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Behind the Iron Door; Adventure open!
Topic Started: Dec 30 2015, 11:01 AM (2,009 Views)
Tidesweep
Shrine Attendant
[ *  *  * ]
Tide watched Raferties move towards the cavern with the crystals. It was warm. Inviting came to mind. That sort of warmth that welcome you with open arms. The kind that Tide moved to the opposite side of the entrance to it as it brought to mind home fires and not warm blankets or cuddling. Yeah. Anything that brought that to mind, she was going to stay far away from. The only warmth she wanted was from being squished by her companions. Not from those crystals in there.

"Go to what we know, not what we do not...I can see how that would be a good strategy." Tide tried to keep her voice down as low as possible so as not to interfere with Scarheart's or Banner's hearing. Catching movement, Tide saw that Raferties had edge even closer to the cavern. Suddenly, she remembered reading a book about some deep ocean fish on a place called earth. They used lights to attract prey. Tensing up just a little bit, she wanted to tug Raferties back towards the group but clamped down on that urge. Paranoia. It was just paranoia. The cavern was perfectly safe. Homely after all. Inviting.

Tide bit down on her bottom lip hard enough to make it bleed just a little bit. What was wrong with her? The cavern was actually starting to give her the creeps. Reminding her of someone with all the positive feelings and vibes when they were in a situation where those types of feelings just did not belong. Moving over, she tapped Raferties lightly on the arm to get his attention. If he was doing it on purpose, she would leave him too it. If he wasn't...Then maybe just maybe she wasn't that paranoid after all.
"Death has a bone to pick with you and I'm here to help out." -Cain Skelington

"The waves have their own music...Are you listening?" - Tidesweep

"Don't take my silence for agreement. That would be a mistake."- Gertude Weavian

"I will protect what is mine with a will forged like a diamond."- Mildred Fresi

"Healing can take time. Lucky for you, you should having nothing but it for awhile."- Jeremi Kgute
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The Djinn paused, her eyes flickering towards the comforting room. "On the other hand... if those other sounds are fading away, we could take the time to search around here. It shouldn't take too long to give it a look around, anyway, right?" She let a grin slip and edged into the room, standing beside Hren.

"Hey Raferties, would you mind if I collected some of these crystals for my shoppe?" Cassandra seemed to ignore the paranoia that Tide was presenting and started towards the cave wall to inspect the crystals closer.

She might have been a susceptible to the aura that the room seemed to be emanating, but she was at least with enough common sense to not touch the crystals without giving them a closer once-over first.

"I think people around the village would love these in their homes. They're better than candles."



Posted Image
~*~

"I do not think that is the wisest of choices."

The Elf finally spoke, alerting all to her presence if they hadn't noticed already. Her voice was soft, calming, yet resonated enough to be heard by all within the group, a trait that the oriental Elves of her land seemed to naturally have. Ashyana took a couple of sets closer to the entryway of the larger chamber, frowning slightly. "I believe that what you are feeling is intended to lure one into a complacent state. It would be a good idea to ignore the sensation you feel and attempt to listen to your logic and reasoning."

Ashyana glanced around the interior of the cavern, specifically at some of the larger crystals and the ceiling. She had a distinct feeling that something was off here, much like Tide, though she did not wish to be aggressive towards suspicion just yet. No, she would wait. "Scarheart, do you feel this same sensation? I wonder if it is caused by seeing the light of the crystals or if it is not oriented around sight at all."

She paused and shot a glance over her shoulder to Banner. "And what of you, Banner? Do you feel emotional alterations?" Her land didn't have entities exactly like him, but they did have golems aplenty. None of them ever displayed such emotion, however, and could not be altered in the mind by affects like mortals.
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James tilted his head. Staring at the cavern in a new light now. "I don't know, a few seconds can't be bad, right?" He said, walking forward. Somewhere in the back of his mind. Something told him it was a bad idea. It made no since tactically. But what's the harm? Hey, they may even find something neat! James was nearly to the entrance. Yeah, something neat...

