just north of here...”
Officially Joined the Expanded Signature Club
Will be on Hiatus: Currently Clear
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"I won't say not to a better shield however i have no intrested in growing a beard." After accepting the shield she summon a warhorse dressing it with chain mail barding and a saddle.
Nox - Adult Oblex - The Trials
Jartrin Ephok - Dragonborn - Zanoliv
Bunol - Grim Angel - The Floating Lands of Goriate
(@Palfateros: Was that Find Steed? If so, please don't forget to mark it down on your sheet.)
Nox claims the shield, +1 and immediately fells better protected. The Belt of Dwarvenkind is still unclaimed.
Moving on to the next room, Tupoc leads the group north. The door is now ajar, though the Couatl-hybrid remembers seeing it closed when still looking through Flynric's eyes. It is completely dark past the threshold, and darkvision is not helping.
-> This is the door at {DI2}.
Tupoc snorts at the Yuan-ti. ”I think I just might.” He stares into the room, trusting his True Sight to pierce the darkness.
Officially Joined the Expanded Signature Club
Will be on Hiatus: Currently Clear
Selrahc stares at the belt his previous incarnation wore, "I have no need for it." He says in his silvery, monotone voice.
Kandalou Dle'tan - Level 9 Githyanki Fighter (Champion) - Rrakkma PbP
Tupoc pears into the darkness and sees... an old man. He is sitting atop a dead drow dressed in robes. The victor of what was a clearly bloody encounter waers along leather overcoat, and smokes a cigarette. After a long drag and release, he speaks up: "I can't see you but I can hear you. If you are here for me, turn back now. You won't succeed. Otherwise, step right up. Do you enjoy tobacco?"
All can here the raspy voice saying those words. Only Tupoc can see the long-haired man who serves as its source.
The magical belt remains unclaimed.
"That is awfully presumptuous of you. Pretell why any would seek you out to begin with? And who are you, for that matter?" Yessaris calls up ahead if none speak up swiftly enough. "You may call me Yessa Sozen in turn, for what little this one's own name matters in this place." He adds, disregarding the question of tabacco.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.