Then the elf spoke. and ever thing seemed to snap back. "Wh... What just happened?" He felt like he had just been through a ringer. His head ached and his gut felt like it was wrung out. "OK, that is definitely a bad place." He said. Stepping back. Letting the odd symptoms pass.

Posted Image

Gwydion shook his head. He wasn't immune to these things. But he could sense and resist them. Though the resisting part was still a little rocky. He went from wanting to walk into the place, to absolutely hating that idea. His hand strayed to his blade. this wasn't good. When he met mind control creatures, they were rarely pleasant. "Y...Yeah, She's right, going in there isn't a good idea." He said, Still trying to get a hold of himself. His magic couldn't stop other magic. But it might be able to block it. Though there was a chance that who ever was inside the shield. Well, I always liked guinea pig He let his Ether build around him like a shield. Small spark danced on his arms and legs as it formed. Now the rest is up to fate.
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The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.
- Albert Einstein

With the powerful and enticing sensation of comfort rushing through him, Scarheart could only nod to the question of whether or not he was affected, a brief and murmured something or other that could be construed as a 'yeah' all while he wandered about the perimeter of the room, running his hands over the crystals with reckless abandon.

I know I shouldn't be touching them... I'm fairly certain I shouldn't even be responding to them..." He trailed off in another rambling of nonsensical words that exposed his weakness toward compulsions - yeah, he would have used the ring for good alright...

His wandering would lead him slowly toward the exit on the opposing side of the room...



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Korazjh leaned against the wall so nonchalantly, picking up on the telepathic power that was coursing through the tunnels en masse, truthfully unaffected by the presence of others who could wield psionic power. Afterall, he was a member of an entire race that could psionically wield power from birth. It almost went right through his mind when people mentioned the sensation of comfort from within the room, then he delved into his mind's recesses only to realize that strange sensation was trying to infect his mind as well. ~Pfft.~

Of course, then it also occurred to the arrogant jackass that not everyone present was as resistant to such effects as him. Then he glanced toward Ashyana who was warning against it. Slowly, he pieced together everything and realized that should there be a compulsion effect, that would eventually affect the mind of the Selu'ani warrior, as well as the metal one, and hell, even that simple human Hren had some combat capability... yep, he had to do something.

"Oh get your useless selves away from there!" Korazjh stepped forward to the edge of the crystalline room and called upon his telekinetic mastery to grab hold of the two wanderers and drag them back from the brink of disaster, or so he told himself. The contest of his will over their grip to the smooth cavern floor was... well, really not even a contest. The two startled and confused individuals let out their respective gasps of surprise as they were placed prostrate on the ground before the Gith General.

"Telepathic messages are running rampant throughout these tunnels, and you're listening to the voices in your head telling you it is time for milk and cookies? Get up you simpletons, you can thank me later." His tone was that of a condescending and overbearing teacher, but also one of realized threat and power. Hopefully, the solid jarring to the two was enough to jar them loose of the grip.

After the ordeal, he turned to look over his shoulder toward Ashyana. He knew her hand would be on her sword at his sudden appearance, so he thought to appease her with a wink - that annoying wink she had had to endure during her return home oh so many moons ago.



"That was a very strong compulsion... thank you, Korazjh. We'll address the superiority complex after we've finished with these tunnels..." Scarheart nodded, standing up to dust himself off and help Cassandra to her feet as well.
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Telmaril
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The End of Ascalon
[ *  *  * ]
Nope. Nope nope nope. Banner didn’t like this one little bit, and the longer xe listened to the little... whatever-they-weres tinking away down the hallway the less xe liked it. The survivor in xir spark kept flashing warnings across xir HUD, insisting over and over again that this was a trap, an accident waiting to happen, somehow inimical to xir survival and that of those around xir. As annoying as the pop-ups were, they also weren’t wrong. It was increasingly clear they’d stumbled upon something larger than initially anticipated, and in Tarn biting off more than you were ready to chew usually got people killed.

Small wonder xe was more than happy to hang back and play rearguard with Cassandra leading the way.

Then Ashyana spoke up, yanking Ban from xir half-reverie with a jolt. Only quick action and rapid engagement of articulation locks kept xir from flinching physically as well as mentally. Instead xe managed to turn to greet the elf with a relatively steady wave. Pit, xir smile even looked halfway natural! ...so long as you ignored the way xir armor reflexively yanked closer, at any rate. Semantics.

“...you know, I don’t think I do?” Uncertain, Ban tilted xir head first to one side, then to the other. Perhaps xe was simply too paranoid to immediately fall prey to feel-good vibes. Maybe this form of magic simply didn’t work on giant robots from beyond the stars. Either way xe felt keyed-up and restless and a bit like someone was watching xir, but definitely not ‘at home’.

Especially not when Korazjh stepped out of thin air and wrenched two of them back without breaking a sweat.

Battlefield instincts kicked in before xe could quash them. In one smooth movement Ban whirled towards Korazhj, forearm plating sliding smoothly back to reveal matched... well, they looked a bit like cannons, actually, even if they didn’t seem prepped to fire just yet.

“Must you sneak up on us like that?”
It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll
I am the captain of my fate, the master of my soul


Telmaril | Shinies
Legion | Shinies
Dust | Shinies
Astrid | Shinies
Shiny Site
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One moment, she was wandering into the crystalline room, wondering just how many of the glowing gems she could put aside for her shoppe..... and the next, she was being jarred back to reality by a force unknown to her. Blinking a couple of times from the ground, Cassandra glanced up and couldn't help but to laugh softly to herself, accepting Hren's proffered hand.

"Thank you... yes, perhaps you could tone your demeanor down a fraction.... though I don't think you know how to. Or want to, for that matter." The comment had no negativity to it, truthfully... Cassandra just got a feeling about Korazjh that he wasn't the most fond of humanity (or any -ity aside from perhaps calamity).

"Well," the Djinn finished dusting her own person off and glanced back towards the chamber they'd been torn from before continuing, "Perhaps we should go with the other route. I think that I'd rather not feel my mind taken from me again at this moment. However, Banner, I don't think that he means us any harm...." She didn't really know what Banner was pointing at Korazjh, if it was a rude gesture or just the equivalency of pointing at the Gith, but the Autobot looked tense (as much as a robot could) and she didn't want for too much aggression to come to fruition in the tunnels with potential enemies of them ahead.



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~*~
At the appearance of her target, the Elf's eyes narrowed and her hand instantly went to her katana, resting there out of reflex as she watched Korazjh pull the other two back from the chamber ahead. Truthfully, she had wished to stop their brash movements, herself, but the Gith didn't need to know that she she could steel at least some thoughts from his prying intellect. She hoped.

"It was rather bold of you to hide yourself from us for so long, Korazjh'iktha. It is difficult to keep allies or gain new ones if you garner distrust from the introductions." She stared hard at him and relaxed her grip on the blade still upon her hip. "However, that is his way, Banner. He knows that should he be a threat to anyone, this would be an inopportune company to do so in. Thus, he means well, even if it is at his own degree of the definition."

Ashyana couldn't say that she had any dislike for the Githyanki.... but she would say that she was tentative around him. He was not one to be trifled with or underestimated in the slightest. "If there is any true threat down here, he is a good ally to have."
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"Start with the part where Jayne gets knocked out by a 90-pound girl 'cause... I don't think that's ever getting old."
- Wash, Serenity

Scarheart nodded in agreement. "Yes. Let us just follow the main corridor and the sounds. I want naught more to do with those crystals."

He saw the dangerous situation poised between the 'Juggernaut' and the Gith, but assumed the psionic general could diffuse the situation before he'd get squashed, or before the sound of ripping metal brought everything in the caverns upon them. However, he did stand defensively next to Cassandra, so that no collateral damage would be yielded unto the Djinn.


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Inside, the Gith's battle lust raged. It had been SO - DAMNED - LONG since he had been able to spill blood, thinking back those months since he helped Ashyana and was ambushed by a small battalion of his own kind. His silver sword cried for blood. His heart ached in how his power had lain so dormant for so long. Luckily, discipline was a matter of the mind, and Korazjh excelled where many of his kind failed - controlling that racial desire for wanton destruction. His intellect told him many things about this situation:

~I would not just be battling the metal one. It's friendly. The others like the talking machina. While I don't overly feel challenged by this ragtag band, I'd rather not have to kill the Selu...~

Korazjh didn't even draw his blade and turned stiffly to face Banner. With his arms straight to either side, he bowed forward the tiniest bit in a greeting, though his eyes would never leave his adversary. "If I meant anyone here harm, it would have occurred already and I would not have saved those two from becoming marionettes. This is normally where I would cast you an insult, demand you retract your weapons, and cower in terror. However, this once, I shall politely ask you to stop pointing your contraptions at me and allow us to continue."

That was polite for a Gith, honest.

Without really so much as waiting for a reply, believing the case resolved, he turned back to face Ashyana. "I wasn't hiding, I was observing whether or not my assistance was necessary. I saw no point in creating awkwardness unless it was to save lives. Of course, my instinct proved correct, and I was needed before half an hour had passed. This world desperately needs more of me. Pity my time is preoccupied elsewhere."

The arrogance was strong with this one.
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Tidesweep
Shrine Attendant
[ *  *  * ]
Tide blinked at the sudden appearance of another person. Well...This wasn't that unsurprising to be honest. And he did drag two of them out of the room. It really was starting to make her feel uncomfortable. Especially since it seemed like, for her anyway, the more she turned away from it, the more it wanted her to come back. Nope. She was having none of that as she moved further away from that entrance and down the tunnel where the voices were coming from.

"Anyone else want to spring out and surprise us...Cause now would be a pretty good time," she whispered quietly under her breath as she watched the situation unfold. While she didn't quiet know what Banner's weapon of choice was, she figured it would be bad if xe fired it down here. Just a guess though.

"Also...I doubt the world could handle more of you as it probably can barely handle one of you." Normally Tide would be so snarky but when you appeared out of seemingly nowhere and man handled two of her friends and had another member of the group ready to blast you into the wall...Well, she wasn't gonna be at her most nice. "Though thank you for stepping in...I do not think I wanted to know what would have happened if you had not."
"Death has a bone to pick with you and I'm here to help out." -Cain Skelington

"The waves have their own music...Are you listening?" - Tidesweep

"Don't take my silence for agreement. That would be a mistake."- Gertude Weavian

"I will protect what is mine with a will forged like a diamond."- Mildred Fresi

"Healing can take time. Lucky for you, you should having nothing but it for awhile."- Jeremi Kgute
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This was altogether interesting, Cassandra had to admit. Even though she noted that Hren was putting himself between her and any line-of-fire that could occur, she couldn't help but to peek past his frame to see the unfolding events.

"Well, this is all fine and interesting example of a machismo competition, but I don't think it's getting us any closer to clearing out whatever is threatening the precious existence of Raferties' book collection." To her own words, the Djinn smiled, trying to lighten the tense mood that was choking the air. She was never too fond of such disgruntlement or arrogance flooding the demeanor of any situation, so she tended to try to defuse it as best as possible.

"If everyone is alright with each other... let's go."

With that, Cassandra would faintly hesitantly start the edging movements back towards the initial passageway, avoiding entering the crystalline chamber again. Her hand quickly laced with Scarheart's to lead him and let him still feel that he was protecting her from the sparks of the group's conflict.



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~*~

Tide had a very good point, but Ashyana was not going to further incur any ire from the Githyanki. Instead, she offered a smile towards the other woman and then redirected her attention to the speaking Djinn. With a nod of acknowledgement, the Selu'ani spoke once more to Korazjh.

"Yes, your assistance was and potentially is necessary to proceed in these tunnels. Simply... try to not antagonize anyone." Knowing the potential look or words to come, Ashyana chose to cut Korarzjh off ahead of time, "You know to what I am referring, Korazjh'iktha. You know enough of the culture and mannerisms of other peoples to be wary of what you should and should not do."

She would, with that, pass the group to follow, slowly moving through them to make sure that everyone was, essentially, on the same metaphorical page. Having heard the whispered words of Tide due to her own keen hearing, Ashyana paused in passing her to speak softly as well, "Korazjh'iktha does not enjoy the notion of hidden potential foes. He will allow us knowledge if he senses anyone that may prove to be a threat."

The Selu'ani knew that the Githyanki was close enough to probably hear her words.

That was the point.
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Raferties
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Lorekeeper
[ *  *  * ]
Raferties blinked in surprise as he felt Tide's touch his arm, turning his gaze from the room that had been drawing him to the woman. He noted that both James and Gqydion seemed to be keeping well back as well.

"Ah, my thanks, Tide. I do not know what came over me. It..." He looked back, as Scarheart and Cassandra began to venture within. "It reminded me of the Chorus, for a moment." His attention was diverted by Cassandra's question, and he was about the caution her and Scar both against touching them, when thankfully (and rather alarmingly) Korazjh made his appearance and pulled them back, drawing a startled gasp from Raferties as well. Banner's reaction did get a response from the angel as well, as he moved forward to put a hand on the Cybertronian's arm (as best he could reach, being six foot nothing and Banner touching ten feet tall).

"They are correct, and I know him as well. Though I will admit your entrance was rather surprising." This last, naturally, to Korazjh, before the Guardian began to follow Tide's movement further down the tunnel after assuring himself that Scarheart and Cassandra were alright, perhaps a step or two behind and chuckling at her snark.

Perhaps it was at that moment that the IF decided to remind them all that it was everywhere and heard everything.

Across both Banner and Kosazjh's senses, their respective manners of sensing the psionic energy in the air would suddenly roar to life with alarm so intense it would be enough, in its abruptness, to possibly drive them to their knees. Sensation and thoughts of Panic, Danger, Protect the Bearers, Eaters, and other such fragments would bombard them like a thousand hammer blows, one doubling up upon the other so rapid it would be hard to follow after a moment. From ahead would come the sound of breaking stone, though around the corner so the source would be obscured by the turn, and everyone, not just Scar, would hear the clicking noise intensify in what could only be described as a scrambling sound, like one who quickly must react to something unexpected. Also on top of this would be a rhythmic thumping previously unheard, and the source of which would become apparent as two creatures scurried around the bend and into view. Beetle-like and covered in green chitinous armor with massive mandibles, they would pause in surprise at seeing the band of Heroes arrayed before them. One, however, would flick out a long tongue at a lump of quartz on the ground, liquefying it in a heartbeat and slurping the mess up like ice cream.

Then... ah, poor Tide. Then they would see you... and more specifically the prescious crystal you were wearing around your neck. With mandibles clicking, the pair rush forward looking for a meal not of you, but of the currently-suspended Charlie Biscuit!

*******

Reference pic for the creatures.

Ok, here's how I'm handling battle:
*Post what your character does.
*I'll edit your post with any results, as well as enemy actions.
*Make a DIFFERENT post with your next action.
*This will repeat until the enemy is defeated.

PLEASE be sure to be aware of what everyone else is doing. Read other posts, ask question of people if you're unsure what they meant. This is a teamwork moment, guys! Lets see it!

Also, for the extent of the battle, Raferties will be something of an NPC controlled by anyone. If you need Raferties to do something (as detailed below) put that in your post, and I'll respond with his actions.

Raferties can:
Attack with his staff or a ranged bolt of radiant light.
Heal (though this is limited overall, and I am keeping track of how much he does this)
Assist another character with attacking or defense
Defend another character who is in danger, though he himself may be wounded in the process.

If you have questions, please let me know!
((Also, pardon any typos. I'm quickly getting this up before my mind forgets what I wanna have happen, with a band-aid on the tip of one finger, lol!))
Note: Until further stated, Scarheart, Belial, and Cassandra have standing permission to powerplay Raferties or Anari.
Raferties and his Shinies ~~Anari and her Shinies~~ Keldos and his Shinies~~Cobalt and her Shinies~~Taki and her Shinies~~Kemori and his Shinies
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Tidesweep
Shrine Attendant
[ *  *  * ]
That was nice to know that they wouldn't be surprised by any more threats at least. It was also nice to know that someone could keep an eye out on the unseen. Giving a small smile to Ashyana, it was short lived though.

She didn't see what was possibly happening to Banner and their new 'friend', but she did hear the clicking sounds and the thumps. Then the sudden appearance of the beetles really didn't help matters any. Well...Sudden as in she was fairly sure that was why the clicking sounds and the thumps started to happen and not just cause they were getting closer to the source.

Stopping short, she watched as the beetles did the same thing. Then slurp! Out popped a tongue and gone was the crystal. Okay. That was weird, but not harmful. Or really a threat. Just when she thought they were out of the woods, the beetles rushed forward.

"What the universe!" Tide scrambled backwards for a moment, not understanding until she heard Charlie's pendant clink against her amulet. Suddenly, she went pale and turned around to run. Her plan was simple: go back to the weird quartz room and let them feast in there. Granted, she hoped they only wanted rocks and not to eat her friends. That could prove to be a problem.

Well...That and outrunning beetles who already had a head start.

Thankfully, the beetle-like monsters thankfully were slower on the draw than Tide was, and hadn't been exactly adjacent when they had come around the corner, so she was quite capable of fleeing safely. Raferties, having been following her, tailed her back as added protection with wings flaring slightly wide in an attempt to make himself appear threatening to them, should they continue following. The weird quartz room that they had all avoided might have seemed like a sanctuary, but the crystals within were behaving strangely: they were dimmed down greatly, making the angel's light much more crucial, as if... trying to not be noticed?
Edited by Raferties, Feb 1 2016, 01:20 AM.
"Death has a bone to pick with you and I'm here to help out." -Cain Skelington

"The waves have their own music...Are you listening?" - Tidesweep

"Don't take my silence for agreement. That would be a mistake."- Gertude Weavian

"I will protect what is mine with a will forged like a diamond."- Mildred Fresi

"Healing can take time. Lucky for you, you should having nothing but it for awhile."- Jeremi Kgute
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James shook his head, still trying to get the thought of entering the cavern out of his head. His stomach felt like it was on the receiving end of a rather nasty punch. He followed the others forward. No longer trusting his aim as much. He knew that he probably still be able to shoot straight. But it was better to not risk it.

Then he heard the clicking. Maybe he should of stayed at the front. He didn't know whether to blame irony or the IF. Either way, he was as surprised as the rest to see two large beetles crawl from around the corner. His hand was on his pistols faster than a hungry cheetah chasing a gazelle. What kept him from pulling was the fact that they paused.

He didn't know the rules of engagement here. But he figured if they weren't attacked, then he shouldn't attack. It was a pretty good rule of thumb. Then they charged Tide. James watched her scramble back. Trying her hardest to get away, He wasn't sure where she was planning on running. Though when she ran past him, he had a clean line of sight.

He pulled and fired. Aiming for the one in the back. He really didn't want to hit Tide...

With Tide and Raferties both clear, the shot was dead on target. The bullet streaked through the air, impacting Crystal Eater 1 in the back of its carapace, making the creature let out a squealing sound of pain, but it might have come as a surprise that the creature continued to advance. The diamond-hard shell had reduced the damage to little more than a scorch-like abrasion, though it definitely had brought the creature up short in surprise if not a mortal wound, leaving Crystal Eater 2 to advance alone for the moment.

Posted Image

Gwydion let his Ether flow back in. He wasn't a big fan of the Banner and Korazjh little scuffle. There was fighting, then there was squabbling. He ignored the two for the most part. Trying to pay attention to things like clicking. He wasn't sure when it happened, but there were now beetles chasing Tide... Well, that was a new development.

BANG!

The cowboys revolvers gave a loud response to the creatures approach. However, he seemed to be aiming at the one behind the other. Leaving Tide still in danger.

Well, I suppose I'm a hero somewhat...

He dashed forward. Pulling his sword in the blink of a eye. He stood in front of Tide, imposing himself between her and the beetle.

"Come on!"

Rushing forward, Gwydion would find himself on the edge of Cassandra's ice sheet, making him the first line of defense in the battle (thus far). With Crystal Eater 1 temporarily held back by James' shot, Crystal Eater 2 was the only one to draw close only to slip on the djinn's trap, sending it slipping and skittering along, making forward progress but sluggishly. A sudden spike of ice shot up (Cassandra from behind acting again), hitting the thing from below. Now, while it's carapace seemed tough enough to negate the bulk of the damage, it was successfully flipped over, tumbling to end up less than two feet from the Journeyman and easily in strike range.

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Cassandra's heart lurched to her throat and she could feel the magic leap to her fingertips instantly. No, it wasn't any form of fear. No matter how much combat she had seen over her lifetime, no matter how much her light-hearted demeanor loved avoiding unnecessary violence....

There was the older part of her that loved it.

At seeing the movements Tide's retreat and both Gwydion and James lunging into the mess of things, Cassandra felt that there was nothing else for her to do... except indulge herself.

The Djinn's footsteps barely made a sound as she crossed the cavern to stand just behind James, ice leaving a trail in her wake. With barely a glance over her shoulder and a gesture, Tide would feel herself covered by a sudden thin layer of non-harmful ice, shielding her hopefully from any potential assault from the beetles that would attempt to harm her physically.

After the more protective display of her skills, Cassandra couldn't hide the wicked smile on her face any longer, her hair flickering in a cool breeze that would seem to originate from nothing and her hands leaking frost that would collect quickly to form two translucent daggers. Most would expect the tiny weapons to be used for their presumed piecing capabilities, yet instead, the Djinn tipped her head nonchalantly and simply flicked them a foot in front of each of the beetle's paths of movement. Upon impact, the ice daggers would explode in a small radius and create layers of slick ice on the rocky surfaces ahead of them with hopes of disturbing their beeline route towards the one individual in the group least likely to pick up a weapon.

There was much temptation within her to continue... and yet, with there only being two of these beetles....

"Someone get ready to stab precisely, please... I don't want to waste my magic, if you wouldn't mind..."

After the general comment was made towards the several individuals that bore melee weapons (or even the ranged weapons, if they were so bold), Cassandra waited until their scratchy little legs began to skitter against the trapped terrain before jarring her hands upward, a spike forming from the remnant ice. If all went as planned, the beetles would be knocked to their backs and hopefully expose any softer carapace beneath for an individual brave enough to take hold of the opportunity.

Success! While one was held up by James, the second had fallen victim to the ice sheet and spike one-two combo, sprawling on its back practically at Gwydion's feet. The djinn might need to hold off on any celebrating, however, as Crystal Eater 1, back at the far edge of the ice where it had been stopped cold (pun!) stamped its feet on the ground. The back of its shell glimmered, it pointed its head towards the one who caused the ice in the first place (clearly some intelligence there to recognize who did what) and it sprayed a line of caustic acid at her, spattering against her and causing a painful burning sensation as it tried to eat at her like she herself was made of crystal. It probably wouldn't be fatal, but certainly not pleasant!
Edited by Raferties, Feb 1 2016, 01:36 AM.
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James grimaced, of course it block his bullet. It was official, he wasn't a fan of bullet proof shielding. there was little more he coud do but stun it... Unless... Well, it's a tiny, tiny chance of actually making the shot. But it would be better than just waiting. He waited for the right moment.

That moment was after

He watched a stream of acid fall onto Cass. He winced, that had to hurt. OK, let's get a little pay back. He put all his concentration into his next shot. Hopefully, this one would do the trick.

"It's high noon." He mumbled, zeroing in on the beetles eye. "Now draw."

BANG!

Another loud retort. Maybe he should look into silencers.

The loud bang would echo through the caverns, bouncing off of the walls and making the crystal rattle in the chamber behind (or were they shivering?). The bullet would slice the air between Gwydion and Ashyana, over the underside of the prone Crystal Eater 1, and drive home into the thing's eye. It was a rather large eye, compound in the nature of insects and thus not quite as hard a target to strike than if it had been a human's eye, but the effect was wonderful as the menace recoiled with a shriek of pain… right before Korazjh got a hold of it….

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Gwydion blinked in surprise. He felt the Djinn's chilly magic. He could even feel her put down the traps. He didn't expect the large spike of ice. It seemed a little over the top. But, if you were gonna flip over a beetle, then one might as well do it with style.

Which meant that he should probably not hold back.

"Precise stabbing, eh? How's this!?"

He reeled back Dromonem. The blade started to glow hot red. His Ether energy rushing through the sword. He grinned, his eyes blazed with Ether energy and murderous content. He brought his blade down with blurring speed and force.

"Let's see if we can crack that shell!"

Dromonem sliced the air with a whistle, massive impact backed by the Journeyman's hands. The tip would pierce the shell but a mere couple of inches, requiring a small expenditure of Ether to push further… and also making an opening in the diamond-like carapace as Ashyanna joined in the team strike a split second later...
Edited by Raferties, Feb 4 2016, 06:13 PM.
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Tidesweep
Shrine Attendant
[ *  *  * ]
Tide stepped into the room just as she felt cold all over. Looking back, she saw Cassandra had entered the fight so it was a good guess as to why she suddenly felt cold. The room was a lot dimmer now and she didn't feel as welcomed in it. It just proved they were all right and that the crystal room hadn't exactly meant them safety as they seemed to have suggested. At any right, it proved the crystals could think somewhat. Still, despite the dim glow, it was still a good shot as any for distracting the beetles in case they made it this far.

Which as Tide watched the fighting, she doubted they would. For one thing, Cassandra had made an ice rink. For two, James and Gwydion seemed to be doing a good job at slowing down the beetles at least. Then the spikes appeared and Tide had to blink at that. Dramatic much, yes. Effective? Oh yeah. Well at least on one beetle. The other had been out of range it seemed like. Tide still counted that as a win.

Though it looked Beetle 1 didn't as it shot acid at and managed to hit Cassandra. "Cassanadra!" Tide moved out of the room and toward the djinn, hoping she wasn't hurt too bad. She didn't know much about acids, but if the show earlier was any indiction, they weren't gonna feel nice. She immediately started to dig through her bag for some kind of cloth to wipe it off of Cassandra so it would stop eating through her skin. That is what acid did after all. It ate through things and while skin and rock were different, she assumed the same basic principles applied.

Due to her searching into her bag, she missed the actions that James and Gwydion were doing which might have been a good thing in a way.

Thanks to a nicely-timed double-effort from Scarheart, the sawdust began soaking up the acid before it could cause more than surface injuries, soreness and a reddening of the skin. Thus far the seeming target of the attack had been able to remain safe, with so many stalwart defenders on hand...
Edited by Raferties, Feb 4 2016, 06:13 PM.
"Death has a bone to pick with you and I'm here to help out." -Cain Skelington

"The waves have their own music...Are you listening?" - Tidesweep

"Don't take my silence for agreement. That would be a mistake."- Gertude Weavian

"I will protect what is mine with a will forged like a diamond."- Mildred Fresi

"Healing can take time. Lucky for you, you should having nothing but it for awhile."- Jeremi Kgute
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